Fun Factory Rechargeable Cobra Libre Male Vibrator

Date: (12 September 2011)

The first time I saw the Cobra Libre I had to take a double take, the design was so different to any other male toy I had come across. The quality was apparent, even from looking at the pictures.

Packaging: Being from Funfactory, a luxury brand, you don't get any cringe-worthy, cheap, flimsy packaging. The cardboard box has 3 sides with a clear mould around the Cobra Libre so there is no damage in transit. The colours of the box are very neutral with red and grey themes, perfect for a brand which sells both female and male toys.
Including in the box is two sachets of lubricant and instructions on the toy. These were quite complicated and mostly filled with marketing jargon, however included around the jargon is the instructions on how you use the Cobra Libre.
Not included is a charger, make sure that you have brought one separately with your order. This is a definite negative, certainly not what you would except from a luxury brand.

Appearance/Materials: My initial thoughts on quality were completely correct. The Cobra Libre is solid with no loose or rattling parts. It is made from two-toned high quality plastic which is fused to a soft and flexible silicone tunnel. The materials used are completely skin-safe and there is no odour from any part of the Cobra Libre.
The colours simply suit the Cobra Libre and almost highlight it's quality, rather like a beautiful interior for an expensive car.

Functions/Controls/Volume: With nearly all the toys around on the market today, Funfactory recommend fully charging the Cobra Libre before using it for the first time, which they say can take up to 12 hours. Luckily it took around 8 hours to fully charge, with each charge thereafter taking around 2 hours, depending on how low the battery is.
There are two vibrating motors inside which are controlled by three touch sensitive buttons on top of the Cobra Libre.
The three buttons are function, up and down. The function button not only turns the toy on and off, it controls the next vibration patterns. The up and down button control the intensity of the vibrations.
Getting to your favourite pattern can be time consuming as you have to travel through the vibration modes before getting to the patterns.
You can reset the patterns back to the first one by holding the function button for a couple of seconds.
The vibrations are quiet on the lower speeds and levels of intensity, however like with all toys, the higher the intensity the more noise it makes. You can hear it on the higher settings in the next room, though it is muffled. When you put music on as well you can hear a low rumble depending on the volume of the music.


Experience: The Cobra Libre does have some great points and the design is like no other. However, it seems that with all the form and sleek design, the function seems to have been lost. While the touch sensitive buttons add to the overall sleek look of the toy, they are a complete pain if you have any lubricant on your hands then the controls are hit and miss.

The second problem is charging, as all Funfactory products are charged by the click 'N' charge, the design of some toys doesn't match the design of the charger, the Cobra is included. The plastic part is where the two metal circles, used to charge the toy, is located. The plastic part is curved which needs to hold a flat charger, this often leads to the charger falling off. This is a big flaw when the toy often has to charge for two hours, now you have two choices, either sit like a hawk and make sure it charges, or position it as best as you can and hope it doesn't fall off.

Third problem is that when using the natural and comfortable holding position, you often end up inadvertently touching the buttons, as these are touch sensitive buttons, this nearly always changes at best the intensity or at worst the patten.

The fourth problem is that the vibrations seems to be in the wrong place, they are easily felt around the outside of the Cobra Libre but not as easily inside. The silicone tunnel is designed to fit as many different shapes and sizes as possible, it is loose and doesn't surround your penis tightly.
You expect the vibrations to be felt around the head of the penis, frenulum and the top of the shaft. Instead, they are much more dispersed and defused.

The fifth problem is the tunnel shape, it has a downwards turning lip at the mouth, which even with lubricant feels quite uncomfortable during use. The tunnel size is 3.5 inches, you can thrust inside it (just), but the strokes are very shallow and not particularly satisfying.

Care and Maintenance: Funfactory supply sachets of lubricant with their toys.
You can only use water-based lubricant with silicone toys, this is because using oil based lubricant could turn your toy into a sticky mess.
The Cobra Libre is silicone and water-proof, making cleaning much easier. However, I didn't trust completely submersing the plastic as this has contains the electrics and motor. Instead, I treated it as splash-proof, washing the silicone tunnel only. Leave the Cobra Libre to air dry as drying inside the silicone tunnel is difficult.

Overall: What was brought as a belated surprise gift for my partner so he can enjoy more sex toys was a big disappointment. The Cobra Libre has a modern and sleek design which almost any man could like, however the function certainly doesn't live up to expectations. What was designed as a slow building up toy has failed spectacularly,it simply doesn't deliver. My partner used this almost a dozen time, the experience of using this toy left his feeling frustrated and having to finish off himself or kindly ask me to do so.

Positives
* Packaging
* Sleek and modern design
* Different functions and patterns
* Materials
* Water-proof
* Colours
* Reset function
* Able to change intensity
* Quality toy, solid and with no loose/rattling parts

Negatives
* Instruction booklet mostly filled with marketing jargon
* Tunnel - too short, downwards lip at the mouth, too loose
* Vibrations inside tunnel are defused
* Touch buttons - easily pressed, especially with lubricant on fingers.
* Charger not included
* Cycling through vibrations and patterns to get to the one you want
* Charger doesn't sit right and can fall off
* Not the quietest toy around - low rumbles can be heard in the next room

This review has been shortened for quick viewing, if you wish to read the full review, which is explained in more depth, then please go to http://divinedelightsboudoirbliss.blogspot.com/2011/09/fun-factory-cobra-libre.html

Date: (20 June 2011)

Of the sex shops we love to sift through on a rainy afternoon, one is definitely one of the UK's larger and more extensive sites in this motley band of shops we tend to just call 'sex shops'. This really does seem rather unfair at times, considering the span of these shops. Some just seem to get things right, with beautifully designed sites, massive amounts of great toys and with a general feel of interactivity with the customers. Not forgetting of course, great service. Others can be nothing but a front for a dinghy shop selling jelly dongs and phthalates bombs.

Anyway, back to the particular rainy afternoon in question and we happened to spend some time at one of our favorite UK shops: Sextoys.co.uk - who just gets it, does it right and they have toys we want. To be fair; we usually go for some of the better toys to feature on our own site. This helps to show you guys that there ARE really good toys, aids and fun stuff to play with out there. It also keeps you guys from buying crap you'll regret down the line! So anyway; you know the drill by now: coffee, Bailey, blanket and cuddling together, just browsing and enjoying ourselves. This afternoon we were going over the new videos and checking out the new stock on Sextoys.co.uk.

As it happens, we'd just been to a sex convention not too far from here and seen all the bigwigs showing off their new lines, products and what not. Of course we'd visited the Fun Factory booth and the uber-babe there immediately stuck my fingers into a Cobra Libre. I've wanted, nay, craved one since we left that booth! This was kinda odd since I didn't really fall for all the 'bruhaha' when it was released.

Now, of course, right there, on Sextoys.co.uk: A BIG BLOODY PICTURE of the Cobra Libre looking so *blipping* enticing I was about to scream! Of course my other half noticed me squirming and right away said, 'right, that's it, we're getting you one.'

I love my girl! So from thoughts, to words, to mail, and 'it's on it's way' response from Sextoys.co.uk's own lovely uber-babe Cara Sutra was a matter of minutes!¦

If there was ever a toy I was waiting impatiently for! Seconds, minutes, hours slowly crawled along and became days. Luckily only a few. The completely nondescript package arrived, was ripped to shreds and discarded. It took less than ten seconds! Inside was the 'toy car', well it's the best way to describe the packaging of the Cobra Libre. It really looks like the packaging you'd find if you went into a toy store (and I do mean one for kids) and found a big toy car for your kid. There's even a big image on the back of the Cobra Libre racing down a racetrack! So sure, give it as a gift, nobody would bat an eye other than to say, 'he might be a little too old for toy cars, love!'

Open the box, and you'll find the Cobra Libre in a plastic-thermo-molded 'holder'. With it you'll find a few samples of Fun Factory's lube, 'Toy Fluid'. There is also a folder showing off heaps of other Fun Factory products and the manual in six languages. All in all it's okay - not particularly cool or awesome, but I like the fact that it could be a gift in any company and doesn't show actual images of the intended use. BUT THERE'S NO CHARGER! That's right: you buy a product and it's not excatly a cheap one either, if you get my drift. It's awesome, it's green, it's good for the environment. Especially since you can't recharge it!

Yes, we did know that because Sextoys.co.uk has been nice enough to write in no uncertain terms that you need to BUY a charger as extra. But seriously, I know it's cool that the new Click & Charge charger can be used on ALL the new rechargeable Fun Factory toys, and it therefore might seem excessive to put a charger with all of them. I don't care: If I buy an expensive toy that needs recharging I want a recharging thinghy-majighy with it!

Well, that little rant aside; time to get to know my little new friend.

Fun Factory's Cobra Libre is so obviously for men that it would be like saying: condoms go on penises, right? WRONG! You can actually get a lot of couples fun from the Cobra Libre. So lady-readers, please do read on.

The Cobra Libre is an entirely different approach to male masturbation. Yes, it's for the penis and yes, you do stick the penis in it. But that's about as far as conventional goes.

The bottom part of the shell of the Cobra Libre is made from a hard, glossy, deep black plastic. In the one Sextoys.co.uk sent us it also has a stretchy bright red silicone sleeve that makes up the 'mouth' of the toy. The silicone is medical grade and completely safe. It looks pretty rad actually just holding it. The red silicone sleeve is not particularly deep, only about three inches, which doesn't really sound like a lot. However, don't let the shallow depth fool you, you're not supposed to stick your whole member inside, just the head. And it really does work its magic on the tip of your penis. It's a one-size-fits-most kinda thing. The silicone sleeve will stretch and give room for, well, I'd say everyone! If you're fairly average down there I'd say you have no worries at all. I also wouldn't worry that the sleeve doesn't appear to feel very tight, as this simply allows the vibrations to do their job.

The controls are located on the top of the toy. There are three touch sensitive recesses in the plastic case. To turn on the toy, you apply a minute amount of pressure to the top panel for two seconds, this being the panel that holds the LED indicator. The toy will then whirr on to its first, standard vibration setting. The right panel is used to turn the vibrations up, and the panel on the left is used to turn the vibrations down. Pressing the down button while on any of the vibration patterns will turn the toy back to the highest standard vibration setting. Lightly touching the on/off button will return the toy to the first, idle vibration. To turn the toy off, simply touch the top panel for two seconds again till it goes to sleep.

Now, I've been using all sorts of toys for jack-off sessions. Even some not entirely supposed to be used by the male half of the species. So far the best ones have been various prostate massagers and of course the Fleshlight Range. No way around it - and I suspect almost all men who have tried one would agree: the Fleshlight is IT, when it comes to self serving gratification or masturbation for men. So the question is: Does the Cobra Libre cut it, when it's time for fun?

In a word: No. BUT: it does feel Oh. So. Good!

First off: it has so many vibration modes and strengths, that you can stop counting after 10-15 or so. I gave up, there's so many. Besides, you won't get to test them all before you're bound to find one you really, really like and just swim in the sea of pleasure all the way to shore. However from vibration 1 until 6, the toy essentially just creates stronger vibrations each time you push the button but when you get to 6, the fun really begins. This is where the second motor turns on and the synchronized vibrations create a gentle throbbing sensation. These continue to increase in strength until (roughly) setting 11 or 12. Because of the touch panel and the consistency of the vibrations, it can be hard to tell. The vibrations get so powerful you can see the lips of the sleeve oscillating madly. From here on in, there are a number of knee trembling, throbbing, pulsing and fluttering patterns that definitely make this a FUN toy. I could quite happily sit back and enjoy these until the toy runs out of power.

It will definitely make you cum!

Still, I haven't felt an earth shattering orgasm with it yet, such as I do with either a hands-free prostate orgasm, or when I use a Fleshlight. It does feel really good though, don't get me wrong - and I will definitely give this toy my full recommendation. If nothing else, it's just a great new take on a toy for the boys. To get back to the ladies, We've been using it where my OH would cuddle or lick my balls while holding the toy in place. Alternatively we have been turning the toy, so the red sleeve is pointing down, she will then sit on my thighs and also enjoy the vibrations traveling through my penis, through the red silicone, to her clit.

Now being all waterproof and all, you can off course use it everywhere: shover, tub, spa... you name it. Cleaning it couldn't be easier: Just use warm water, a bit of anti-bacterial soap and then just let it air-dry. It'll be as good as new and ready for next time.

Just remember to buy the bloody Click & Charge thingy!

Bottom Line, if a) if you want to try something completely different go for the Cobra Libre, or b) just want some really great deals, on a whole slew of really great toys... come give Sextoys.co.uk a visit. Check out their videos or give their 3for2 section a spin. They often times haves pretty expensive items in there you can pick up at quite a bargain.

Date: (12 June 2011)

I bought the Cobra Libra on the back of some very positive reviews and a good price at sextoys.co.uk, but I am rather disappointed with it. It's certainly powerful and can create some nice sensations, but the controls are extremely sensitive to touch and it is all too easy to accidentally change the programme or even to turn it off - spoiling the build-up, just when things are getting interesting. I also found that after using it for 15 mins, it actually caused some numbness, where I expected fireworks. It also made the hand I had been holding it with tingle, which isn't what I expected. Yes it made me cum in the end, but overall, I didn't think the sensations were that great and I wouldn't buy another one if this one broke.