For those of you who haven’t already heard, there are three recent additions to LELO’s Insignia product line. These new sex toys are specifically designed for couples, which is exciting enough, but they’re also unlike any other vibes because they have something called SenseMotion technology.

You know how most video games these days respond to the player moving the controller? Well, finally somebody has done something similar with sex toys. It’s about time, right?

I was thrilled when LELO offered to let me try a Lyla. It’s the one that’s like a large bullet.
There’s also Oden, a vibrating cock ring, and Tiani, which is a dual stimulation toy resembling the We-Vibe II.

Lyla comes packaged in the typical plain LELO black box, with a thinner outer box showing product pictures and basic information on the back. Instead of having a lift-out tray like other LELO products I’ve owned, Lyla, its controller, and an Insignia logo pin are nestled in a fuzzy foam insert. There’s a wee compartment off to the side holding the charger cable, product literature, storage pouch, a lube sample, and a plastic key to remove the battery cap.

I think what they’re going for here is the idea that this is a gift to one’s partner, hence why it’s packaged more like jewelry than a vibrator, and why there’s a dinky wee pin included. Lyla is a bit larger than most bullets, but the underside of it is shaped a lot like the Siri, only more narrow. The surface is an awesome feeling velvety silicone, but it’s totally firm underneath; there’s no give. The remote also has that silicone on the side where its buttons are located. On the other side, the battery compartment lid is gold metallic plastic, which coordinates with the base of the bullet.

The bullet is rechargeable, but the remote controller takes two AAA batteries, which are included. Simply use the provided key to twist off the battery compartment lid, install the batteries, and it’s good to go.

There are three buttons on the controller. I’ll explain the SenseMotion modes later, but you can always just use this like a regular cordless bullet, which is what I prefer for solo play. Simply press the + to increase the speed/power, hit the – to decrease the vibration intensity, and push the middle button to cycle through the various settings.

 

To charge the bullet, twist off the gold cap and plug in the cable. While it’s charging, a little red light will blink. Once it’s fully charged, in order to operate the vibe you have to sync up the controller with the bullet. To do this, press the + button on the remote to turn it on. A little light above the button should flash. Next, press and hold the small power button on the bullet for a second or two, until the light comes on and starts blinking.

It should now be in the first SenseMotion mode, and the bullet’s motor will start out at a low, rumbly continuous vibration. Holding the remote still and completely horizontal will keep it at that speed. Tilting the controller in any direction will increase the vibe’s speed, until it maxes out when the remote is totally vertical. Whoever is holding the controller will know what the bullet is doing, because the remote also vibrates. Granted, it’s not as strong, but unlike other cordless bullets, at least the person manning the controls has some idea of what it feels like.

Once you’ve have your fill of fun playing with that, press the middle button and switch to the other SenseMotion setting. In this mode, shaking or otherwise moving the controller around makes the motor come on. The faster you move it, the stronger it vibrates. There is somewhat of a delay in the response in this mode, I noticed. And you really have to shake the remote very fast to get a decent vibration going, which just isn’t something I can practically do when I’m using the vibe. It’s too exhausting. But again, the remote’s vibrations correspond to whatever the bullet is doing.

If all else fails, just hit the middle button again, and you’re in manual mode, which is as easy as hitting + or – to control the speed. In addition to the constant vibration, there are also five other settings, accessed by a press of the middle button. There’s a busy signal type pulse, a short sharp pulse, an escalating/trobbing pulse, a slower escalating/roller coaster pulse, and then a more random and hard-to-describe pulse pattern. When you get to this last setting, press the middle button again to start over at the first SenseMotion mode.

While in manual mode, there’s a way to turn off the controller’s vibrations. I just can’t remember exactly how, and rather than dig out the instructions I usually just let the remote buzz away. Don’t worry, those vibrations don’t go to waste. I find they’re quite useful for stimulating auxiliary erogenous zones like nipples and inner thighs. The bullet can’t be everywhere at once, you know, and it’s nice to have a back up.

SenseMotion is a brilliant concept, and for the most part it works well, but I think there’s still some room for improvement. For starters, the remote and bullet tend to lose connection easily. Like when I have the vibe inserted (vaginally only, as there’s no flared base) or if I’m using it under the covers. So, while it may have a range of 39 feet, I’d say that’s only if there isn’t fabric or flesh interfering with the signal. There’s also a bit of a learning curve to using the remote. If you want a slow and steady increase in vibration intensity, you have to tilt the controller very gradually. Otherwise, it goes from barely on to full speed.

As far as power, Lyla definitely puts out more oomph in manual mode, where at top speed it almost might be nearly as strong as Siri, but not quite. I think Siri’s vibrations are stronger and more rumbly, plus it’s shape is also a bit wider, so the vibrations are able to cover a larger area (if that makes a difference), but Lyla has enough power to get the job done for me in manual mode. In either SenseMotion setting, the vibrations just don’t get as strong. They’re fine for teasing and a lot of fun to incorporate into foreplay, though. Which I suppose is the whole idea.

Thank you, LELO for sending me a Lyla to try!