I have a Reel Magik 4.5" without the flex rod that I got about 2 months ago. I got the extra paint job/colorization choice & I also got the attached hair. I have not posted any reviews online, because whether it is right for you is so deeply personal. However, I am very happy with my Reel Magik, and I want to share some answers/comments to the questions I most commonly see asked.
(1) How
realistic is it? - Very. This is the best part & my main reason for going with Reel Magik. I can & have stripped naked (I have had top surgery) in front of cis-men and no one can tell I am trans. I wouldn't start doing naked gymnastics or even move around a lot in a communal prison shower environment, but the look and feel works. Choosing the right color/skin tone & also getting the hair likely helped me a lot with this.
(2) Does the
adhesive work? Yes, for me, the extra-strength is very reliable. The regular was adequate, but had some shifting when I was doing athletic activity. The extra-strength stays put - even in sports, even with showering, even through sleeping, and it can stay on for multiple days (though I wouldn't recommend doing this often - your skin needs to breathe). I believe that this works well as a combination of both the quality of adhesive AND the light weight of the prosthetic. This was super important to me, to be harness-free, and I'm very happy about how it works. It also goes on in a matter of minutes. I don't spend a lot of time getting it glued.
(3) Is it
comfortable? Absolutely. I basically forget it's there in the regular course of doing stuff. And I never got used to having an Stp-packer, because I found it too uncomfortable or bulky.
(4) Is it
too big? Not really, BUT I am conscientious about wearing supportive undergarments when I'm going to be moving around a lot. And I don't feel comfortable wearing boxers and gym shorts, for example. It does make you seem like a bit of a "shower" in certain clothes. I had wanted it a little smaller (3.5 to 4 inches), because I'm short and those are the size packers I had, and the 4.5" is what I wound up with. I suspect it had to do with them combining what I wanted with what others were asking for and also making the proportions WORK (the penis versus the balls). The smaller you want the prothestic, the harder it would be to make it realistic and proportional. What is interesting to me is that I don't find that it sticks out more than a smaller packer + Harness did - it lays a little flatter. So if you are already packing, it's not really all that different.
(5) Can you use it with an
STP? It doesn't have an STP, but it doesn't BLOCK you from using an stp. I am able to use another stp device (e.g., p-style, spoon, etc.) while wearing the prosthetic.
(6) How
durable is it? I've only had it for just over 2 months and I don't wear it every single day. However, I have worn it for high intensity sports and I have slept and showered with it. I also take care to clean it after and before every use. So far, prosthetic shows pretty much no wear in the shaft or balls, and the tab back is still as strong as ever. There is some adhesive build-up, but it actually helps for future applications, so I'm not trying to strip it down.
The hair piece does show some wear - probably because I've showered with it and I'm also not super careful about never getting adhesive on the hair on the edge.
My hope when I bought it was to have it last 2 years (min) and maybe need some maintenance at the 1 year mark (paint touch up, hair, better adhesive removal, etc.). So far, I see no evidence that it would need to be any sooner. I did ask about touch ups and maintenance when I bought it, and it sounds like this is something they will do for reasonable price as needed. They don't offer a formal warranty, but they are a small business & stand behind their products. I was comfortable with that.
(7) How is
customer service in general? Very good. One of the other main reasons I went with Reel Magik is that they reply promptly to inquiries and seem genuinely committed to doing right by their customers. I had heard mixed to negative reviews of other companies. I only have good things to say about working with Reel Magik.
My order was significantly delayed, but they responded to questions about it, and even offered me a discount when the actual delivery date was not remotely close to when it had originally been scheduled for (I suspect the new order policy is meant to alleviate issues that occurred this past year when they had several emergencies cause widespread delays). It was more important to me that they deliver a high quality product and one that matched what I ordered than to give me "something" by a specific date, and they seem to feel that this is the best policy as well.
Just remember that you are working with a small business, with all the ups and downs of that. Prosthetics are only one small part of what they do, so you should be aware of their busier and quieter times when you are ordering (e.g., halloween = big business!) & delays can happen. I hope their new order system streamlines the process, but since each order is still hand-made, this is NOT the item to buy expecting it to come quickly.
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What about the
flex rod? I don't know. I didn't get one. For me, the goal was something I could comfortable wear all the day & blend in, even with my pants down. I didn't see the point in getting a flex rod in a 4.5" packer. I only penetrate men (not women), so the size and firmness were suspect. Plus, I was worried about cleaning it (even with condom use) & having it wear out faster. That's only my opinion though. Someone else may find it works for them.
(9) Why don't they make an
STP version? Probably because there is no way to integrate an STP design without compromising the realistic look and light-weight nature of the prosthetic or ensuring that the adhesive/tab would still stay glued on properly, even with a placement that works for an STP. Having used many different STP devices, including STP/packers and just old stps, I do not think the science works for them to be able to create a functional STP that still feels, looks, and wears like the device they have now.
(10) What are the
negative aspects of the device? As I stated, I'm happy with my Reel Magik. I knew exactly why I was getting it (wanting to blend in for sports, even in lockerrooms or camping), and it works great for my intended use. However, there are still some "negative" or parts about it that I would prefer not to deal with:
- Cost of the adhesive: when you are figuring out how much the device costs, you are pricing out your specs. Note, though, that the adhesive is very expensive. I haven't had it long enough to have a per use/application cost estimate & I may be using too much as I'm learning how much is enough to stick. That said,
my best guess so far is that it may be almost $1 (US) per use. I'd be surprised if it is less than $.50 per use. If you are taking it on and off daily, this really adds up. (And you can't just leave it on indefinitely - that's not healthy). I've noticed that I wear it less than I otherwise would because of adhesive cost.
- The opposite of a pack & play: as I explained earlier, I didn't get the flex rod. One thing to remember, though, is that as realistic as the Reel Magik looks & feels, it can get in the way for having sex. You have to use solvent and remove it & clean up BEFORE you can then wear a harness & strap-on. It also can block some (though not all) access to your own junk. Depending on what kind of sex you like to have, it is more cumbersome than helpful. I d
- Hair removal: Like with any glued on prosthetic, you need to shave or wax the area you are adhering to. It's a minor inconvenience.
All in all - The 4.5" Reel Magik is the best prosthetic out there if you want something that looks and feels real. Just don't expect it to DO anything. You can't pee with it. You can't use it for most sex stuff. It just hangs there, you know, being there. That was enough for me & I'm glad I got it. If I was not interested in blending in while naked (let's say I didn't have top surgery already), I'm not sure I would see the point in getting it.
