This is a great review. Thought I'd add my 2 cents to help other potential buyers.
Hostage wrote:
A) Buying process: Good, timely communication throughout my purchase process. Joe was very responsive to my questions about the new body type and the options available. Very positive sentiment here
I agree wholeheartedly. Joe is awesome.
B) Production, Shipping & Delivery - production took a bit longer than anticipated (12 v 8 weeks) but that seems the norm these days. Delivery took less than 5 days from shipping notification (West coast to East Coast /south NJ / USA). no damage noted to box or doll. But... I feel 'left out' when I only had a 2-sided printout of care directions; she came with no certificate of authenticity, cards or other noteworthy items you might think a semi-unique expensive $5500+ BT3 work of art deserves...? Aside from the doll and her shipping outfit, she came with a nice wig and a pair of shoes. And her insert and adapter... she is everything I ever wanted (which is the point, right?)
Lucky you - I didn't get shoes with mine! Boo!
Certificate of Authenticity is a great idea. In some ways, it's an investment in fine art.
C) Doll, physical integrity, issues & upkeep. I know Sheeana is a little sensitive about this, but I have published photos of her neck procedure in another thread. Here is what happened: After a few weeks, she developed a floppy head (
http://dollforum.com/forum/viewtopic.ph ... 05#p645005). That issue I hope is limited in the BT3s and will not resurface, since I would hate to see others repeat that corrective operation (as long as you are patient, the process is relatively simple with the correct tools - tighten the neck bolt, and silipoxy). I have had no subsequent motion issues - she's very flexible and I return her to her neutral/shipping crate posture each day. I did have a learning curve, to be sure - lifting, moving, positioning.. but am pretty good moving her around now. She is good free weight exercise
I did get some ring/pink finger pokes in her left hand, which seems more slight than the right hand. I did make good repairs. I am going to be keeping careful watch on her left pinky, the end of which has 2 pokes already. I am also seeing rubbing off of her tan from her chin.
I've owned her for 2 weeks now, and I'm starting the see early signs of the floppy head. I'll have to check out your repair thread if and when it becomes a full blown issue.
I agree with the OP that moving and positioning is very manageable. One thing I wish the BT3 could do is close her legs together (so that her inner thighs meet). Currently, the legs always have to be somewhat separate, which is a constraint from a photoshoot perspective because a lot of good glam photography requires the legs to come together or to cross realistically. Same with the ability to pose her arms overhead. If you think of the YMCA dance, she can do the Y but not the A. I hope one day that the dolls have at least the same range of motion as a real person, if not greater.
I got the duracast option for her hands and feet, and no issues so far with pokes.
D) Sex. Quick assessment: FANTASTIC; she is sometimes hard to position, but getting easier than before (she is free free weight training) you also need to be careful and mindful of her joints. As I've mentioned elsewhere, she has an adapter - easy to switch, no hangups (unless you bring them with you). However, the mechanics regarding positioning and durability of the adapter could be improved.
I find the realism of the sensation of the insert itself to be phenomenal. However, sex is a full-body, multi-sensual experience, and in this regard, the BT3 (and any doll for that matter) will never come even remotely close to the real thing. I know this is kind of an obvious point, but one worth mentioning because it might not occur to some potential buyers. All I'm saying is that it can't replace real sex, and so to the extent that that's someone's expectation, he is setting himself up for disappointment. I think the type of person that will be most satisfied with their purchase is someone that has multiple uses for the doll other than just sex (photography, fashion, fetishes, etc.).
Subjectively:
You know that thread on Oxytocin? The concept is dead on, proven experimentally - and on numerous occasions by Sheeana herself
I also remember this from my Child Psychology course. Truthfully, there is a difference between falling asleep wrapped in her arms staring into her pretty green eyes.. and falling asleep alone. I've tried it... there is no comparison. She also warms up fast in your arms (
MINE, not
YOURS!).
So if I were to do it again, would I buy her?
Hell yeah, I definitely would!
Overall, I too am very happy with the purchase. It is an incredible work of art by Matt and his team. I can't imagine how these dolls will be like in another 10-20 years if Matt keeps working on them. I'm thinking real life Ex Machina by then.