TLC Tugger Vs. DTR?

[- Kyle -]

Hello!, i'm deciding on which device to get. What are the pros/cons for each device?

I am also concerned on durability of each device as well. :3

[almostinside]

Hi Kyle,

The TLC-X and DTR are pretty similar in their restoring methods; both of them can use bi-directional or uni-directional tension, both can be slightly modified to accommodate other restoration methods, such as weights of inflation, both of them can and have been using alone to fully restore.

As I only have the TLC-X, I can only only comment on that, but it's been a great device for me. It's fairly small and compact, comfortable to wear, and the bi-directional tension works well. I've used it to go from 50% FEC to 106 FEC in ~7 months; it definitely works. Also, Ron (the creator of the TLC-X and owner of this forum) is a really great guy in terms of help and support, so that's awesome. I've heard that the DTR also works well too, and it definitely has a devoted fan base.

The reason that I chose the TLX-C over the DTR was that the head of the device on the TLC-X is made of pliant silicone, while the head of the DTR is made of harder plastic, so I thought that might be a little more comfortable against the head of my penis.

At the end of the day though, the best device for you is going to be the one that you use consistently...that is the most important part.

[admin]

Hello!, i'm deciding on which device to get. What are the pros/cons for each device?

I am also concerned on durability of each device as well. :3

I stongly urge you to let Chuck who makes the excellent DTR know that you posted here in case he would like to comment.

Some features of the TLC-X:

• Soft silicone gripping surfaces for comfort.
• Narrow tapered shape made possible by sturdy engineered metal components.
• Available in 7 widths for a precise fit.
• Device length can be varied (with TLC Selects) to keep up with your increasing slack (so you can keep a constant part of your skin tube falling at the skinniest part of the tugger, for the tightest possible puckered outcome.
• Straps, weights, springs, rubber bands, fixed pusher displacement, and air (with added parts) tension mode options that can also be combined various ways.
• Full-year warranty, 3-months no-questions-asked refund option, and telephone, email, and user forum support.

[etooey]

Hello!, i'm deciding on which device to get. What are the pros/cons for each device?

I have both devices. I used the TLC-X for about a year and a half and then switched to the DTR. The DTR suits me better at this point.

TLC-X pros:

• More aggressively tapered shape may result in a snugger and more realistic foreskin when done. (This hasn't been proven, but Ron advocates the tapered shape for a cosmetically better result.)
• Custom-sized
• Smaller --> less conspicuous under slim-cut pants
• Lots of ways to use it

DTR pros:

• Deep pusher available which distributes the force across more of the glans. (You need to have enough slack to use it, though. Contact Chuck to discuss this.)
• Easier to apply consistently
• Does not rely on tension to stay on, so it does a better job of staying in place when you are sweaty, have to kneel, etc.

I made decent progress with the TLC-X but changed to the DTR after 18 months because

• TLC-X was causing discomfort even with very little tension. The conical tapered shape means that the skin is bunched/folded over itself toward the tip where the diameter is smallest, causing pinching.
• Having my penis pulled against my leg with elastic on warm days was causing abrasion sores and clogged follicles which were repeatedly getting infected. (The Tug-n-Wear does help with the rubbing.) I have enough scars on my penis, and had already lengthened the hair bearing shaft skin more than I wanted (it extends quite far for me), so I decided to go all strapless. The TLC-X relies on tension to stay in place and was loosening inadvertently when configured strapless, whereas the DTR design is more apt to stay in place.
• The TLC-X has sharp angles that were digging into the shaft skin and causing pain. (Note: Ron can smooth these angles for you if you request.)
• The Your Skin Cone had lost its effectiveness for me as a retaining device because I had gained enough slack to eliminate the tension that was holding it in place. (The solution is to use the YSC with a tugger body or the TLC Packers to take up the slack, but this seemed like it would be complicated in the middle of the night.)

Since purchasing the DTR, here are my observations about it:

• It is made of hard nylon, but the angles are all smooth, so it will not dig in the way the TLC does. It has machined grooves like a record, which makes the nylon grippy.
• The gripper does a great job of staying in place, but if it partially slips off, you'll know about it in a big way. The TLC-X is easier to pop loose through your pants if you're experiencing pain and need to release it but aren't near a bathroom. After 6 months of use I have yet to have my DTR come totally off, even when kneeling or sweating in the summer.
• The diameter of the DTR is much larger than my size in the TLC-X, so the skin under the gripper does not fold over itself and get bunched.
• I have had to switch to looser-fitting pants to use it inconspicuously.
• The DTR retainer (sold separately) works beautifully. Absolutely no complaints.
• The grippers with holes have not been necessary to use.
• The DTR lets me go much higher on the tension without pain (albeit for shorter periods). The TLC-X was more of a gentle tension all day device, while I use the DTR as a higher tension for fewer hours device. Not sure about the difference in progress rate though.

Both devices have proven themselves to be very well-made and durable. Customer service for both has been excellent. To me, the TLC* is a great device to use with a strap because it's less conspicuous and comes with everything you need for that use. The DTR can be used with a strap but is designed primarily as a strapless device and really excels as such. However, either device can be used in various configurations.

I am also concerned on durability of each device as well. :3

Both have been excellent. I had a couple very minor durability issues with the TLC-X.

• Premature elastic band failure due to the elastic cords being cut by the stitching. (The severed cords were visible when holding the band up to a light.) Solution: Cut off the bad part and reattach back to itself using super glue instead of stitches. This is a very minor problem IMO. You'll still want to replace the elastic bands when they lose their vigor.
• The silicone tore a bit where the metal goes into it. This seems to have been from misalignment due to clipping the elastic band directly to the tugger body's metal piece, which forced the metal rod slightly off-axis. The tugger worked fine for many months like this and never actually failed, so I suspect the internal construction is very robust.

I haven't had the DTR nearly as long, so it's not fair to really compare at this point. Its construction is much simpler, and the only thing I could see needing to replace might be the grippers, which are modified silicone baby bottle tops.

Hope this helps!

[admin]

The conical tapered {TLC-X} shape means that the skin is bunched/folded over itself toward the tip

That's a good reason to make the device longer with the TLC Selects spacers so the skin rolls out neatly onto a device that exactly matches your skin-tube length.

Deep pusher available

TLC-X Pushers are available extra deep and customized. In every case, deeper means longer, so more slack is needed to accommodate those.

the TLC-X has sharp angles that were digging into the shaft skin and causing pain. (Note: Ron can smooth these angles for you if you request.)

We do now smooth Pusher edges more now than in the past, and the base edge of the tugger body is kind of floppy and doesn't push firmly for most users, but we're always happy to work with users until they're tugging comfortably.

[bdtater]

I've been using the TLC-X for a couple of months now. I can't compare to the DTR, as this is the only device I've used (after about 9 months of manual tugging), but I'm very happy with it. I find it very comfortable to wear throughout the day, and as mentioned above, it's easy to remove if you need to readjust. It did take two or three days to get the hang of putting it on, but I imagine that would be the case with any device out there. Although I've only experimented with hanging weight, I appreciate the diversity of the TLC-X, as you have the option to use straps, springs, weight, rubber band tension, or simply bi-directional tension with nothing extra. It does sometimes loosen if bending over a certain way or sitting in my car, but these are minor adjustments in my eyes. Great product!

[Pwny]

I have both devices and would say the DTR is far more durable. Very sturdy and solid.
I had issues with the TLC-X staying attached but I've had zero issues keeping the DTR on. But, I've found the DTR can be painful to take the device off because my skin sticks to the push-plate. I'm assuming that's the reason for it hurting a little. Always in the same spot for me, so could just be my skin/how I was cut.

Considering trying to modify my push plate in some way so it doesn't hurt when I remove it.

*EDIT* Now that I think about it and after closer examination I think I just need the pushplate with space for the frenulum.

[bdogg]

I've used both devices before and I prefer the DTR. I feel like I get a better stretch with it and that it can grip my skin better so there's less of a chance that it falls off. The material seems very sturdy too. However, it did take a while before I could wear it for an extended period of time comfortably.

I've also been using the CAT II Q a lot recently. I don't see this device get mentioned as much as the other two, but it's also a great option. It my opinion, it's the most comfortable device, especially with the deep silicone pusher. I feel like it does a great job stretching my skin, it has no problem staying on, and it's extremely comfortable. It's also a bit smaller than the DTR, so it's more discreet as well. If you're looking for a good device, I would seriously consider this one as well.

[- Kyle -]

I've used both devices before and I prefer the DTR. I feel like I get a better stretch with it and that it can grip my skin better so there's less of a chance that it falls off. The material seems very sturdy too. However, it did take a while before I could wear it for an extended period of time comfortably.

I've also been using the CAT II Q a lot recently. I don't see this device get mentioned as much as the other two, but it's also a great option. It my opinion, it's the most comfortable device, especially with the deep silicone pusher. I feel like it does a great job stretching my skin, it has no problem staying on, and it's extremely comfortable. It's also a bit smaller than the DTR, so it's more discreet as well. If you're looking for a good device, I would seriously consider this one as well.

i see, do you know how much the DTR cost if i may ask?

[etooey]

i see, do you know how much the DTR cost if i may ask?

I paid a little over $100 for the DTR with notched conform plate (deep pusher) and an extra $35 or so for the retainer {mod: note that for DTR a "Retainer" is what TLC calls a Packer.}. IIRC, the TLC-X was a bit less. Considering both devices are hand-made, they're a bargain.

[Swingshiftworker]

I bought the TLC-X when it 1st came out. Maybe I never used it correctly but it never worked for me. So, I just continue to use a Tugger and a PUD which are the the simplest and most effective devices for me.

However, I do pump occasionally and have thought about buying a DTR to make use of the inflation feature, which would focus the inflation on just the foreskin rather than the entire penis.

[MB560]

This being Ron's forum I hesitate to voice my opinion on the topic, but I'll suffice it to say I prefer my DTR and CAT ll Q to my TLC-X. I've never been able to get it to work right as a dual directional device. It seems like,ther weren't any instructions on how to assemble the TLC-X and I never really understood how to use it. Also the springs and elastic bands didn't seem to provide any significant amount of tension. Also, the slightest bumping of the unit against my pants or leg often resulted in the device falling off.

[MB560]

I have both devices and would say the DTR is far more durable. Very sturdy and solid.
I had issues with the TLC-X staying attached but I've had zero issues keeping the DTR on. But, I've found the DTR can be painful to take the device off because my skin sticks to the push-plate. I'm assuming that's the reason for it hurting a little. Always in the same spot for me, so could just be my skin/how I was cut.

Considering trying to modify my push plate in some way so it doesn't hurt when I remove it.

*EDIT* Now that I think about it and after closer examination I think I just need the pushplate with space for the frenulum.

I fold a single square of toilet paper into thirds then into thirds again to form a little square that I place on the pusher plate to cushion the glans and prevent sticking to the plate.

[almostinside]

This being Ron's forum I hesitate to voice my opinion on the topic, but I'll suffice it to say I prefer my DTR and CAT ll Q to my TLC-X. I've never been able to get it to work right as a dual directional device. It seems like,ther weren't any instructions on how to assemble the TLC-X and I never really understood how to use it. Also the springs and elastic bands didn't seem to provide any significant amount of tension. Also, the slightest bumping of the unit against my pants or leg often resulted in the device falling off.

I'm sorry, I know you're trying to be helpful, but this is the absolute worst kind of review. Stating that the device was bad because you didn't understand how to use it has nothing to do with the effectiveness of the device itself. I understand that you have other criticisms as well, but giving a negative review on a device because you couldn't figure out how to use it is like giving a negative review to a book because it was too difficult for you to read; it only reflects poorly on you.