LAPD vs Vacu-Tech

I know there are a lot of threads discussing brands and types of pumps and cylinders. I think I’ve read most of them. Still, I’ve narrowed my choice down to LAPD or Vacu-Tech, and I’d appreciate some feedback. By the way, this will be my first experiencing with pumping.

I’ve done some hanging, manual stretching, jelqing, and clamping. I got a little gain in length from hanging, but I simply don’t have the privacy for it now. Girth is easy for me; length is very difficult. Therefore my current goal is length. I’m presently 7 1/8 bpel and 5 3/8 to 5 1/2 girth.

I’ve been able to speak to someone at Vacu-Tech, who was extremely helpful. I’ve emailed and called LAPD, but I’ve yet to hear back from them. I know they have a reputation for being slow to return calls/emails. LAPD has the metal pump with gauge, which is a plus. The guy at Vacu-Tech said they have considered selling these, instead of the plastic ones they sell. However, he says they leave a metallic smell on your hand. He also says that if you take care of the plastic pump, they will last a long time. (He admits the metal pump is more durable, though.)

Even though my main goal is length, the Vacu-Tech guy said I should get the standard cylinder. He said the thick walled cylinders are easier to screw up on the size with. He also said the standard cylinder is also good for length. Vacu-Tech’s standard cylinders are slightly narrower at the base, which they say is a plus. Are the LAPD cylinders like this too? They don’t say on their web page, and they won’t return my message.

What size cylinder do you recommend I should get, in particular given that my main goal is length? Vacu-Tech says I should get the 2 x 9 cylinder. According to LAPD’s web page, which is a bit unclear on this point, I should get a 1 3/4 cylinder. What say you? Does it matter much whether it’s 9 or 10 in length?

The prices are about the same for the two companies. Though with the LAPD package you get the DVD thrown in. I’m assuming this DVD is useless. LAPD offers a one-year warranty; Vacu-Tech’s is only 90 days, but they say they are quite liberal on this point.

Both companies have been spoken of highly here. But I am concerned about the customer service and shipping efficiency. That I’ve been able to speak to someone at Vacu-Tech, who was very helpful, inclines me toward them. But … This is why I’d appreciate some feedback. Has anyone here had any real trouble with either company, in particular with getting your order on time?

If your girth is 5 3/8 or 5 1/2 you will pack the 1.75 inch cylinder too quickly. Go for the 2 inch. Of course, you are trying for length, so if packing it immediately/soon is your goal so you can work on length, get the 1.75.

LAPD was a bit small on their sizing for me. I had hardly used my first tube when I replaced it with the next step up. I love the LAPD setup. No metallic smell what-so-ever. Very comfortable tube. You’re right, the DVD is useless.

For god’s sake, change the acronym to “LAPDist” before S&G gets here. I thought it was a thread about a pump & tube company getting raided by police, myself.

While I’m here, at 5.5 EG, the 2” should last you for a while. I use a NW Pumpworks tube myself: had it for 8 years now. Save your money, go to the auto parts store & get a MityVac pump.

GM

Philadelph,

Thanks again. Yea, the 2” is probably the one I’ll get.

Tps,

Thanks for the feedback. How did you find the shipping and customer service with LAPDist?

GlandMaster,

Sorry about that. “LAPDist” it is! I’ve heard a lot of people suggest getting the MityVac pump, as you are. What I don’t understand is this. A cylinder is still going to cost $70 to $90, depending on the company and type. The MityVac pumps are what, about $30-$40? So now we’ve got a total of anywhere from $100 to $130. Would you still need to get the tubing and other bits separately? Or do these come with the MityVac, or with the cylinder sold separately from the pump? The complete kit from LAPDist or Vacu-Tech is $140. Is it really worth getting the MityVac, if you’re only going to save $10 to $40?

Please keep the feedback coming. Have you Vacu-Tech users been happy with your product/customer service?

motivated,

I have Lapdist (1.75”, 2.0” and 2.5” flanged/lighter weight) and vacu-tech (2.25” straightwall/heavier weight) cylinders. I like them all for different reasons, although I don’t use the 1.75” anymore. I never had any problems ordering from either company.

Peforeal

Peforeal,

Thanks for that. For what reasons do you prefer the flanged, lighter weight cylinder (the LAPDist cylinder)? And for what reasons do you prefer the thick wall Vacu-Tech cylinder? Vacu-Tech told me to get the standard cylinder, if I’m just starting out. They said it’s easier to get the sizing right with them, and they still work well for length. Vacu-Tech also said I should get the 2”. But LAPDist says that at 5 1/2” I’m borderline between the 1 3/4” and the 2”. What do you think? My first concern is length, but I still want girth (rubber band theory, if true). Also, I guess I wouldn’t want to pack the thing the first week or two that I got it. What are the pros/cons of the lighter/heavier cylinders, in your experience?

While we are on the subject, what is your opinion of the general effectiveness of pumping for length? I know you and Avocet and some others have seen length gains from pumping (combined with other PE exercises). But given your knowledge of the pumping experience of others, do you think that you and Avocet are unique here? Or is length gain something that a reasonable percentage of pumpers (doing things diligently and wisely) have experienced?

Motivated,

Based on your current girth and probability of larger girth in the future, I’d go with the 2.0” diameter cylinder.

I like the lighter weight cylinders because I can pump, get a good seal, disconnect the hose and go about the house in the morning doing whatever I need to do.

I also like the straight wall heavier cylinder when I’m just sitting at the computer or watching tv, because the heavier weight pulls down on my ligs in a way that the lighter cylinders do not.

I don’t think that avocet8 and I are unique in making length gains, but I will say that we were thoroughly committed to the pumping process for the longterm as newbies and now as veterans, working through the mistakes and adapting to improve results. Each guy’s dick responds differently to pumping. You really have to be circumspect and look out for both positive and negative indicators that are personal to you. Stick with what’s working and change what’s not.

Peforeal

I second the NW Pumpworks recommendation. I’ve purchased from them on three different occasions and never had any problems. They are the only place I know of that allows you to order in 1/8” diameter increments, and any length you specify. I’m using a 2 1/8” diameter cylinder at the moment and it’s perfect.

You will be very sorry if you go with the 1 3/4” with a girth of 5.5; especially if you have even a little bit of a mushroom head. You’ll be shopping for another tube in a month.

Peforeal,

Thanks again for your advice. It is very much appreciated. I’m going to go for the LAPDist right now, with the metal pump and the one-year warranty. Down the road a bit, I’ll pick up a thick wall cylinder from Vacu-Tech and give that a try.

No doubt I’ll be back with other questions for you and the other’s on this forum.

Mushroom,

Thanks for that. Yea, I’ve decided on the 2” cylinder. I’m going with the LAPDist, for the reasons stated above. But perhaps for my next cylinder, I’ll give NW a try. Do they make the heavy, thick wall cylinders?

By “easier to get the sizing right” they are referring to getting a good seal. Doing a good shave/trim job and using a good thick lube makes a world of difference in this regard—allowing you to get away with using a wider and/straight-walled tube than would otherwise be conservatively recommended.

Yeah, that’s what I use. I heavy, straight-walled 2 1/8” tube.

BTW, I’ve used both plastic and metal pumps, and actually prefer the cheaper plastic ones because I set it on my leg after I pump up. The metal one is cold, heavy and can damage wood floors, tile inc. when I drop it or it falls off my leg. Plastic is easier to wash up too. I originally bought the metal version because I thought it was “more deluxe,” but found out plastic is more practical.