I don't know, I kind of like the beads. They just don't give you the 'blast' that they're purported to in their marketing. But they're a fairly non-threatening way of delving into anal play.
Butt plugs are good, but work your way up to them using your finger and possibly the beads, because in order to make it worth your while, you have to be able to 'take' a plug with a large enough girth at the bottom to not slip out when you move around. Hope I explained that well enough.
As for the prostate:
1. wear a latex glove, even if your nails are short (you definitely don't want to scratch or tear that extremely delicate tissue)
2. insert your index finger *Edit - palm up!* (or whatever finger you are most comfortable using) just past the second knuckle and then crook your finger a little and feel around...sometimes it takes a little 'familiarization with the neighborhood' so to speak, but eventually you will feel a smallish, roundish, spongy surface and that is his prostate. You can massage it gently while he masturbates, or (if you are very coordinated) jack him off yourself at the same time. It may take some practice, but when it's done right, he will have some spectacular orgasms that are a true delight to take part in.
Here's some more info:
http://www.babeland.com/sexinfo/howt...tate%20massage