Does Fly Pen = Mistake?

[Longsx3]

A little background, DH is AF and we currently live in Germany and because of that DD (9) doesn't have TV commercials to influence her Christmas list. She really doesn't want much, in the past it has been American Girl Dolls but not this year. We got her the I-Dog she wanted but there hasn't been much else except for the Fly Pen, which she saw last month when we were on vacation. Today when I was at the BX they had them and I bought one, DH thinks that it is a gimmick and the reviews online are mixed, although the USA today review was fairly positive. Does anyone have one of these and if so how do you like it?

 

[disnutt]

We got one for our daughter for Christmas and I'm looking forward to any responses .

 

[bradleysnana]

I have not found them to be great. We have given them to our grandsons (almost 9 and 8). They go in spurts of playing with them. They play with them for a day or so and then quit. The older one does use his the most. I bought some games for them to play for Christmas so we will see what happens. The pen is somewhat awkward and difficult to use. It is not really bad but I do not think it is worth the price (at least not so far).

 

[Cindy B]

My son wanted it. I asked him if he thought a pen was worth $100.

He said no.

 

[upon-a-star]

I said the same thing to my DS, 9. I also pointed out how easily pens are lost...and how bad we'd feel if we lost a $100 pen.

He decided he'd rather have a roboraptor....

 

[bicker]

Hmmm... well we got it, as per Wish, for our 12 years old niece. I'm hoping the extra three years of age will make a difference...

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I bought one for DS13. Now I'm wondering whether it was worth it. His handwriting is horrible and I don't know if he'll have the patience to write more neatly in order to get the thing to work. The pen will never leave home since it's so expensive and bulky. Plus, I don't think that his middle school math teacher would appreciate a talking pen in the classroom.

 

[PlutoPony]

DS got it Friday for his 11th BD and he's had a great time with it since. Just asked him if he thought it was worth the price and he said YES FWIW! That said, I do think it's probably better for older kids ....after seeing it, I think 10/11 is probably the lower age to really enjoy it and get the most out of it. Since it's just been introduced I expect Leap Frog to continue introducing products to go with it (assuming it's successful). The marketing so far has been geared towards middle school age, so it will be interesting to see if they expand the age range up or down in the future. Also, right now I don't see the need for the $30 recharger. It only takes 1 AAA battery and we're still on the one that came with it.... HTH!

Beth

 

[PlutoPony]

Plus, I don't think that his middle school math teacher would appreciate a talking pen in the classroom.

It does come with nice earphones . My son has at best average handwriting and he's ok with it. You do have to lift the pen up after every letter and wait for the pen to say the letter so it's not like you can rip off a sentence quickly.... at least in our experience so far.

 

[Longsx3]

Thanks everyone for the responses, hopefully she will really like and use it!