V-tech or Leapfrog

V-Tech does make a hand-held game and it uses the same smartridges as the tv system. That is a bonus! My son (just turned 7) has a Leapster L-Max and my daughter (almost 5) has a regular L-Max. Of all of them, I think they liked the Leapster L-Max the best because you could hook the handheld game up to the tv and it would do extra things. My son just got a Nintendo DS (he saved up his own money for a long time!) and he is loving it. It has educational games too. He just got a spelling game for his bday and he loves it.

A., My husband is a computer consultant and thus we went another route. We have had computer programs for our kids since they were tiny (beginning with fun little games popping bubbles with a "click" to learn how to use the mouse; simple counting games, letter sounds, etc.) Investing in a computer now will last, well, until you want to upgrade...but long past the leapfrog or v-tech. Computer games/programs are relatively inexpensive (comparable to new programs for leapfrog?) and can grow with your kids. Not to mention, the computer itself can serve everyone in the family. My kids are now 10, 13 and 15 and fluent in computer. You will have to research games, there are likely all new ones now! Good luck, H.

My 5 year old son has had the V-Tech V-smile Pocket for about 2 years. It is a handheld game and you can also hook it up to the tv. He loves it and now my almost 3 year old son has started playing with it too, but we are getting our younger son the V-motion for Christmas because I think the joystick will be easier for him to control. It has great educational games that he will play forever and not even realize that he's actaully learning things. I just bought him a new game the other day and I think I saw some that went up to 12 years. This has been a good investment for us. We did have a problem charging the battery that came with it, but I realized that you can use regular AA batteries so we put in the rechargeable ones and it works great. My niece had the Leapster and she liked it too. I think they are very similar so it's just a toss up for which one you want.

i dont have one of these but they are a hot item the V-Motion Active Learning System to me they remind me kinda of the nintendo wii

We have both the V-Tech and a Leapster - and it's a toss up between the 2. My 5 year old son loves them both. The Leapster does have it's advantages - headset, travel capabilities. You can't go wrong either way. Your decision may be made more on how it's going to be used the most- mobile or stationary.

Our 3 yr old son can't quite negotiate either of them, but has been showing more interest in the V-Tech. We've purchased the Backyardigans game to see if that's something he can handle.

My son who is now almost 7 has had the L-Max (by Leapster) handheld (but you can also hook it to the tv) since he was 4. He and I have both loved it...try to catch the games when they go on sale ;)

Well I can tell you right now DO NOT GET THE LEAPFROG.
We got one for preschool and it wouldn't program on our tv. We tried several other vcr's even bought a brand new one that was mentioned on the instuctions. It still wouldn't install. I think there was a faulty CD myself but they wouldn't take it back. I have called Leap Frog and they won't pick up their phone even in the middle of their working hours in the middle of the day. I wrote to them and they beat around the bush and tell me that I have to put the cd in the vcr... well duhh....do they not think that I have done that. They can barely write english and it is so obvious that they probably can't read my email because it is obvious they have no idea what I am asking in my email.
STAY AWAY FROM THAT COMPANY.!!!!!!!

I don't know anything about v-tch but I would go with anyone besides leap frog.

Leap Frog has a handheld video game device. My son had that and the V-Tech. He enjoyed the handheld much more.

Go with the leapfrog. I would recommend it to anyone. My son loves it. His aunt gave him one for Christmas when he was three. It made a big difference in his learning and it is fun. He's going on six and still plays with it and loves it. We don't leave home without it. When we travel it's the first thing we pack. My two year old is showing interest so she is getting her own this Christmas. They have a variety of games for different ages and levels. It's great!!

hi A.. we have a v-smile hand held that can also be plugged into the tv (they see it on the tv but still use the handheld for the controls). my kids love it. we have had two different leapfrog systems that were given as gifts. the first one was the my first leap pad and the only problem was that the kids outgrew it too fast. works best for kids under five. also, the cord ended up with a short and the machine wouldn't recognize what page the kids were on or would spontaneously turn itself off. there is no way to fix that. we have another leap pad now that is the "leap pad learning system". it is about 8 x 10 and then opens like a book. again, my kids have enjoyed it as well. they are presently 6 and 8 1/2. my 8 year old has almost grown out of the games. he still likes to play them but they are getting pretty easy for him. the v-smile games are educational as well as the leap pad ones. my kids have loved the v-smile probably more than the leap pad. they can plug it in and play by themselves. it travels nicely. both can go through the batteries quickly, so make sure you keep some extras around! good luck with your decision and i'm sure he will enjoy either one. i completely understand your frustration with the playstation. as your son gets a little older, don't forget the vast wealth of educational games available online as well!!

D.

Hi A.,

We have had Leapsters for a number of years. We don't hook them up to the TV (ours are older and don't offer that feature). Their "game" selection is great. The kids don't even realize how much they're learning. I've had fantastic customer service from them. My kids and I have been very pleased with everything about them.

Good luck!!

yes there is a V-Smile Pocket it is really cute.If he likes the V-smile he will love this too

I would go with the Leapster. My little girl got the Leapster L- Max for her birthday last year and she loved it. We have gotten her the V-smile the year before for christmas and she never played with it. She carries her Leapster with her every time we go anywhere to play in the car. The games I think are abuot the same prices as the ones for the V-smile. Good Luck.

Leapster-by far!!! We have 2 of the handheld systems-love them both. It is a necessity when we go very far from home. My oldest is 8, my youngest is 6. Very good investment!

We have found lots of great toys at second hand stores for our daughter over the years and when looking at the prices they put on the "new" ones, we're glad we did. The key is the best one is the one they have an interest in and will play with! You can have the very best of everything, but if your child isn't interested in it or won't play with it, it really doesn't matter does it? ;-) I forgot to tell you, we've had both and both are excellent, just get him to play with them.

We have the V-Tech Wondertown and really love it. It has a wide range of skills it teaches. This one is for 3 - 6 year olds, I think, and our son is about 3. We like it because he can take it with him other places, and it also hooks up to the computer, so he can use it there. Also, it has free and/or inexpensive downloads available. They also replace the parts for free (except for shipping - about $5) which is a big plus for us as well.

We have four children, two girls and two boys, so we have used both the v-tech and the leapfrog systems. Love them both. However, the v-tech wasn't of much interest until the children were older. For instance our 7-yr old son just started playing with the v-tech in the last six months. Before then he loved the leap frog plus writing system. However, he was left handed until we gave him the leap pad and then he started using his right hand to write with because the pencil is stored on the right side. So now we have a son who holds his pencil like a left handed writer, however he writes with his right hand. So just be careful not to change what your child is naturally doing already. Hope this helps. A. Burnette, Hillsborough, NC

A.:
Hello, I do not know a thing about the V-tech, but I bought my nephew a Leapster about 4 yrs ago. We got the hand held one and several games over the years. It was a great game and he still plays the spelling, etc. I believe it really helped him in his learning. I didn't go all out and buy a case, etc. we just used a lunch box (not metal) and it worked great for the game and small games.

sorry I can't be of more help, but the Leapster was a great experience and had games from K-garten up to 2nd grade.
A.

I put full faith in all Leapfrog products. I know I can trust them to be fully encouraging of education. We got my son the Leapfrog ClickStart last year for Christmas when he was 3yrs. He always wanted to play on my computer so this was a great solution. Its got a game system unit and instead of controllers it has a keyboard and mouse. For his next birthday, when he turns 5, we're planning on getting the Leapster L-Maxx. i expect to be just as pleased with it as I have been the ClickStart.