By Andrew Liszewski
From what I can tell, globes just seem like a way to prove to grade school kids that the Earth is indeed round. Other than that, if you actually need a map of the world, a printed atlas is a far more convenient way to look things up. So in an attempt to make their SmartGlobe more appealing to the younger set, Oregon Scientific has included an interactive base and a Smart Pen that allows kids to participate in one of 36 different learning activities and quizzes. Content includes facts and figures about countries, capitals, large cities, populations, languages, history and current events, and to keep those events current, the globe can even connect to the internet to download weekly updates.
It’s definitely an improvement over the globes we had in school, which could really only spin, but I have my doubts that it’s still enough to pull kids away from other electronic activities. The SmartGlobe is available on the Oregon Scientific website for $129.95, and while the weekly internet updates are free for the first year, the site seems to indicate there’s an additional annual fee after that.
[ Oregon Scientific SmartGlobe ] VIA [ Newlaunches.com ]
I bought a SmartGlobe for my son this Christmas. When we decided to update the pen after Inauguration day, none of our computers would recognize the pen, even using the newest software. I've been luckier than some reviewers– I've been able to talk to customer service. They decided the pen was defective, gave me an RMA number, and I sent back the pen on January 29. They quoted me a 2-3 week time on turning around the new pen and getting it to us. I called them today, Feb 27th, and they told me the pens are on back order, and have been since December. There was no way I would have gotten a pen in 2-3 weeks, as I was originally told, and I find it hard to believe they didn't know that at the time. They were able to find my name and RMA number before they even got on the phone with me today and tell me about the back order situation, so they should have been able to do so in January when I originally called. Now they're telling me that they should get in a batch next week and send them out the week after that. They refused to give me any information about the shipping method when I asked how long it would take for the pen to get to me once it (theoretically) left their warehouse. My son was already upset when we had to mail in the pen and wait 2-3 weeks. I'm not looking forward to telling him that it will close to a month more.
We loved the SmartGlobe while it was working, and I even considered buying one for our younger son. I can say now that I have no plans to buy anything from Oregon Scientific in the future.
I bought a SmartGlobe for my son this Christmas. When we decided to update the pen after Inauguration day, none of our computers would recognize the pen, even using the newest software. I've been luckier than some reviewers– I've been able to talk to customer service. They decided the pen was defective, gave me an RMA number, and I sent back the pen on January 29. They quoted me a 2-3 week time on turning around the new pen and getting it to us. I called them today, Feb 27th, and they told me the pens are on back order, and have been since December. There was no way I would have gotten a pen in 2-3 weeks, as I was originally told, and I find it hard to believe they didn't know that at the time. They were able to find my name and RMA number before they even got on the phone with me today and tell me about the back order situation, so they should have been able to do so in January when I originally called. Now they're telling me that they should get in a batch next week and send them out the week after that. They refused to give me any information about the shipping method when I asked how long it would take for the pen to get to me once it (theoretically) left their warehouse. My son was already upset when we had to mail in the pen and wait 2-3 weeks. I'm not looking forward to telling him that it will close to a month more.
We loved the SmartGlobe while it was working, and I even considered buying one for our younger son. I can say now that I have no plans to buy anything from Oregon Scientific in the future.