I recently reviewed the Poingo reading system. Since then, I've had the chance to review the Tag reading system from LeapFrog, so I can accurately compare the two.With both systems you use a pen-like instrument to touch words and pictures on the pages of special books. This pen then reads the book to you. By touching the different pictures on the pages, you bring the book to life. They're both very compact systems requiring only the pen and a book. They both come with a USB cable so you can download content for more books right from your computer to the pen.
An advantage of the Poingo system, in my opinion, is that the pen is more ergonomically shaped and more comfortable to hold. I also like the end of the Poingo pen better as it's more contained than the Tag one which has a small tip that sticks out. My kids have a tendency to press down a little too hard on the books at times and the Tag pen leaves indentations on the pages.
An advantage of the Tag system is that there are many more books available than the Poingo system. The Tag system has 20 books and games right now. Poingo has 6.
Another thing I like better about the Tag system is the voice with which the stories are read. Maybe this is just personal preference, but with the Tag system, the Dora Goes to School book (for example) features Dora's, Boot's, Map's, etc. voices. The Poingo books are read by the same voice. The voice isn't annoying to me, but it isn't great either. The Tag system was definitely better in that regard.
With the Tag system, you can touch the page and have the whole page read to you OR you can touch individual words and have them read. With Poingo, you don't have the option of touching individual words. It will just read the whole page. Both systems have hidden games and sounds in the pictures on the pages.
And you can use headphones with the Tag system. For parents who have way too many noise making toys, this can be wonderful! Or if you've got 2 kids who both want to play with some noise making toys in the car and they keep yelling at each to "be quiet so I can hear!", this is a nice feature.
And lastly, there's the price. The Poingo starter set (pen and 2 books) retails for $34.99. The Tag starter set (pen and 1 book) retails for $49.99. Of course, on the LeapFrog site, there always seem to be sales and specials though. Like buy 3 books, get the 4th free, or buy the Tag system and get a set of headphones free.
So, basically, what I'd love to see is the LeapFrog Tag system and all it's advantages, but with the Poingo's pen design and lower price. That's not too much to ask for, now is it?
Another thing I like better about the Tag system is the voice with which the stories are read. Maybe this is just personal preference, but with the Tag system, the Dora Goes to School book (for example) features Dora's, Boot's, Map's, etc. voices. The Poingo books are read by the same voice. The voice isn't annoying to me, but it isn't great either. The Tag system was definitely better in that regard.
With the Tag system, you can touch the page and have the whole page read to you OR you can touch individual words and have them read. With Poingo, you don't have the option of touching individual words. It will just read the whole page. Both systems have hidden games and sounds in the pictures on the pages.
And you can use headphones with the Tag system. For parents who have way too many noise making toys, this can be wonderful! Or if you've got 2 kids who both want to play with some noise making toys in the car and they keep yelling at each to "be quiet so I can hear!", this is a nice feature.
And lastly, there's the price. The Poingo starter set (pen and 2 books) retails for $34.99. The Tag starter set (pen and 1 book) retails for $49.99. Of course, on the LeapFrog site, there always seem to be sales and specials though. Like buy 3 books, get the 4th free, or buy the Tag system and get a set of headphones free.
So, basically, what I'd love to see is the LeapFrog Tag system and all it's advantages, but with the Poingo's pen design and lower price. That's not too much to ask for, now is it?
13 comments:
My daughter just got this for Christmas. She loves it! She's 4 1/2 and there isn't a day that goes by that she doesn't play with it. We're going on a long car trip in a few days and I'm looking forward to her being able to use it in the car (with headphones of course).
I got my daughter the Tag system for christmas and LOVE it. Just in the last few weeks she is reading so much better and I lvoe that I can plug it into my computer and see what she was doing. You can get it for cheaper you just relaly have to hunt for the deal. I got the pen and included book plus three additional books for $40 with free shipping. It was definitely worth it.
Interesting. Thanks for the comparison & I don't think you are asking too much at all. (furrows brow & shakes head no.) :)
How does the tag system compare to the old leap pad? are they adaptable to each other? My girls have the leap pad w/about 5 different books.
-Gail
Oh no, that's never too much to ask ;) I keep thinking that I should get a set like these for the wee ones. They have a Story Reader now, but unfortunately it doesn't hold a lot of interest beyond the story itself.... These seem like they'd keep a kid busier for longer. Always a plus ;)
You can get the Tag for the lower price if you watch Amazon and the gold box deals. I got one right before Christmas for $39.99.
I LOVE the Tag system. My daughter has it and reads in bed every night. She has found numerous "Easter Eggs" in all of her books. Her favorite book is "Walter the Farting Dog Goes on a Cruise." Go figure.
Glad to see you are back on this site after the new year! Thanks for your opinions on both of the systems. I have been trying to figure out which one to get my kids. With that being said I still don't know which one!
My daughter had one of the earlier LeapFrog systems. She loved it. She would play the games and read along to the stories. It kept her occupied on many a car trip. Her system had basic pre-school skill books for color, shapes, etc, and then reading books, math skill books, and phonics books. She played with it for about 4 years because there were different skill/age level books available for it. When she finally out grew it we passed it and the books on to friends for their 2 kids to use and they loved it too. It was just a cool system.
My 4 year old daughter got the Leap Frog Tag reader for Christmas and she loves it.
We love the LeapFrog line of products, so this would be a great addition!
My two-year-old son is just getting interested in reading and would love this.
What a cool system. My oldest 2 had the old leap pad systems, they liked them, but I think the younger two would really benifit from this and need less 'parent help'
thank you for reviewing this because i was thinking about getting my son one. i love your site now that i have found it. I would love to meet you someday and hang it there relationships are hard i know because i have been where it sounds like you are but for right now we are hanging on. it is hard and it hurts but everything happens for a reason and god has a plan for our lives
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