LeapFrog: Turbo Twist Spelling
by LeapFrog Toys
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: LeapFrog ToysBrand: LeapFrog
Model: 80040
Toys and Games Reviews of LeapFrog: Turbo Twist Spelling
Customer Review: A Guarded Recommendation
Summary: 4 Stars
I hope and believe that Turbo Twist Spelling can live up to its reputation. My early experience with the "toy" was frustrating, but apparently now that the kinks are out, I hope it can be a long-lasting contribution to my sons' (2nd & 4th grade, currently) education. The frustrating aspects include hardware and software problems from the get-go. Before one can utilize any of the customizable (downloadable) features, one has to download new software for the Mind Station, which takes fifty minutes on a 56k modem. Besides that, the Mind Station is aggravating because apparently it does not stay in "ready" all the time, so that one has to keep removing and reinserting the Data Cartridge into the slot to "wake up" the Mind Station. Very odd; I only hope by going on standby (if that is what it is doing), it is not chewing up its four-AA battery supply! (There is a jack for a 6-volt AC adapter.) Sometimes the "apt" advice given by the software when the server cannot make connection with the Mind Station is to "Reinstall the software and try again." That is a pretty questionable approach.
On to customization: here is where the Turbo Twist can really rock, and I wanted to preprogram the unit for my 4th grader to reflect his interest in Greek Mythology. The end of the story is that I *was* (after ten attempts) able to download a self-made list of 50 such words as Zeus, Cyclops, Ares, Artemis, Scylla, Pegasus, Centaur, Medusa, and so forth. But I encountered beaucoup (sp?) difficulty getting the list to download once I created it. I got ten error messages (all the same one), so I tried to shut off my firewall, turn off my anti-virus program, take out and reinsert the cartridge, reinstall the software (!), and then, with keen regret, took the leapfrog site's other help advice and deleted my cache of temporary internet files, which means two weeks of saved internet URLs went down the drain. BUT apparently this freed up the necessary cache and I was finally able to download the list, which I entitled "Age of Greek Mythology." Others can even download our list, but you have to know our leapfrog username, which does not make list-sharing easy. I was also surprised, in comprising my list, that the words "Apollo" and "trireme" were not in the leapfrog databank, but one can send in words via a suggestion form. I mean, for the database, and consequently our list, to include the likes of Hephaestus (which my MS Word spell check did not recognize), juggernaut, scylla, manticore, and minotaur, the absence of "Apollo" is especially quizzical, given that it is not only a portion of Greek mythology but, as I recall, our space program that landed earthlings on the moon--so I really can't believe it's not in leapfrog's database yet. A good thing about downloading lists is that one hears a variety of voices (of both genders) pronouncing the words on the Turbo Twist, which adds variety and takes away the tedium of hearing only the original, hackneyed voice. (Another drawback I thought of is that apparently the Turbo Twist can include words only so long in length--maybe ten letters is maximum?)
I give it a 4 for fun, a 4 for education (may rate a 5 upon further use), and a 3 for durability. I make this last judgement based on appearance. With the batteries installed, the Twist looks just heavy enough to bust if dropped on concrete, others have questioned the long-term integrity of the ratcheting spelling wheel, while I wonder when and if my boys finally get bored with it in the car (after spelling Manticore and Minotaur), if they will start utilizing their respective Turbo Twists (I bought one for each) as Light Sabers and smack them against each other, which I am sure will probably void the three-month warranty and warrant a return to pencil and paper, to write 100 times the likes of "I will not use my Turbo Twist as a Light Saber, I will be kinder and gentler." :-) Difficulties and frustrations aside (assuming they are mostly aside, or behind), I anticipate a rollicking good time and outstanding educational value with the Turbo Twist as enhanced by the Activity Packs downloadable with the Mind Station, which, by the way, are arranged by grade level, text books, and such themes as art, camping, food, gross (?), mountains, spelling bee, travel, and wild animals. So if you get Mind Station, you needn't bother purchasing any of the ready-made grade-level cartridges. And speaking of cartridges, they are (now) aplenty at stores and also on amazon.com (toysrus) online. Also, it is a nice feature for the Toy to call its owner by his or her name. I anticipate a nice surprise on my older son's face when he starts using his Turbo Twist on Christmas morning and it spews out words from his favorite subject . . . he may be quite stone-faced, as if having seen the Medusa. :-)
Description of LeapFrog: Turbo Twist Spelling
An "A" in spelling may be the result, but fast action-fun with Turbo Twist Spelling is what it's all about. Learn more than 400 spelling words as you jam to a cool musical beat with this electronic spelling machine from LeapFrog. Eight easy-to-remember rappin' spelling rules include helpful hints such as "i before e." Adapts to your child's current ability, then challenges him or her to master the next level of learning. Features four zany games, including "Spell a Word" and "Find the Missing Letter" add to the fun. Requires 4 "AA" alkaline batteries (not included).Plus, Turbo Twist Spelling can play special downloadable learning games from the Internet when you purchase the LeapFrog Mind Station (sold separately).
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