Thank you for your service Scott. We've had ours for about 2 years now and still going strong. I love how they send out updates occasionally with new characters.
I discovered that you can have separate list of contacts for each of two children. When you go into the app on your phone, do not click contacts, click kids and from there you can give each child their own list of 10
I'm very interested in this watch and I'm wondering about battery life after having them for over a year now. Any other tips you may have? Thanks for the review!
Thank you for the comment Michael. We have had ours for nearly 2 years now and with moderate use, they are still lasting almost 2 days on a single charge. I've noticed one thing that does strain the battery is if you try and refresh their location on the map a bunch. One of the grandparents is constantly looking to see where they are, especially when we are traveling and it does seem like that drains the battery more than usual.
He definitely has gotten better about that over the years since I made this video. We have had those Gizmos now for 3 and a half years and still going strong lol.
Hello I just got this watch yesterday you can make the contact a caregiver send them the link to download app then it gives them the option to text or video chat them
Thanks for the videos. Very helpful. Struggling with battery life lasting more than 6 hrs even with 0% screen brightness. Issue is on both watches but with the new watch boys are exploring it may be. Any additional thoughts kindly share to increase battery life. Also are these batteries replaceable ? Thanks
Thank you for the comment and apologies for taking so long to respond. 6 hours seems quite odd. We have had ours for almost 2 years now and they last almost 2 full days in between charges. It could depend on use, like you mentioned the exploring. My kids mostly just use them to send a few text messages each day.
If you activate constant tracking the battery will deplete faster. I suggest only activating tracking when police are helping you locate a missing child.
the Verizon app says you have to turn on the video calling feature in the app for it to work.It could be a new update, but yes you are able to video chat with the watch by turning that feature on just a fyi.
Not sure about slots on the side. We have never had to use them for anything. I would guess they are for a technician to access the inside but that is just my assumption.
Hi! I am so glad that I came across your video. Can you explain the texting again with the watch? Did you say that the contacts can't text the watch unless they have parental access even if they are a contact in watch? So it's calls only?
Thank you for watching! Unless they changed it with the software push, you have to give someone "parental" rights in the app to send text messages. Otherwise, it's calling only.
I wish you could turn off location updating to everyone. Would be nice if they could text and call and not see their location. Like you said, should be easy software update.
Since the watch has a camera, can they take pictures and text them to the approved contacts? Also can the watch receive pictures? We have the original gizmo pal watch and does not come with a camera. Thanks!
Yes absolutely. I can send them pictures and they can do the same to me. And it also seems now that in the last update, the kids now have the capability to send video messages as well.
Thanks. I have 2 of these. Very good tracking and calling. Im trying to figure out how my daughter called me as an “Emergency Call” va normal call. She did it by accident. The call shos as “Emergency Call” and came in with red text. Do you know?
Hi Dave, I actually have been wondering the same thing. I can't figure out how they can make an emergency call. If I figure it out I will come back and reply here.
Thanks for this review. I have 2 questions. Does watch on the verizon plan use minutes and data or is it more like unlimited? Also can the kids use this watch if its connected to wifi even without a plan?
I can definitely say that the watch won't work unless it is LTE connected to Verizon. As far as minutes and data, I have an unlimited plan so I wouldn't be able to answer that. Thank you for watching and leaving a comment!
Is there a vibrate mode on this? My daughter has the previous model with the two buttons on the bottom of the screen. And our neighbors have some from last Christmas and they say it vibrates. Our doesn't. Just wondering if this one does. Thanks! Great reviews!
Ours will definitely go all the way down to Silent mode, which you can do from the app in case the user forgets. I am pretty sure it doesn't have a separate vibrate mode though. Thanks for watching!
Actually, I sent my son a message this morning while he was sitting next to me in silent mode, and it DID vibrate. Sorry for misspeaking the first time.
Thank you for sharing this info. I do still have a question we just got this watch yesterday and I have no idea when I get a text from my daughter. Is there a way to get notifications when I have a message from her?
Sorry for the late response, I was retiring and moving my family and didn't have much time for You Tube. I hope the triathlon went well! I would imagine if you tried to track it, that may have been too much for the battery. The one time I used real time tracking I could literally watch the battery % go down. As far as the water resistance, I think it is ok to get "wet" but the impact of the water on an intense swim I personally wouldn't want to take a chance with.
When the child texts one of their contacts does it just appear as a normal voice text or do all 10 contacts have to have the Gizmo app to be able to communicate?
So this was a frustrating thing for me. To be able to send messages you have to not only have the app, but have parent permissions in the app. We found this out when they only saw the call option available when they clicked on their grandmother. I ended up having to walk a 74 year old over the phone on how to install the app and set it up. No fun for sure. LOL.
@@thevetdad6383 That is somewhat frustrating as it is it's own line but works through the app. I'm trying to decide if that is a deal breaker for us as kids like to send voice messages and text. I know the Disney version can even send photos, but I wonder if that is only to those with the app. I need to ask! Thanks
Do you find that the app and the watch do not sync frequently? We just got one for my daughter and the app doesn’t seem to match her watch as far as steps count, to do list etc.
@@thevetdad6383 Good morning I watched video and wanted to know can both parents use to location sharing and modifications? I hang Verizon kids mom have Tmobile? Thank you
@@james227744 yes absolutely. We have sort of a blended family and one family member has at&t and still was able to download the app and have parent priveledges.
Hi Sean, I wouldn't really have a way to test that for you but my guess is that it would work. We have a few people on their contact list that aren't on Verizon and they can call them just fine.
So nope, with the screen covers necessary when you have kids out playing with skates, or skateboard. They accidently fall and go down on their wrist watch facing down can crack.
One frustrating thing with these things is that you have to grant certain levels of permission to enable certain features for contacts. I don't know if they have changed it now, but when I first got mine, I had to make the grandparents guardians in order for them to send messages. So now my mom can see everywhere the kids go in the app and she always has questions! LOL
Fellow vet here, considering first real watch for my kids (6&8) and looking for info on the Verizon gizmo watch. Thank you for your review.
Thank you for your service Scott. We've had ours for about 2 years now and still going strong. I love how they send out updates occasionally with new characters.
LOL - yeah good advise. Don't wash your expensive electronic devices. Thank you for the review, I love the candid informational you have provided.
Thank you!
Thank you, for making a follow-up video.
For viewers: Verizon recently added a video calling feature to it, and I love it.
PS: I like your cat 😺
How do we access the video calling feature?
I saw a notice that they added video calling but as of today I haven't seen how to do it yet
@@thevetdad6383we’re do you get it
I discovered that you can have separate list of contacts for each of two children. When you go into the app on your phone, do not click contacts, click kids and from there you can give each child their own list of 10
Thanks for sharing; I saw Amazon sells screen protectors
Great idea on the eye glasses case!
I'm very interested in this watch and I'm wondering about battery life after having them for over a year now. Any other tips you may have? Thanks for the review!
Thank you for the comment Michael. We have had ours for nearly 2 years now and with moderate use, they are still lasting almost 2 days on a single charge. I've noticed one thing that does strain the battery is if you try and refresh their location on the map a bunch. One of the grandparents is constantly looking to see where they are, especially when we are traveling and it does seem like that drains the battery more than usual.
I'm cracking up about him using it at school. That's exactly what my son would do 😂
He definitely has gotten better about that over the years since I made this video. We have had those Gizmos now for 3 and a half years and still going strong lol.
@@thevetdad6383 nice! I ordered one for my son. He's 7. Thanks for the great review
Thanks for the video. Definitely a big help.
Thank you so much!
Can you set up reoccurring alarms?
Is there a way to use a non Disney theme or screensaver ?
I am wondering this as well!
No, it is the Disney edition, so only Disney characters. But that does include things Disney owns such as Marvel.
Amazon has a ton of screen protector options and many different watch bands you choose
Hello I just got this watch yesterday you can make the contact a caregiver send them the link to download app then it gives them the option to text or video chat them
Thanks for the videos. Very helpful. Struggling with battery life lasting more than 6 hrs even with 0% screen brightness. Issue is on both watches but with the new watch boys are exploring it may be. Any additional thoughts kindly share to increase battery life. Also are these batteries replaceable ? Thanks
Thank you for the comment and apologies for taking so long to respond. 6 hours seems quite odd. We have had ours for almost 2 years now and they last almost 2 full days in between charges. It could depend on use, like you mentioned the exploring. My kids mostly just use them to send a few text messages each day.
If you activate constant tracking the battery will deplete faster. I suggest only activating tracking when police are helping you locate a missing child.
Are the contact’s allowed to video call too? When my child video calls his grandmother it freezes.
Is there a way for you to remote into the watch and listen to what is going on in his/her surroundings? Almost like a spy listening feature?
No I haven't seen anything like that. Every few months we get a software update and new features get added all the time so you never know!
the Verizon app says you have to turn on the video calling feature in the app for it to work.It could be a new update, but yes you are able to video chat with the watch by turning that feature on just a fyi.
Thanks so much I will give it a try
Are the contact’s allowed to video call too? When my child video calls his grandmother it freezes.
Any ideas what the slot is for on the side?? Guy at Verizon doesn't know.
Not sure about slots on the side. We have never had to use them for anything. I would guess they are for a technician to access the inside but that is just my assumption.
Hi! I am so glad that I came across your video. Can you explain the texting again with the watch? Did you say that the contacts can't text the watch unless they have parental access even if they are a contact in watch? So it's calls only?
Thank you for watching! Unless they changed it with the software push, you have to give someone "parental" rights in the app to send text messages. Otherwise, it's calling only.
@@thevetdad6383 thank you!!! I’m calling Verizon now, hopefully there is some insight on the software. Thank you for your service as well!
Does this watch make video calls to all contacts??
Yes the watch can make video calls to all contacts. They are limited to a 3 min call each time.
I wish you could turn off location updating to everyone. Would be nice if they could text and call and not see their location. Like you said, should be easy software update.
Since the watch has a camera, can they take pictures and text them to the approved contacts? Also can the watch receive pictures? We have the original gizmo pal watch and does not come with a camera. Thanks!
Yes absolutely. I can send them pictures and they can do the same to me. And it also seems now that in the last update, the kids now have the capability to send video messages as well.
Thanks. I have 2 of these. Very good tracking and calling.
Im trying to figure out how my daughter called me as an “Emergency Call” va normal call. She did it by accident. The call shos as “Emergency Call” and came in with red text. Do you know?
Hi Dave, I actually have been wondering the same thing. I can't figure out how they can make an emergency call. If I figure it out I will come back and reply here.
Thanks for this review. I have 2 questions. Does watch on the verizon plan use minutes and data or is it more like unlimited? Also can the kids use this watch if its connected to wifi even without a plan?
I can definitely say that the watch won't work unless it is LTE connected to Verizon. As far as minutes and data, I have an unlimited plan so I wouldn't be able to answer that. Thank you for watching and leaving a comment!
Verizon website says it does video calling? Is that a new update
Yes that just happened about 2 months ago. Very cool update.
Is there a vibrate mode on this? My daughter has the previous model with the two buttons on the bottom of the screen. And our neighbors have some from last Christmas and they say it vibrates. Our doesn't. Just wondering if this one does. Thanks! Great reviews!
Ours will definitely go all the way down to Silent mode, which you can do from the app in case the user forgets. I am pretty sure it doesn't have a separate vibrate mode though. Thanks for watching!
Actually, I sent my son a message this morning while he was sitting next to me in silent mode, and it DID vibrate. Sorry for misspeaking the first time.
Thank you for sharing this info. I do still have a question we just got this watch yesterday and I have no idea when I get a text from my daughter. Is there a way to get notifications when I have a message from her?
Yes absolutely! Just got into the settings on the app and enable all notifications, or at least just the ones you want.
@@thevetdad6383 thank you 😊
Can you swim with this watch? My son is doing a triathlon and I would love to be able to track the whole thing.
Sorry for the late response, I was retiring and moving my family and didn't have much time for You Tube. I hope the triathlon went well! I would imagine if you tried to track it, that may have been too much for the battery. The one time I used real time tracking I could literally watch the battery % go down. As far as the water resistance, I think it is ok to get "wet" but the impact of the water on an intense swim I personally wouldn't want to take a chance with.
When the child texts one of their contacts does it just appear as a normal voice text or do all 10 contacts have to have the Gizmo app to be able to communicate?
So this was a frustrating thing for me. To be able to send messages you have to not only have the app, but have parent permissions in the app. We found this out when they only saw the call option available when they clicked on their grandmother. I ended up having to walk a 74 year old over the phone on how to install the app and set it up. No fun for sure. LOL.
@@thevetdad6383 That is somewhat frustrating as it is it's own line but works through the app. I'm trying to decide if that is a deal breaker for us as kids like to send voice messages and text. I know the Disney version can even send photos, but I wonder if that is only to those with the app. I need to ask! Thanks
It does do video calling now.
Can you make all video calls?
Can u please elaborate on The "school mode" my 7 yro is getting this for her birthday and I want to make shure she can't use it while in class.
If you put it in school mode the watch will not be usable by her. You can use the app to have school mode automatically start and stop at set times.
@@thevetdad6383 can u give me more detail on it or a link, it doesn't show it on my app persay. And thank u so much for ur help and service.
On my app the school mode button appears on the main dashboard directly below the map. If you send me your email address I can send you a screenshot
Thisnis a year old. How is the watch now ?
Thanks
Do you find that the app and the watch do not sync frequently? We just got one for my daughter and the app doesn’t seem to match her watch as far as steps count, to do list etc.
I've not noticed that before. Just that sometimes it takes several minutes for the app to update in general.
@@thevetdad6383 Good morning I watched video and wanted to know can both parents use to location sharing and modifications? I hang Verizon kids mom have Tmobile? Thank you
@@james227744 yes absolutely. We have sort of a blended family and one family member has at&t and still was able to download the app and have parent priveledges.
@@thevetdad6383 thank you I appreciate it
Hello, does it have geo tracking? Thank you.
It does show the location on the map within the app. It also has real time tracking but that will suck the battery down super fast.
It uses cell phone technology.
Watch continuously beeps, does your do that? Can yoi get rid of it
@@royaltigress3896 we have not experienced that with ours.
Can I disable the games? I don't want my kids playing them all the time. Worried about building bad screen habits
I don't believe so.
Thanks!
It works just with Verizon carrier?
Yes this is just Verizon
Can you call the T Mobile version kids watch?
Hi Sean, I wouldn't really have a way to test that for you but my guess is that it would work. We have a few people on their contact list that aren't on Verizon and they can call them just fine.
What about straight talk? Will it work with that plan.
Just got the gizmo 3 but still obtained insightful and valuable information. Thank you! 🫡
Do the text messages come to you through the app or show up in your regular text messages?
Pretty much everything is through the app
App not regular.
Can all her contacts video call them
I believe so as long as they have the app and have Guardian privileges in the app.
So nope, with the screen covers necessary when you have kids out playing with skates, or skateboard. They accidently fall and go down on their wrist watch facing down can crack.
I have read that these have bad reception. Have hou noticed this?
The app works on any service. Are just Verizon
It works on any service. I have Verizon but another family member with the app has ATT.
@@thevetdad6383 ok thank u
How much??? The plan
They run deals every now and then but I think I pay like 4.99 for each watch per month.
10 bucks a month then taxes so approx 15$ month. Well worth it.
Does this watch work internationally?
I can't answer this one. If we ever take a trip I'll let you know.
You can now make video calls
I have one and I can only video call my daughter as the account manager. But no one else
One frustrating thing with these things is that you have to grant certain levels of permission to enable certain features for contacts. I don't know if they have changed it now, but when I first got mine, I had to make the grandparents guardians in order for them to send messages. So now my mom can see everywhere the kids go in the app and she always has questions! LOL