11 yo kid wants a "gaming" chair - advice from those who have one? archived

pdg

Dec 14, 2011 at 8:37am

My son is a gaming addict - we limit it, but it is what gives him the most pleasure at this point in his almost 11 year old life.

His friends have gaming chairs and he would like one too. Currently, the poor deprived couch-potato-ling makes due with a love seat in front of his tv while he is gaming.

There is little he "needs" in his life, and yet the holidays and his birthday are coming yet again, so we will be buying him some more stuff.

Here's a link to the chair currently in his wish list -

http://www.amazon.com/Rocker-SURROUND-Powerful-Subwoofer-Vibration/dp/B004F1KXVG/ref=wl_it_dp_v?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1EU3NSN4P3FP4&colid=2QDP0DIOI5G3

SO -

Do any of you have gaming chairs?

What do you like/dislike about the various features?

Knowing what you know now, would you buy such a large item again?

Is there anywhere to buy such a chair locally to avoid the hefty delivery chg?

TIA - Happy shopping to you all!

Tom_Reingold

Dec 14, 2011 at 8:46am

Furniture generally gets a lot of use. It could even double as a homework chair. I've soured on most expensive gifts for kids, but this doesn't look bad at all, considering how much he's likely to use it. And I say that with no experience with gaming chairs. I don't even play video games.

Amy5

Dec 14, 2011 at 8:50am

Don't expect him to want to leave it once he sits down.

pdg

Dec 14, 2011 at 8:51am

I don't either Tom, and I hate that my son wants to SOOOOO much. But, he's not alone and I can't nag him all the time, especially if his homework and chores are always done first...

He won't do homework in that chair; it will be in a basement playroom. I have no doubt it will get lots of use if the touted features are as good as he says. It's not an horribly expensive chair, either. Mostly wishing I knew where to get one locally and whether this particular brand/model is a dud or not.

pdg

Dec 14, 2011 at 8:52am

I know, Amy. He would miss sleep and many meals if we let him play on...
(sigh)

I do toss him out the door for fresh air and sunshine every few hours, and he is able to remember that it is fun to throw a football, bounce on a pogo stick and try to ride his skateboard.

cedar

Dec 14, 2011 at 12:50pm

We have two First Step (!) gaming chairs for our teen. No audio/electronics, etc.. They are really comfy and fold up for storage in our maplewood room, a huge plus IMO.

bmpsab

Dec 14, 2011 at 1:45pm

I saw a gaming chair that looked a lot like the posted link in the Target in Vaux Hall this weekend . You might want to check it out!

SOParent

Dec 14, 2011 at 1:45pm

This is an amazon with free super saver shipping - any good?

http://www.amazon.com/Cohesion-Gaming-Chair-Ottoman-Wireless/dp/B002MZLXQQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1323908043&sr=1-2

Tom_Reingold

Dec 14, 2011 at 1:50pm

Amy5 said:
Don't expect him to want to leave it once he sits down.

Which means you got your money's worth.

Remember, a kid's favorite thing is a great tool for the parent. Kid didn't do homework or chores? Gaming chair goes to jail for a while. Kid acted out? Game chair in jail again. When I was a teen, my mother once locked my bicycle to the piano!

niceplacetolive

Dec 14, 2011 at 2:36pm

Pottery Barn teen has gaming chairs. Not sure how much but I remember seeing them in a catalogue a few years ago.

pdg

Dec 15, 2011 at 11:27am

SOParent - I did look at that chair, too. Notice how the teen pictured using it is sitting? I think the rocker version is probably much better, since I'm sure my son won't be reclining when he plays. Thanks for helping, though!

Will look at Target next time I'm there (rats, was JUST there Tuesday night)

pdg

Dec 15, 2011 at 11:31am

Hmmm - just checked online Target - that "Boom Chair" marked down to $99 looks like a great deal. On Amazon it is marked down to only $132. I wish there were reviews on that chair from users. Not quite as cool as the other, but $100 less expensive, which is pretty darned cool...

How important is the "rumble" feature in a gaming chair?

pdg

Dec 15, 2011 at 11:31am

Also, doesn't say it is wireless, which makes a big diff.

pdg

Dec 15, 2011 at 3:30pm

OK, I just went back to the chair and see it is sold by a differenct seller on amazon for $172 and free shipping!

doulamomma

Dec 15, 2011 at 3:49pm

I would imagine the rumble feature would be a bonus for gamers (sounds horrible to me, but then I don't like video games)

pdg

Dec 15, 2011 at 4:30pm

Kids are funny. Mine and his friends get a kick out of "toys" that shock them - literally, they have "games" that give them a gosh darn zap! It's a horrible feeling. I just don't get kids these days...

Here it is, since it's probably hard to believe what I just wrote - my son was given this by his good buddy for a bday gift last year.

http://www.amazon.com/Lightning-Reaction-Reloaded-Shocking-Game/dp/B0006B2Q50/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324004350&sr=8-1

Red_Barchetta

Dec 15, 2011 at 5:03pm

I can't be the only one who's thinking this, but the proposition that an 11 year old needs a special chair to sit in front of a TV and play games is ridiculous.

Sorry, but you asked. oh oh