Tomy Flip Flap Solar Powered Plant

Gadgeteer Hands On Review by Judie Hughes

November 29, 2004

Product Requirements:
A source of solar power

The Tomy Flip Flap Solar Powered Plant is a product that almost makes me sad. Imagine working in a tiny cubicle with no room for a live plant. Or let's say that instead of a green thumb, yours happens to be black. Maybe you are the type that when you walk into a nursery, the salesman hides the live plants and points you towards the silk flowers. If you fit any of those descriptions, but you really want something green in your work space, then I suppose that you are the consumer for whom this item was created.

The Flip Flap plant arrives in a clear display case that can be either left on or removed.

The instructions are tightly folded into one side of the base...

...with the other side holding the special message templates that the plant can display with the included message holder.

It's a good thing that the plant is pretty easy to figure out, since I am not exactly fluent in Japanese.

Released from its case and on the removable display stand, the plant measures approximately 4.5" tall x 5"long  x 4" wide.

Available in green, yellow, orange, blue, white or pink, the Flip Flap resembles an oversized bean sprout that instead of actually growing, gently bobs in one of three rhythms as long as there is some sort of solar light available. Changing the rhythms is accomplished by briefly holding one of the leaves down with a fingertip. Upon release, the new pattern of bobbing commences. I bet that cat's would love this...

The bobbing action can be turned off from the bottom of the plant.

There are warnings on the packaging advising "no watering, " I guess they are there just in case you are a total doofus.

One of the advertised features of the plant is the ability to display messages. As I previously showed, there is a page of templates as well as a plastic message holder which can be inserter in either the front or rear of the planter.

I am not sure if the writing on the page said anything I would want to display, since it was in Japanese, so I cut out one of the message templates...

...inserted it in the holder, and I was in business! Ha!

I found it interesting that you could buy multiples and stack them, according to the instructions...

I mean, if you have enough room (and money) to buy a flock of these, then maybe you should give a real plant a try.

The Flip Flap plant is cute, but pricey for what it does. I can't imagine a thumb so black or a office so small that this would be the owner's only option. However, I am sure that there is someone out there looking at this toy wondering why I don't "get it." That is the person that should get one of these from you for Christmas!

The Tomy Flip Flap Solar Powered Plant is available from Audio Cubes and other retailers

Price: $49

Pros:
Cute & small
Black thumbs are okay

Cons:
Expensive