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CNET’s Cheapskate scours the Web for great deals on PCs, phones, gadgets and much more. Questions about the Cheapskate blog? Find the answers on our FAQ page. And find more great buys on the CNET Deals page.

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Moto 360 review: A worthy successor to last year’s model,…

2:25

Ready for a wrist upgrade?

That’s what happens when you trade your regular wristwatch (or regular wrist) for a smartwatch: You get sexy watchfaces, invaluable notifications, voice-activated Google searches, heart-rate and fitness monitors and more.

But most models are pretty ugly, am I right? (I’m looking at you, Apple Watch and most Pebbles.) The one exception: Motorola’s round, sexy Moto 360 series. That $350 price tag, though…

For a limited time, and while supplies last, Daily Steals has the refurbished 2nd-gen Moto 360 smartwatch (black with leather band) for $144.99 shipped when you apply coupon code ChpsktJuly at checkout. That’s for the 42mm variety; if you want the larger, 46mm, version (which also upgrades you to a metal band), it’ll run you $159.99 post-coupon.

Take note that these refurbs may have “slight scratches that are only visible upon close inspection.” But Daily Steals also says that they’ve been “professionally refurbished” and should arrive in “excellent” condition. There’s a 30-day return policy should you find the condition to be otherwise, and a 60-day exchange option in case something goes awry. (You can also spring for a one-year replacement plan for $21.99 if you prefer the comfort of a full warranty.)

I’ve always loved the design of the Moto 360 — it looks like a real watch, not some geeky toy — and the 2nd-gen model mostly improves on the original. It still has that “flat tire” black bar at the bottom (home to an ambient light sensor, a valuable feature), but I never thought that was a big deal. Some users don’t care for it.

I’ll turn you over to CNET’s review for more insight, adding only that as much as I like the looks of the Moto 360, I’ve never cared for the Android Wear OS. I also think it’s a poor match for iPhones (as some features are hobbled), though a good friend of mine recently ditched his Apple Watch for a Moto 360 and says he likes the latter considerably more.

One other thing to consider: I’ve seen the original Moto 360 selling for as low as $79.99, so if you’re really looking to go cheap, sit tight for the next time that model rolls around. But if you prefer the latest and greatest, this is definitely the best deal to date on the 2nd-gen 360.

Your thoughts?

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Bonus deal: Regular readers know of my fondness for pens that double as smartphone/tablet styluses and triple as smartphone/tablet stands. My favorite remains the 3-in-1 Ace Teah variety, but here’s a new, slightly different option worth considering: the Cambond 3-in-1 stylus pen 7-pack for $6.99 when you apply coupon code K58GJ62V at checkout. (Shipping is free for Prime subscribers.) Trust me, once you start using these to prop up your screen for hands-free reading/viewing, you’ll never want to carry a different pen.

Bonus deal No. 2: Good marketing requires great visual media: logos, icons, ads, background graphics and so on. Stencil is a browser-based graphic-design tool built with simplicity in mind and stocked with a huge library of photos, icons, graphics, etc. Normally a Stencil Unlimited subscription would run you $216 for one year, but ending very soon, AppSumo is offering a Stencil Unlimited lifetime subscription for $49. Really, really wish I’d had this when I was developing marketing media for my small biz.