Is this a good deal for a Christmas gift?

The price is not a good deal, you can get this or comparable at a store for cheaper. This year the economy is making the sales the worst in quite some time, so they have to make price cuts to make sales. I would check local papers for their sales ads, you can avoid shipping and handling as online then to pick it up direct as well. Good idea to give it though as his being upset on losing the other one will be soon forgotten and he'll feel much better to have a nice new one now instead.