Baby travel systems (merged)

worcester1

Hello,

Has any one bought a travel system from online4baby - on ebay.

I am looking to buy a travel system and it's really confusing which one to buy and from who. I see that Mamas & Papas brand are slightly more expensive.

They tend to range from £150 - £500 but I really don't and can't afford to spend much. My budget is between £150 - £250. Any ideas/advice?

Justie

several things

first go to a big mothercare or babies r us and test drive as many as you can - then see if the car seat bit fits in your car safely. When you've found the one you want then look online to see where is cheapest to buy - don't be tempted to do it the other way round as a cheap mistake works out expensive

Personally I'm not going to get a travel system as I think you pay a lot for them when there are other options available that do the same job they just may not all match. A lot of people say that the car seat bit of the travel system is often heavy and so isn't always practical for carrying around. It may be cheaper long term to get a car seat that will suit your child for longer than the baby ones. You may find that the pushchair bit of the travel system doesn't suit your needs.

I know various people who have travel systems and haven't had any problems with them though so it may be the best option for you still but please test drive them first.

Another tip is to see if your local NCT have a nearly new sale on - I've seen travel systems there for £50 and they looked almost new.

Sagaris

I'd be very wary of any of the car seats that come with a base - Mamas and Papas Prima Viaggio or the Graco travel system (although you can use the Graco without the base). They tend to make the infant carrier seats sit very 'upright' which is not very suitable for a newborn.
I'd go for the infant carrier (Group 0+) then the Group 1 (toddler) seat, the two way ones are a bit of a compromise, they don't protect a newborn baby as well as an infant carrier and when I've had one in my car I found it restricted the view when I had it in the front seat.
I'd have a look in Mothercare and Toys R Us and then see if you can get something online - although both of those shops sometimes have special offers instore and online, so it's worth checking.
Good luck with the baby!
PS Just found this one - any good? Mothercare
Lots more here

brummiebabe

Just something to think about....I've had 3 children & did have a travel system...however, I only really used it as a travel system for the 1st 3 months! The pushchairs tend to be large, quite bulky and awkward. Everyone I know stopped using a travel system quickly and brought a buggy - which are light, easy to use and will last until your child no longer uses a pushchair!!

It may be more cost effective to get a car seat and just invest in a very good buggy (I've got Maclaren Techno XT - fab, everything you need and suitable from birth!) My DD is 6 months old and I'd really recommend this!!!

Best of luck with whtever you decide!!:D

worcester1

Thanks a lot all three of you - to be honest I have never been a big fan of travel system, they tend to look and feel very heavy. I have been very impress with you and the other customers reviews on the Maclaren Techno XT. I feel that this is what we exactly need for now and just invest another car seat which will stay permanently in the car.

Our suituation is; for the 1st nine months we are going to have only one car which I will be mostly be using to go to work. whilst my wife stays home (maternity leave) and therefore will mainly be relying on public/ taxi transportation whilst I am at work. I think the Maclaren Techno XT will be more ideal to be getting onto and off taxis/buses than a travel system.

Brummiebabe, can you recommend any permanent car seat or is it better just to pop to mothercare and get them to fit one for us? Did you have to buy the footmuff seperately? I can get the Maclaren Techno XT and the footmuff on http://shopping.kelkoo.co.uk/ctl/do/search?siteSearchQuery=Maclaren+Techno+XT+-+fab&fromform=true

Can you please check and let me know if it's exactly the same one you got from mothercare?

Many Thanks

Sagaris

You need an infant carrier (go for a Group 0+ and not a Group 0 as it will last longer - although I think Silver Cross are the only company selling a Group 0 seat now) which isn't a 'fixed' seat as such. Mothercare will fit the seat in your car to ensure it's compatible and make sure you can fit it too! The Britax Rock a Tot is currently discontinued by Britax (apparently they are re-vamping it) but it's a really good seat, it has 2 positions for the seat belt to fit so it fits a lot of cars with short seat belts. You can still buy it in most stores though, the basic version of it is called the Britax Babysure, you might be able to pick one up for £40 (the top of the range version used to be about £90!)
PM me if you'd like any more info - child car seats are part of my job!

brummiebabe

I got the pushchair from Babyworld.com - it was £149.95. Also got the footmuff from there, think it was around £25. Don't know how this compares to mothercare etc.

My car seat is from my original travel system - a graco one - never had a problem with it, but I'm sure you'd get better advice for your particular car from mothercare/halfords. Having a car seat that you can take in & out of the car easily, without disturbing the baby is very useful!!! I know you can get some fixed seats for 0+ but I wouldn't be without one you can carry!!

Best of luck!!:D

brummiebabe

Have just checked babyworld.com - they don't seem to be selling the XT now, but a more advanced one that can be used as a travel system!!! Don't know whether you may be interested, as it looks like a normal maclaren buggy.

http://shop.babyworld.co.uk/DisplayDetail.aspx?prodid=1195

The footmuff was £35, not £25 and yes, the link you've found is the Techno XT that I've got - we've got the Crimson one - very nice and SO light to push/handle!!!!!

worcester1

Hi,

Just wanted to get your views on this.

We have more or less agreed to get this for our baby (due sometime next month). The one we are hoping to buy cost £265 (no extras apart from a rain coat) In your view, is this a good travel system or not? Also can we get more value for money elsewhere or with another system?

Thanks in advance for you feedbacks

Justie

I quite liked the Loola when we saw it but the handle height isn't adjustable which rules it out for us. I think you are paying a bit for the designer element but it seems to be competitively priced wehn compared to some systems and looked to me to be a good buy. In the end I think it's more important to find the system that feels right to you and suits your needs than to worry too much about the price (within reason of course).

Lillys_mum

I think this is one of the best travel systems on the market. Especially if you are inclined to use the car seat on the pram, this is because the car seat has the flattest position possible for little babies - it is adjustable with supports inside. Whilst I do not like people leaving babies in the car seats whilst pushing them round the shops with this car seat it is much better for the baby.

I use my Loola as a second pram just to be kept in the back of the car as I have a large emmaljunga one for walking.

I wouldn't bother with the change bag - a backpack is easier
The cosytoes are nice but expensive so I bought a second hand buggy snuggle on ebay for £20 and it is lovely and soft.

I would say yes it is a good choice.

Good luck with your baby x