Britax B-Scene Review

B-Scene Ice-Skating!


 
 What is rarer than ice-skating outdoors in 85 degrees?
  
 A large seat, reversible 3-wheeler! And last week-end, we had the pleasure of experiencing both.
 
    The B-Scene is the latest stroller offering from Britax. It has the exact same comfy seat as the B-Ready. SP 2.0 loves the napper bar, and the extended legrest.
 
 But it sits on a 3-wheeler chassis, in case you prefer that look. The single front wheel is also larger than the two swivel wheels on the B-Ready. And you can lock it, for going down curbs, or for going through a rough spot.
 
 That means you will be able to better navigate rougher terrain, snow, or, er, ice.
 
  The B-Scene has a huge, very easy to access basket. Plenty of room for shoes, and unneeded in the heat jackets, hats, scarves, and gloves. There are two pockets at the front of the basket, for still needed bottles of water, or hot chocolate, if we weren't all sweating to death.

I love the brakes. You just step down lightly on the green button on the right, for "go", get it? Then the button turns red, for "Stop", and the brake is engaged.

  The canopy has a sun visor in front, and the popular netting in the rear, for air flow. The flap has magnetic closures, which is another practical feature. So easy to use.

And there are bottle pockets on both sides of the canopy. The handle is height adjustable, with a variance of 13"!
 
 Everything about the B-Scene is easy. You can adjust the harness by unzipping the back pocket, and squeezing a round button. This allows the straps in front to slide up, or down. Ingenious! It must be patented, or everyone would be using this system. 
 
There are also two pockets on the seat back, by the way. Nice for a phone, glasses, wallet, or keys.

The seat sits up nice and high, for a better view of all the action. Don't try this at home! For demo purposes only.
 
  Another rarity on the B-Scene is that you can fold it with seat facing in either direction. And all you do is pull up the side levers, and it collapses right down. Here, from the "2011 BIG Stroller Roll-Out", is Jon McGuire demonstrating. Notice how easy the seat pops off, too.

And see how he spins it around and round. Reminds me of a figure 8, haha.

 


The B-Scene can't take an add-on seat like the B-Ready. But it is smaller, too. Here is a SBS comparison of the two, again, from the "2011 BIG Stroller Roll-Out!"

Since they are similar, the two models share the same accessories--bassinet, foot muff, mosquito net, cupholders, and car seat adapter. The B-Scene comes in red, or black.

Britax B-Scene


Weight:                       28 lbs. 

Seat Back:                   21.5"

Seat to canopy:           26"

Seat Width:                 12"

Seat Depth:                 10-17"

Drop to footrest:          8"

Seat to ground:           23"

Length:                       36"

Width:                         26"

Height:                       32.5"-43.5"

Folded:                       32"L x 26"W x 15"H

Joovy Cocoon X2 Review

Groovy Joovy New Year!
 
 My philosophy is that everyone should celebrate the New Year by having fun. Bubbly, happy, festive, strolling fun. And what's more entertaining than a stroller/jogger/bike trailer at the beach? OK, I can think of a few things...
 
But anyway, the Joovy Cocoon X2 is something to toot your horn about. It is just a really enjoyable vehicle, whether you are in the sand, snow, playground, or in the 'hood.

For starters, you can put two kids in the X2. Two very large kids, for a total weight of 100 pounds. Now you may think pushing 100 pounds of kids is difficult. 

 

 And in most strollers it is. But not in the Cocoon. I did it, one-handed, all over the boardwalk, and all over an amusement park. I am totally not kidding. The 20" wheels and overall design of the Cocoon gives it a phenomenal push.
 

Kids really love the view, both front and sides. The visibility is amazing. 
 
 There is  huge rear compartment to store bags, party hats, and horns. I love the way it zips up to keep everything nice and safe, and protected from blowing sand and sea spray. 
 
You can roll up the front covers, for an unfettered view. There is both a velcroed rain cover, and zippered bug net.
 
The rain cover is great for wind and chilly temperatures. It really keeps children toasty warm when it is closed. 
   

I am a tire purist. And I really love that the Cocoon has air tires all the way around. That's how it glides over soft sand. 
 
 Allows me to push it where no other stroller dare go. And THAT is a blast!
 
   It is even easy enough for StrollerPrincess to drag through the soft sand, and up a hill. Look how cool all the reflectors are. Nice to know they work!
 
 Granted, 20" wheels are pretty big for the average car trunk. But you can easily detach them,and the front wheels.



 Even the handlebar comes off, for more compact storage. It, and the wheels, remove with the old fashioned "key" system. I wonder if this is what keeps the weight down?
 
 I am showing the Cocoon X2 in stroller mode here. But, you can easily attach it to bike, or switch the small swivels to a big jogger wheel. You would insert the optional hitch or wheel right in the front center:


  Inside, there is a little pouch on each side of the seat, for bottles, sippy cups, toys, etc. Of course there are two 5-point harnesses, which is especially important if you are using the Cocoon as a bike trailer or jogger. And the seat is very spacious. If you have a child who likes to hop in and out, you don't have to feel weird that you're pushing one child in a two-seater. 
 
As my friend said, "There's so much room to haul all our junk!"

 I tell ya', people love this thing! I had parents chasing me around both on the beach, and at the amusement park, to ask questions about it. 
 
One thing they commented on was how short it is, lengthwise. Which means you are less likely to crash into people, or objects. Only 33" (see measurements below.) 
     
  But they couldn't know that it also weighs even less than that! 32 pounds is quite light in the world of  A/T doubles.
  
    They did find out how easy to push, because they tried it out. Even with their own children in it! That's how much excitement this Cocoon inspires.

 

 I'm showing it in stroller mode here. But, you can easily attach it to bike, or switch the small swivels to a big jogger wheel. You would insert the optional hitch or wheel right in the front center:


But it wasn't just other parents who were enthralled by the Cocoon X2. SP 2.0 loves it, too!

I mean really, kissing a stroller? Yes, a true StrollerPrince.

So don your hats, blow your horns, give a cheer, and welcome 2011 into the Kingdom of Strollerland!

Joovy Cocoon X2 Enclosed Double Stroller, Black

Weight: 32.5 lbs.

Seat Back: 23"
Seat to canopy: 23"
Seat Width: 23" (single  bench seat)
Seat Depth: 10"
Drop to footrest: 12"
Seat to ground:  12"
Length: 33"
Width:  30.5"
Height:  40"
Folded:  50"L x 23"W x 20"H

  
To see all the 2011 models, go to Strollerqueen.net And if you want me to help you choose your own stroller, go to Strollerqueen.com

Micralite FastFold Superlite Stroller

Merry Micralite Christmas

I reviewed the Micralite Superlite by the pool last summer. The mesh seat does make it ideal for outdoor water sports. But not just warm weather ones.

 It is also the perfect "snow stroller", for holiday travels. Because, let's face it, this time of year our cars are usually packed to the hilt with suitcases and gifts.  You need a stroller that can fit. The Superlite squeezes down into the tiniest of spaces. 

   Yet those big air tires can cut through slush, as well as sand. And what I wanted to show was how a liner, and another canopy color, can change the look to match the season. The liner really cozies up the seat, too. Now if I can just make it to the snow!

Micralite FastFold Superlite

Weight:                                 14 pds.
 

Seat to canopy:                  23"
 

Seat Back:                            21"
 

Seat Width:                         14" bottom, 8" top

Seat Depth:                         10"

Drop to footrest:               10"

Seat to ground:                  18"

Length:                                  27"

Width:                                   15" rear, 24" front,

Height:                                   37"-45"

Folded:                                  15"L x15 "W x 43"

  If you want to see all the new stroller models coming out in 2011, go to Strollerqueen.net And if you want me to help you find the perfect stroller for you, go to Strollerqueen.com