Britax B-Nimble Review

Be Nimble, Be Green, Be Lucky

 

  

 This gorgeous Kelly green just screams Emerald Isles and shamrocks. So, what better choice for St. Patrick's Day, which is also SP 2.0's birthday, than this new Britax B-Nimble!

It is the latest incarnation of the Blink, which I reviewed previously (http://strollerqueenreviews.blogspot.com/2009/10/pompeii-had-no-time-to-blink.html). 

 Upgrades on the Nimble include the new Click & Go integrated infant car seat adapter, automatic chassis lock, and a removable, reversible seat liner. 
 
 A raincover, cupholder, and universal car seat attachment strap is now included as well. 


Oh, and of course there are new colors, like this divine green, chic black, and silver and the whimsical cow print (Did I really just use those adjectives? ACK! I'm turning PR! Well at least I didn't stoop to the hackneyed 'iconic'.)


The Nimble is a good travel stroller. It has a back shoulder strap, decent recline, and compact umbrella fold.  And I really, really love the long leg rest.

The new car seat adapters are handy for zipping through the airport. But instead of the old travel bag, there is now a rain cover. That's a really handy thing to have, if you are traveling to an unpredictable environment. By the way, even if you don't live in a wet climate, the rain cover makes a great windshield. And if it's sunny, the canopy is generous, with a peekaboo window and retractable visor.
 
The B-Nimble is pretty stable. That means if you hang bags on the back, which we are all not supposed to do, but do anyway, it won't crash backwards. That leaves the net basket free to fit more bags, jackets, blankets, shopping, etc. There is also a big pocket for more storage behind the canopy.

Oh, and you can pop the new seat pad right off for washing. Another really handy feature to have when you are away from home.
 
So be nimble, be lucky, be green, and Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

  
  Britax B-Nimble 
Weight: 16.5

Width: 19"

Length: 26"

Height: 41"

Seat Width: 13"

Seat Depth: 9-15"

Seat Back: 19"

Seat to Canopy: 25"

Drop to Footrest: 9"

Seat to Floor: 14"

Folded: 41" x 11" x 13" 

For more 2011 stroller models, or for help in choosing a stroller, go to Strollerqueen.com

Bumbleride Flite Review

 "Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood."
-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

 Summer is the time of great beginnings...when everything is fresh and new. The warm sun and gentle breezes summon us to outdoor adventures and travel. And when you gaze at the cool blue and green tones of the "Seagrass" Bumbleride Flite, you may be inspired to take flight, to a place where lush meadows meet sparkling seas.   

  OK, sometimes the days will be grey and the grass will be brown. But at least the Flite colors remain true!

 And you can use the included rain cover so the fog won't interfere with your fun!

The front and rear wheel suspension makes the Flite is a great little choice for zipping around. Has super one-handed steering. 

 

 I like how deep the recline is. It's done with a one-handed pull of the back strap.

I don't know why I have read that the Flite has a skimpy canopy. Because check this out:

The Flite is small, but the extended legrest helps provide a comfy seat for viewing the sea:

The fold is done quickly and easily, by pulling the triggers up by the handles.

 

It folds compactly, umbrella style.

And has a side carrying handle.

I was a little concerned that the light colored interior would get dirty fast. But it is the type of material that cleans up really easily.

   The new Flite is the latest offering from Bumbleride. It comes with a matching headhugger, strap covers, the afore mentioned raincover, and universal adapter bar.

 There are some really fantastic accessories available, too. You can get a matching snack tray for the universal front bar, matching diaper bag and footmuff, and even a carrycot! Wowee! Don't know another umbrella stroller this small (sold in the US, that is), that can take a bassinette. How perfect for your summer flight of fancy!

 Bumbleride Flite

Weight:                     15.5 pounds
Seat Back:                20"
Seat to canopy:       26"
Seat Width:              13"
Seat Depth:              8"-13"
Drop to footrest:      10"
Seat to ground:        18"
Length:                      24"
Width:                        17.5"
Height:                       41"                  
Folded:                      44"L x 12" W x 10" H

I can help you find the perfect stroller for YOUR needs. Don't let a salesperson sell you a stroller that won't work for you! For more info on consultations, visit strollerqueen.com There are lots more reviews here, and info on how to get the 2010 BIG Stroller Roll-Out, an online video magazine of all the new stroller models. strollerqueen.com

Maclaren Techno XT Review

Happy Techno New Year!
There is just something so festive about Maclarens. Well some, anyway. For 2009, my New Year's stroller was the Shanghai Tang Quest. And to usher in 2010, I chose an all-black Techno XT, with a gold liner. Doesn't get much better than this.
I am just crazy about all the great liners you can get from Maclaren now, to compliment any season, or occasion. And since this is winter, I also went with the all black faux fur footmuff (say that six times, real fast!) Kept my Happy New Year baby cosy and warm!
I'm not sure if the mood was as festive over at the Maclaren HQ's. 2009 saw them embroiled in one of the biggest baby product recalls of all time, affecting one million strollers. The recall was initiated by Maclaren, after a dozen children had their fingertips amputated by the hinges, when their stroller was being folded. But, to put it all in perspective, this is 12 out of one million, over the course of a decade. Naturally, I am terribly sorry for any child who is hurt. When I was six, I had the top third of my right middle finger amputated. It was dusk, and I was reaching into my Dad's car trunk, for the last bag of groceries. My brother thought we had finished unloading, and slammed down the lid of the trunk. It shut and locked, trapping my finger. To this day, I can still see the horror on my Dad's face, as he frantically fumbled for the keys, amidst my ear-piercing screams. It was traumatic and horrible, but we didn't think about suing the car manufacturer. It was what it was, a tragically freak accident. I guess my point is that any stroller that folds has moving parts that can be dangerous. So always make sure children's little hands are far away when you are closing, or opening any pram, buggy, or jogger, of any brand.
Back to the Techno...check out this canopy! It is HUGE! It unzips to pull down so far that you almost don't need the included raincover.
It has two huge pockets in the back of the canopy to store that cover, just in case, or a mosquito net, or whatever detritus we parents seem to accumulate.
And wowee on these wheels! With these reflectors, they can see you coming a mile away. And both front and rear have suspension.
And these new WONDERFUL wheel covers keeps them fully encased, so no street dirt will soil your beautiful liner or fabric.Makes a tidy little package when you are carrying it, too.
You can get the "universal organizer" for cups, bottles, and more stuff.
And check out the new handles. So elegant! Still height adjustable, too.
Of course, the reflections don't stop with just the wheels. There is so much of it, that it is hard to get a non-glowing picture, lol!
One thing to keep in mind about the Techno is that it has a flat recline and extendable legrest for a little baby. Yet it also has a huge amount of headroom for taller children. So it really can be your one and only stroller that will do-it-all, from birth until Kindergarten! It has a 55-pound weight limit, but more importantly, you can still steer it one-handed, even carrying heavier weights.
Maclaren Techno XT Stroller, Black

Maclaren Techno XT stats:
Weight: 17 pds.
Width: 18.5"

Length: 24.5"

Height: 40"-44"

Seat Width: 13"

Seat Back: 18"

Seat to Canopy: 27"
Seat Depth: 10-14.5"

Drop to Footrest: 9"

Seat to Floor: 15"

Folded: 12" x 12.5" x 42"


I can help you find the perfect stroller for YOUR needs. Don't let a salesperson sell you a stroller that won't work for you! For more info on consultations, visit strollerqueen.com There are lots more reviews here, and info on how to get the 2010 BIG Stroller Roll-Out, an online video magazine of all the new stroller models. strollerqueen.com

Cybex Callisto Review

It seems that everywhere you turn these days, you see a celebrity pushing this:Ooops, sorry, wrong picture! That's because we're not in Manhattan today, nor in Beverly Hills. We are at the ZzzzOOO, with the Cybex Callisto.The Cybex Callisto had some tall orders to fill this trip. Had to be comfy enough for all day at the Zoo, warm enough for a visit to Santa, hardy enough to tackle the underground caves, elegant enough for the Nutcracker Ballet, fold small enough to fit in a horse and carriage, and easily enough so as not to annoy the husband, who would be using it a lot. Start with the ballet suitability...did it pass? I would say so. The Callisto is very sumptuous, very rich. Love the design on the canopy. They are a little different on all the models.

But you can push it back, to better see the lions, or tigers, or Zebras, oh my!

There are currently four Cybex models for sale in the US. The feature rich, top of the line Callisto, and the Topaz, Onyx and Ruby. The main differences are that each model down is a step down in features--i.e. umbrella handles instead of the single bar, less recline, no napper bar, no suspension, etc. But they all have cool designs, you should check them out.

A "hidden benefit"is that Cybex is being distributed by Regal Lager. They are the company that used to distribute Phil and Ted's. Anyone who has ever dealt with them has been impressed by their helpfulness and class. Customer Service is something that everyone needs to consider when buying a stroller. Especially since the higher-end ones aren't cheap anymore. And a lot of people have no choice but to buy online, since they don't have the retailers nearby.

The suspension on the wheels made for a very smooth ride to the underground caves. Check out the aluminum rims! And the deep recline means SP 2.0 could take a long noon nap, after a long day of animal watching.The fabric is a soft brushed cotton, so very inviting. The foot muff I used is the faux fur Maclaren, but you can get a matching one from Cybex. Here you can see some other "designer" features. There is a front visor to help with the low sun rays, a front napper bar, a rain cover, and the single bar handle makes for a great one-handed push. It's height adjustable, too! Yet the Callisto DOES fold umbrella style. How is that possible? Well, to fold it, you first reach down and lift up a latch in the center back, down by the basket. Similar to most umbrella folds, except you lift it with your hand, instead of kicking it. Then, you push the top button in, and the both sides of the handle magically fold inwards, towards each other. So voila! it becomes an umbrella. Pretty cool, actually.

One of my favorite things about the Callisto is the super smooth recline. There is a little handle in the back, which you lightly squeeze. Then the seat gently comes all the way down, to four different positions. The harness is interesting, too. It's a puzzle buckle, like on a car seat. And the strap adjustment is also like your car seat. To loosen the harness, you push on the button on the seat, and pull it out. Then to tighten it, you pull the bottom of the strap.

Another thing I like is how long the leg rest extends. This feature is a make it or break it for us right now, in terms of baby's comfort level. And when baby ain't happy, ain't no one happy! But here, you see he clearly is. Just chillin' and watching the 'Roos.Cybex 

Weight: 18 pds.

Width: 21"

Length: 26"

Height: 41"

Seat Width: 13"

Seat Back: 18"

Seat to Canopy: 27.5"

Drop to Footrest: 9"

Seat to Floor: 18"

Folded: 16" x 10" x 43"

I can help you find the perfect stroller for YOUR needs. Don't let a salesperson sell you a stroller that won't work for you! For more info on consultations, visit strollerqueen.com There are lots more reviews here, and info on how to get the 2010 BIG Stroller Roll-Out, an online video magazine of all the new stroller models. strollerqueen.com