[Lady Lilya]

Here is the one I picked out by researching:<br><br><a href="http://www.buybuybaby.com/shopping/prod_detail/main.asp?MainCatID=0&catID=2&productID=187270&sl=0&uid=ECFED11E-AC3B-48FA-B841-CD7F94F1D518-5958505" target="_blank">MacLaren Techno XLR</a><br><br><a href="http://www.maclarenbaby.com/us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=162&Itemid=88888908" target="_blank">Manufacturer's own website</a><br><br>
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Here is the one my MIL picked out:<br><br><a href="http://www.buybuybaby.com/shopping/prod_detail/main.asp?productID=188697&maincatID=2&catID=196&sl=0&uid=ECFED11E-AC3B-48FA-B841-CD7F94F1D518-5958505" target="_blank">Peg Perego Venizia</a><br><br><a href="http://www.pegperego.com/page.php?sid=489c2e0db69fdbed6aaab143746a8acb&pageid=UJVNL001&idf=08&idp=0000000106&cl=N" target="_blank">Manufacturer's own website</a><br><br>
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My MIL promised to buy me a stroller of my choosing. She tends to try to control things, and my husband and I have agreed that we need to start putting our foot down before the baby comes, otherwise she will not understand that WE are in charge and she will go behind our backs to do what she thinks is better. She has a history of promising to let US choose, but then refusing to allow our choice. She also has a history of ignoring my wishes with my cat, when we lived with her, and my cat's health was risked. So, it is important for her to understand we won't tolerate it with our baby. But still, I don't want to fight her on silly things. Especially when she has offered to buy us such an expensive gift. So, before I decide to stick to my guns about the MacLaren Techno XLR, I would like to know some info.<br><br><b>Anybody have one of either of these? What do you think? Good points? Bad Points?</b><br><br>
As I understand it, <span style="text-decoration:underline;">both have these features</span>:<br><br>
recline flat<br>
good from birth<br>
5-point harness<br>
basket<br>
handle for carrying while folded<br>
spacious seat<br>
varied seat positions<br>
varied foot rest positions<br>
suspension in wheels for a smoother ride<br>
carseat compatible<br><br><br>
The <span style="text-decoration:underline;">differences</span> I see are:<br><br>
the Venezia has a handle that adjusts to you can be facing the baby while reclined<br>
the Venezia has a tray with cup-holder<br><br>
the Techno is 2 lbs lighter<br>
the Techno folds smaller<br>
the Techno is meant for up to 65lbs instead of 40, so it is roughly 50% sturdier<br>
the Techno has a hood that provides UV protection, and one for rain<br>
the Techno folds with one hand<br>
the Techno comes with padding to support newborn better<br>
the Techno adjusts its overall height for the comfort of the pusher<br>
the Techno has reflective accents<br>
the Techno is about $100 cheaper (my MIL would NOT see this as a perk. She would be insulted if I said I don't want her to spend $100 more on her only grandchild. I personally don't want to get a stroller JUST because it is more expensive and she will feel more generous. She has a tendency to believe that higher price equals better, or at least more prestigious, product.)<br><br>
The things I think are important to me, among the differences, is that the Techno folds smaller (we have limited space) and that it is sturdier.<br><br>
I THINK what I agreed to with my MIL is to go try some out in stores and see how they feel.<br><br>
But, I would like to be prepared with the advice of those who own them. <b>What features do you find to be deal breakers? Do these strollers live up to their rep (what the websites claim)?</b><br><br>
Thanks in advance for any advice you have to offer.

 

[kibba]

We almost got a peg but after reading a lot of reviews ended up with the chicco cortina,...couldn't be happier. Much more reasonable $ wise and works great. If I were you, I would see if she would buy me a britiax marathon carseat instead, they last from 5lbs, to I think 65 lbs and are great (expensive though) car seats.

 

[Lady Lilya]

I am getting a Britax Boulevard car seat also. Someone else is buying that for us.<br><br>
I see the strollers say they are car seat compatible, that you can attach a car seat, but I have no intention of doing that. We have no car, and any time we go anywhere by car we will get a ride from my parents or ILs. I plan to use the stroller and sling much more, such as when I go out to run errands, or just go for a walk.<br><br>
Thanks for the tip on the Chicco Cortina. I will check it out. If it is lower price as you say, I don't know if she will go for that one. I don't know how I would persuade her that a cheaper one could be better. I am just relieved she hasn't proposed one for $800 that I find repulsive. At this point, her suggestion seems OK to me.

 

[Lady Lilya]

kibba,<br><br>
Does the Chicco Cortina lay down flat? I know my MIL insisted that feature was non-negotiable.<br><br>
EDIT: Never mind, I found a site that says it fully reclines.

 

[McTel]

We have the Venezia and I (mostly) love it. Currently I am using it for baby #2 and it shows little signs of wear from the first, and I used it all the time with my first. When I'm out with both boys, my 3y.o. still rides in the stroller and it fits him comfortably.<br><br>
What I love:<br>
* the reversible handle. DS 1 faced me until about 9/10 months, and after that point, still faced me when he was fussy.<br>
* that it reclines flat. This was a huge factor in my stroller purchase. We borrowed an infant seat from my SIL that didn't fit the Peg, but it wasn't an issue because when I was out with the newborn I would just lay him flat in the stroller.<br>
* the "boot" covers the seat. I can pull the hood over and have baby completely covered - we took some (unseasonably mild) January walks with a newborn this way.<br>
* it collapses really easily - I can do it with one hand. I don't find it very heavy at all to lift.<br>
* for me it folds small enough - it only takes up about 1/2 of my trunk (although I drive a Camry with a huge trunk)<br>
* my Peg diaper bag clips on the handle - this is a huge space saver when shopping.<br>
* I really like how it looks. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment"><br><br>
What I don't love:<br>
* the basket is a little small and there is no cupholder. Mine is a 2003 model - I believe both of these issues have been improved in subsequent models.<br>
* the small wheels are difficult to navigate in snow, so this is really only a nice weather / indoor stroller.<br><br>
Having said all that, I think a stroller is one purchase that you have to really love, or else you end up like a friend of mine, buying 5 strollers in a quest to find the perfect one. So I wouldn't settle just to please the MIL. The PP's idea about having her buy the Britax is a good one - That's something you will use forever.<br><br>
I hope that helps!

 

[Lady Lilya]

Ahhhh, small wheels. I guess it is important for us to have large wheels because the sidewalks here aren't good. (I know from experience having a cart to get groceries and do laundry in the past.) Now I will check out the wheel diameters on the options I looked at.

 

[snoopy5386]

if I had to do it over again, I would get a stroller with a reversible handle. It was a feature I thought wasn't impt until I actually HAD a baby and I WANTED to look at her while she was in the stroller and she NEEDED to look at me. Get the venezia now and get the Mac volo when you DC outgrows it.

 

[5thAttempt]

i have venezia. i liked the boot for winter baby. and now i like reversable handle - if it is windy or sunny - the baby hates wind - i just reverse the handle. i do not like the weels. i did get a good use out of it since my baby likes to take naps outside on the terrace and because it is fully covered - it is nice to do in colder weather. so i use it the most as a 'crib' for outside - it workes great. you baby is due in august, so depending on where you live, it might be colder starting september...<br><br>
i did got the matching car seat to use as a travel system and i never used it.<br><br>
That said, we are planning to go overseas on vacation in a few month and I am debating to get another stroller - ligher and more compact, BUT: I like the convinience of fully reclined COVERED seat with boot - rain, wind - the baby can take a nap. So we probably will stick with venezia.<br><br>
nak<br><br>
ps: i got mine at costco.com for 160 - not a bad a price - shop around. they do not have it now but might have it later.

 

[andreac]

We lived in Brooklyn when I had my first and I had a Maclaren stroller (the Vogue which they don't make anymore). The Techno is an awesome stroller and it's what I would totally go for as a city dweller. The umbrella style handles are so useful to hang bags on when you have to do shopping with the stroller. I used to be able to hang almost a weeks worth of groceries on the handles of my stroller. If you have the single bar handle across the whole top you can't do that. I know it seems like a stupid reason to choose a stroller but seriously I hung stuff on those handles EVERY day. Even with a big basket you can't fit near as much stuff in the basket as you can on the handles and if the seat is way reclined it makes getting in and out of the basket difficult if not impossible.<br><br>
All strollers with plastic wheels are going to be tough in the snow, but it should be workable. The only thing that would make a big difference in handling would be a stroller with TIRES, like a jogger, but those are generally big. Although if you have someone buying for you, you might want to look at the Mountain Buggy Urban Single stroller, not really a true jogger, but it has air tires and handles SO nicely...truly one handed steering!<br><br>
I went through 3 strollers before I found the one that worked best for us (the Maclaren) trying to avoid spending that much on a stroller. In the end, I spent more. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/disappointed.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="disappointed"> My suggestion is to get what YOU like...you're the one pushing the stroller everyday.

 

[Decca]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">If you have the single bar handle across the whole top you can't do that. I know it seems like a stupid reason to choose a stroller but seriously I hung stuff on those handles EVERY day.</td>
</tr></table></div>
.<br><br>
You can buy very cheap bag hooks for single bar handles.<br><br>
OP, will you not have a car seat at all? I understand that you won't have the issue of transferring the baby from the car to the stroller and back again, but if you have a baby who falls asleep during walks, do not under-estimate the value of being able to take the baby into the house without having to disturb him or her.<br><br>
Also, I like the idea of a reversable handle a lot. One of the things I miss about using a travel system was being able to chit chat with the baby as we walked along.<br><br>
I'm not arguing against the Maclaren. I have a Triumph for a travel stroller and like it a lot. But you may want to think about the features the other stroller offers.

 

[andreac]

I was just thinking about folded size... That was one of my big concerns when choosing a stroller too, small apartment and all that. But really, we used it SO often that it almost never got folded. We just found a little nook to keep it in and left it open all the time.<br><br>
Also, there is a yahoo group called StrollerSWAP, do a search for it. Those ladies are stroller obsessed and if you write in with your situation and budget, likes and dislikes...they will find the BEST stroller for you. Seriously, they know everything about every stroller ever made it think....it's actually a little scary, but useful! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol">

 

[Lady Lilya]

I am skilled at tying bags to a bar-handle, from when I used a cart to go grocery shopping. So, that isn't a deal breaker for me.<br><br>
Yes, I will have a car seat. We were planning to get the Britax Boulevard. Some of my aunts told my sister they were going to go in on it together for me. I expect the grandparents will want to drive us places, even if just to their houses. Also, it is good to have in case of a trip to the doctor. I also have a Cosco Regal Ride already, which I intend to use until the baby is big enough for the Britax.<br><br>
From all of your responses, I am now leaning towards the Venezia. I hadn't thought the reversible handle was that big of a deal, but from the way you all describe it, I think it makes sense.<br><br>
So, at this point, my only concerns with choosing the Venezia instead of the Techno are that it will take up more space folded (there is no way we could just leave it open) and that the Techno sounds more sturdy. But, if as one of you said, you are on a second child with the Venezia, after heavy use, and it is still looking fine, than maybe it isn't an issue. I guess both are sturdy ENOUGH.<br><br>
So, the big choice is reversible handle, or smaller when folded. In that case, I really think the reversible handle is a good idea.

 

[ksera05]

I just asked my husband (who is a manager at BRU) what he thought. He said that the Venizia is discontinued - at least, BRU has stopped carrying it. He also thinks both of those strollers are overpriced.<br><br>
His recommendation is to look at the Pliko P3 or the Centro. Both of those are made by Peg Perego and work for infants on up. The Pliko P3 has been out for awhile, Centro is brand new. The Centro is a lot like the Venizia with a very classic carriage look, but does not have the reversible handle. The Pliko is more modern. And they're cheaper than either of the strollers you mentioned, although in rereading your post I see that's not necessarily an issue.<br><br>
Personally we own a Britax Preview though so I've never used either. But I figured I'd throw his opinion out there in case it helped. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol">

 

[LaughingHyena]

I do like theoption of haveing the baby face me but I would still go for the maclaren. Folded size if very very important to me. Not so much in the house as in the car. I need to be able to fit the buggy, groceries and all the other bits and pieces we carry in our car. I also found I could see the baby in our maclaren quite well through the little window on the hood.<br><br>
The other thing I'd look for is which has the least plastic parts. I find they can lok scratched and scruffy qucky (probably all that stuff in our car again <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol">).<br><br>
Do they both have washable covers, footmuffs etc ? Can you go to a shop and play with them both side by side?

 

[Pandora114]

Well, I did some comparison shopping between the difference of a Pouch, a Wrap and a Mei Tai. And I chose the Mei Tai, Babyhawk at that, because I liked the fabric choices, I liked the ease of use for a babywearing n00b like myself, and the versatility of it as well.<br><br>
I dont have to worry about lugging a stroller up and down the stairs, nor do I have to worry about people I have no idea who touching my baby because he's snuggled up close to me. He's also a heck of a lot warmer than in a stroller because he's next to me and not cold due to kicking off his blanket.<br><br>
I also don't have to worry about where to put my bag, or where to hang my purse, I just wear it like I ususally wear it, off my shoulder. When it rains I just hold my umbrella over myself and my DS stays dry and cozy as well.<br><br>
Baby carriers are great! and they take up MUCH less room and are WAY less cumbersome than a stroller in the trunk of a car. Heck, I can stuff my MT in my diaper bag!

 

[kibba]

well since you dont drive Im guessing the stroller should have a large basket,,, so I would keep that mind too (and yes the chicos baskest is large<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[Ellp]

While I don't discount the value of a good sling (heck I've got about 15+ myself), I also appreciate having a stroller for the times that my back aches, for when I have a ton of things to cart around for the day, or for when I have to go mall shopping and want to have a place to put the diaper bag and sleeping baby down so that I can try on clothes.<br><br>
Now that said, what I look for in a stroller is:<br>
-the recleinability<br>
-the wheel size - to make it easier to go over curbs and rough sidewalks<br>
-whether the wheel is air filled or plastic, which makes for bumpy rides<br>
-snack tray-my Dd used this a lot and it helped to have a place to put her sippy cup<br>
-a parent tray - which held my keys, loose change, and cell phone so I could hear it.<br>
-a decent sized basket<br>
-Weight - I have a bad back, and lifting it off the ground 2-3 feet to put in the back of a car would've been hard with a heavier stroller<br><br>
I did go out looking for a stroller which had reversible handles, but in the end, there was nothing that I liked that could reverse that also had the other features. I ended up with a stroller (Graco Metrolight) that didn't reverse, and honestly I can't say that I missed that feature.

 

[mbhf]

personally, I would go with the Peg Perego. a reversible handle is such a great feature. if i had a tiny baby in a stroller i would definately want to see them, but for me it is much more important for older kids. now that my kids are talking, i find it impossible to hear them when they're facing away from me in the stroller. i have to stop walking and squat down beside them to hear. i have an enormous bertini with reversible seats that i bought just so i could hear my older kids talking to me.

 

[Lady Lilya]

Do the Peg Perego Centro and Pliko P3 also fully recline?

 

[**guest**]

I can't even fathom shelling out that much money on a stroller. If you feel you absolutely must have a stroller, I highly suggest getting a gently used one. You can find designer/popular strollers for a fraction of the original cost and you wouldn't even notice that it's second hand. I've gotten a very expensive european stroller that retails for $500 for only $50 on Craigslist. The manufacture date was on the stroller and I researched it first to make sure there weren't any recalls on it.<br>
There are even stroller 'swap' (selling) yahoo groups out there.<br><br>
You really can get a top of the line, like-new stroller for small amount if you look.<br><br>
The one thing I do recommend is getting the largest wheels possible. Plastic wheels are horrible. I walked every single day (for exercise) and learned the important lesson of good wheels.<br><br>
Looking back (ds is now 4), I really wish that I had carried ds more (in a sling/wrap).