Editorial Review

Balanced on four connected legs, this baby swing offers safety and a smooth ride, as long as its rider weighs less than 25 pounds. That considered, at the height of its 6 swinging speeds, the chair didn't wobble, and that's all one wants: a swing that will swing and not wobble. And this version of the baby swing has several other amenities that make swinging time more enjoyable. The food/toy tray lifts up for "easy-entry" without tying up the baby harness. Three, removable plush toys hang from the swing's mobile, and two plastic toys fit into the tray's two cup-holders. Nirvana: 15 different lullabies and a fully reclining seat with adequate head support. All a baby wants in a swing. When it's time to leave the fun-seat, the frame collapses in two steps for easy storage. Required: Four "D" batteries for music and sounds. Diane Beall ... Read more

Reviews (29)

Love this swing!
I put my daughter in this at just a few weeks old. She fell right to sleep. Now that she's older (4 months) if I put the seat up a little she'll play with the toys on the tray for a little while till she gets tired and then I recline it again, put the music on (#2) and then start it up (usually 3rd green). And off to dream land she goes. Sometimes when other things wouldn't sooth her, this would. It helped me out some when she was a little colicy.

we love it
I loved this swing from the time my husband assembled it and put our newborn in it. The music and swinging motion lulled him to sleep. He loves it. The one thing I didn't like was there didn't seem to be enough padding for his comfort. So, I added a couple of blankets and it did the trick. I also like the fact that the swing and music last so long. I took him out of the swing one night and forgot to turn it off, and it was still going the next morning. I have not changed the batteries yet and my baby is 2 months old. This swing is a great buy. Only reason for 4 stars was for the padding.

Great investment
I've been using this swing since my daughter was about a week old -- and she's now six months. We haven't had to change the batteries, and everything is still in great shape. The different reclining positions of the seat are great, and the speed options are nice, although I tend to only use the lowest one. The mobile at the top does not move on its own, but my daughter loves staring at those bears anyway! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activity    2. Swings   

Editorial Review

In a surprising number of ways, the Nintendo DS is quite unlike any video game system that's come before. First, there's the two screens, one above and one below. The idea might seem like a gimmick -- the screens are far enough apart that you won't be able to see them as one long screen -- but the format works in a complementary way. Depending on the game, the DS serves action in one screen and details, maps, stats, or alternate views in the other. Switching your eyes between screens takes a little getting used to, but quickly becomes automatic, like checking a rear-view mirror while driving. Both screens are back-lit and a little larger than that of the Game Boy Advance SP, so they'll be easy to see in most conditions.

Players can control games using the touch-sensitive bottom screen of the DS.

The bottom screen also functions as a PDA-style touchpad. It comes with a small stylus, as well as a stylus that attaches to your thumb. This touch screen might be both the best and worst feature of the DS. One one hand, it brings the freedom of PC-style mouse control into gaming, but using it also tends to block what's going on in that screen. For example, while playing the Metroid Prime: Hunters, you could use the left thumb pad to move, the left shoulder button to fire, and the touch screen to look and jump. As you track foes on the bottom-screen map, however, your view will be partially obscured by your own right thumb.

The good news is that Nintendo has stressed a lot of comfort options, both in the operating system and in their games. Want to play Metroid without the touch-pad? Select a different control scheme in the game's option menu, which also includes configurations for lefties. You can even customize your DS to automatically play the inserted title or to start with the main menu, choose which screen to display your GBA games, to add a nickname for wireless play, and more.

Up to 16 players can connect wirelessly within a 100-foot radius.

That's right, the DS is wireless-enabled. Say good-bye to that daisy-chain of network cables that was previously necessary for portable multiplayer gaming. Nintendo's proprietary wireless format has a radius rated at 30 to 100 feet depending on environmental interference with its signal. Surely, it's more than enough for friends to game from one end of the bus to the other. We experimented in a small, nearly empty parking lot and got great reception at the upper end of that rating. The DS network can handle up to 16 users, though you can expect the maximum number of players to vary from game to game.

Also, unlike all but the earliest video game systems, the DS comes with a built-in application. It's called PictoChat, and it allows people to write and draw pictures in a chat-room format. Since it's built in to the DS operating system, you'll always be able to interact with other DS users.

The built-in program PictoChat lets you write and draw with others.

But not all is new; Nintendo has re-invested some favorite features of older platforms into the DS. It's backward compatible to the Game Boy Advance, which means that older Game Boy and Game Boy Color games won't work in this machine but GBA games will run fine (sadly, the wireless feature doesn't extend to GBA games). Like the GBA SP, the DS is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides approximately 10 hours of play on a four-hour charge. Old timers might recognize the A/B/X/Y face buttons from the Super Nintendo controller, though they're not in the same positions. The standard headphone jack and wide-body comfort of the first GBA model is back, coupled this time with the SP's screen-saving clamshell design. In terms of its ability to display graphics and sound, the DS is a little better -- and a whole lot smaller -- than the Nintendo 64.

Overall, the Nintendo DS represents a rather large leap in portable gaming. With some mystery shrouding the future abilities of its internal microphone (voice recognition) and its IEEE 802.11 wireless network, the DS may have left some surprises up its sleeve. --Porter B. Hall

Pros:

• Great design marries innovative new features with great features of old systems and lots of customizable options
• Wireless up to 100 feet
• Built-in PictoChat lets you write and draw pictures with up to 15 other DS users

Cons:

• Sometimes hard to see and use the touch screen at the same time
• Wireless multiplayer feature won't work with GBA games
• Can't connect to other wireless devices...yet

Reviews (570)

new vs old
ever since the ds came out systems bine loosing money, psp then came out and now its a battle psp vs ds. in my eyes which sould be everyones nintendo has been out since the early 90s and playstation late 90s i trust oldies more they allways come bacl but do new stuff noooo.remember nintendos first hand held it stunk so does the psp. so dont get new gwt old. ps there comming out with pda on the ds not psp.

PSP vs. DS? PSP Takes It In 2 seconds. Why?
GRAPHICS
PSP: AMAZING GRAPHICS! WE ARE LOOKING AT A PS2 IN YOUR POCKET!
Nintendo DS: I do not own one but some of my friends have them and I have played one, Nintendo DS, were looking at some what of a SNES in your pocket.
VIDEO
PSP: Plays videos at the quality, speed, and picture of a plasma screen!
Nintendo DS: Dosn't even play them.
MUSIC
PSP: As good as an IPOD. The memory sticks cost less than an Ipod and have just as much storing space.
Nintendo DS: Dosn't even play music.
DURABILITY
PSP: I have dropped mine 2 times, no problems, I have no dead pixels.
Nintendo DS: Well, lets say if we go by the quality of it mabye 2-3 days of playing no more no less. :P
DESIGN
PSP: Sleek, sweet button and speaker placemet. 4.3 inch screen tops DS anyday.
Nintendo DS: OOOO 2 screens! WHO CARES who wants to poke everything you see on the screen, and probably have it broken in a day or two because your jabbing it constantly!
OVERALL
Lets see the score ummm lets see.... 5-0 for PSP? WOW everybody says DS is better :O. Well who cares about a stupid litte plumber when they can have a decent game not about a plumber with his boyfriend Luigi! PSP gives you better selection of games better all around, so Nintendo, and kids out there your wasting your time with a dumb money grab. And as for Nintendo corp, give it up you guys suck! Sony is way better than you.Nintendo thinks they can add a little useless screen in there charge and extra 100$. I say boycott Nintendo they can't even compete! Mario and his boyfriend Luigi can go and cry with their stupid creators! I suggest go buy a PSP, and if you don't have money sell your DS its not worth owning!


Too Bad It Dosn't Go Lower Than 1 Star! Negative 100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 Stars From the_truth


PS: I would put more zero's but, theres no use wasting my fingers on a DS review

PSS: I shouldent have even wrote this review its wasting time and finger strength, not to mention valubal website space that coul be used for more PSP praise

Utter Dissapointment From the_truth

Superior To The PSP?!?
I personally, do not see how anybody can possibly say that this is better than the PSP.The people who compare this to the PSP and try to make it sound better come up with very, very lame reasons such as that they want a pure gaming system.Well, movies or music would not hurt to have on a handheld, but either way, you could not buy the movies or memory cards to put music on.These people also say that they do not like sports games, what is what most of the games on the PSP are, then the game selection of PSP still bashes PSP.The PSP still has NFSU Rivals, Midnight Club 3: DUB Ediion, Wipeout Pure, Twisted Medal: Head On, Metal Gear Acid, Ridge Racer, Lummies, Tony Hawk and Grand Theft Auto (Coming This Summer) while on DS you get NFSU 2, Warioware Touched, Asphalt Urban GT, Ridge Racer, Super Mario 64 are the only games worth looking at for the DS.These Nintendo Fanboys also mention that the games for the DS are about $35 and are about $50 for the PSP.Well, you truly get a better deal with the PSP games.The PSP games hold 1.8 GIGs and are $50, meaning that you are paying less than $30 a GIG.The DS games are $35 and hold 1.1 GIGs so you are paying a a bit over $33 a GIG.This does not even go into the excellent graphic advantages or giant screen or better games of the PSP.The price of the unit is good because a DS, a portable DVD player, and an MP3 player is well over $250.The PSP also comes with a memory card that has enough memory to save all of the games you will get (it is 32 MB and the career mode of each game is about 2 MB, so it holds removable data of 16 games.)The movies are DVD quality but since the movies can not hold as much as a DVD there are no extras like deleted scenes.The movie selection coming by this summer is very good.The price of a memory stick is lower than the price of an MP3 player with equal memory.I know I said way too much about the PSP but I would get it if I were you.I have a DS and it is now collecting dust since I got PSP.So, I would not get DS and get a PSP.DS is a mediocre system while the PSP is a great system. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Consoles   

Editorial Review

A good infant car seat should offer four key features: safe design, comfort for the occupant, convenience for the parents, and a stylish appearance. The Chesapeake model from Peg Pérego comes through on all counts. It features a five-point harness system to keep young ones firmly in place, ample padding all around, and an additional halo pad to cradle baby's head (perfect for dozing off on long car trips). The seat is equipped with LATCH, a car seat system mandated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that requires points of anchorage on the top and bottom of the car seat base. Despite its firm anchoring, this car seat also detaches easily for toting. It's upholstered in a bright red fabric, and also sports a retractable canopy. --Alice Merritt ... Read more

Reviews (244)

It's O-K....
This carseat wasn't as great as I thought it was going to be.I first registered for it b/c this brand was what "all the new moms were getting".My son was born very little (only 6 lbs) and in July.He was sweating in this carseat after the first week or so and always cried in it.He grew so fast that by the time he was 2 months old, he was 14.5 lbs and squished into his carseat and cried even more when he was in it.His backside was always hot and sweaty.Not only that, the Primo Viaggio infant carseat was heavy to begin with but with the added weight of the baby, I was struggling.We bought the Britax Marathon carseat and changed him into it by the time he was 4 months old.He LOVES his carseat now and enjoys every car ride now that he's not squished, sweaty and uncomfortable.Seems that it was a waste of money to only use the infant carseat for 4 months.

Before buying, make sure base fits in car!
We bought this car seat because of the great review in the Baby Bargains book, and for the clean styling.After spending an hour trying to install it, we figured out that the LATCH system only works if you have the LATCH system installed on the BOTTOM of your car seat (not the latches behind the back seat head rests).Our car does not have the LATCH system at the top AND bottom of the seat.That is an *extra* updated feature.

We figred there had to be another way to install it without using the LATCH system...we went to the Highway Patrol who proceeded to tell us that there is a way to install it, but since our seats aren't flat enough in the back, the car seat won't work in our car anyway.Our car is an '02 Audi A4 - pretty common size in cars, I think.

Not really worth the money.The Highway Patrol said that he prefers (for safety reasons) the Evenflo car seats - but this one is a safe car seat if it fits right.Now I have to buy another car seat AND stroller since it went together with the Aria stroller....

NOT SAFE!!
I took this car seat to my local fire department for safe installment and I was told it was an unsafe seat for my baby b/c there is so much cushion b/w the baby and the plastic. The more cushion, the more air, and the more unsafe for baby.I am going out to buy a graco snugride.Do not waste your money on this seat, even if you want to buy a peg perego stroller to use with it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gear    2. Car Seats    3. Infant Car Seats   

Editorial Review

Indoor/outdoor comfort for Baby! The "Bouncenette" allows infants to hang out near Mommy and Daddy wherever they are. The seat features a ventilation window, two-position netted canopy for outdoor use, two-position seat (reclines to bassinet for naps), two-speed vibration and soothing nature sounds, adjustable safety restraint, rubber safety grips, adjustable and removable soft toys, soft padded headrest, machine washable and dryer-safe quilted seat pad. Traveling? Just fold it up and away it goes! The neutral beige and white checked pattern makes it attractive and suitable for any décor--or either gender. Three AAA and one C alkaline batteries required (not included). Phillips head screwdriver needed for assembly (also not included--what do you want, a whole toolbox?). Discontinue use when baby reaches 25 pounds or can sit upright unassisted. --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Features

• Soothing vibration and nature sounds
• Indoor/outdoor use
• Netted canopy and ventilation window
• Two-position seat

Reviews (123)

Really Cute Waste of Time and Money
When I saw this item in the store I immediatley wanted it. It waw adorable, had a lot of features like the vibrations the netting and the nature sounds. However, my son was two weeks old when the darn thing broke and the bouncer didn't bounce anymore. After purchasing a new unit, I found that one was unworkable right out of the box! My son did however love lying in this when he was a newborn. I figured I could use it this summer to sit him out side, but at two months he is already outgrown. I could never strap him in because I could never get the straps undone... my husband even fought with them quite a few times! ( I felt like if I would have strapped my baby in I would have to cut the straps with scissors to get him out) The darn thing is not colorful at all, so it never caught my son's attention and whenever I put the canopy down the toys would lay on the poor boy's head. I would never suggest buying this... but I would suggest buying another bouncer... just remember eddie bauer is made by Cosco... so I probably wouldn't go that way either. (My stroller was Cosco and I had similar issues)

Baby loved it!
I really think this is a great product.I looked at a lot of bouncers and what really sold me on this one was the fact that it is cocoon-like with a nice high edge all the way around.When the baby was too little to sit up I felt very comfortable stepping away for a moment knowing she wouldn't be rolling out.Also, since the sides were so deep I didn't have to strap her in until she was starting to sit up.Another great idea is that you can enclose the baby by zipping up the netting.Perfect for outdoors!The only thing I would probably change is maybe adding a little color to it for baby's visual interest.

Not the best out there
I saw this and thought WOW this would be perfect for the fact I have cats and this would keep them out of the way from the baby. I did not want to zip up my daughter all the time and she did not really like sitting in it. She grew out of it waaayy to quickly and I ended up purchasing the Fisher Price Aquarium bouncy seat instead. She loves this and keeps her entertained where as the other one is just a quiet place to sit or sleep. The fisher price one she can sleep in it, it vibrates it make noise the fish move. I just did not think this seat was all it was cracked up to be. The fisher price one was $15 cheaper too! Although the nice thing about the Eddie Bauer seat is you can take it outside and it has a cover to protect baby from the sun and it folds up nicely. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activity    2. Bouncer Seats   

Editorial Review

A landscape of tunnels and hiding dens can instantly beassembled in your yard or family room with this compact modular playstructure. One of the best features is the abundance of colorful balls(there are 50!). Pile them all into one cube and children canexperience the feel of a small-scale ball room like the ones incommercial play areas. When children tire of burrowing, crawling, andhiding, they can use the balls to shoot hoops into the built-in basket.The pop-up nylon play structure is easy to assemble, but be carefulwhile assembling--modules spring open quickly. The challenge is foldingit back into the carrying cases (no careless cramming--adults will haveto follow instructions carefully). Megaland works with other PlayHutstructures. The set includes one large hut with basket, one medium hut,one small block, two tunnels, two carrying bags, and 50balls. --Gail Hudson ... Read more

Reviews (47)

A great indoor toy!
We, like many of the other reviewers, had a blow-up ball pit that our 20 month old twin boys loved, but it developed a hole. We were going to buy another one until we saw this, and we are glad we bought this fun and durable tent

Our playroom is a small spare bedroom, and its fairly large (couch, easle, table, closet, TOYS, toy box ect.) and this is a great toy for in there. It folds extremely easily and we store it under the couch. We are so greatful for that feature so that this toy doesnt have to take over our play area

It is also very very fun. We keep up the excitement by trying new ways to connect it and our boys have a BLAST. Its fairly simple to connect, you just use the velcro. You can also use one piece separatly, like only a tunnel or only one of the tents. The tents are very "fun" colors, but they are nylon so theres a sort of filtration system, its not too stuffy. The material is also VERY durable, it holds up well against the constant abuse of two BOY toddlers...

The tent is a very nice ball pit. Although like many other reviewers, I bought TWO additional 100 pack of balls as 50 isnt enough (one of the packages isnt even opened yet!) And when it comes time for clean up, we store the balls in a little plastic zip-up bag that our king sized comforter fits in. The balls do not come out of the tent, it is a little higher so they wont roll out. The balls are also like very soft, they are hollow plastic (like the balls at the McDonalds of BurgerKing play places) so they dont hurt if you get hit with one.

The other activities, like the basket ball hoop and throwing game, are very fun for my boys, although I think they will apreciate it more as they grow older. They really enjoy sitting in it and crawling through the tunnels. Like many children they like having a "clubhouse", a place where they wont be bothered by parents. I have even found them naping in there on occasions!

It can keep any aged child busy for hours, we have had the younges 20 month olds, and the oldest 8 year olds in here! Everyone finds SOMETHING about the house that they like. I find myself constantly taking out this toy for my boys to play with, but thats NOT a complaint, its so easy to do that I dont consider it a hassel at all

I would recomend you buying this instead of a ball pit, or even instead of a playhouse if you wanted it for indoor use. This tent is great outdoors too (on the grass). I would recomend it to anyone seeing how much my twins love it.

A great little tent
We have a very large basement that serves as a playroom for my 3 year old B/G twins, and my 8 month old B/B twins, and as an office for my husband. We have MANY things down there, a doll care center, toy strollers, cheap trikes/ride-ons (the ones that arent good for outside) a log cabin playhouse, tables a t.v, a LARGE closet and a wall unit. WEll this tent is GREAT. It has alot of activities (and we bought the 100 pack of balls, and an extra one too!). My kids love to hide in it and crawl through it. We love it because unlike the log cabin, this can be easily stored away in the walk in closet. My kids like to read in it and I think it serves a much different purpose than the house, this is more of a hiding feature, and tents and my kids love to pretend that they are in teh jungle and that the log canin is there home but they have to get through this set first. Its very cute and I would tell anyparent to buy one simply because kids love it, and its easy to store. Even if you dont have a large playroom, you can open this up in your living room, and take it down when they are done playing, its really easy! Thats what we do all the time! I also like that you can purchase cheep extentions to make a MONSTER tent (when the basement is cleared and we have children company, thats a big crowd pleaser!) even my eight month olds love it! BUY IT, ITS GREAT

DELIGHTFUL FUN!
I am SO glad we decided to splurge on this ball tent set!We could not get our toddler to crawl through a long tunnel we already had; so I was not sure this would be a good buy, but we took that chance.He LOVES it and plays in it every day.He runs in to get to the balls.I have even climbed in there with him, but there's not much room to move for an adult!It takes up a lot of space, but I like that we can just set up the basketball/ball tent or any tent on its own when space is limited. The basketball hoop is a VERY fun addition.I love tossing the balls in there easily to show my little one how. What a great buy! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activity    2. Outdoor Play    3. Tunnels    4. Playtents    5. Camping   

Editorial Review

Babies will enjoy this seat from their first months to their toddler years, thanks to its versatility in sizing. Infants can sit in comfort and look in fascination at the attractive colors on the included toy bar, which include black and whites as well as bright primaries to engage their developing eyes. Babies and toddlers (weighing up to 40 lbs.) alike will enjoy reaching and playing with several plush toys hanging from the padded toy bar, which parents can also use to carry the seat. During downtime, the reclining seat’s vibrations can sooth away cries and encourage a nap. Requires adult assembly and 1 "D" battery.--Diane Beall ... Read more

Features

• Infant seat that converts into a toddler rocker
• Sooths yourSooths your little one with calming vibrations or a parent can gently rock the seat
• Seatback adjusts to an upright position for a toddler up to 40 lb.
• Removable toy bar with 3 fun toys

Reviews (47)

Going to Buy One Today
My son (2 months) got fussy last night at church so I took him into the nursery and there was one of these seats. It was the older version, and he loved it. We are going to go get him one today!

nice for long term use
I have to say that I tend to be an impulse buyer, though what mother doesnt see something in the store and think it would be nice to have for their child. After going through MANY seats, rockers, bouncers ect. each had nice ideas though just not an all in one kind of item.

whats nice about this chair/rocker is that you can use it for alot longer then many other items like it. My 3 year old loves to use this chair when my 4 month old isnt in it.

I have read that many others have had the problem of it tiping over...though it has a deep seat, not so deep that your child gets "lost" in it and not shallow for them to really slip down...you have to have the belt fit just right so that the belt holds the child. with that done right the child doesnt realy lean too far, it also has little "nubs" to help stop it.

The vibrations is a nice soothing idea as well..helpful when he's really cranky and doesnt want to cuddle. I would use the vibrations when the "kickstand" is out in the craddle position.

The seat back has two positions though it really doesnt make a difference what setting you have it in...it doesnt move that far...

I personally dont think that the toy arch is too close to the childs head... though i do think that having the toys zalcroed to the arch should be changed to the links so that you can have more of a varity of toys to stimulate the child.

Over all I do like this chair...It is a nice chair/rocker to have...you do in a sence get your moneys worth...I hope this was helpful in some way...

Awesome
This bouncer has got to be the best gift I've recived for my daughter. The softness to it allows her to fall asleep it quicky & even when she is up in it she looks comfortable. As for the toy bar she just stares at it because she cant reach it yet. There is one thing that I don't understand about the toy bar is, why is the cows face facing the opposite way of the kids? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activity    2. Bouncer Seats   

Editorial Review

For the baby who has everything… The Floppy Seat at first glance might seem like baby gear marketing gone wild. But once the savvy (and health-conscious) parent takes a look at the seat’s purpose, it begins to make perfect sense. It’s a bright, cushy seat cover that fits over shopping cart seating areas and public highchairs. Not only is this a comfortable spot for baby to hang out while Mom or Dad is shopping or dining, the 360-degree fabric coverage also protects that orally fixated tot from the millions of germs on handles, sides, and backs of seats. The elastic perimeter expands to snugly fit any cart or seat—and can even be installed with one hand. The Floppy Seat has its own safety belt that can be attached to the shopping cart to keep baby safe. When not in use, the seat folds into a built-in bag with convenient handles. There’s even a toy and bottle pocket! The whole shebang is machine washable, of course. --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (162)

Awesome product
When these first came out, I used to laugh at all the "fussy" mother's using them as I had survived without one for my first 2.THEN, I had my third child and bought a Floppy Seat.It is the best product and I use it DAILY.It is absolutely essential at restaurants where you know the high chairs are not so clean.It has a pocket on the inside that I put my son's bottle and I hang toys on the various loops to keep him entertained.Another plus about this product is that you don't have to search for a cart that has working straps as the Floppy Seat has it own straps that you loop through the cart and strap your baby in.

Another use that I've found wonderful is that when he falls asleep in the car or gets tired, I can lay him down in the Floppy and he will just sleep away.Safety Note:You just have to stay right with the cart as they can't be strapped in this way.It makes it so nice that he can sleep and not scream throughout a store. I thought I was the only one doing this until I saw another Mom today doing the same thing.

use this all the time!
expensive, but one of the items i use at least every other day.my daughter is small, so it was pretty necessary for her comfort in the highchairs in restaurants and the grocery carts.she loves the feel of it and that toys can be hung on the loops!

I wish I had invented it!
Besides avoiding the germs, it gives extra padding to babies who are still growing into a shopping cart or high chair at a restaurant.You don't have to worry about stuffing blankets around your baby to keep them from falling over or having to continue to use the infant carrier when they have legally grown out of it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gear    2. Car Seat Accessories   

Reviews (49)

BABY hates this seat !I'm Iffy !
There are many things that I LIKE about this seat.
1. Canopy goes to either side (blocks the sun and keeps nosey people away from your newborn).
2.The pattern is cute
3. Works very well with the Colby Metrolite stroller.
4. Never had a problem snapping it into the stroller or the bases (we have one in each car).
5. The hook used for fastening it in the stroller ALSO fastens it into many shopping carts and wooden highchairs.
6. Very easy to install (we used the LATCH connectors)

Now the bad :
1. 6 weeks old baby HATES the angle at which the seat fastens into the base. He is at a completely upright sitting postion and for an infant who isn't supporting his head (or the rest of himself) very well yet, it smooshes him into a ball with the straps digging into his neck.My son SCREAMS when the seat is fastened into the base. He's fine when it's in the stroller, we are carrying it or it's just set on the ground.
2. It's heavy and akward to carry. Newborns get very jostled even with the head rest.

Sure it's safe...but it's not very cozy
I received this item as a gift and am happy that it is so highly rated for safety.My baby hasn't been born yet so I can't comment on its ease of use however, I am disappointed in the lack of padding on the seat.It's little more than fabric over the hard plastic.I can't imagine it to be very comfortable; especially for a newborn.Also, I washed the cover before use (according to the manufacturer's instructions) and there are already small holes in the back.I'm sure another wash would pull the stuffing out.Overall, it's a nice enough seat but I would expect a bit more for the price.I'll be shopping for a replacement.

Easy to use, cozy for baby!
My daughter is now 3 months old and I love this car seat.

1.Easy to take in and out of the base
2.Hood adjusts to cover baby in sunlight or in stores where you don't want people touching your newborn, hee hee :)
3.Pattern is great, doesn't get too hot
4.Fabric holds up great

Enjoy!

... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gear    2. Car Seats    3. Infant Car Seats   

Reviews (16)

If you didn't get Ruby or Sapphire, this is a must-buy
Pokemon 3.5 (Emerald Version.) An updated version of the third installment in the Game Boy Pokemon RPG series.

Nintendo's Pokemon franchise became a massive success in its native Japan relatively quickly. Although it took the franchise a little longer to catch on in America, it finally did catch on, and when it did, it took the nation by storm. Pokemon games and products sold like crazy, despite the fact that the franchise was virtually unrecognized in America at its time of release. By 2003, the phemonenon was pretty much dead in America, but still, Nintendo went ahead and released the two latest adventures in the series, Ruby and Sapphire. Two years later, the revised Emerald version was released. Read on for my review.

PROS:
-THIS GAME GIVES YOU MORE OF THE SAME MONSTER CATCHING AND BATTLING ACTION THAT YOU HAVE GROWN TO LOVE IN THE FIRST AND SECOND GAMES. To put it simply, if you liked the first game, it's quite unlikely that you won't like this one.
-THE GAME GRAPHICS ARE DRASTICALLY IMPROVED OVER THOSE OF THE PREDECESSOR TITLES. In this game, the graphics are not only improved, but the game is also optimized to make usage of the Game Boy Advance's thirty-two bit technology. It's nothing earth-shattering, but it's as good as a Game Boy Advance game like this can look! And YES, the Emerald version makes graphical improvements over Ruby and Sapphire. Nothing earth-shattering, but it's noticable.
-IT'S NOT JUST A REHASH OF EARLIER GAMES. Although the game uses the same general formulas, the game is entirely new, and the world is much larger this time around. Even after you beat the game, there is still a ton of stuff to do, like capture all of the creatures in the game and train new monsters. The game even introduces the concept of two-on-two battles!
-NINTENDO DESIGNED THIS GAME WITH PLAYER CONVENIENCE IN MIND. Remember how in the first games you had to go through all those menus just to use an item (like your bike or fishing pole?) Well, in this game, you can set the select button to use an item! This really comes in handy and speeds up the general flow of the game.
-TONS OF NEW CREATURES AND ABILITIES. Many of the old Pokemon are gone, but there are tons of new ones! And some of the new ones are pretty damn cool. Needless to say, there are new legendary ones as well.
-YOU CAN TRADE WITH POKEMON RUBY AND SAPPHIRE, AND FIRE RED AND LEAF GREEN . This is necessary to complete your Pokedex, since no one game has every creature.
-THE GAME REUSES THE CONCEPT OF BREEDING POKEMON. If you get a male and a female Pokemon together at the Daycare center, they just might lay an egg! This concept is necessary to get many of the "baby" Pokemon in the game.
-YOU CAN NOW GET GROUDON AND KYOGRE IN ONE GAME! BOTH of these creatures are now available in a single game, at level seventy each no less! And YES, Rayquaza is still available for catching (the cover should give that away), as are Latios and Latias.
-BATTLE FRONTIER. This is the major addition to Emerald over the early Pokemon 3 releases, and it's a damn good addition to the game.

CONS:
-YOU CAN'T TRADE WITH THE OLDER GAMES (Game Boy Color and before)! This is a huge problem which is the major reason the game doesn't get a five-star rating in my book.
-MANY OF THE PROBLEMS THE OLD GAMES HAD WERE NOT FIXED FOR THIS GAME. Examples of this include not being able to rename Pokemon you get in trades, not being able to unlearn HM moves on your own, and the general pace of the game moving too slow.
-CONSIDERABLY MORE DIFFICULT THAN EARLIER GAMES. Chances are you're a gamer who is looking for a challenging portable RPG, but in many ways this game is TOO difficult. It seems that no matter how much you level up your monsters, it just doesn't seem to be enough in many places.
-THE MYSTERY EVENT/EON TICKET CONCEPT IS FLAWED. Why, you ask? YOU NEED AN E-READER FOR THEM! And, to say the least, the E-Reader is a rip-off! Why didn't Nintendo find another way to incorporate these elements into the game?
-WHY DOESN'T THIS GAME USE THE TIME OF DAY AND DAY OF THE WEEK SYSTEM THAT THE PREVIOUS GAMES USED? This was one of the best things about the previous games, and I am disappointed not to see it here.
-WHY DO YOU HAVE TO PLAY THROUGH THE WHOLE GAME TO GET TO THE BATTLE FRONTIER!? This was a huge disappointment, since I've already essentially played through the game already in my older Ruby and Sapphire games.

OVERALL:
Pokemon 3 is a damn fine RPG, even if it doesn't quite top Pokemon 2. If you have a Game Boy Advance, this is an excellent game to add to your collection. A little word of advice - you can NOT get all of the Pokemon in one game, so if you get Ruby, you might want to make sure a friend owns or will buy Sapphire, or vice versa. Also, these games are compatible with the Fire Red and Leaf Green, you may want to get them too (or know someone who does.) Either way you look at it, Pokemon 3 is a damn good portable RPG. And if you're gonna get one version of it and don't already have Ruby or Sapphire, get Emerald.

Don't waste your money if you have Ruby/Sapphire
Okay, it's fun.Can't deny that. And yes, there are a few new features.However, unfortunely it's mostly the same old Ruby/Sapphire game recycled.If this were a PC game, they would have released it as an add-on to the original for half the price, not as a whole new game.
Save you money and wait for the next series to begin instead.

emerald
hi bought this game last week and i finshed it today i put 4 stars because its like ruby and sapphier exept some places but over all it dezervs 5 starshint....for those who have this game and finshed it go to the safari zone and walk there u will notest that pokemons from silver and gold verion will be there exampel like milktank and todile and lots andlots of pokemon will be there (beating the elit 4 is requiered)

sorry about my spelling iwas writing fast
... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA   

Reviews (59)

Great buy
I live in a studio apt. with limited space and this is perfect for me. I love the storage on the bottom I keep all my sons blanketsand sheets in there. It is just the right size and fits snuggly in the corner. I do however have the same problem as another mom. My son likes to scoot himself diagionally and ends up sleeping with his face against the wall. But his nose does not press against it and the walls are ventilated so I dont worry to much. I have cats and the canopy works perfect in keeping them out of the sleeper. The sheets are very pricey at about 15$ each one of my complaints. I like the fact that the matress has a wipeable surface. It is so much easier to clean. I would recommend this product to anyone; as well as grandparets who are looking for something when thier grandkids come to visit.

I was not impressed
In theory, this is a wonderful product.However, I had two problems.

To start, the product came with only one set of sheets, and Babies-R-Us did not sell the sheets.I ordered some additional sheets from Arm's Reach, and they sent my order confirmation, containing my complete credit card number and expiration date, to me in an unencrypted e-mail.I had to cancel the credit card.I explained this to Arm's Reach and used a different credit card to purchase the sheets.

The mattress was very firm and my son did not like to sleep on it.If I could get him to fall asleep, sometimes I could transfer him to the co-sleeper without waking him, but I would frequently fall asleep before he would.

When my son did fall asleep in the co-sleeper, he would scoot around, and sometimes his nose ended up pressed against the padded edge that was next to my bed.This made me uncomfortable, but I figured that it was safer than having my son in the bed with me.

Other than these three problems, I liked the co-sleeper.

Great product and idea.
Definitely love this bassinet.I'm able to nurse and return my newborn to it without getting out of bed.I also like being able to check on her while in bed or if she has her pacifier fall out and needs it put back in.Her Ocean Wonders Aquarium only goes for a couple minutes and then needs to be restarted so that's nice to just lean over also.The bassinet comes with 1 sheet and then we bought additional sheets from BabiesR'Us that fit it just fine. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Nursery    2. Furniture    3. Gear    4. Playards   

Editorial Review

Early Adopters Pick: March 2003. As theworld's smallest video-game platform, the Game Boy Advance SP is also the first to use a built-in rechargeable battery.

Many decried the original Game Boy Advance's reflective LCD screen and its reliance on external light sources. The Game Boy Advance SP's main feature--optional backlighting--fixes this complaint nicely, but it's the wealth of other features that makes this system so surprisingly good.

At first look, you might think the SP is a sleek travel alarm clock. When closed, it's just as tall and deep as the original GBA, but only half as wide. Due to its clamshell design, the screen is always protected from everyday scratches. A small button in the center of the console turns on the backlighting element for use in low-light situations, like in a moving car.

The SP comes with a well-designed power adapter that recharges a built-in battery; its prongs fold in for easier storage. Our informal tests found that it takes about four hours to fully charge (you can even play it while it's plugged in and charging), and the battery lasts about 11 hours with the backlighting constantly on--your results may vary. Using the backlighting less often will conserve battery power.

Withseparately soldcables, you can connect the Game Boy Advance SP to other GBAsfor multiplayer gaming (above) or to theNintendo GameCube(below) to access secret levels, exchange data, or use other specialfeatures that vary from game to game.

The quality of the backlighting is very good. It's bright and clear when looking directly at it, but degraded from other angles. This is only a problem for friends who are watching the screen from over your shoulder.

But size, power, and affordability do not come without trade offs. There's no headphone jack here, though Nintendo promises an adapter. The system isn't very loud at its highest volume, and the sound can be turned down to socially acceptable levels. The L and R shoulder buttons are a fraction of the size they were on the GBA, and thus are harder to hit. Also, the reduced size of the SP is slightly less comfortable for adult hands than the GBA, but perhaps more comfortable for smaller hands. The cartridge port placement on the lower part of the console is fine for GBA games, since they are flush with the console body, but older Game Boy Color carts will stick out in a way that takes some getting used to.

Open it up and the hinge will seek out a preferred, pre-set angle (about 150 degrees), though you can open it a bit wider or narrower for your own comfort. The hinge stands up well to lateral pressure, and over all, the SP seems just as rugged as its predecessor--which has proven to be very rugged, indeed. --Porter B. Hall

Unit Specifications

• CPU: 32-Bit ARM with embedded memory
• Memory: 32 KB with 96 KB VRAM (in CPU), 256 KB WRAM (external of CPU)
• Screen: 2.9-inch reflective TFT color LCD
• Display Size: 1.6 by 2.4 inches (40.8 by 61.2 mm)
• Resolution: 240 x 160 pixels in a wide-screen aspect ratio
• Colors: 511 simultaneous colors from a palette of 32,768
• Software: Fully compatible with Game Boy and Game Boy Color game paks
• Light Source: Front light integrated with LCD
• Size (closed): 3.3 by 3.23 by .96 inch
• Weight: Approximately 5 ounces
• Power Supply: Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
• Battery Life: 10 hours continuous play with light on; 18 hours with light off; 3 hours recharging

Features

• Screen: 2.9" Reflective TFT Color LCD
• Display Size: 1.61" x 2.41"
• Resolution: 240 x 160 pixels
• Color: Simultaneously display more than 32,000 colors.
• CPU: 32-bit RISC-CPU with embedded memory.

Reviews (81)

Excellent Game System For The Money.
I'm a 35 year old man and -- I admit it -- I bought this thing for myself.Once you've made the initial investment in the hardware, the games cartridges themselves are relatively inexpensive(...) making it a good system for the casual video-gamer (like me) or the serious hobbyist.

Game cartridges are also within the monetary grasp of many older children's allowances, so a GameBoy Advance could be used to teach children discipline with money.In other words, buy your kid(s) the hardware (and at least one game) to start with and then let them purchase other software when their funds permit.And, of course, game cartridges make inexpensive presents when birthdays or holidays come around.

As for me, game play is very enjoyableand I'm thoroughly impressed with the graphics considering the screen size and pixel depth available to the system. (Currently I'm playing my first two cartridges: Spider-Man 2 and Star Wars III: Revenge Of The Sith.)

Overall, for young or old, the GameBoy Advance is a great system (even surpassing its gimmicky touch-screen sibling, the Nintendo DS).The only thing an adult player has to consider is that the majority of games are marketed mostly to those in their early teens and younger.Other than that, its excellent.To top it all off, a GameBoy Advance can also play movies and TV shows with GameBoy Advance Video cartridges.

In short, if you're looking for an affordable expandable video game system, either for you or for your children, get this.

good stuff by carly goldman
Once I saw this Item I said "mom can we buy this" she said "No" I really wanted this and just so you knowall kids love this ytoy so as a birthday present buy this toy for your child.

Poofy fluffy babey wabey cutesy wutesy rootsy tootsy GBASP!!
LUV MI GB IT CYOOT! LUV IT! SMAL AN KONVENYENT SOOOOO SLIK! LUVLI AN BYOOTIPHOOL! CYOOT AN FLUFFY[K MAYBEE NT SOO MUTCH THT] BUT VERY SWEET AND SMELLY AND CUTE AND POOFY AND CONTUMACIOUS AND UTTERLY WONDERFUL AND CONTEMPORARY AND INTERESTING AND WARM AND FUZZY AND INVITING AND SPACIOUS! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Consoles   

Reviews (21)

Wonderful stroller!!!!!
My husband and I purchased this stroller about 4 months ago. Our daughters are 2 1/2 years and 3 months and so far we have have no problems with this stoller. There are of course pros and cons of every product and I have them listed below:

Pros:

1)Smooth ride: This stroller is wonderfully smooth and doesn't bump my girls around like some strollers do. Even on rough pavement the stroller with glide along with ease. Another great thing is that this stroller doesn't squeak at all!

2)Storage: The stroller has a HUGE basket for many items i.e. purse, diaper bag, shopping bags etc. There are also 3 cup holders total. One for each seat and one for the adult pushing. The first seat has a large tray, great for snacks and the second seat has a slightly smaller tray. The second tray has an added cup-like space that is angled toward the child which will be great in the future for cheerios etc. The adults have an additional space that is next to the cup holder that is large enough to fit my cell, keys and a pacifier easy! This storage does have a cover over that snaps in place which I love because I don't have to worry about someone nabbing my keys etc.

3)Comfort: Both girls have enough space and will have space for quite some time. Another benefit of the stroller are the canopies for both seats. They actually do keep rain and sun off the girls so they serve their purpose.

Cons:

1)Where's baby?: The second seat of the stroller is suppose to hold the lightest child...that of course being my 3 month old. However, when she is in her carrier (which just clips in place) I can't see her face because of the canopy. So I either have to tippy toe to get a peek at her or look down through the see-through plastic to check on her. It's not a huge problem, just a little annoying.

2)Space: With this being a two-seated stroller it will of course take up A LOT of room. It does fit in the trunk of our car which is a tiny Honda Civic however, we have to take the detachable tray off the first seat. It's not a big deal though. It is to be expected with a double stroller.

3)Reclining: Three problems with the reclining....when my oldest daughter is in the first seat and the infant carrier is in the second seat my daughter hits her head on the handle bar of the carrier (when it is locked in the down position) To combat this I push the handle down but, I don't lock it in place. The second problem is the first seat only has two reclining positions, fully upright and when it is "reclined" it goes back about 3 inches, so my oldest is not really laying or "reclined" as is claimed. Luckily she can sleep anywhere so that hasn't been a big deal either. Last, the second seat is either fully upright or all the way reclined. With the reclining on this stroller there is no happy medium.

4)Basket not accessible: The storage basket below the seats is not too easy to get into when there is an infant carrier in the second seat or when you have the second seat fully reclined. You can access the basket by reaching in between the seats though....just don't expect to pull out a diaper bag though.

Overall I LOVE this stroller. It does have the drawbacks, as I said earlier everything does though. We have already used it so much...It is certainly worth the money we paid for it!!!

Awesome Stroller
I bought a different stoller first.Well It was a pain in the (...), it was hard to fold down,I had to sit on it.So I brought this one back, and I got this DuoGlider Stoller in Ivy League, I'll admit i wasn't too crazy about the color, but after using it.It's an awsome stoller,easy to manuver, and folding it up, Is so easy.:)

I give it five stars and would highly recomend it.!

Great Stroller
I tried many strollers at my local BRU and this was the only one that really appealed to my husband and I. The handle is high enough for him to comfortably push (many were far too low), the cup holder and storage tray are GREAT and the thing manuvers exceedingly well considering its bulk and length.

Its heavy, yeah, but its a double stroller. You simply can't get a double stroller that has any features that will be light! Once its up and going, its not heavy to push... Its just heavy once its folded up and you have to heft it into the car.

Its very well built and sturdy, and my 13 month old loves it. My Graco infant seat sits into either the front or rear seat and my newborn seems happy enough :) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gear    2. Strollers   

Reviews (149)

LOVE IT!
I have identical twin sons and recieved one of these exersaucers for my shower along with the babies baby einstien one too. I love this exersaucer and I can't help but love it!

TOYS->
* Dangling, plastic, blue, elephant
* Standing, purple, jaguar
* Mirror on the tray with a zebra cover
* Standing giraffe head on a stick
* Cute, orange-striped, jeep (makes music)
* A little, spining monkey between two "trees"
* Two lion heads in a blue thing
* Standing bear with 3 rungs the turn
* A spinning cylinder with a cute little "fan" shaped thing in it with cute jungle pictures on it.
* Three green squeakers

All the toys are extremely safe and can not harm baby at all. The height settings can accomidate our scrawny babies (they need blankets in the seat though) and it can hold my friends large 9 month old no problem. The seat is busy in its jungle theme and it doesnt show stains and is very durable and safe... The colors are bright and cheery, and they can go great for a boy or girl. The theme is so original, and its one theme that took alot of thought into it.

Now about my sons... My sons are going to be 5 months old tommorow and this is byfar the best kind of toy we own for them. Their favorite toy seems to be the spinning monkey. They cant turn on their own yet, (but its easy to turn) but if we just spin them around theres a whole new set of toys waiting for them! The bottom is ridged though, so when they are larger they will be able to move easily. It can fold up and its nice to be able to push it under the couch if we are having company, but other than that its nice to have in the living room. Its lightweight enough to move it to a new spot, but a spot close enough for pushing is what I am talking about. Its easy to clean and I have never had a problem with stains. I can put other toys or eventually Cheerios on the tray to engage them as well.

I love this exersaucer and its great for the money (although the boys like the einstien better) its easy to just plop em' in one and this exersaucer is deffinatly a fine choice!

entertaining
My child loved this toy. She loved sitting in it and playing when she was younger. She still walks over to it and plays. The only down side is that one of the legs opens up and the spring flies out. I am constantly fixing it.

Evenflo does NOT stand behind its productss!!!!!!!
My Exersaucer is on the verge of breaking!!! It bends terribly when I put a 5-month-old baby in it!So I called Evenflo, and calmly explained my concers. They could have easily helped me, but didn't.

All I got from the first lady was "Sorry, its past warrenty." So I went over her head. The first lady's boss said the SAME THING!!!


Now, I gave it one star because the baby LOVES the thing, but SAFETY IS MY BIG CONCERN! Any product that holds a baby upright should be stable. This is NOT!


I give the product 1 star, and evenflo 0 stars.


~Megan the now angery Nanny. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activity    2. Play Centers    3. Stationary Entertainers    4. Walkers   

Editorial Review

Very young children tend to spend a lot of time in their car seats. And it's not hard to see why. After all, they're cozy, securely protected, and it's not like they can get up and go for a jog on their own anyway, so why leave? With that in mind, this double stroller frame is a simple option for strolling kids while they remain in their car seats. The frame accommodates most car seats and features double wheels on the front for extra maneuverability, double cup holders, and a huge storage basket underneath that's perfect for toting changes of clothes, extra snacks, and a ton of diapers. Car seats are not included in this set but if you have one already, and chances are you do, this makes for a handy way to go for a walk. --Charlie Williams ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Amazingly easy to use!
I am a first time mother and it happened to be identical twin sons. I own a graco infant carrier and it really does fit well inside... I own this stroller in blank and have never looked back!

I decided to NOT purchase a huge tandem, and my friends got me this one for my shower. Its easy to put babies in safely. It keeps the babies in sturdily and they never rock at all. The wheels arent as sturdy as higher priced strollers, but they work just fine and we have never had a problem except on wet tile floors (in malls when its rainy outside and peoples shoes are wet or somethig) but it always keeps going. Its so lightweight and takes up a very small fraction in my SUV, perfect when you have two children. It folds very easily and I have never struggled in the parking lot. The stroller manuvers well and I chuckled seeing huge single travel systems trying to push through christmas iles and I was able to fit nicely with a TANDEM!! The compartment holds my keys, wallet, cell phone, drink, sunglasses ect. and its really handy! The basket is nice a roomy and always accesable, stores alot of bags or jackets or whatever.

It was also very easy to put together. All you have to do is look at the pictures for the different carriers and make easy adjustments. My husband had it put together in all but 45 minutes (some confusion when he refused to use directions at first).

I am really dreading when I have to give up this stroller, its all anyone asks for in a stroller, longevity, durablity, lightweight, accomidates infant carriers, stable, manuverability, and it matches any infant carrier (the stroller comes in blue and black). I would recomend it to ANYONE.

Better Solution!!
I went to BRU to buy a DuoGlider when I found out my 2nd child would actually be my 3rd too. I wanted a stroller that could accomidate infant carriers and the DuoGlider seemed the best. Right before I purchased the Bently Bear DuoGlider (which I wasnt too pleased about using) I saw this beauty... perfect solution! It can accomidate SnugRide Infant carriers very very securely! It manuvers very well (my B/G twins were born on 12/20, right in time for Christmas Shopping in the mall! You can just imagine the tight quarters!) There is a little parents station for our drinks, keys ect... When my babies are sleeping in the car (now almost 5 months) I dont have to wake them, I can easily transfer them into the stroller. Its great to take on walks now and I couldnt be happier. It fits well into the trunk of my Range Rover and takes up very minimal space. Its also easy to go Grocery Shopping with my husband, I push the cart and he pushes this LIGHT WEIGHT stroller!!! The basket is easily accesable and can fit anything you want in it no problem. I will be using this stroller for a long time (twins are in 13th percentile!). Its just so great and a much better option then those bulky tandems,. we even bought a Savvy to eventually replace this! My now 2 year old son has even ridden in the basket (with out the infant carriers in). This stroller is just superb, couldnt ask for anything more!

I LOVE THIS!
I love this stroller -- it has really helped me feel more confident about getting out with my twins.I also love the fact that it will fit in my Mazda Protege (something not many double strollers will do).I find it easy to fold and to carry with me.I even use it in the house so my twins can see what I am doing when I am cooking or folding clothes.It is easy to drive and very light weight. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gear    2. Strollers    3. Lightweight Strollers   

Reviews (11)

Best system currently available!
My wife and I have extensively researched travel systems. This is BY FAR the best one available.

* The carseat latches on the stroller at the feet which makes it tip less while in the stroller. Much better, unless you like having a travel system that risks letting your baby fall out backwards.

* The unique carseat triangle handle can't be beat! It allows you to hold and carry the carseat in whatever position feels most comfortable. Unlike other systems which basically force your hands into one position.

* It latches more securely into the car seat base as well. That should be self explanatory why it's better.

* The carseat handle is harder to move up and down. Now, while that initially sounds like a minus point, it's actually much better. My wife had an Evenflo system with her first child and the handle kept slipping out of place while being carried. You don't have to worry about that with this carseat. I'd rather have to use a little more force to move the handle than worry about injuring my child.

* The stroller stears fabulously! It's smooth and has a tight turn radius. Important for manuveuring through tight spaces in stores.

* The stroller folds up easily, but doesn't run the risk of collapsing when you don't want it too.

* The stroller is simple to open as well.

* The canopy on the stroller is second to none. The *sunroof* has a cover, unlike other strollers available, so the baby doesn't HAVE to be in the sun even when the canopy is up.

* The tray flips up so it's easy to get older children in the stroller.

I've read the other reviews and I have to admit, a lot of the cons of this system I actually see as pros. Yeah, the buckles can be harder, but that also means it'll be harder for your little escape artist (aka-baby) to accidently undo the buckles (which I've seen happen in other systems). And as for not letting the child chew on the tray, well, I wouldn't let my child chew on a tray in ANY stroller. They're all made of plastic and could pose serious chooking and tooth hazards. I don't see that as a con, but instead just common sense.

Overall, the ONLY thing I can say I don't like about this stroller is it's ugly! (IMO) I wish they'd never discontinued the Galaxy print, it looked MUCH better. But if I have to chose being a travel system that looks cool, or is safe... well, I choose safe everytime.

good for the money
We purchased this system in Galaxy print, which has been discontinued. I am going to start by reviewing the carseat only:

The problems I have with this are, one, we have a hard time fitting it into our Mazda Protoge, at least if we want the front seats all the way back. (one of the rules is that the handlemust be back, instead of up, because of safety reasons. If this wasn't the case, it would fit just fine.)

Another major drawback is the handle bar is really difficult to move from one possition to another, (the buttons on either side are extreamly difficult to press, I can't ever do it on my first try)

The buckle is pretty difficult to use. You really have to muscle the buckle before it clicks into place, but you get used to that and it becomes pretty doable after several uses. (Just because you're fingers are stronger, not because the latch is looser.)

The good things about the carseat are:
Compared to the evenflo models, the sun shade is very high quality, I hated the ones found on the evenflos, because they seemed very cheap and flimsy.

The handle is pretty comfortable, but if the triangle shape is your main motivation for this purchase, then skip it, because the shape seems so useful, but really, it's unnessesary.

It fits nicely in the child carrier of shopping carts (for the standard size carts) and also into high-chairs in restraunts.

It is very easy to click this into the carseat base, and back out, and into the stroller, and out. It also seems to be very secure, even though the release mechanism is so managable. This is probably the best thing about the carseat.

I haven't used the stroller very much yet, but I've noticed a few things:
1. it fits in the trunk of a mazda protoge
2. it steers pretty easily
3. it's easy enough to close and open, but I recomend practicing a couple of times in private before you actually intend to use it.
4. it's nearly impossible to go up or down stairs with one person handling the stoller. You really have to get help.
5. going and up hills is pretty difficult. if you mostly plan on using this outside, then I would go for a jogging stroller travel system instead. but it's great for indoors.
6. when your baby outgrows the carseat, you can still use the stroller, but the reclining adjustment feature is pretty low-quality. (basically it's like a strap on a backpack you can adjust by pulling it tighter, which makes less of a recline.)

Overall it's a good travel system for the price, but I wish I had done more research before buying this. I think I was convinced by the triangle shaped handle, which turned out to be a silly feature anyway.

Tara Mom of 3
We bought this travel system for our 3rd child.I love it.I have also found a few minor faults. One is that the material doesn't absorb the sweat,I would suggest a softer material.Other than that, I love it.It did seem a bit heavier than the others, but that did not bother me at all.I felt that it was safer than others, especially with the base being extremely heavy.It was also very easy to install into our van. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gear    2. Travel Systems    3. Strollers