03.Product profiles
Profiles - the best
These five strollers passed all the safety and durability tests and received the highest ease of use scores. The Love n Care scored particularly well for this, at 75%.
Love n Care Delta BP2750 #
Price: $249
Contact: www.lovencare.com.au
Good points
- Has the equal-highest ease of use score (75%).
- The handle can be reversed, so the baby can face you instead of looking straight ahead.
- Has linked rear brakes that are operated in one movement.
- Has a boot (leg) cover.
Bad points
- The rear wheels stick out to the sides and are prone to bumping.
- The second-heaviest stroller.
- # Discontinued. Replaced by Delta II BP2755 with twin wheels at rear.
Childcare Pulsa 011005 #
Price: $150
Contact: www.cnpbrands.com.au
Good points
- Has a rain cover and a sun cover.
Bad points
- Has no front bar or tray.
- # Discontinued.
Graco Mosiac
Price: $199
Contact: 03 8787 3838
Good points
- The height of the shoulder strap on the backrest is adjustable.
- Has linked rear brakes that are operated in one movement.
Bad points
- Harness straps are difficult to adjust.
Poco a Poco Volante Plus 1316B
Price: $129
Contact: (03) 9764 3333
Good points
- The lightest stroller tested.
- Has a rain cover.
- Reasonably priced.
Bad points
- No pocket in canopy.
- Note: now branded as Swallow Volante Plus 1316B.
Valco Baby Titan N6937
Price: $189
Contact: www.valco.com.au
Good points
- The second-lightest stroller tested.
Bad points
- Has no front bar or tray.
Profiles - the rest
Infa Aspen #
Price: $228
Contact: (02) 4728 8000
Good points:
- Rated OK for ease of use.
- Adjustable handle length.
- Linked rear brakes.
- Boot (leg) cover.
- Ledge at rear to carry a small second child in standing position.
Bad points
- Difficult to adjust the crotch strap length.
- No pocket.
Bebe Care Centaur 011018
Price: $180
Contact: www.cnpbrands.com.au
Good points
- Rated OK for ease of use.
- Boot (leg) cover.
Bad points
- Failed our durability test - two bolts at the bottom front part of the frame were found broken after running several hours on the treadmill.
Chicco Ct 0.4 #
Price: $270
Contact: 02 8543 5570
Good points
- Rated OK for ease of use.
- Linked rear brakes.
- Rain cover Boot (leg) cover.
Bad points
- Failed one safety test - the barrier at the head-end of the stroller is not effective enough in preventing a child from accidentally slipping through towards the rear of the stroller.
- Front wheels protrude a lot to the sides and are prone to bumping.
- No front bar or tray.
Maclaren Techno XT A071531
Price: $500
Contact: www.cnpbrands.com.au
Good points
- Rated OK for ease of use.
- Adjustable height of shoulder strap on backrest.
- Adjustable handle.
- Rain cover.
- Boot (leg) cover.
Bad points
- Difficult to adjust the waist and crotch straps length.
- Difficult to adjust the shoulder straps length.
- Doesn't have fittings suitable for attachment of an additional harness.
- No front bar or tray.
Steelcraft Profile 36733
Price: $180
Contact: www.britax.com.au
Good points:
- Rated OK for ease of use.
- Boot (leg) cover.
Bad points
Stokke Xplory and Xplory Baby Bag
Price: $1900
Contact: www.exquira.com.au
Good points:
- Rated OK for ease of use.
- Very good manoeuvrability.
- Adjustable footrest.
- Adjustable height of shoulder strap on backrest.
- Reversible seat direction
- Adjustable handle length.
- Adjustable seat height.
- Linked rear brakes.
- Rain cover and insect cover.
- Baby capsule called a 'Baby bag' (sold separately).
Bad points:
- Crotch strap length not adjustable.
- Reversing the seat direction is difficult - the seat is difficult to remove and footrest needs to be removed and re-inserted.
- Tricky to adjust the footrest.
- The bag is fiddly to use, it tends to fall off the supporting platform, and is not easy to use when seat is in low positions.
- The release levers for folding the stroller require a certain technique to operate, otherwise you might damage it.
- The stroller feels heavy and bulky to lift, and the seat should be forward-facing to make it more compact when folded.
- The optional baby capsule (“Baby Bag”) is easy to mount, except at the 3 lowest height positions in which the locking piece (“eccentric clip”) on the central bar cannot be engaged; and the capsule is difficult to disengage from the locking piece when used at certain lower height positions.
- Swivelling front wheels are not lockable.
Swallow Way To Go
Price: $149
Contact: (03) 9764 3333
Good points
- Rated good for ease of use.
- Linked rear brakes.
- Tray near the handle.
- Boot (leg) cover.
Bad points
- Failed one safety test - the opening at the foot-end of the stroller is obstructed at one portion and could entrap a child that may accidentally slip through towards the front of the stroller.