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Check out my updated review of the Uppababy Vista 2009 stroller.
We traded in our Maclaren XLR for an Uppababy Vista back in the early spring, mainly because we needed a stroller that could withstand a little more abuse than an umbrella stroller.
Having researched many strollers, even compiling my data in excel (I’m sure I’m not the only one?) to compare specs, we finally decided that the Vista was the best stroller on the market to meet our needs.
Some things we love:
*reversible seat
When E was around 5 months and right when we were looking to upgrade the stroller frame (which, in retrospect, wasn’t all that useful for us), new research came out about how parents tend to talk and interact more with their babies if they are facing each other rather than facing away in a stroller seat. Whether that is true or not, we liked being able to see what she was doing and she liked looking at us. A lot of great strollers were eliminated because they lacked this function.
*simple fold
I can’t say enough about how easy it is to fold this thing. I’ve done it while holding E (but I have a third arm – seriously though, folding still requires two hands). A trick I learned from a salesperson is to lock the wheels first. Unfolding is a simple matter of flipping it open; having used the BOB jogger for awhile, I think it’s similar. Oh – did I also mention that it can be folded with the seat attached? Oh yes, compared to the Bugaboo, the Vista’s fold wins, hands down.
*can store upright
As long-term apartment dwellers, this helps in saving space. It’s also handy when schlepping the stroller around because I can just wheel it with one hand while carrying the baby in the other.
*huge sunshade
It’s really big and can be folded up into the canopy when not needed. Love it. With the footrest tilted up, which is how we had it for when E was smaller, the sunshade practically covers everything.
*mosquito net
Zips on and off. Easy to use. I also like that the net gives a little more shade.
*bassinet
When we bought the stroller, E was already too big for the bassinet. But it looks comfortable and snug and very soft. I also like that it’s a separate unit, versus a separate cover that shares a frame with the seat (i.e. bugaboo).
*awesome storage basket
As a city-dweller, this is probably one of my FAVORITE things about this stroller. The basket is HUGE. Since I walk rather than drive to the grocery store, everything I buy, I have to carry. I still have vivid memories of trudging down 2nd ave when I lived in NY, totally laden down with three or four bags on each arm, the plastic handles stretching nearly to the point of breaking (this was pre-Fresh Direct). Now, I just pop those six or so bags right into the stroller. Yes, it’s that big. Another great thing about the basket is that it is really easy to access both front and back.
*has attachments for standing board and second seat
This will come in handy for K2 and K3 (?), if and when that happens. The new Rumble Seat fits into the stroller a lot like a Phil and Teds; add the standing board and you’ve got a stroller that can carry three kids. Not sure if I would actually want to push around three kiddos, but it’s nice to know the option exists.
*frame can be used with infant car seat
I like that the adaptor fits onto the frame of the stroller as opposed to in the seat. It’s a lot less bulkier. Plus, their adaptor is moderately priced (in the $20 range) compared to some of the other “luxury” stroller brands.
*footprint and weight
For a stroller of this size, it’s surprisingly light. It honestly does not feel all that different from the XLR. Obviously, it’s still much heavier than a Volo, but when we were at the aquarium and the elevator was taking an eternity, it was easy to simply fold it up and carry it up the stairs instead. Amazingly, it actually takes up LESS room in my trunk than the Graco stroller frame did. It’s a little less wide than the previous model but that is because the wheels are more narrow. So far, the width hasn’t been an issue for me.
*large wheels
The front wheels are smaller and swivel around (can be locked) whereas the back wheels are large. Great for cobblestone, grass, sand, anything. I think this can be considered an all-terrain stroller. Also, no need to worry about punctured or flat wheels! I do like that there is the option of purchasing the larger, air-filled tires in case I’m thinking of taking the stroller out during a blizzard. Ha.
*flap window on top of canopy
The little flap is great; there is mesh underneath to help with air flow. I like peeking at E when she’s in the stroller. What’s annoying, especially on very hot days, is that there is no way to keep the flap rolled up. This would be really simple to remedy. *EDIT* This was moved into the “love” category: Upon receiving my replacement canopy (the first one had a little plastic part that broke through and was sticking out) I was pleasantly surprised to find that the canopy now comes with a toggle to keep the flap rolled up! I looks great and I love this added functionality. Yay, Uppababy!
*excellent customer service
I had an issue with the fabric on the seat and canopy (see below); this happened yesterday evening. I called this morning and customer service is sending a replacement via FEDEX today. I guess for the money we spent on this pushchair, they’d better be accommodating. Still, the woman who answered my call was very friendly, extremely apologetic, and remedied the problem right away. She didn’t even ask for proof of purchase, which I kept for warrantee purposes.
*I’m proud to be an American…
Another thing that finally sold us on the Vista was that we liked the company itself. American (Boston-based), mom/family-friendly, eco-conscious. It’s a small thing, but matters in the end.
Some things that work fine, but wish they’d improve:
*recline
It reclines pretty far back and has the bassinet for completely flat; that has not been a problem. A slight compromise we made when deciding on the Vista was that it does not sit completely upright. I’m sort of torn on whether Uppababy should change this because there are pros and cons to having a slight recline. Cons: E likes to look around and pull herself forward with the bumper bar; the only way to allow this is to either loosen the straps a lot (to the point that they are nearly useless) or simply not strap her in. Pros: E’s 3-year-old cousin sat in it this past weekend, and the recline wasn’t an issue at all. Also, when going down a steep hill or a large curb, the recline helps keep baby’s head from flopping forward. I suppose it would still be nice to have that option.
*straps
When E first started sitting in the Visa (maybe around 5-6 months), the straps were waaay too long, even on its smallest setting and E would sort of slump over to the side a bit. Now, at one, she still slumps to the side but it’s by choice. She loves to lean to one side and prop a foot up on the bumper bar. We gets lots of comments because of that. Ha ha. What I like about the straps are that they don’t need to be threaded through the seat in order to be removed or adjusted; this is probably why they can’t be adjusted any shorter and I’d rather have this function than have shorter straps. I also like that there is velcro to keep the shoulder pads from sliding all over the place.
*rain cover
I’ve only used the rain cover a couple of times and it works fine, although there is not really a way to roll it up without zipping it off.
*suspension
Great suspension on the back wheels, none on the front.
What just down and out sucks:
*cupholder
It is basically a round piece of plastic attached to a plastic ring with little metal chains, which means I can’t put my phone or keys there. Only a cup or bottle. Also annoying, it sits on the outside of the handle and I keep running into the door frame when I have it on. Lastly, it broke pretty quickly and since it cost nearly $30, I’m pretty peeved and won’t be buying that one again unless it’s significantly cheaper, adjusted so that it fits on the inside of the handle, and has mesh sides so I can use it for other things besides drinks. It’s the one blemish on an otherwise good record of performance for the Uppababy Vista.
One caution:
*washing the seat and canopy
I was nervous about washing the seat, since even after removing it from the frame, it still has the hard plastic inside. I was worried about it rubbing against the washing machine. Even though it’s stated on the website and the user manual that it’s machine washable (gentle cycle, hang dry), I wanted to make absolutely sure it was okay. After talking to Uppababy over the phone, I decided to do it. Imagine my dismay when I opened up my washing machine to fine a 3 inch tear in the fabric, exposing the plastic beneath (which was damaged also). A little part of the canopy frame also poked through from washing. As mentioned above, customer service offered me a replacement right away and was extremely apologetic, stating that 99% of the time this doesn’t happen. It might be because I have a top load washer instead of a front load (which doesn’ thave that middle spinning thing). So, the take home lesson is: the Vista is not invincible and use caution when washing. I, for one, will not be machine washing it, which is a shame since that would be convenient, but I don’t want to risk damaging it again.
Just got back from Smith Play Place in Fairmount Park.
One word: AWESOME
I’m able to type up this post because E, completely tuckered out from all of the fun and excitement, fell right asleep once we got home.
For starters, getting to this place was a breeze. A quick 15 minute drive from center city and we were there. Thanks to a tip from my friend B who also went with me today, I got there a few minutes before 10 (when it opens) and the parking lot was already half full. Now, there are probably only 20 parking spots, so that isn’t saying much. I noticed that later arriving cars parked along the circular drive and on Oxford.
I’m amazed that this place is free – the nonprofit organization that runs this place does a wonderful job. There were always volunteers on hand and they were pretty good about enforcing the no food rule, which I appreciated, because I could see how it helps to keep the place clean and safe. In fact, the whole playground felt safe and serene. I also appreciated the fact that the new assistant director took time to talk to us. Everyone there was friendly and seemed to love kids.
I’m glad we went in the morning because it was still a little cool and breezy, perfect for playing outside on the playground. E is still much too small for most of it and we spent most of our time outdoors playing in the new Tot Lot for kids 5 and under. What a great little playground! We spent some time in the area for the littlest of tots and E had lots of fun cruising and crawling around. There was lots of play equipment and I’m sure E will be able to enjoy it even more once she’s walking.
We also checked out the indoor play house, also just for children 5 and under. It’s a bit older, but clean, and I appreciated the fact that there was a snack room inside. We didn’t use it, having picnicked right outside on the lawns beforehand. We spent a little time on each floor of the play house. I’m sure the kids could have stayed on each floor indefinitely, but B and I were curious about the different floors. The top floor was the toy room, with lots of fun toys and space to play with them. There was also a block room off the the side that we peeked into (but decided to save for another day since it would take much too long to clean up). The middle floor had some larger play equipment (things to climb on, etc.) as well as a reading nook. The bottom floor was the trike room – clearly the most popular – and was designed like a little cityscape, with roads, street lamps, meters, and various paraphernalia related to transportation.
With so much to see and do, we will definitely be back many times. I’m excited to go again this weekend, when E’s cousin R visits us. Maybe we will get to try out the giant wooden slide!
I said I would be back, and so I am.
Awhile back, I reviewed the Beaba Babycook and pretty much gave it a big gold star. And now, an update:
Several issues have arisen since last posting.
1. The motor has begun making a grating, grinding sound…does not sound right to me. I probably use my Beaba once a day or maybe every other day, so it is not from overuse.
2. The metal on ring on the bottom of the cooking bowl as well as on the food processor blades is a little tarnished. Hm…I don’t think this should happen! I noticed this after my husband tossed them the in dishwasher (air dry, no heat). I went back and checked the directions which state, “Babycook accessories are not suited to sterilisation [sic].” Does this mean not dishwasher safe? If so, dumb, ignorant American that I am, I need that stated clearly in the directions!
3. The plastic of the bowl is scratched up. These look suspiciously like very, very fine cracks. I hope not. I have only used the spatula provided, but perhaps I should start using a small latex spatula instead.
I have emailed customer service. Will update with the outcome. My fingers are crossed because I have really enjoyed using my Beaba up until this point.
*A month passed with no response. One day, a sales rep. calls me out of the blue and apologizes for the delay in responding because my email had somehow gotten “misfiled” and was just found. She was very apologetic about the delay, asked me a few questions and suggested that I descale my unit. She did not offer to replace the unit b/c it is still working, but did tell me to call back if the motor died. She also mentioned that my problem had been assigned a case number, to expedite the process if I did need to call again. I rescaled the unit, but the grinding sound is still there. At this point, I’m not sure if I should push for a replacement or just let it be since E doesn’t really need it anymore. I’m saving it for future k2 and if it lasts through two kids, I’ll be happy.
….they have arrived.
The diapers, that is – including the one I got for free for blogging about Gro Baby, yeah! I can’t wait to try them and in my enthusiasm, removed all of them from their packaging, ready to toss all of them in the wash.
The shells are brightly colored and seem very well constructed. The organic cotton pads are supremely soft.
This sounds like utter insanity, but I want to snuggle with these diapers – they’re that soft.
Of course, ever the skeptic and pragmatist, DH suggests that I just try one first…to make sure I like them.
Probably a good idea…
EDIT: FYI, for those moms who want to get a free sample, you have to write your own blog entry or post a picture on your blog; simply leaving a comment won’t be sufficient.
Please note: please read my update on this review, including some problems that have come up.
sorbet sweetie
Just purchased a brand-spanking-new Beaba Babycook today and gave it a trial run.
Pros:
1. FAST – I made brocolini, squash, and ground beef for DD\’s dinner. The prep took zero time since I had already prepared these ingredients for dinner for the adults. To cook, I put the prescribed amount of water in the reservoir, put ingredients in the steamer basket, and the basket in the blender, capped it and turned a switch. I gave baby a bath and the food was cooked at just about the same time the bath was finished (15 – 20 minutes). The blades work really well, much better than both my food processor and Magic Bullet. It only took a few quick pulses (5 or 10 seconds, total) to achieve a consistent, chunk-free puree.
2. CONVENIENT – all in one (steamer, blender) makes cooking and pureeing faster
3. NUTRITIOUS – steaming the food is better than microwaving it, and a heck of a lot cleaner.
4. SPACE SAVING – Small footprint on my counter in my miniscule kitchen = happy urban momma
5. QUIET – I used a food processor and magic bullet before I purchased the Beaba and the Beaba is significantly quieter. I have thin walls, so I could use this to make food even after DD is asleep and not worry about waking her. I was really surprised at how quiet it was.
6. CUTE – with it’s pleasantly rounded corners, compact design, and soothing honeydew melon green color, it takes me to my happy place…
7. NO BPA – safe for baby!
Cons:
1. EXPENSIVE – When I first saw the Babycook, the only thing that kept me from buying it was it’s price. It just seemed far too indulgent for something that we’d only use for less than a year, especially when I could buy the separate components (i.e. a steamer and small food grinder) several times over with the same amount of money . Since I purchased mine off of Craigslist, however, I didn’t pay full price. If you’re on the fence about the price, however, you might want to consider that while not the cheapest way to make baby food, buying a Babycook is still cheaper than buying baby food. For example, $0.50 a jar of baby food x 3 times a day = $1.50/day. So, the Babycook will have paid itself off in about 100 days, or about 3 months, plus a week or so to account for the cost of the ingredients.
2. SMALL BASKET – This could be a pro or a con. For those moms who like to make huge batches of food at a time and then freeze it, this could be a major turnoff since the Babycook makes one or two servings at a time. For me, I realized that I really dislike making huge batches (too much mess and cleanup afterwards, not to mention I got bored giving her lentils yet again for the bazillionth day in a row) and much prefer taking ingredients from the dinner I was already preparing for DH and myself and whipping it up then. To each his own, I suppose.
3. PARTS, PARTS, PARTS – There’s the steamer basket, and then the special spatula to remove the basket, and the special blending lid that goes under the main lid…I realize there probably isn’t a way around all of these little parts, but it’s kind of a pain to assemble and then disassemble and wash for each meal. Yes, I’m THAT lazy.
4. BLACK GUNK/SCALE – Since I’ve only used mine once, I can’t verify these claims, but on Amazon.com, some reviewers have mentioned a problem with descaling their units or a black liquid gunk collecting in the blending chamber. I will update this review if these problems arise.
5. SMALL WINDOW OF USEFULNESS – This is theoretical, since I’ve only used it once. DD is 8.5 months old, and is already experimenting with finger foods, which means that my use of the Babycook might be very short lived. I could try to use this to chop up table foods but it might be more convenient to do that with a small food mill. However, I plan to have more kids, and so if this appliance is quality (and it better be, for the price they’re selling it for), hopefully it will hold up for k2 or k3 (yikes).
6. NEW DISTRIBUTION IN US – since it’s relatively new in the US, it’s hard to know how this appliance will hold up to daily use and what their customer service is like if there are problems. According to the instruction manual, there is a one-year guarantee on the parts (with proof of purchase). The Beaba Babycook is being distributed by Scandinavian Child (which also distributes the Micralite strollers, as well as some other higher-end products) in the US. It’s popular in the UK, having won design awards, etc., (but it also sells for about $50 USD cheaper there as well) so one can assume that people are generally happy with the Babycook and Beaba. Will they be able to replicate that success in the US?
I was a skeptic, but now I’m a believer. Truthfully, once I decided that I wanted a Babycook, I was really excited about it. I may even have had a dream about it last night. So far, it has made my babyfood making experience much, MUCH better. I plan to use it daily.
Bottom line: if you want to be able to make baby food to be eaten immediately, like convenience, and lack storage space, the Beaba Babycook is a great buy. Although overpriced, if you can afford it, it’s worth it. If not, that’s what baby registries are for!
I meant to blog about this last Friday, when it actually happened, but the weekend proved to be too hectic.
So, after much anticipation, my E’s new stroller came in the mail Friday: a brand, spanking new 2007 Maclaren Techno XLR – free shipping and bonus accessory pack + foot muff. I got it for a little more than half the list price. Even people selling their used ones on Craigslist were asking more.
The XLR is much bigger than I realized. Despite having tried it out in stores and seen it being used by other parents, I was still a little surprised at its height and heft. That said, for its size, it’s very, very light.
I struggled a bit to adjust the straps. The instruction book that came with it is not that helpful – a diagram would have been nice. The new (2008/09) models have a nicer buckle, but the one that came with this stroller was fine. I puzzled over the head hugger. I still can’t figure out how any baby with a normal-sized head is supposed to fit in that thing. The slots for the straps are positioned completely too high. Perhaps I am missing something.
After playing with the stroller for awhile, I finally strapped her in, tucked a blanket around her legs (too warm for the foot muff), popped on the rain hood, and went out for a walk. It was a wet, drizzly day, and there was all manner of detritus and ick on the sidewalks. Nevertheless, my E’s new stroller handled superbly. I mean, more than superbly. It was amazing. I was steering it with one hand and holding an umbrella with the other (until I realized how completely ridiculous it was to use an umbrella in drizzle). The ride was very smooth and despite the fact that the XLR is quite big, it felt very light.
The one thing that did bother me is how wet leaves and gunk collected on the sides of the wheels. A small thing, but I felt compelled to wipe off the wheels before bringing it into my apartment.
Anyway, the stroller was overall a success, I think. I wasn’t planning to buy the stroller so soon, since E probably still has a few good months left on the Snugride, but sometimes you just have to jump on a good deal.
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