Inglesina Evo Easy PLANET -- need real world feedback from owners and IRL testers!!!

[zen_bliss]

i am looking for feedback on the Planet model specifically. i know they are discontinued, and i am having trouble getting information on them. I am confused by how much (or little) it has in common each with the Zippy or the Evo Easy. i found the weight & dimensions on line and that is it. i obviously cannot put my hands and eyes on one, so i need some help!

i have obsessively fallen in love with the weird apple green and fire red models! there is a dearth of edgy fashion in the stroller world : )

what i want to know is if they are 2 hand or 1 hand folding and if they are set for more rugged terrain than the combi ultra savvy (ie grass, bumpy sidewalks). how is the steering? has anyone put a fisher price stay in view infant seat in one?

and of course, i'd love any leads on the apple or fire model if anyone has one to sell or has seen them in a shop locally! you can feel free to contact me directly as well! zen_bliss at hotmail.com

thanks so much for all your help! i have learned so much on this board!!!

[sntm]

I know! No info on them anywhere anymore, and I loooovvveee the colors. I have old product catalogs at home -- won't be back for 2 weeks but i can look stuff up for you then.

shannon
not-even-pregnant-yet-overachiever
trying-to-conceive :)
PREGNANT! EDD 6/9/03

[Momof3Labs]

These have the two hand fold - only the Zippy currently has the one hand fold. Can't answer any of your other questions, except one seller has both of these colors (apple and fire) on eBay right now! The seller is mgm1997, and they are buy-it-now for $225.

Hope this helps!

Lori & Colin 9/28/02

[Sandy]

Okay per your request here is a early IRL review of the Easy Evo Planet. I finally got a chance to take the stroller out for a spin. It is very similiar to my pliko which I love. The main differences that I have noticed so far.

1.)It is a little easier to steer one handed but I never had that much of a problem with my pliko and has good suspension for going over curbs etc.

2.) The wheels are larger than the pliko and seem more plastic like while the pliko's seem more rubbery.

3.) The stroller seat itself seems to be higher and has a lot of built in pockets etc.. that the pliko doesn't have and more padding on the harness.

4.) It is easier to open and close than the pliko and I don't have to lean over to click the frame into place when I open it.

Overall I really like this stroller and love the funky colors that it comes in. The pliko seems a little sturdier overall and of course this stroller does not have the built in toddler bar to stand on. Alexander seems to be really comfortable in the stroller. I would recommend getting one.

I am thinking that I really would like the Inglesina Magnum but have not been able to find anyone yet who has seen it IRL but based on my experience with the Planet Evo I think I will really like it.

[zen_bliss]

thanks for the review, sandy! i snagged the red one on eBay and should have it in a week or so! thanks to all for letting me know about it. in case anyone else is interested, there is another red one that went up from a different seller. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2989&item=2301979393 the green one is stilll on there for 2 days.

in the meantime, i was able to test drive an easy evo planet and compare it side by side with the zippy. it was total chance -- FAO Schwartz at Farmer's Market in Los Angeles (Fairfax & Third) has one left in SKY (dark blue with light blue -- not the neon ones. here's what it looks like: www.kidspalace1.com/inglesina_easy_evo_planet.asp ) both the zippy and the planet are marked at $299, but the salesman seemed to think that I could get a much better price on the Planet if I talked to the manager since a.) they are discontinued and b.) after they sell the one left, they can free up the display space. (it is brand new in box in the storeroom -- they will not sell the display model). bargain shoppers, give them a call! I didn't grab it because, well, i really wanted to hold out for my splashy color. : )

small differences i found (this is just from memory -- i played with them for quite a while!) i was pleasantly surprised to find that the planet has:
a much larger baby view window through the canopy
the basket is slightly easier to access from the back
the all weather cover that zips out from the canopy is a real plus
it has an easy access cel phone pocket on the side and zippered mom's pocket in the back
baby has a small mesh storage pocket in one of the armrests
reversible washable seat for hot/cold seasons

i really didn't think the 'one hand/two hand' release by the handlebars made any difference at all, since it just takes a second to pull the release. For the actual collapse, both models use the same mechanism, a one-handed pull tab. the pull tab handle is much larger on the zippy (and blocks the basket a bit more). i LOVE that they both snap right open, just hit the release and voila! they pop fully into shape, no fussing.

the zippy has a better footrest (the planet one is a strip of rubber,essentially) and napper bar (covered in easy wipe clean plastic), and more padding under the knees.

Clincher for me (besides fabric and color preference) -- the Planet is 3 lbs lighter!

if it shows up in the old catalogs, I'd be interested to find out for the sake of curiosity what the differences are between the Planet Easy Evo and Planet Easy Evo Max are: as far as I can tell, just that the Max has a horizontal steering bar instead of the two curved handles?

thanks everybody! I cannot believe I've become so obsessed with strollers, especially this obscure one!