Maclaren Techno XT open box for $255

[Nlateef]

Is this a good deal? I am looking for a secondary/travel stroller to compliment my Vista that I use primarily.

[Multimama]

How old is your child? I think the Techno is overkill for a travel stroller unless you are looking for a newborn. A lighter umbrella would be a better choice for a baby who doesn't need a full recline. (Like the Quest/Triumph or Uppababy G-luxe.)

It's an okay price for the Techno, if that is all you're asking. :) I think albeebaby has some non-open box ones for $265 though.

[Nlateef]

My baby is 9 months old. My issue is that I have become accustomed to all the features of my Vista so when I went to look at umbrella strollers, they all felt so cheap and fragile. Here is my wishlist:

I can fold while carrying my baby
Not only reclines so she can nap but also sits all the way forward with no
"slouch"
Has a decent-sized basket
Has a decent-sized sunshade although I am open to adding on a larger sunshade.
Is good for taller parents (which is why the Joovy Kooper is NOT on the list)

And I only see the Techno XTs at full price on Allbeebaby. Do you have a link?

[Multimama]

Price has gone down! Hope you have a girl. :)

http://www.albeebaby.com/maclaren-techno-xlr-stroller-coffee-brown-powder-pink.html

Sorry, just realized this is an XLR. Still, cheaper than your open box one. :)

ETA: You can also pricematch this at diapers.com for free returns, if you prefer.

[Kaylee31]

I would look at the 2011 G-luxe or the Cybex Onyx. They both have good-sized canopies; the Onyx has a deeper recline and tall handles. They are both lighter than the Techno too.
http://www.ratedbymom.com/2011/03/spotlight-product-review-cybex-onyx-2011/
Baby Viva has the Cybex for $195 w/code BRU15.
http://www.babyviva.com/product/999513-10736/onyx-black-stroller.html

[Multimama]

The cybex doesn't have a very nice fold though, right?

I like the fabrics and canopy on the G-luxe and it is so light, so I would probably be looking at that, but if you don't like lighter feeling umbrellas, you might not like it.

I think sometimes transitioning to an umbrella from a more full-featured stroller is just an adjustment, but you'll be glad you got something lighter when you are actually traveling and carrying it around.

The Britax Blink is really cheap right now and feels very sturdy with a pretty good umbrella canopy, almost full recline and tall handles for an umbrella. But it's quite heavy for the features it has.

[Kaylee31]

The cybex doesn't have a very nice fold though, right?

Not sure about the new ones, but I had an 09 Topaz and though the fold was the same as the Macs. Nice stroller, but the handles were too tall for me.

[mom3boys]

I think the fold on the Cybex is all right, very much like a MacLaren (use your foot for the most part)--I did not find it stiff or anything. I hear the fold mechanism is slightly improved for 2011 to be more "flip-flop friendly". Since it is a "tall" stroller with big wheels for an umbrella, Ony is not a tiny footprint when folded--compared to a Mac Triumph, for example--but fine for me--your typical long skinny umbrella fold. Have not used a G-Luxe so can't compare the folds. The Cybex doesn't stand when folded though, and the G-Luxe does, so that might be a consideration.

[mom3boys]

Oh and the handles on the Onyx are definitely high--I am 5'7" and it is perfect. If I was 5'2" might be a problem.

[Nlateef]

Funny you mention the Cybex Onyx because I thought I had it narrowed down to the Peg Perego Si and the Onyx but there are very few reviews on the Onyx and when I called the my local store they said they had a ton on clearance because they didn't sell well. I saw the Si in person last night and hated it. Feels too plastic and the bumper bar is weird. It was strange because I was all set to purchase the Si until I saw it in person and put my baby in the Techno. The Onyx still feels like too much of a risk. They have been out two years and still very limited reviews.

[mom3boys]

Well, I just got a 2010 Onyx--it was a bit of a risk given the lack of reviews as you said (and they've made the canopy much better for 2011). I like it so far (have only had it a week) my only other umbrella was a Mac Triumph which did not quite have enough features for me and was too tippy (i.e, with no kid in it and a diaper bag on the handles it would tip over). I feel like the Onyx is very similar to the Mac, but I paid less than I would have for a Triumph (granted, I got last year's model, this would not be the case for 2011) and got full recline, nicer fabric, adjustable footrest, better canopy, better recline mechanism, and can take a carseat (imp for me as I will be using with an infant).

Baby Gizmo review/demo of the 2011 Onyx was quite positive. But I have to admit I had never heard of the Onyx or seen anyone with it until I started researching full-recline umbrella strollers! However I then did see it in my local BRU, pushed it around, seemed fine. Maybe they have bad marketing!

Also maybe look into Bumbleride Flite? I was looking at that one too. Never was able to see it in person though. Does not have a big basket (none of them do except maybe the Si). Or there are some new Mamas and Papas umbrellas strollers, I also saw them at BRU.

[sweetsoul99]

I bought my techno xt practically brand new off craigslist for 220, but they're hard to find. I LOVE mine. Some might think it's over kill for travel, but a good canopy was ESSENTIAL to me, especially since we live in California and have to deal with the sun. And also they nap a lot when we're on the go, so I wanted the full recline and suspension. I was very very tempted by the new 2011 g-luxe's, perhaps those will be on gilt by the end of the year?

[Multimama]

Is there a reason the XT is better than the XLR? I thought they were basically the same?

[roseyloxs]

The Onyx still feels like too much of a risk. They have been out two years and still very limited reviews.

They have not been out for 2 years in the US. Cybex brought over the clearanced 2009s last summer. So basically they have been around for almost a year. I have an 09 Topaz and think its great. The fold as a PP said is very similar to a mac. The push is fab and due to the heavier weight they are not prone to tipping.

[legaleagle]

I think the cybex took a while to take off because:

1. poor/total absence of marketing
2. asking mac prices as a total unknown
3. the white handles look funny

Now that they've made significant improvements in aesthetics and function, brought out a very nice infant car seat, and are stocked at BRU/BBB, I think they'll be around a long time. And I absolutely love my 2009 Callisto - great, sturdy, non-tippy stroller with some rare/unique features.

[mom3boys]

Actually the white handles bothered me a bit for some reason, I thought they would look dirty quickly (same w/white wheels)--but I ended up getting an Onyx "black" with black handles/wheels (in the "Grenadine" which offsets the black really nicely). I think all the 2011s have black handles and they have improved the handlebars on the 2011 IMO because they are padded (more Maclaren-y) vs. just plastic. Although I have to say having pushed the 2010 Onyx once through the park, the plastic handles did not bother me as much as I thought they would.
I think they may take off too--Maclaren has a BIG following around me and I didn't even look at another brand when I got my Triumph (but there were less options then, too)--but now I basically feel like I got the equivalent of a Techno for less $$. And even if I had splurged for a 2011 Onyx, it would have been cheaper than a 2011 Techno, with a better canopy.
I don't mean to dis Maclaren by the way, they are popular for a reason--excellent quality umbrellas--just nice to see other things around now--Cybex, G-Luxe, etc.

[poohbear]

Is there a reason the XT is better than the XLR? I thought they were basically the same?

The XT is slightly lighter and narrower. The XLR can take a car seat.
I wouldn't say one is better or worse per se. But if I didn't need my stroller to take a car seat, I would prefer the XT because it is a bit lighter and a bit narrower...

[legaleagle]

Doesn't only the XLR have adjustable handles?

[Multimama]

The XT is slightly lighter and narrower. The XLR can take a car seat.
I wouldn't say one is better or worse per se. But if I didn't need my stroller to take a car seat, I would prefer the XT because it is a bit lighter and a bit narrower...

Thanks! I now remember why I would lean towards the XLR. It can take a carrycot! They don't sell the carrycot in the US, but wouldn't a Maclaren that can take a carrycot be cool? :)

[poohbear]

Doesn't only the XLR have adjustable handles?

Unless something has changed recently, both models have adjustable handles. The main difference is the ability to take a car seat/carrycot...

[AnnieW625]

I bought my floor model Techno XLR for $140 off Ebay so I do think that $255 for an open box Techno XT would be too much.

I love my Maclaren Triumph. It was my do everything stroller with DD1 until she was 2, which is when I bought my Vista (because she wouldn't sit still in my single jogger, but loved the Vista till DD2 was born and all of a sudden it was a baby stroller). I can fold the Triumph blind folded holding a 20lb toddler. Love it. I do love my Techno too though, but haven't quite mastered folding the Techno blindfolded with a 20lb toddler.

I believe that the XT has extending handles too like the XLR. The XLR is not as small as the Triumph and honestly at 5'6" it took me a while to get used to the handle bar height on the XLR and I was previously very happy with the handle height on the Triumph. I now love the height on the Techno and when I have pushed the Triumph I have thought oh my that's a low stroller (when it really isn't).

[poohbear]

This (http://shop.ebay.com/babyproductstore/m.html?_trkparms=65%253A12%257C66%253A1%257C39%253 A1%257C72%253A4726&rt=nc&_ipg=25&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14.l1513&_pgn=1) is widely believed to be the mac outlet:
There's a few XLRs for $229
They sold a bunch of floor models SUPER cheap last year, but I haven't seen many since (one here or there)...
I almost grabbed a Techno XT at TJMaxx for $150 as well.
Sometimes they get them in and they're reasonable...
HTH!