Help - do I want to move to a Mac??

Just when you think you are all settled stroller-wise...........:O

I have the MBUS, which I love but of course not for everyday - just doesn't fit well in the back of my van. I also have a Zippy which I'm thinking I'd like to move on from. While I love some of the features, I no longer use the infant seat in it and find it a bit bulky and am thinking a Mac would be much better in that area. My DD is 8 months and I'd like tons of comfort but perhaps a bit less bulk. How well does a Mac work for this age-range and of the Macs which is best for babies without sacrificing comfort (I've already ruled out the Global). I've noticed the Quest and Vogue seem well padded and quite light but wonder which is the better of the two and what other model I may have overlooked.

Thanks for helping clear the cobwebs :)

[pamela mom of 3]

Tricky i too have MB urbans and after them the only thing i use is macs{i own alot more than these but.. }( }

Depending on the year vogue your looking at..the 03 has almost flat recline and a boot too. The 02 vogue recline to the same amount as the 03 quest. Their is a difference in weight and folded size plus wheel size between a vogue and a quest.

At 8mth tho, it's can be difficult with a mac, if you recline the seat you cannot get to the basket, plus you must use caution with overloading the handles as they are prone to tipping. I think if it's a quick errand and such a 8mth old would probably be fine in the quest you can always add an extra pad..since no mac will win plush awards. If your talking mall use or something i'd say that falls to personal choice, i mean i wouldn't with a 8mth old -but- it's not like it would be totally awful, just i would want something "more"

I love my macs, the ease of pushing, the simple fold even while holding my son but my kids are older and their needs are not the same as a young infant.

So guess my point is try one out if at all possible in a store to see what you think.

HTH :)
http://pages.ivillage.com/cl-pamelamomof3

Thanks - that helps alot. It sounds like it would probably be best to wait a while more before moving to the Mac. At about what age is it ideal to use them more regularly?

I love my MB but the fit in the rear of my van is tough and with 4 kids I can't often get one of the rear seats to fold down since they are usually in use. I told DH I needed to move to an SUV in order to accomodate my MB and he looked at me like I had sprouted horns and/or was nuts. Of course I'm totally serious and of course I know you all can relate :O.

I just want to say that a SUV may not be the answer....Of course I don't have one that has the bigger trunks, we have an Expedition, but I downsized my stroller because it wasn't fitting idealy in the back.
I have 4 kids and it wasn't always ideal to fold the smaller seat down just to get the stroller to fit well.
I bought a Volo and also a Zooper EZ. The Volo is mainly getting used by my 3 year old. My 11 month old likes it too, but since it doesn't have a recline we mainly use the EZ and have been loving it.
When I first started looking into strollers I was comparing the EZ with the Techno XT due to the larger wheels. The EZ won with the price (thus being able to also get the Volo) and it's been great. Not a full recline but Karsen takes naps in it pretty well. It is definitely not as tippy as the Mac's and my diaper bag is pretty hefty. I've taken the baby out of the stroller with the bag on the handle and it hasn't tipped. This is great because I feel like such a dork when this would happen with other umbrella strollers.
Anyways....just giving you an idea of other options.

[pamela mom of 3]

I've found they work best when a child walks so that can be from 9mth and up depending upon when they get their legs.

As mentioned their other umbrella models out there, the inglesina swift-although i find the fold stiff-, the zooper EZ-however this one is heavier 15lbs, so more than a quest, really the EZ is liked a stripped down z-street-

I've tried a number over the years but in the end i find the ease of fold and steering of the maclarens to be tops. ;)
http://pages.ivillage.com/cl-pamelamomof3

[egoldber]

I started using my Mac Mistral (the predecessor to the Quest) when Sarah was 7 months old. She wasn't the most comfy in the world, but it was mainly a quick errand stroller. Honestly, I didn't start using it as my main stroller (like for mall use and stuff) until the last few months, because she didn't like it for long periods of time. It wasn't until her feet could touch the bottom foot rest that she really started to be OK in it for long periods of time.

But I LOVE my Mistral. So light and steers like a dream. I am now lusting after a Volo, but DH would think I am totally nuts, LOL!

HTH,

I too have a MBUS but I find it bulky for everyday needs (even though it's my favorite stroller). I have a Mac XT for general use -but I currently bought a Volo and I absolutely love it. It complements my other two strollers perfectly. I didn't even bother getting the canopy and rain cover because I wanted this stroller to be as light as it can be (I use the XT for bad weather days). I find it easy to load into the car, to take into the subway, up and down the stairs and frankly, my son seems perfectly happy in it and he is only 6 months old. I don't know for super long trips but I've used it for trips mostly under 2 hours. I also have not seen him nap in it yet. The wheels are a lot smaller than the XT but it steers just as well, if not better. I love the Volo much more than the XT and it's only 1/3 of the price. I think the XT could be a lot better for a $300 stroller!

I just ordered an XT ( it should be here sometime next week) and would love to know your thoughts of it for a 6 month old. I purchased it for a errand/mall stroller because the everyday stroller we have is a Combi--don't like it at all. Heavy, bulky, problems folding. Do you think DS is too young for the Techno? He does fall asleep right now in the Combi when we're out doing errands.

Thanks!

Catherine