Britax B-Dual vs Phil n Teds Explorer

[PenguinArmy]

Any thoughts?

DH really likes the idea of DC2 being able to face rearwards. I like the fact that Phil n Teds seems to be well reviewed.

DD will be 19 months, but is light though average height (currently approaching 20lbs)

[Tiggywunkle]

Aswellasyou / Sariose can comment on how realistic rear facing is because they are trying to do just that at present. Personally I didn't feel there was enough space for the toddler underneath to have the baby parent facing except in a car seat. However the biggest difference is storage ie space for shopping or a changing bag and good lie flat seats for both children so you have a choice of seating position. Have a look here for photos and information. The B-Dual also folds with both seats on. Personally I feel that the B-Dual offers more options for a family.

[PenguinArmy]

I think if using it as a double, he'd be happy to use forward facing. I'd rather DD walked where she could.

[aswellasyou]

We are loving our B-Dual! We're using it with two 11 month old babies at the moment. If you have the top seat parent facing, there isn't that much room at the bottom. It's fine for us as there aren't legs dangling over the top or a tall child at the bottom. You could easily use the bottom seat for the new baby until they stop lying flat with your daughter parent facing in the top seat. It is a really lovely pushchair to push and goes over rough ground easily. The only problem I can see for the future is that the bottom seat doesn't go bolt upright.

There are loads of offers around at the moment so you can easily get it for £350ish punds with the second seat and carseat. We got ours here. Their customer service is excellent. It's a family run business, but they're very professional.

[FriggFRIGG]

well out of all the p&t's ive had the explorer was the most irritating,the hood pings off annoyingly ALL THE TIME,amongst other things....
the b-dual is great,i had one and i really liked it soo much space without it being huge,nice space for littley,but the toddler can slump awkwardly in the top seat,and rear facing isnt always comfy for the one underneath
...
i just went to see the p&t verve today,and i have to say i love it,and im hoping to have mine by wednesday (mine are now 12months and 3 yrs though!)

TBH if i was to do it all again from scratch i would buy either the baby jogger city select,mima kobi or the icandy peach blossom,for long term ease of use.
but out of the two you're looking at,id get the b-dual.

[PenguinArmy]

well at least two of them aren't in my price range

thanks for the feed back, I am a bit worried about the toddler seat part. Do you know anywhere that stocks the b-dual so that I could have a look?

[aswellasyou]

Mothercare, Babies R Us and plenty of independent shops stock them.

[PenguinArmy]

mothercare seemed to have it as a web exclusive, but I can check out a BabiesRUs. About to move towns so I will have to look up stores anyway, but I have heard the new town has a independent store.

Now I'm torn between the B-Dual and the Baby Jogger . Hopefully I can find somewhere to look at them both.

[FriggFRIGG]

good luck!

[aswellasyou]

There's one on display in two of my three local Mothercares. And one in one of my two local Babies R Us stores.

Do you mean the BJ City Select? John Lewis have them instore. We were choosing between the same two but the BJCS was almost impossible to lift up a step. We also felt like the B-Dual felt lighter to push but these things change depending on the weight in them.

[PenguinArmy]

I know I should wait to see what kind of town it is as well, what's the most likely way I'll travel etc. and travelling times. BUT now I've decided to buy one (and not use a sling) I want it NOW!

[aswellasyou]

I know what you mean! And ether way, you can use it straight away as a single.

[Tiggywunkle]

The BJCS has the advantage of a smaller fold, large unobstructed basket, more seating positions, handbrake etc but the B-Dual runs easier with two older children on board. I think it's a much underestimated good tandem. The only real flaw is like Frigg says ie the children seem to hang from the seats especially when older. I think the lack of footrests doesn't help. But if you put the upper seat leg rest horizontal so the childs legs lie on it...or even slightly vertical...it seems to help.

[PenguinArmy]

only have internet for the night.

Saw and loved teh Britax, but it's too wide for our flat :(. On the plus side we have moved into our flat :)

[Tiggywunkle]

Yay re the new flat. When you say wide,do you mean to get through the door or to park up? You could always remove the large wheel guards especially whilst the baby is underneath

[PenguinArmy]

It's too wide for both the front and hall door. I'm going to measure properly once back and then I'll have the dimensions at least. Once we have internet connected there I can search more proper but it's a bit difficult atm. We had to buy a extra narrow stairgate for the kitchen door and I think they are the same size.

[aswellasyou]

Do you need to be able to push it through your doors? I live in a flat too and tend to put my daughter in her pushchair while in the entrance to the building. I do occasionally bring it inside when I get home if she's asleep, but you can carry the carrycot inside for the new baby. This may not work for you, but it does work for me.

[PenguinArmy]

unfortunately yes we do, ground floor flat in a private estate with strange rules. We're not allowed laundry outside and the patio out the back doesn't have a path, so would be over grass. The lean to at the front is just a regular small thing. Buggy wouldn't fit in the entrance bit or would if blocking it entirely. It Doors are to the outside, so no communal indoor hallway (I meant the flimsy indoor one that really is just a partition of the living room.

Will be back in about a week, thanks again for input