Is a ~£1000 Travel System (SC Pioneer / M&P Ocarro) really worth it over something cheaper?

[punjama]

We visited several shops today as well as doing some online research.

We really liked a 10 piece bundle (raincover, parasol etc) for Silver Cross Pioneer for £850 and a 5 piece bundle for £950 from M&P Ocarro range.

Both seem to have great reviews from all the past forum threads, magazine reviews etc but just wanted to get an idea - are they really worth x2 more than e.g. travel systems from Jane Epic; Recaro Citylife or Roma Vita?

Ideally we would want to buy something that lasts 2-3 kids but if we are buying a new system after 2nd kid it almost seems as if might as well do e.g. 3x300-350 spend each time rather than 900 & then another time potentially.

If these 2 really are worth it we'd love to consider any other thoughts people have especially at these price ranges. The SC deal seems really good but weve read that it might be due to them phasing out this particular Pioneer model? is that an issue?

Does the Ocarro become bad value comparatively when you consider you'd be spending another £200 or so getting a changing bag, parasol, footmuff etc making it £300+ more expensive (or £225 if we book personal shopping experience) but i think with 3 vs 2 years warranty...

The other thing that we like about SC is that its from newborn to 25kg so potentially dont need to get stroller...

Would love any thoughts / opinions. We dont drive so public transport will be more of a concern although sometimes PIL will sometimes drive.

Many thanks.

@punjama I don’t remember there being a big difference in price between the two at the time - but I went to a M&P baby event and negotiated on the Ocarro. I chose Maxi-Cosi pebble plus and this was more expensive than the Atom Q in the bundle but has been great for us. Originally considered a birth to 4yr car seat but actually it’s been so useful when baby is sleeping to bring the car seat into the house or clip onto buggy frame, and being able to use seatbelt or isofix if using different cars, parents etc, is much more flexible. You mention a 10 piece SC bundle includes a raincover, this is included free with Ocarro too but isn’t sepately listed in any bundle. I was put off the Pioneer because there were lots of reports of difficult steering. This was over a year ago though so I don’t know if this has improved.

Agree with PP I think the best advice is to think how you will use the travel system and to prioritise those features. I’m in London and have never had to fold my buggy for a bus, tube or train @youandmearegoingtofallout But I do live near a couple of big parks where I would need all terrain wheels and I planned to walk a lot locally so wanted something sturdy with a big basket. It’s not the lightest frame but I might only lift it to put in the car once a week or less so I made weight less of a priority for me.

IMO you hit a point of max returns at around the 400 mark, especially if you shop very carefully. Look at the features you like from the expensive buggies and then see which of the cheaper ones have the same things. When you get over 600 you're really paying for a name IMO. If you want something which can convert to a double, that might be worth splashing out on earlier but other than that I wouldn't worry.

You can also save money by omitting a lot of the accessories or getting other compatible ones - cosytoes, changing bag and so on can be generic, check reviews to see if you'll want a generic or official rain cover, parasols are pointless. I don't think a carrycot is necessary if you have a parent facing true lie flat, but some people like the fact you can use these as a bed for the baby. Car seats it's worth asking the sales person which brands will fit onto the adapters for that buggy, as maxi cosi adapters usually mean almost universal. Price everything up individually before you get sucked into buying any bundles.

Then there's also the option to look second hand. If you have a popular model in mind which has been out for at least 2 or 3 years you can easily find them second hand and it's usually worth looking. Sometimes people ditch the big travel system after 18 months so they can be lightly used.

As you don't drive I would suggest a Joie Juva car seat or a Joie Gemm if you want it to go on the pram. I know the Gemm goes into maxi cosi adapters. Not as sure about the juva. These are seatbelt fit and cheap but safe. Or possibly something like the Joie tilt or steadi if you don't need it to go on the pram. I did think it would have been useful to have a pushchair compatible one for times we got a lift somewhere and walked back or vice versa.

I have the M&P Occarro. My baby is 7 weeks and is already too big for the pram top. She's only about 11lbs, 8lb 4 at birth but is very long. She's in the buggy bit and fits fine. It lies flat so it is fine for her.

Other than that it's a fantastic buggy. Very smooth the push, can push with 1 hand, good wheels. Great for rough paths and over grass, we have really put it to the test on dog walks. It's often on offer online on Mothercare. We got the pram top, Buggy top, frame, adapter for maxi cosi car seat, cup holder and rain cover for £799. We got our car seat from amazon in the Boxing Day sale for £100 ish

@daphine2004 if you don't drive get the smallest possible thing you can. You don't need a travel system! If I did t have twins I would have had the BJCM for public transport!

@Blueroses99 agreed, we never see anyone fold their pram on the bus / tube.

We went to the store again today and checked out the weights and whilst the ocarro is a bit heavier, taking into account the above and that wife won't be working so don't think there will be frequent lifting we didn't consider it a game changer.

We ended up getting a 5 piece bundle M&P ocarro, price matched to 750£ as well as a whole bunch of other things via personal shopping Inc cot, cupboard etc to a total of 2k which was then reduced by further 300£ personal shopper discount so overall very happy atm (especially me since this crosses of a loooot of things from the check list so I can get some respite / relief for a bit :-p)

Thank you very much for all the comments advice and replies guys)))

unintentionalthreadkiller I think your post was meant for the OP or someone else. 😀