Oyster or Bee?

[KosherBacon]

I am pregnant with our first child and am stuck on a choice of pram. We've looked at the Joolz (too heavy, has to be taken apart to collapse), the Silver Cross Surf (didn't like the fleece lining), iCandy range (too expensive) amongst others.

The two that we do like are the Oyster and the Bugaboo Bee+ and I just can't decide. The Oyster is a bit cheaper, comes with a separate carry cot (although we will have a crib downstairs and a moses basket upstairs, so will have places for baby to sleep), so am not sure if this is a plus or a minus. The Bee is smaller, lighter, can be folded down in one movement and is quite compact, however it is lower down from us. The Oyster has a better selection of colours than the Bee+.

I know one person who had an Oyster and found it hard to manouvere, and got rid of it for a Bee+ which she now loves. I am one of those crazy ladies who stop people in the street with Oysters and Bees, to see if they like them and most of them love whatever they have. When I check the Mumsnet reviews the two are pretty much neck and neck.

The pram will mostly be used for going for walks to get baby to sleep, as well as shopping and general walks. I am not sure how much walking on even surfaces we will do, but we will have my niece's Baby Bjorn too. We live in a main city, but wouldn't be using public transport and have a medium sized car boot (Toyota Corolla).

So what would you go for, a Bee+ or an Oyster?

Honestly - probably neither. I own both at present and the one I would choose from birth would be the Oyster for the carrycot and chassis for the car seat, but I don't like the seating position for a child over about 18 months old. But long term the Bee has the better seating position but I find it too light to use ie its tippy, wobbly etc. On balance, I would probably choose the Oyster because worst case, you can always swap it later on if you aren't happy with the seating position. I really don't like the Bee and the cocoon for a newborn - I like the cocoon but the seat is too open and the hood too high to keep a newborn snug through the autumn / winter. But the Bee is much better for a toddler say 12-18 months plus and will last you longer long term.

I actually would suggest you have a look at the Mutsy Evo because its very similar to the Oyster in a lot of ways, but the seating position is better, the carrycot is included with the price and all round it feels better quality for less.

My oyster seat broke yesterday, it now only lies down, the seat unit has been in use 6 months, the chassis from birth, DD is 12.5mo. The handle on the chassis is sticking and it's now really hard to adjust the height of the handle. I find it really easy to manouvre though.

Thanks for your advice- I'll bear both your comments in mind!

I looked at both and got the Bee in the end (arrived yesterday, hoorah!) because:

1. I had a 2-part pram type thing for DS and didn't really want to have to bother with a carrycot for 6 months.

2. When I asked to see an Oyster being folded with the seat in the rear-facing position it didn't really fold too well, which would have really annoyed me for all the reasons that I didn't want a 2-part again.

I have an Oyster and I love it. I've so far not had any of the problems mentioned and none of my friends who have it have had any problems either. Its easy to manouver (one of my requirements) and it is sturdy. We went somewhere the other day where the ground was completely soaked and boggy. My Oyster got through it but many of the prams couldn't get through due to the wheels being too narrow.

We have the oyster, and love it! We've really loved the carrycot, not only for walks but for putting dd down to sleep when we get there. We are using the pushchair a bit now if we are just walking not sleeping and I like that too. Am glad its single fold rear facing - good to learn!

Thanks for your tips. I can't find the Easywalker June or the Mutsy Evo near me.

I have started to think about the iCandy Cherry too. What do people think of this? I am not sure if it is a good alternative to the Oyster. Same-ish price bracket, slightly fewer features, but better made. What are people's thoughts on it?

I am making the same choice but really want a pram that takes a Maxi Cosi car seat (because it was the only car seat my first child was comfortable in) - does the Oyster adapt for a Maxi Cosi?

I love the iCandy Cherry.
I am sure the Oyster takes a Maxi Cosi seat - in fact I am sure of it. Off the top of my head the Evo and Cherry do as well.

I have a bee+ and love it. Of all the mums i meet with (our little ones are now around 15months) i am the only one who hasn't bought a second pushchair.