Double Buggy Choice: B-Dual, Promenade or Navigator?

[eversomuch]

I've been debating the double buggy question for a while and think I have narrowed it down to three choices:

Britax B-Dual
P&T Promenade
P&T Navigator

I'd be grateful for any final thoughts.

A few things to mention:

I will be using this buggy a lot on buses and the Underground, so I do like the compactness of the Navigator, including the fact that it's the narrowest oft he ones I'm considering. However, it does seem a bit cramped compared with the Promenade and B-Dual. Then again, both the Promenade and B-Dual feel a little like supersized SUVs compared to the Navigator.

I like that the B-Dual allows both seats to recline back and seems to have more versatility in terms of positioning. It's the widest of the three, though, and I've been told some people found it too big to use on the Tube. I have a Cameleon at the moment and sometimes find it difficult to squeeze in one buses, so this is a concern.

I don't have a car, so rarely have to fold my buggy, but it is nice that the B-Dual folds with both seats in place for the times I will need to fold it. I know the Promenade second seat has to be removed, but I can't remember for the Navigator. I think it folds in tact if the doubles seat is mounted on front.

I think I liked the maneuverability of the Promenade best of the three, but it wasn't that much better than the B-Dual.

I think the B-Dual and Promenade are pretty comparable in terms of size, weight, etc, although the Promenade is significantly more expensive. I'm wondering if the Promenade has any huge advantage over the B-Dual. Do P&T have better customer service? More selection of accessories? Better reliabilty/performance overall? I like the lie-flat convertibility of the Promenade seats, but getting a soft carry cot for the B-Dual for the first few months wouldn't be a big deal and then the seats recline back anyway for bigger babies/toddlers, so they can still sleep flat... So am I missing anything with the P&T that would justify the higher price?

Of should I just go with the smaller Navigator since public transport is such a big issue for me?

BTW, there will be a 19 month gap between DD and DS, so I'm anticipating a good 2 years of so of double buggy use.

IMO the B Dual is probably too wide for what you want to use it for, especially long term. But I am known to be obsessed with the width of pushchairs That said it is a very good buggy, user friendly etc. in most other ways. If you could cope with the width then you could do a whole lot worse, it is among the best tandems.

Have you tried the promenade with children in? I have given it a good look over only, wasn't convinced how easy it would be with weight on board but no personal experience. Someone on here must have one who could give a better idea. I don't recall hearing anything good though. I felt the promenade seats looked a bit short too and have no hood adjustment like some others do which could be an issue over time.

Are you wanting something specifically that doesn't need add ons like carrycots etc. to make it newborn suitable? I'm wondering if an oyster max might suit you, or a Jane Twone but that needs a carrycot for the baby. Ditto iCandy Peach Blossom 2. Also the p and t dot is smaller than the navigator but supposedly has full sized seats so might be something to consider. Or a Micralite Twofold, they look really good in a different sort of a way...

I tried SO hard not to add things cos you have narrowed your list down but resoundingly failed. Sorry, maybe that's not much help

I also have not heard anyone say anything good about the Promenade beyond the first week or two....in fact I was chatting to one of the first testers and she said it was awful especially the fold and small seats. Having stood two P&Ts next to the B-Dual, the B-Dual was actually shorter because it's doesn't stick out as much at the back. Whether the navigator is shorter, I not know. If your 19month old still naps, they will struggle through the newborn period with a P&Ts. I would always lean towards the B-Dual but as ihateparties says I probably would look for another option TBH.

Thanks for your replies. After agonizing over this for way too long, I decided to go with the B-Dual. I got a really good deal on one and If it doesn't work out for me on the buses and Tube, then I can always sell it and try another one. Really hope I'll love it as much as everyone else seems to, though, so that I won't be back anytime soon asking for new suggestions. :)