McClaren Techno XT Vs. Pliko Pramette...... Opnions???

[MrsBee]

Have been very pleased with our Techno XT for DS that has lasted 2.5 years of abuse. It is just starting to fall apart and baby No2 due in october and we are thinking about getting another pushchair.

Do we get another Techno XT or switch loyalty to a Pramette? ??

The pramette looks very stylish and particulraly snuggly, which is important seeing as baby will be born autumn / winter. However is it quite bulky? What is it like in pushchair mode (have only seen it as a pram)? I read on the M&P website that it has a built in toddler step for carrying older siblings? Has anyone experience of this?

The Techno is great for our toddler, but I don't know about using it for a newborn as its not very cosy? We had a Jane Matrix system for DS when he was born that was just too big! I do know that the Techno is light and easy to sling in the car, fits on the bus and you can drag it fairly easily up steps etc. Is it the same with a pramette??

Sorry for all the questions, I appreciate any replies and opnions!

I would honestly say go for the pramette or the silvercross version. My 3 year old loves the step bit and it's as easy to use as a buggy board without getting in the way! I think it's really nice to have them rear facing when little too. You could buy a 2nd hand pramette use it for 6 months sell it on and buy another techno or a ryder it probably wouldnt cost you that much.

The pramette seat is higher up than a techno too. They are bulkier and a little heavier folded up but I think it will suit your needs better.

i found that the pramette (only from seeing friends!) tried to be everything and is not great at any.

As a flat pram its not flat enough that you would want the baby having all its naps in it. eg. if you live in a house and use it downstairs

As a pushchair its heavier than maclaren so more to push when you have a bouncy two year old.

As a travel system, each time you want to put the car seat on you had to switch it from rear facing pram to forward facing pushchair first - my friend complained it was quite a hassle.

having said that the toddler step may be brilliant. A freind tried using it on the older designed pliko and her kid had to lean back to hold on, so try it out.

I have had both.

Had pramette for dd when newborn till about 15mts and loved it.As a newborn she could lie flat but be snuggly-plently of fresh air as not too deep and lots of padding-way more comfy than the xt.
In pushchair mode-fine too and beautifully padded for when first sitting.
I loved mune but now she is older,also love my xt-had a quiny buzz and zapp in between but my pramette (although heavoer than the xt) was my fave-ticked all the boxes.

I have had a Pliko (not pramette version) and an XT.
I found the Pliko soooo heavy to push once ds got to around 6m. (And I am a 6ft1 heavyweight, not some lightweight weakling)

My XT was just fab. Have a look at the Techno Classic - same as XT but with headhugger and apron - seems snugger for a little one!

I have had a techno and p3 I am tiny and a weakling and I manage to push average size dd18 months with dd3 (heffalump) stood on the back okay???? The toddler doesn't lean back they need to put their arm over the top of the frame and hold on. DD is quite happy to do it for 20 miuntes on the school run.

HTH

Only got experience of the pramette and my thoughts are:

It was great as a pram - DS always seemed comfy in it and loved being in it, had no problems sleeping etc.

As a travel system - fine but as another post has said, it was a pain as you could only fold it in pushchair mode but it had to be in pram mode to put the car seat on so I was forever unzipping/zipping etc.

As a pushchair - not noticed it is particularly heavy (though no experience of any others) but it does seem quite big, bulky and long when going round shops - plus DS doesn't seem to be as comfy in it anymore - but I think that is more to do with his increasingly impatient, easily bored nature!

Ds is only 7 months so I have no experience of how long it will last him.

HTH

different prams are best at different stages - so sometimes its good to switch at a later date.

My phil and ted has been brilliant even as a single. ok for a newborn (would have been better with the snuggly thing) and brilliant with an older child, it so easy, it glides rather than having to push my maclaren. It is also supprisingly light for shoving in the car. I lift it in and out all the time. Its obv much bigger than a maclaren but not as big as i thought.

there are other umbrella buggies that may be cosier, i cant remeber its name but in the front it has a single small wheel, not the regular double one. There is also the M&P pulse, much cheaper than techno.

ok, i will stop now!

i do still use my techno when going to brent cross as a 3 wheeler is too bulky for going down narrow aisles. In fact, my neighbour borrows it for that. But for walks, and local shopping the P&T is way better.

I dont feel guilty about my techno because got it cheap off ebay!

I really will stop...(soon?)

We have both.

We had the tecno with DD when she turned 1. I found it very light and easy to push around and was fine for a toddler but not comfy enough for a newborn. Plus the sun visor is a waste of money and gets grubby and horrible. The basket is also impossible to get to if the seat is fully reclined.

We now have a pilko prammette with DS 6 months and as a pramette it is very comfy and padded, however DS was v nosy and hated laying flat in it so at 3 months we ended up turning it around. I do find it easy to push and can push with 1 hand at a struggle! it is slightly heavier than a techno but offers so much more padding and is still fairly easy to get in and out of boot etc.
Didnt realise there was a toddler stand though Ive just bought a buggy board!