By sonirobinson on August 24, 2010
I just received my Graco Quattro Stroller and I have to say, I love it! It has everything the other Quattro Tour Deluxes have EXCEPT…this is the only one, yes the only one that also has an adjustable footrest, which was the main factor for my decision to buy this stroller.
The footrest also goes all they way up and makes a bassinet kind of space for the baby so you don’t have to use the car seat all the time. I am actually planning to put the baby in facing me which seems absolutely possible…in fact in Europe the Quattro Tour Strollers are being used with a carrycot and a little fabric flap on top of the canopy to make it into a carriage. That’s how I got the idea for turning the baby around.
The fabric is beautiful, very stylish, for moms and dads – and best of all – easy to clean. You can wipe it clean or throw the whole cover in the wash.
The Graco Quattro Stroller steers wonderfully and I find the height of the handles just right (I am 5′4 – they are on the high side – perfect for either my husband, who is a little bigger or me)…too bad they didn’t make it adjustable like in many other strollers.
The canopy is awesome…it’s HUGE…and it rotates all the way with no problems so your child is protected from the sun from any angle.
The basket is huge and seems very sturdy. It can be lowered when the backrest is fully reclined which is very practical.
In the parent console is a time and temperature tracker which is not really necessary but a nice thing to have anyways…
I didn’t give the Graco Quattro Stroller 5 stars because the backrest is way to low – my 2 1/2 year old is way above it (and he is average height). It just doesn’t make sense to me why they would extend the weight range of the new strollers to 50lbs. but not change the size of the backrest.
I figure this is just going to be our travel system, first year and a half kind of stroller, depending of the size of our baby.
Other than that, if you are looking for a stroller with tons of features that looks stylish and even matches an amazing infant car seat (Graco SafeSeat) – this is the one. It’s definitely worth the money.
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Posted in Babies | Tagged buy Graco Quattro Stroller, Graco Quattro Stroller, Graco Quattro Stroller sale
By sonirobinson on August 24, 2010
I think it’s important to mention that I have the 2009 model. That means that I have a foot brake vs. hand brake (no problem or complaint here), the tires are air (would have been nice to have the forever air foam tires in the 2010, but not that big a deal for me), and the basket is quite a bit smaller on the 2009. From what I understand however the 2009 is a couple of pounds lighter than the 2010.
All in all, I do like this City Elite a lot. Both of my kids seem very comfortable in it (newborn, now 6 months and a 2 year old). It reclines fully and with some head support it is great for a newborn. My previous stroller is a bugaboo and what I was looking for more than anything was simplicity. I find the Bugaboo a pain to operate, fold, attach car seats etc. The City Elite is great for that – given how easy it is to fold. So many reviews went into such great detail about the stroller that I won’t repeat the same sentiments but I have two complaints that I wish I had seen in person (as I bought this online without testing it out first).
- The City Elite does not sit upright. I find that my toddler is always slouched. He seems comfortable enough but because the seat is somewhat “flimsy” and not structured like the bugaboo he can’t be seated fully upright. This makes the child tray a bit useless in my opinion as it’s not aligned properly to the way that the child is sitting. It is also very wide in the back and it seems unnecessary. I also own the Baby Jogger City Classic Double and it is only slightly wider because they kept the back wheels tucked in nicely under the seats. With the Elite singles the wheels go out much farther from the frame of the stroller. Makes getting around trickier than you would think for a single. I also find it really long and think that they could have kept the front tire tucked in under the frame rather than protrude so far out.
With all that said, the City Elite is still great – rides really well, effortless really. Kids seem really comfortable and it is incredibly easy to fold. It’s not a lightweight stroller and it can take up a fair bit of room but that’s mostly because of the tires. If you need to pack it in to a tight space you can always pop off the tires.
I would recommend this stroller but would like Baby Jogger to improve upon the things I mentioned.
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Posted in Babies | Tagged buy City Elite, City elite, City Elite review
By sonirobinson on August 24, 2010
After researching strollers, from reading Baby Bargains to reading lots of blogs, this is by far the best Baby Jogger City Stroller for average neighborhood, park, and various outdoor use.
One important thing I have learned that may not be obvious: The reviews on Amazon are bundled- so every stroller/product option shown shares the same reviews. This can be very misleading.
The strollers shown here are from 2 different years. The model numbers and the weights are the key. One review mentioned the foam tires. As far as I know this is a great new improvement for 2010 models- and not on the 2009 models. The Blue, both Black, and Stone models have air tires, the Red, Lime, and Sky have the forever air tires. If color isn’t a big deal- get the forever tires for the same price! The 2010 versions are usually way more expensive elsewhere- it looks like this retailer isn’t aware of this great improvement and this can save you maybe 150!
The 2009 models are still great and the best- the only difference I can see from 2010 are the tires and possibly parent console. I just know how confusing all the stroller choices can be and I hope this can help. Also, you can call Baby Jogger City Stroller directly with any model number and they can tell you what year it is and any details you need- they are great! If looking at 2007 or 2008 models, confirm with BJ what the upgrades have been- I think there were some major updates like child weight limits.
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Posted in Babies | Tagged baby jogger city stroller, Baby Jogger City Stroller sale, buy Baby Jogger City Stroller
By sonirobinson on August 24, 2010
I can’t say enough good things about this BOB Revolution Stroller! It has become our “everyday” stroller! My 18 month old has always been an “in arms” baby. I wear him in slings, even now at 24 pounds. But, he LOVES this ride! The swivel-wheel in front makes it super-easy to maneuver, turn, and steer.
I often see parents with the older-model BOB (pre-swivel) and they have to make awkward turns by rolling their joggers onto the back wheels. What a pain! I’m SO glad I got the Revolution!
Ours is the BOB Revolution Stroller, but I think it reminds me of Tomato Soup, Reddish Orange, and not too bright.
It reclines enough for my son to nap, and has a flap so I can look in on him. The only thing I would change is that the basket at the bottom is hard to access when my son is in the jogger. Also, if there were some sort of iPod attachment/pocket that would be a HUGE plus! (Like the Jeep stroller has)
But, I purchased some folding speakers, and used velcro to seucure them (temporarily) to the canopy. Now we have tunes on our walks! I use my console (purchased seperately) to hold my cell phone, keys, iPod, and sippy cup and water bottle.
Love the BOB!
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Posted in Babies | Tagged BOB Revolution Stroller, BOB Revolution Stroller review, buy BOB Revolution Stroller
By sonirobinson on August 24, 2010
PlayStation Move 320GB. It Only Does EVERYTHING. With Blu-ray gaming and movies all playable in stunning high definition, the ability to download games, movies and more from the PlayStation Network, built-in Wi-Fi, Internet browser and hard drive, and now PlayStation Move, the PlayStation 3 can be enjoyed by every member of your family. Move into the most immersive gaming experience ever with PlayStation Move and the PlayStation 3 system. The PlayStation Move pairs with the PlayStation Eye camera to provide the world’s most accurate motion gaming experience. So whether you’re hitting a home run, taking a long-distance sniper shot or tapping in a 3 foot putt, your every move is translated into the game with complete precision. It’s the world’s most immersive gaming experience ever, and it’s only possible on the PlayStation 3 system. PlayStation Move 320GB
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Posted in Games Consoles | Tagged buy PlayStation Move 320GB, PlayStation Move 320GB, PlayStation Move 320GB sale
By sonirobinson on August 24, 2010
I did not get this from Amazon but through a competitors generous trade in offer for older 360’s, because mine was a refurb unit from Microsoft just out of warranty after having 1 rrod and the disc drive go out in warranty.
The xbox 360 250gb is whisper quiet when you install games to the hard drive, but it is still really quiet even running from the disc. One pro that I do not see mentioned a lot is the fact that the Power Brick has been redesigned so it is no longer loud. One of my biggest gripes with the old 360 was even when games were installed to the hdd or you are watching netflix, the whine of the power brick was still really loud. It really annoyed me and it felt like it was bored into my skull. That is no longer the case with this new model. The wireless N is nice because I could never let myself be exploited by Microsoft for the $100 overpriced wireless adapter so I always had my console next to my computer using internet sharing. The new hard drive must be a little faster because the dashboard loads up a lot quicker. The transfer of my old hard drive data to my new hard drive also went smoothly with the hard drive transfer kit, only taking a half hour to do about 40 gb’s. Still feel like M$ is price gouging with the $20 cost of the hard drive transfer cable that most people will only use once, when they should just include it for free with the new models.
One HUGE con that I have not seen others mention is the fact that the controller included with this 360 “slim” is SMALLER. Compare it side by side with an older elite controller or white controller and it is noticeably smaller. The thumb sticks are closer together and also made of a different material that slips a lot easier than the old ones. On the back where your pinky and ring finger sit is also a smooth plastic now instead of the grippy rubber of the old ones. This may not be a problem for most people and others new to the 360 probably will have no idea, but if you have been using the older elite or white controller for awhile it is immediately noticeable and threw off my aim in CoD and BFBC2. It was so bad that I have been using an extra white controller instead of the one included in the box and I just ordered the Black 360 Wireless Controller for Windows from Amazon because for $10 more it includes the dongle so you can use it on your PC also.
All in all even with the price drops on the old 360’s if you are looking to buy one I would recommend this slim model instead just because of the noise factor, built in wireless n, and extra hard drive space which even if you think you might not need now, will hurt a lot more later when you have to shill out an extra $100-$200 for a new hard drive or wireless adapter.
If you already have a xbox 360 250gb I would wait until Kinect releases even if you are not interested in it because there is a good chance of a price drop for the holiday season not to mention game bundles. I was going to wait but then the trade in deal I got from a b&m store was too good to pass up because with my console, accessories, and old games I never played I got the console for about the same price I would have had to pay MS to fix my out of warranty refurb 360 they sent me.
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Posted in Games Consoles | Tagged buy xbox 360 250gb, Xbox 360 250gb, xbox 360 250gb sale
By sonirobinson on August 24, 2010
Well I just got my nuvi 295W…Took about a day to really get into it…Good GPS and I downloaded new map for free….Got some new software as well….Also bought 2gb micro SD card…….You can use car Aux with 2.5-3.5 adapter…Make sure you put volume on high…You will need Aux cable…….Not a bad setup…….If you are listening to music and using GPS the music should pause while you use GPS….I hope! That is how my 760 worked….But that was Aux out….I shall see…..Able to use my garmin Beanbag.WiFi not tested yet….. Update…Yes the unit will work with Aux…The volume on unit is pretty low and tinny..You can load music on your SD card and play while you use nuvi 295W…I used the audio boost feature with media player…..Be aware of volume with headphones!!!!!I use my tomtom most of the time…..Traffic….Redlight camera features….But will use this as a back-up in auto….
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Posted in GPS | Tagged buy nuvi 295W, Nuvi 295W, nuvi 295W sale
By sonirobinson on August 24, 2010
Garmin 295W GPS
Purchased this device to replace a stolen nuvi 650, and from the description it looked like a good choice, but after playing with it for a few days the following problems continue: 1. Every time I power on the device it goes thru the initialzation and registration process. I downloaded and installed the latest software and maps; still has the problem. 2. Touch screen to sensitive for me, hard to scroll without activating something. 3. Information is hard to find in the menu’s, still looking for OS version. 4. Position on map doesn’t line up with marker on screen. 5. Installed MicroSD card and loaded TOPO US 100k maps, but they don’t display. 6. Unable to figure out how to do a hard reset on the device, not the same as other like the 1390T. 7. The position sensor is too sensitive for my taste. In short it was a waste of money for me; I should have found another nuvi 650 instead. Maybe with a few more software patches it will work great, but for now I’ll use my new 1390T that I purchased today as a replacement for the Garmin 295W GPS.
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Posted in GPS | Tagged buy Garmin 295W GPS, Garmin 295w GPS, Garmin 295W GPS sale
By sonirobinson on August 24, 2010
Garmin nuvi 295W is the first portable GPS that I have ever owned. After years of suggestions that I buy one, I brought this one when I noticed that it was on sale. I haven’t used all the features yet, especially those involving WiFi, but it fulfills its main purpose as a GPS well.
One glaring thing of note was that when navigating to a destination, it is better to enter an address or intersection rather than the coordinates (ie. saving a geographical location). This is because the Garmin nuvi 295W will calculate a route that will take you closest to the spot even if it will never reach that spot via the calculated route. For example, I saved a spot at my company’s parking spot and the GPS calculated a route whose destination would be over a fence and across railroad tracks. I guess this issue may apply to other GPS as well.
A 2nd issue I’ve encountered but may be specific to this particular model was that the headphone volume output seemed low. When connected via audio cable to my car’s audio system, I had to turn the car’s audio volume 3 times higher the normal settings in order to hear the GPS properly. This was after I set the GPS’s volume to 100%.
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Posted in GPS | Tagged buy Garmin nuvi 295W, Garmin nuvi 295W, Garmin nuvi 295W sale
By sonirobinson on August 24, 2010
Black Decker LM175
Yes, you look like you’re vacuuming your lawn with this thing. You also make about that much noise, by the way. Enjoy getting up at the crack of dawn, driving to the local gas station and filling up a gas can with fuel for your mower at $2.50+ a gallon? Of course you do, but you’ll learn to adjust.
Your neighbors might make fun of you because you and your wife mow the grass together now – one of you pushes and the other one wrangles the extension cord. They’ll ridicule you endlessly for being able to have an actual conversation with her over the low drone of this plastic (gasp) mower. Wave at them and know you are simply a being of superior intelligence who has no time for their guffaws.
Are you a total weakling, intimidated by the overwhelming task of lifting a lawnmower up a flight of steps or onto the bed of a truck (I know I am)? Fear not, for this electrical wonder weighs only slightly more than the extensive metal orthodontic gear you wore about your face and mouth until you were 16.
Be smart. Be beautiful. Own an Black Decker LM175.
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