Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I am a first time Mommy so you know what that means: I spent weeks reading reviews and in stores, snapping the car seat in and out of the base, holding it in my hand, fastening and unfastening seatbelts, before actually purchasing one. After my research I was torn between BabyTrends and Evenflo and decided Evenflo for three reasons: The shoulder straps were longer (although BabyTrends has the easiest strap/head rest adjustment system I have ever seen!), the base was easier to adjust and the method to remove the car seat from the base was in the rear instead of the front. I feel strongly about my purchase, so here is the break down:
What's in the box:
Instructions: Care, Assembly, how to install base, and how to adjust straps
The stroller: already assembled except the wheels and front tray for the baby.
The car seat: Already assembled except the canopy, includes removable head rest
3 High Adjustable Stay in car Base: Includes belt for LATCH system if your car has LATCH anchors
Assembly:
No tools required except a knife/scissors to open the package. VERY easy to assemble, and I am 8 1/2 months pregnant. The most "difficult" thing to put together is the rear wheel axel, and even that was easy! I did have a hard time locating the rear wheels because they were packaged in the basket under the stroller. Also, I didn't realize the front tray needed to be in a certain position to open the stroller, so I struggled a couple of minutes to figure that out too. It took me all of 10 minutes to have everything snapped in place. I even was able to snap the car seat itself on and off of the stroller in that 10 minutes. The canopy for the car seat just snaps in the little slots on the side.
Installment:
My vehicle has the LATCH system in the backseat, so installing the adjustable base was a breeze. I simply hooked the latches to the anchors, put as much weight on the base as I could (I drive an SUV so this was a little challenging) and tightened the strap. That base will not budge and is perfectly leveled! I have not, however, tried to install the base with the seatbelt, but I don't see why it would be any more difficult.
Pro's:
This system was very easy to put together. The majority of the information in the booklets is baby safety with this system. The car seat is tested for side impact to ensure baby's safety. The handle on the car seat allows your to hold it more naturally, and the car seat is not too heavy. The system is also very sleek looking. The price is VERY reasonable and affordable, but you get more than your money's worth. The storage basket underneath is very large. It will easily fit a diaper bag and a few shopping bags as well. The extra features make it all that much more special: The wipe dispenser on the top is great for when baby spits up, you don't have to dig out the diaper bag to clean him up. The cup holders for Mommy are also a nice touch! And even though this has nothing to do with product review, this item qualified for free shipping! And even with that, I got it in THREE DAYS!! The base is wonderfully easy to use, and the one handed steering on the stroller does come in handy when you need to answer your cell phone!
Con's:
It takes a little more maneuvering than what it boasts to collapse the stroller. I usually have to have it up against another item for the "one handed folding" feature to work, or else the stroller collapses but doesn't lock. Also, it isn't free standing once folded, so you have to lean it against something. The rear wheels are slightly wider than the front ones, I'd say an inch on either side, so sometimes when you think you have clearance in tight spaces because the front wheels go through, the the width of the back wheels prevent clearance. In regards to the car seat base, once its installed it is pretty tricky to adjust the base to a different height. I found that I need to totally disengage the base, adjust it, then reinstall it. In regards to the car seat, the straps are a pain to adjust to the higher slots but I think that is common with any car seat. I found that if I push the fabric down and give it a little slack underneath, the metal fasteners pop off pretty easily. The stroller is also a bit heavy and takes up a lot of room, even in my SUV.
Overall, I am very satisfied with my purchase. It was 150.00 (even though it was 10.00 cheaper the week before, it was still on sale from 170.00) which is affordable on almost any budget. The system is sturdy and easy to use. I would recommend it to anyone!!
******UPDATE******
6 months later I am still in love with this set. I use the car seat on a daily basis and the stroller once a week. Everything still works beautifully! The base is GENIUS! I didn't realize though that with some Evenflo sets (NOT THE SELECT TRAVEL SYSTEM) the base is NOT adjustable. The car seat cover had to go through the wash a few times, VERY easy to remove and reattach! It came nice and clean (THANK YOU FRONT LOADER MACHINE!!!) and the seat still looks nice and new! I would still recommend this to anyone, my cons are easier to tolerate but they are still the same. The stroller doesn't seem as heavy anymore, or maybe I just got used to it LOL. My Pros are still ease of use, durability, looks, features, and price. WELL WORTH IT!
******Another Update******
It's been a year. My son has out grown the car seat (it got impossible to carry right around 11 1/2 months old because of his weight) and has since moved on to a big boy car seat. The car seat STILL looks wonderful. Good thing, because I am expecting my second child....and this set WILL be passed on to his sibling LOL. I Still use the stroller often.....I bent the umbrella on the stroller trying to stuff it in the trunk (along with an excersaucer and a big suitcase) of a small rental car on a trip I took in July. That was mostly my fault because I over stuffed the trunk, but then again, it is a large stroller. My feelings towards this set has not changed. I have put this set through a lot of battery testing, countless spills, diaper messes, food accidents....and it comes in out the wash looking wonderful and feeling softer. I will STILL recommend this set to anyone. Thanks for reading, sorry for such a long review!
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Evenflo Aura Select Travel SystemEvenflo Aura Select Travel System The Evenflo Aura Select Travel System is loaded with comfort and convenience for both babies and parents. It features the adorable pink feminine pattern - pastel plaid with tiny polka dots. This travel system combines the Aura single stroller and the Evenflo Embrace infant car seat. The Aura Select Travel System has plenty of standout features, like one - hand steering for easy maneuverability and a retracting child's tray. A large parent organizer on the stroll
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