Thoughts or Opinions on the All-in-one Car Seat Stroller

I had a Sit-N-Stroll and virtually never traveled with it on a plane. I bought mine 2nd hand on e-Bay and although it was used in the car for awhile, it was not my favorite car seat. It did not recline but had adjustable straps. It was awkward at first to change into a stroller, but I adapted eventually and they say it can be done with just one hand while you hold the baby in the other hand. As a stroller, I found the extending tubular handles a bit flimsey, and the wheels a bit small for taking on curbs or steps. The nice thing was that if you travel, you do not need to take both a stroller and car seat, but I don't think I would consider paying full price for one.
I believe I would compare it to the one mentioned in your last answer.
Good Luck!
C. S.

You can log on to www.consumerreports.org and it should have the information you are seeking!

I don't have this car seat but have looked into purchasing it for the convenience of plane travel. I don't recall if it reclined but in general safety seats that recline are strictly for the purpose of fitting the seat into whatever vehicle (car, plane) seat you are using it in. The recline is not designed for sleeping as this is not a safe position. I chose against getting this seat as it was very low to the ground, the wheels seemed of poor quality and I was concerned about having to carry it into the plane to get it to the plane seat - planes are so cramped as it is and trying to carry a seat and two little ones plus all their paraphenalia (diaper bag etc). If you travel often and only have one little person in tow it may be worth the inconvenience. Look out for how it attaches to different seats - especially the size of the holes to push the seat belt/lap belt through to attach it to the plane/car seat.

What kind of carseat do you have now? I've got a Britax, and if you do, you can buy an attachment that basically adds wheels and a handle to your existing carseat. It's called the GoGoKidz and you can buy it at gogobabyz.com. It's $85, which is still pricey, but less than the $220 for the all-in-one. I really like it because when I get to my destination, I can install take the wheels off and install the carseat, then just use a little umbrella stroller. It's been one of my best baby purchases yet. It wheels so, so easily, and my daughter is still in the carseat she's accustomed to, which is nice. You can keep the wheels on when you install it in the plane seat, too - you just need a seatbelt extender. I absolutely love mine and think it was worth every penny.

We haven't used the one from SkyMall, but I recently purchased the Go Go Kidz Travelmate car seat attachment for a trip in Dec. It basically puts your car seat on wheels with a telescopic handle like a suitcase. I ordered mine on line from HappyMothers.com. We have 2 yr old twins and my husband and I purchased two of these devices to attached them to our two Marathon car seats for a trip we just took over the holidays to CA. Worked out great. They were pretty easy to attach to the back of our car seats and since our kids are accustomed to sitting in the car seats anyway it was an easy transition for them to be strapped into them and just wheel them through the airport and then sit in the seats on the airplane. We ended up leaving the attachments on the seats even when we strapped the car seats in on the airplane but would probably be easier to strap seats in if we had removed them. Same thing in the car.

If you haven't traveled with car seats on airplane yet, two tips: 1) As you make reservations be sure to tell person that you have a child who will be sitting in a car seat - you are required to put car seats on the window seat only from what I understand. 2) I was able to wheel my child in the car seat all the way down the tarmack and into the airplane and even through first class...but at the point we had to go down the standard class portion of the plane. At that point the aisles were too close together to fit the width of our car seat down the aisle. So I had to pick up the seat (with my kiddo strapped in it) and carry down the aisle (basically hugging my child and seat). It worked out OK because my carry-on was a backpack - but if I had also had a handheld carry-on it would have been a stretch to get both child/seat and carry-on down the ailse.

We personally love the attachments we purchased...made life on our trip so much easier and we liked NOT having to lug along yet another piece of equipment (our Graco duoglider double tandem stroller) with us on this trip. We have done it both ways and as long as it is two kids + two adults flying...I preferred this route.

-TwinsMom

I am probably one of those moms you've seen in the airport. I LOVE MY ALL-IN-ONE!! We travel a lot, and it is the best purchase we have made because of that. It is so easy to use, after a little practice. My dd LOVES it! She thinks it is very comfortable, and wants to sit or ride in it all the time. But when we get it out, she knows something big is usually about to happen. It does not have an adjustable recline mechanism, but it is always in a slightly reclined position. It will do rear and forward facing, and again, seems to be comfortable. The handle does appear to be flimsy, but there is actually play in it so that you can steer it with one hand. FAB!! It is very easy to use inside or in an urban setting, but it is not the best for really rough terrain (gravel, etc.). I wouldn't use it as my everyday stroller, but you can't beat it on trips. We also use it as a second carseat for hubby's car.

Every time we go on a trip, my (tight) husband ALWAYS looks and me and says that was one of the best purchases I have ever made!

Hope that helps!

Best of luck!

I loved it! It was my only stroller for my first child and I used it for at least the first year with my second. It may not be as sturdy as the bigger strollers, but it was easy to get around. I traveled quite a bit too and it was very convenient when the boys were little. I could also take them out of the car, pop the wheels and handle out (even when they were pretty big) and not wake them up. As expected, this gets more difficult as they get bigger. It does take some practice to get used to opening and closing it. Although I don't use it as a stroller anymore, I still use it as a car seat for my youngest. After three years of constant use, it became difficult to steer. I suppose I could have ordered a replacement wheel, but by then my son preferred walking anyway. So I just never bothered. Overall, I loved it, and I expect by now (5 years later) they've probably made improvements on its sturdiness. Good luck with it!