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(Review ID: 1173)
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8 of
9 people found the following review helpful:
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Wish I had found this stroller from the get go!, January 8, 2007
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Reviewer: birdsmama2003 from Texas
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birdsmama2003
saw things this way
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Overall Grade
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(10) |
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Pros:
Versitile, sturdy, maneuverable, functional
Cons:
Hard to lock when folded
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I purchased the Valco runabout with the toddler seat and canopy in 2005 to use with my 17 month old and newborn. My reason for chosing this stroller over a Mountain Buggy (a second choice) was wanting a single wide stroller instead of a double wide. Stroller was put together in about 30 minutes while chasing a toddler around in a very sleep deprived state  And as soon as my newborn awoke we tested it out. The recline was great btw! And we have been out and about ever since.My children are tall (always measure at 90% in height) and the toddler seat still works for my 3.5 yr old but now my 2 yr old prefers the toddler seat. This works wonderfully for numerous activities. We almost always are traveling outside over bumpy terrain, grass, sand, or brick streets, moderate jogging, sightseeing, and shopping. Never seen a problem in the stroller design.
The added benefiit of an onboard air pump has saved us a few times. We have been to restaurants where highchairs were not an option and the toddler seat fits perfectly at a table. When we have friends over with smaller children we use the stroller/toddler seat as a highchair since we no longer have one at home.Visiting the zoo/museum is a blast in this stroller because the toddler seat allows just enough lift so the child riding can see the animals/exhibits. Currently we have a Valco hitch hiker kiddie board attached and the toddler seat stowed away since my oldest is more interested in walking but needs the option of riding. OVerall - this is one of the most versitile strollers I have ever seen (a major bonus for me). We have a single wide stroller that can essentially carry 3 children - 1 in the seat, 1 in the toddler seat, 1 on the kiddieboard! And having a single wide that becomes a double in 2 minutes.Purchase a drink holder - I used the Baboo holder without any compplaints. I am 5'2" and my dh is over 6 ft and the adjustable handlebars are a lifesaver. We are sling people not car seat carrier people so never invested in the car seat bar. An absolutely amazing stroller! My only complaint is that I have a hard time locking the frame when folded. But the stroller still folds with the toddler seat attached.NEver regretted the almost $500 paid for this stroller and accessories from kiwikids in 2005. Just wish we had found this wonderfully crafted item prior to the birth of our first child. 
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(Review ID: 1066)
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5 of
5 people found the following review helpful:
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Best stroller ever, October 4, 2006
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Reviewer: melissacopeland from Chicago, IL
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melissacopeland
saw things this way
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Overall Grade
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(10) |
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Pros:
Great ride for baby, great utility for infant, kids to 45 lb
Cons:
A little wide for turning in narrow spaces; somewhat heavy
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Terrific stroller! We couldn't be happier. Although $425 isn't cheap, it comes with almost everything...rain cover, nap bar, ability to use with infant up to 45 pounds, swivel or fixed wheel settings, nice basket. It drives beautifully for short or long walks with no bumps for the baby. The brake is easy to use, as is the fold mechanism. Our 6-week old daughter loves the 170 degree recline. We ordered the sunshade as an extra--it's well worth it, but you can also use a receiving blanket (as we did in an emergency) over the hood of the stroller to block the sun from baby's eyes. This is probably one of the only petty design things--that the basic hood or shade does not do a good job for babies that are lying down. At 23 pounds, the stroller is not light weight to take in and out the car, but we use the Snap and Go for that instead.We ordered online from joggingstroller.com- -great site, by the way, with excellent customer service, information. The stroller was easier to assemble than it looked--don't be scared off by the instructions. I was able to figure it out.
We ordered the infant car seat adapter bar, but we haven't really needed it because our daughter is happier lying down in the reclined position. Of note is that the car seat adapter piece for Graco did not come with instructions and we had a hard time tracking them down. Good thing we didn't really need it.We compared this one to Phil & Ted's, Mountain Buggy, and Bugaboo, and this was far and away the best value for money.
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(Review ID: 272)
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10 of
10 people found the following review helpful:
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GREAT Stroller! Love it!, June 13, 2005
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Reviewer: MMEand1 from Delaware
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MMEand1
saw things this way
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Overall Grade
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(10) |
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Pros:
Very plush, easy to push
Cons:
Instructions are AWFUL
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My husband and I were looking for a double for our 2.5 year ol and newborn and really did not find anything that would suit our needs. That is, until we came across the Valco w/toddler seat. We LOVE this stroller! It is easy to push, handles bumps and bumpy roads very nicely, my baby seems very comfortable in it, and my son likes sitting up so high in the toddler seat. The basket is a good size and I like how the tire pump has its own little compartment. The tires are soooo easy to pop off and put right back on. The fold is a little tricky until you practice it a few times, but them it becomes second nature. One bad thing is that when you have the toddler seat on, you cannot pull the canopy all the way down for the baby in the main seat because it would hit the child (in the toddler seat) in the back of the head. Also, there is not a tall back for the child sitting in the toddler seat, so if they fall asleep they could get quite uncomfortable. There is no parent tray, but since we have a Skip*Hop diaper bag on the back of our stroller, we use that to store things in. Overall, this is the best stroller that we have come accross. I would buy this stroller again!
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(Review ID: 364)
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7 of
7 people found the following review helpful:
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Versatile all-terrain stroller at a good price, August 20, 2005
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Reviewer: HoneymoonBaby from Fairfax, VA
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HoneymoonBaby
saw things this way
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Overall Grade
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(10) |
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Pros:
Air tires, swivel wheel, not heavy, comfort for baby
Cons:
A bit wide, zipper recline, release latch easy to damage
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I bought my Valco for $329 in 2004 (2004 model). I have never been so happy with a purchase other than my car, which was considerably more expensive  .This stroller has it all. Comfort. Easy maneuverability. One-handed steering. Relatively compact fold. The toddler seat option is a great idea. I don't know if we'll end up using that, but it's nice to know it's there if we need it. I love the large mesh window (with cover) that lets me see my son as we walk.The Valco is a bit wide when trying to steer through store aisles, and the zipper recline takes some getting used to. Also, the red release latch that lets you fold the stroller gets pretty banged up on opening if you aren't careful (and I'm not).Overall, this is the best stroller EVER for neighborhood and trail walks, light jogging, and long-haul mall trips. Baby is comfortable, it's easy to push, and it will hold a ton of extra stuff in its generous basket and stacked on its strong canopy. I could go on, but I won't. Go buy a Valco and see for yourself. It's a great value compared with the less-cushy, less-versatile Mountain Buggy and the extremely overpriced Bugaboo Frog.
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(Review ID: 696)
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8 of
8 people found the following review helpful:
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Awesome AT stroller, February 8, 2006
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Reviewer: sarnacle from da Bronx
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sarnacle
saw things this way
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Overall Grade
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(9) |
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Pros:
Amazingly smooth ride, cool look, great handling
Cons:
Small shade, seat faces away, wide, no place for diaper bag
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Paid $329 in Sept. 2005 + $45 for the foot muffAfter looking at just about every stroller out there, I decided to go with the Valco, because in the end I knew I'd be happy with my decision, and I am! I wanted pneumatic tires because of the uneven sidewalks that I was having trouble maneuvering in the carseat carrier. After reading the recommendations in BB, I was down to either the Valco or the Zooper. Reviews were positive all around for Zooper products, and I loved all the extras that come with their strollers. But when I looked at it in the store, it was HUH-UUUGE (and the Runabout's no small potatoes -- I took my Runabout to the grocery store once and was not able to get it through the checkout line, so I haven't taken it back since). So, it's not an inside stroller...
Things I like:
* the possibility of using it as a double stroller with the toddler seat (despite its drawbacks of the sun shade not being able to go down and the child not having a comfortable sleep).
* it's rugged, as my husband put it. It handles bumps, curves, and obstacles like a dream!
* it looks super cool
* babe seems to enjoy her rides in itSome of the things I'm not so hip on:
* sun visor works best at high noon (needs a supplementary shade)
* I got used to the baby facing me in the carseat. A reverseable seat was one of the pros of the Zooper. Now if I want to see if DD's sleeping or if her hat's fallen over her eyes, I have to look around front.
* The back wheels are set quite far apart (hence not fitting through the checkout line in the store)
* The basket's good for most stuff, but not big enough for my "Do-It-All" diaper bag. I swing it over the handle bar, but when it's stocked, it makes the stroller top-heavy, and DH seems to hit it with his knees when walking.Overall, I really like it. When I said that I'd be happy in the end, what I meant was, I was looking for the *perfect,* do-it-all stroller, but that doesn't really exist. So, for what I need it for, it is perfect.
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