[JBaby]

Hi there, we are expecting bub #2 this year and thinking about getting car seat capsule this time around, as I think it will be easier to have bub in a carrier with toddler in tow.

We already own a strider DLX (hoping to upgrade to strider compact) so will get the strider capsule. I've looked into hiring it and they're $120 for 6 months but the closest hire place is 40 minutes away and you pay a bond as well. They're $270 brand new. I was wondering if it was worth buying new and then re-selling it when I'm done for $200ish.

Does anyone know how hard/easy they are to onsell?

Second thing I was wondering about is how do you manage with only one capsule when you have two cars used equally as often? I will have the kids by myself 3 days a week with my car, DH will have the kids by himself 2 days a wk with his car and we usually use DH's car on weeknds so its quite equal. Do you buy an additional base and make sure you bring the capsule inside every time you use it so its available for either parent/car?

Seems like a big waste to buy two capsules but much more convienent...

Sorry if these are silly questions, havent done the capsule thing before!

ETA: What age/weight did your bubs grown out of their capsules?

This post has been edited by JBaby: 14/01/2013, 06:04 PM

[Tenacious C]

I can't help with the 2 car thing but the Steelcraft Cruiser capsule will fit the Strider and is going on sale at Target on Thursday for $199 so that may help on the cost side of things.

http://www.britax.com.au/img/category/desc...ated_Sept12.pdf

The link above has compatibility of steelcraft capsules to prams

[JBaby]

Thanks for the link! Any idea what the difference is between the two types of capsules?

[nicknick]

I had a capsule for my 1st and DS only used it about 4 months as he grew so quickly but this time around with DD have used it for 8 months and she is just about out of it but would definitely have it 2nd time around as DD was much more transportable especially with a toddler.

In regards to car, we only have the 1 base in my car so on weekends etc with it we use my car but my DH and my car are the same size so it's really not an issue. If you thought you needed it in your DH's car due to size etc maybe you would look at another base - but it's so variable on the child and how quickly he/she may grow as to if you need it. I definitely am glad we have had it with DD, especially as she got so much use out of it and it also attaches to my pram.

[~ Lucy's Mum ~]

We had 2 bases but were surprised at how expensive the additional base was.. from memory $120! We had a SNS Unity though..

Maybe you can hire an additional base.

[tibs]

I have the strider plus with capsule. We actually have 2 capsules one in each of our cars but I find I almost always bring bubs inside in the capsule - she is asleep still half the time so I bring her in in it and pop her in her room. If she is awake I still bring her in in the capsule as it is easier - e.g. can put it down while I open door/check letterbox/wrangle toddler - all can be tricky while holding a baby in your arms. Also I prefer to put her in the capsule while in the house then carry it out to the car and click and go, much easier than carrying baby in arms while helping toddler etc and easier on the back than leaning in and doing it. But a few times I have put her in her capsule and taken her out to DH's car and the other capsule is still in there, bit of a pain so if I had my time over I think 2 bases is better than 2 whole capsules - we thought a spare would be handy but it is actually more trouble

[JBaby]

We actually have 2 capsules one in each of our cars but I find I almost always bring bubs inside in the capsule - she is asleep still half the time so I bring her in in it and pop her in her room. If she is awake I still bring her in in the capsule as it is easier - e.g. can put it down while I open door/check letterbox/wrangle toddler - all can be tricky while holding a baby in your arms. Also I prefer to put her in the capsule while in the house then carry it out to the car and click and go, much easier than carrying baby in arms while helping toddler etc and easier on the back than leaning in and doing it. But a few times I have put her in her capsule and taken her out to DH's car and the other capsule is still in there, bit of a pain so if I had my time over I think 2 bases is better than 2 whole capsules - we thought a spare would be handy but it is actually more trouble

Thank you so much, this is exactly the sort of reply I was looking for. Having never used a capsule before I had no idea if you would bring it in all the time.

Can I ask another thing? I know with a regular rear facing seat there are those high straps you have to lift baby over? Is that the same with capsules and do you find it difficult to lift the capsule over them? Just asking because I'll have had a c-section and bit anxious about the weight....

[tibs]

Thank you so much, this is exactly the sort of reply I was looking for. Having never used a capsule before I had no idea if you would bring it in all the time.

Can I ask another thing? I know with a regular rear facing seat there are those high straps you have to lift baby over? Is that the same with capsules and do you find it difficult to lift the capsule over them? Just asking because I'll have had a c-section and bit anxious about the weight....

That is another good thing about putting the baby in the capsule then clicking the capsule in (I have had 3 c-secs!). When you have the capsule out of the car that strap just flops loosely down on the seat. To put the capsule in you clip the capsule to the base, then pick up the loose hanging loop of strap and loop it over/around the capsule and there are 3 clip bits you feed it under at the end that is near the front of the car if you follow Then tighten it if needed and you are good to go - mine don't usually need much tightening at all. To take the capsule out you unhook that strap at the back then lift the strap over the capsule and put it to the side (loose and floppy again) then unclick the capsule from the base.

But if you leave the capsule in then you do have to lift bubs over that strap just like a regular seat which I agree is a pain I always manage to crash baby into it somehow which is another reason I find it easier to just take the whole capsule in and out. You can take the strap off, put baby in, then redo the strap too if your capsule happens to be in the car. Just don't forget to do the strap like my DH did one day (baby was ok but I nearly had a heart attack on discovering it!)

One more thing - when you first start putting the capsule in and out of the car it will seem to be very tricky and fiddly and take ages and you will be cursing that you got a capsule but I promise you will get the hang of it and before you know it you will be getting the capsule in and out in mere seconds

This post has been edited by tibs: 14/01/2013, 03:08 PM

[JBaby]

haha good to know!! Thanks

Well, I think I will grab that cruiser capsule while it's on special and then just hire an additional base

[beaglebaby]

The bases are really easy to swap between cars too - much easier than swapping a whole car seat.