Carseat vs. CARES

[Coconuts]

... If I were going to do without a real stroller, I'd MUCH prefer to get the Gogo Kidz wheeled carrier for a regular car seat - that way I'd have the convenience of wheeling a seat through the airport with the reliability of my regular car seat that is far easier to get a tight installation, all at a price good deal less....

We thought about the gogo kids to help us bring the carseat through the airport, but that is @ $80, like the CARES, and it seems like too much money for a one time item.

 

[DizzyV6P]

Sorry to say, but...

I traveled with a friend who bought one of these and there's really nothing I could recommend about it. I think it's a love it or hate it sort of item. As a stroller, it's not really suitable IMO for outdoor use (no shade, what happens if it rains?) and the wheels are small and hard, making the ride very bumpy on all but the smoothest of floors. If I were going to do without a real stroller, I'd MUCH prefer to get the Gogo Kidz wheeled carrier for a regular car seat - that way I'd have the convenience of wheeling a seat through the airport with the reliability of my regular car seat that is far easier to get a tight installation, all at a price good deal less. Obviously your experience is different, and I'm sure it works for some people or else it wouldn't have been sold for this many years, but it's one of those good ideas that didn't really play out well IME.

I've had a different experience then your friend. Ours came with a sunshade so using it outdoors was not a problem. The wheels I agree were a bit hard, but I never heard any complaints from our DD (2-4 years old). We took this thing to Taiwan, Japan, Hawaii, over 10 trips to Disney as well as the Med Cruise w/o any issues (we had stops in London and Paris for a few days before taking the cruise).

On many occasions, I've carried it out of a taxi w/ DD sleeping in it and convert it to a stroller and roll right into the airport w/o any fuss from newly awake child. I only recommend doing this for those that are strong. It gets quite heavy with a sleeping child in it

As a one time item, I wouldn't recommend this. If you travel a lot with your children, then its worth a look.

We've been quite happy with ours. To each their own I guess.

 

[FunkyDuck]

I vote for CARES harness as well. We used it last year for DD who was 18 mos. at the time. We rented it off of Ebay for $13.99-$5.00 s/h. We placed a piece of grippy shelf liner on the seat...which prevented DD from slipping. We loved it so much...we have rented off of the same person again for our upcoming trip in November. It was so nice not to lug the car seat around the airport and it was sooo easy to install. I didn't have any problems with the harness "containing" my DD...hopefully it will be fine for this trip too...but I rather face her wrath (with a goodie bag to keep her busy) than lug that carseat around...we have a Britax Boulevard car seat...and that thing is HEAVY!

I don't know if this helped at all...just wanted to let you know how we used and liked it. Good Luck!

 

[love2disney]

Cares can be rented on ebay too as low as 7$ a week. Also kids do not slide out the plane seat belts act as double holding.

 

[Avonlady1001]

Cares can be rented on ebay too as low as 7$ a week. Also kids do not slide out the plane seat belts act as double holding.

As a PP mentioned, there is not strap between the legs...my DD (almost 2 at the time) quickly figured out how to slide right down & out...then she figured out how to unbuckle the airline belt...CARES was pretty useless to us that trip.
We didn't have the tip about the rubber shelf liner, though...not sure it would've helped much though...

LOL Each kid is different though...I kept the CARES in hopes that DS (when he's old enough) will sit still in it.

Got mine on craigslist for $40...the lady I bought it from used it once. OP, maybe try craigslist if you decide on the CARES?

 

[Cedarmom]

I was going to suggest craigslist as well for a GoGo Kidz. That thing is the best.invention.ever.

Are you certain you won't need the car seat on the other side? If you are, then I would think about getting a CARES harness (ebay, craigslist, whatever).

Hauling a car seat just for the plane is a pain.

For our upcoming trip, we'll CARES the 3 yo on the plane, put the infant in her infant carrier and allow the 6.5 yo to ride without anything for the first time ever. Scary!

They are much more comfy in a car seat. I let my then 2 yo 'out' of his seat by using a CARES on a LA/Hawaii flight and he was ready to get back into his Marathon after about 30 minutes or so. However, if you have a relatively short flight, they should be okay in the CARES.

Hm... I wonder if I can post pics yet. I'll see if I can to show you the little one in the CARES... he was 26 lbs and you can see how far he'd slipped down sitting there. The top strap started out just above his shoulders.