... We plumped for the Silver Cross as in my view it manages to tick all of the boxes. The 3D pram system is named in such a way that a buyer should understand at once that it is one of these new type of prams that is almost like a Transformer toy. By this I mean that it can change from a pram ... Read review
Advantages: Use to use and fold away Disadvantages: Some minor niggles
...size. We plumped for the Silver Cross as in my view it manages to tick all of the boxes. The 3D pram system is named in such a way that a buyer should understand at once that it is one of these new type of prams that is almost like a Transformer toy. By this I mean that it can change from a pram with a flat cot type bed for young babies, into a standard buggy by pulling levers and rearranging items. It sounds hard, but once you have played with it ... ...the Grandparents don't touch it before they get instructions on how to use it as they could get into one hell of a mess!
For the first criteria the pram cost us £250 via an online website, which was cheaper than the high street store where we first saw the pram. For the savings made we were able to buy the extra pack at £60 which included a Sun shade, a matching carry bag with mini changing mat and a foot warmer for use in buggy mode. ... more
In choosing which pram to buy we looked at a few prams in a high street store and then bought this one online. There were a few things that we wanted in a pram and these were cost, ease of use, weight and size. We plumped for the Silver Cross as in my view it manages to tick all of the boxes. The 3D pram system is named in such a way that a buyer should understand at once that it is one of these new type of prams that is almost like a Transformer toy. By this I mean that it can change from a pram with a flat cot type bed for young babies, into a standard buggy by pulling levers and rearranging items. It sounds hard, but once you have played with it you can understand how it works. Just make sure that the Grandparents don't touch it before they get instructions on how to use it as they could get into one hell of a mess!
For the first criteria the pram cost us £250 via an online website, which was cheaper than the high street store where we first saw the pram. For the savings made we were able to buy the extra pack at £60 which included a Sun shade, a matching carry bag with mini changing mat and a foot warmer for use in buggy mode. As a cost comparison I'll use the Mamas and Papas Pinco Pramette which looked really nice, had a similar style but was too expensive in our view at around £350. With the pram we got everything for using it in the pram and buggy positions as well as a rain cover. The pram comes in three flavours and I really mean flavours as one is called 'Pistachio'! We went for the 'Marina' style which will get you a pram coloured in shades of blue.
The 3D pram duly arrived before the baby which was a good thing, but only by a few weeks. I read the manual from cover to cover and afterwards I realised that I was confused by all the options that I could do with the pram. So I followed each item step by step to make it into a pram for a young baby. Looking back it wasn't too hard to make the pram into what we wanted, but at the time I felt as if I needed a degree in pram building to make it work. From the box the pram is in a closed position, the same state that you will need when you are storing it away in cupboard or in the boot of your car. In a closed position it is still a large size, but the front wheels are still in contact with the ground and there is a carry handle on the back for help in lifting it up. These items are good as you can wheel the pram about locally and then lift it up into a car boot. This is particularly easy for Mrs Cad as she is after all the main carer and she has found the pram easy to move around when it's closed up.
Getting the pram from its closed position into its useable state is relatively easy once you know what you are doing. The only problems you might encounter are during the first few times of use. I won't go into a detail description of how to open it out, however once you have the knack it should only take no more than a minute to get it ready for use. The only quibble here is the pram was stiff when new and could be difficult when you tried to open it up for the first few goes. After a week or two it became easier to unfold and hence easier for Mrs Cad to use.
Once opened the pram is still not ready for use and it is at this stage that it can be used in either pram or buggy mode. This is where you will need the manual for the first couple of goes. All the fixings to the pram are by various means like poppers, plastic cleats, Velcro and metal lever locking systems. Again I won't go into detail as after a few times it can be make ready in no time at all. The end result is a pram that has a very good solid feel to it yet it is not too heavy or too bulky.
Out on the streets the pram handles well and easy to get up and down small steps like kerbs and minor steps. The double rubber/plastic wheels are good over most surfaces including gravel and the front wheels can be unlocked for better turning circles. One minor thing we did find a problem with was the seat of the pram. For some reason it wouldn't lock in its flat position needed for a young baby. If you ever got it stuck say in a door way or on a large step and tried to push it by a knee or leg on the seat you would lift up the seat. This had an undesired effect of pushing the cot bed up and taking poor babies feet up in the air, the base would then lock in position and would not come down until you reached under and unlocked it by pulling a lever. It only happened once or twice, but after that we realised that trying to go through a doorway forwards was bad and the best idea was to go through backwards.
Getting the pram back to the closed position requires the reverse of the procedure for erection, but is so much quicker and easier when you are trying to get it in the boot on a rainy day. Other things to note for the buggy is the carry area at the bottom of the pram for small items, which is a little difficult to get to as it is right at the bottom. It will require you to get on your knees which is okay in the dry, but not so good in the wet. Talking of wet the rain cover that comes as standard fits well over the pram and also allows the handles to stick from the cover. In short it has been well thought about and fits the pram very well.
In conclusion then both Mrs Cad and myself have used the pram without any hitch so far. We have found that it is easy to use, carry around and lift up. It is light enough to picked up and carried short distances to a car or up flights of stairs. It is well built, feels sturdy and never feels cheap or flimsy. We have no real problems with it so far, however we have only been using it for about two months now. The only advice I would give someone owning the pram is to practise opening and closing the pram a couple of times in the dry comfort of your home. It helps you hone your technique in private and stops you looking like a fool in public. I can certainly recommend this pram to people with young babies who are looking for a pram that is good, not expensive and is easy to use.
(c) 2007 buzzard_cad This review can be found at other websites under the same user name and is also written by me.
Advantages: multi functional Disadvantages: Quite heavy
...we finally opted for the silver cross 3d. I am extremely happy with the decision we made, as so far it has exceeded all of our expectations.
Silver cross is an excellent brand with an extremely good reputation for quality products, the silver cross 3d may not come in at the cheapest option but I'm happy to have paid to get a pushchair that will not only last untill my daughter is old enough not to need it ,but also have peace of mind that I have ... ...elegant looking, with a brushed silver metallic finish. The wheel are made from a non puncture rubber and the front two can be both fixed and swivel, so it is adaptable to whatever terrain you may be on, and is exceptionally easy to manouvere. There are footplates at the front and rear of the pushchair, which is helpful when using with an older child as a footrest but also aids the folding of the system. The rear brakes are satisfactory and have ...
helen0201 08.03.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Silver Cross (UK) Limited 3D Pram System
Advantages: Pram/Pushchair and travel system, compact fold without removing seat Disadvantages: No rear facing pushchair, shopping basket difficult to access
...pregnant I finally chose the Silver Cross 3d. This is a product is a pramette, that can be used as a travel system and converts into pushchair once the child is a bit older. The pushchair is the main set up and has a sturdy seat, the seat back reclines to 4 positions including flat but when upright it really is upright unlike some pushchairs where it is still partially reclinced. There is a removeable bumper bar and a 5 point harness. The footmuff ... ...adjustments means that with the Silver Cross ventura car seat, it can be used as a travel system. Other points
Shopping basket, the shopping basket is difficult to access and I would release one of the catches to give myself a bit more room to put things in then do it back up again. Though I rarely used the basket for more than a couple of items anyway. The handles are height adjustable but only to 2 levels and it is only about 1inch difference.
...
sam_k 19.08.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Silver Cross (UK) Limited 3D Pram System
Advantages: Long life pram / puschair combo and car seat; manouverable; good quality Disadvantages: "off road" use limited; Weight; Size folded.
...we finally went for the Silver Cross 3D. As with many other reviewers primarily because of the practicality. The idea of a proper lie flat pram that converts into a pushchair for later use seemed entirely sensible. We also got the car seat that makes it into a travel system.
Looks:
Be very careful! Some of the colour schemes are awful, my wife and I didn't like the "pistachio" colour, too much like vomit green for our liking, but the Apollo which ... ...(as one would expect from Silver Cross). Very good proper padded mattress for the pram in lie flat mode.
Actual use:
Well the recommendation is that you don't leave them in the car seat for more than 2 hours at a time when under 6 months as it is bad for the breathing. This kind of negates the travel system idea as even the weekly trip to the supermarket can be nearly 2 hours, let alone if going for a trip out for the day. The car seat is easy ...
RD2007 13.06.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Silver Cross (UK) Limited 3D Pram System
Advantages: Gorgeous looking pushchair and pram Disadvantages: Hard to manouver when child gets bigger
...the pushchair/pram part of the Silver Cross 3D system since my son was born at the end of September 2006. (I preferred a different car seat with Iso-fix.) Not having had any experience of pushchairs, I thought this would be a great investment as it seemed to tick all the boxes. It IS a good looking pushchair and pram. However, now that my son is over 6 months, I struggle to manouver it and have done so for a few months. On occasion, I have needed ... ...this impossible unless you are going in a straight line on a perfectly flat surface. I have since pushed other people's pushchairs/buggies and they out-manouver the 3D easily. I have a friend who can push and steer her pushchair up a hill with one hand and on her mobile. I'm definitely buying that one as there is no way the 3D can do this!!
The shopping basket is nearly impossible to get to in all configurations of the pushchair but I am not sure ...
Shutthegate 11.05.2007 (10.05.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Silver Cross (UK) Limited 3D Pram System
Advantages: Folds small, not too heavy to lift, full raincover Disadvantages: shopping basket inaccessable, wheels slide, child can only face forwards, straps are too short
I rushed in and bought the Silvercross 3D pram system as it was offered to me second hand but was basically brand new and I really wish now that I had done some research and shopped about first before jumping in for the bargain. PRAM MODE The pram part is an extra section that sits onto the pushchair section, it fits well and looked very comfy and cosy for my new baby. There is a pocket in the bottom of the pram part to hold small items (purse, mobile, ... ...I always did) then you cant access it without taking the entire apron off first. The pram section is also fairly small, I found that I had to move my baby into the pushchair by 5 months as she was too big for the pram, however she looked tiny and out of place in the pushchair. PUSHCHAIR MODE The pram does convert easily to the pushchair mode however baby can only face forward which in my opinion is not good for a 5 month old. The straps in the pushchair ...
IckleMe 22.04.2009 (23.04.2009)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Silver Cross (UK) Limited 3D Pram System
Product Information for "Silver Cross (UK) Limited 3D Pram System" »
Product details
Brand Manufacturer
Silver Cross (UK) Limited
Long Name
3D Pram System
Manufacturer
Silver Cross (UK) Limited
Manufacturer's product description
The ultimate in modern pram systems. the 3D combines everything you love about a pram with all the practicalities of a pushchair The 3D converts simply from a protective pram into a multi-functional pushchair. Whilst baby enjoys the comfiest pram ride, you get all the benefits of a lightweight pram system, easy to maneovre wheels and a super-small folded size, thanks to our new 3-dimensional folding system.
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