Customer Reviews

Combi Helio DX Lightweight Stroller, Carbon

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I've been using this stroller for about two weeks now after using a Graco Travel System for the last ten months, which was more of a workout than anything else. As handy as that stroller was, I'm glad to have put in a dark corner of my garage and banished it for good.

I purchased this item for less money than is advertised here, just as a side note and a point of clarity.

My son is 32", a bit big for his age, and heavy, too -- but after I gashed my hand open trying to hoist the old stroller from the boot of my truck, I said enough was enough. There comes a point in time when you have to just let certain items go. I was pretty attached to my Graco as it carried everything I "thought" I needed, but now, as time has passed, I know I can carry less, leaving more behind in the car and bringing along only what's needed.

The Stroller was easy to assemble right out of the box and the strap adjustments were all but done in about five minutes. The fact that it folds up into the size of a guitar case is quite amusing. It's also about as heavy as one, which makes it convenient and no hassle.

I did have to get used to the change. This stroller is more flexible -- all over. You can sway it left and right and the baby can even bend several of the front pieces, as they're "bendable". I also found it to be good at handling dirt paths, which is usually a real low point for most umbrella type strollers.

The storage is minimal and nothing like what I was used to, but I attached my old Osprey Packs to the handlebars and created an impromptu storage. Which is good enough for two bottles, a diaper, a bag of puffs and a pack of handiwipes. Done.

Yeah, you can go buy a Maclaren for more money, but it's a pain in the rear to fold up and looks really uncomfortable. I'd buy this again if I had to. A worthy product.

I just got this stoller at a local store. I paid $20 more than if i had bought on Amazon, but glad i didn't wait since we needed one now. My son is only 2 months old, but this stroller fits for him even without the car seat attached. The harness goes down low enough that I feel he's safe in it (he's 23" long) although I did add a head cushion. I like that it can fully recline too and has a little "boot" at the bottom to keep him from slipping out. I was surprised at how easy it is to fold up and how small it folds for how roomy it is unfolded. I'm short (5'1") but the handle isn't too tall for me even though it's a good height for my 6' husband. I wish the basket was a little bigger, but I can deal with it. Love the added bag, it's big enough to replace my diaper bag if I'm just going on a short trip and don't want to take the whole big bag with us. I would highly recommend this to others!

This was the exact type of stroller that I was looking for, and here is why... My son will be 3 years old next month, weighs 35 pounds, and is 39" tall. He is a big boy for his age, and on top of hauling him around, I was strolling him around in this big "cadillac" graco travel system stroller that we've had since he was born. I wanted something more compact, lightweight, I wanted to downsize, and I wanted something more age appropriate for a toddler (something that was easy for him to get in and out of when he wanted to walk).

I wanted a stroller that had a drink holder by the handles for myself, and also one for my son like the graco, but we settled with this one which only has a cup holder for my son. Everything about this stroller for the most part is great, however I will state my dislikes: the cargo area at the bottom is fairly small, but it's big enough for an essential extra diaper bag. One thing I really have a problem with is that this stroller does not have a lot of leg room for toddlers...being that my son is 39" and around 35 pounds his legs are long, and if he falls asleep, sometimes his feet fall off of the leg rest and drag on the wheels. There is also not a lot of knee room when you bend his legs to put on the leg rest. I can't see my son getting to 55 pounds and being comfortable in this stroller though. This is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5.

What I love about this stroller overall: it does what it says it does, it is lightweight, it does fold to a very compact size, and it rides smoothly, and is easy to push and maneuver with one hand. I also like the small diaper bag that comes with the stroller...nice to have extra storage for essentials.

After using a wide array of strollers, we think this one really is the best. It has all the features we USE and NEED without all the bulk and weight of a traditional stroller. It folds up easily and barely takes up more room than the cheap, ten-dollar umbrella strollers. It only weighs thirteen pounds, and with the carrying strap on the back, it's amazingly easy to get in and out of the trunk. Opening it is a snap, it sort of opens on its own without any effort. The included bag is nice, I have a toddler so all I carry is a changing kit, Purell and some bandages w/ointment and hand/face wipes, all of which fit perfectly and either stows in the basket underneath or hangs from attachment points near the handle. Not having a parent's tray was no biggie for me, I added some accessories Click 'n Go Stroller Cup Holder, and Convenient Hook 'n Go 2 Packto attach if I need them. The handle of this stroller is taller than most, despite its compact fold, making it comfortable to push. I love that the child bar has a cupholder and another for a snack or small toy and opens on both sides or can be removed completely (for washing). The ENTIRE seat cushion comes off easily, to throw into the wash. The whole area around the child is roomier, wider and more comfortable for my son, he likes to sit back and rest his feet up on the bumper bar. I really think this is excellent for the features and price, I only wish I'd bought one sooner.

Edit 6/30/08: This thing has really been put through its paces the last few weeks. after washing both the seat and the bumper bar fabric cover, both look sparkling clean. Also a woman in a parking garage stopped in her tracks watching me fold it up, and demanded to know where I got it.

We were trying several of these compact strollers at Babies R Us. The demo unit had stiff steering, and I also read a complaint here about bad steering. We needed something smaller than our Peg Perego, and this seemed all around best except for the stiff steering. Went home, opened the parts, and found the front wheels easily snap in/out with a push button. Just added a few drops of oil, snapped it back on, and the steering is as good if not better than our Peg Perego. Peg Perego was a pain to un/fold, and the straps were very difficult to put on. Combi Helio is more compact, very easy to un/fold, and the belt straps are much easier to use on our child.

Contrary to what I read from another review here, build quality is actually excellent. Sales person recommended this over McLaren when we told him that we will be traveling. Combi survived the flights with no problems, while our $500+ Peg Perego was damaged in several areas (lost buttons, damaged folding mechanism, loose screws, etc) from previous flights. Very satisfied with the purchase; we should never have bought Peg Perego in the first place.

I'm really impressed with this stroller, especially after having a very heavy Graco (as part of the travel system). I was in the market for a lightweight, functional stroller and I believe I have it! I do agree, the basket underneath is pretty much worthless - what's up with the bar right in the middle of it? Can't get much in or out. And I would liked to have had a cupholder for me, but again, overall I'm pleased. It's extremely lightweight, folds easily, steers well and the handle-bars are a good height for me (and I'm 5'11).

I went to BRU and test drove all the lightweight strollers. After my online research I was either going to buy a Combi, McClaren, or Chicco. The Helio Combi is the best bang for the buck. It's ULTRA lightweight. It has AWESOME sun coverage...better than ANY other stroller. It's cute and trendy looking. The seat reclines all the way. It has cupholder for child and for mommy/daddy which is a MUST for me. It rides nicely and folds up nicely too.

So far, the only downside that I can see is that the basket is small and has a bar thru the middle so not much fits in there, but I'm mainly using the stroller for my infant when I'm in/out of the car a million times dropping my 2 and 4 year old off at all their activities/preschool and I don't take a diaper bag in with me at those times. I'm also using the stroller for walks around my nieghborhood, again don't need a diaper bag...throw a diaper and wipes in the basket and your good to go. We will also use the stroller at the airport/travelling and carry our big backpack diaper bag on our backs, so the basket will be sufficient for all the kids sippy cups and snacks, which works out great. Some of the other strollers were too narrow, didn't have cupholders, had very poor sunshades...but this stroller rocks...and I've been thru 5 strollers in 5 years! :)

I bought this last summer and have used it for 6 months. I would NOT recommend buying this stroller as it's cons outweigh it's pros.

Pros:

-lightweight

-machine-washable seat and handle bar

-full recline is useful for infants

-comfortable seat

-snack and drink holder for child

-my son likes being able to sit upright and not having his view obstructed by the sides of the hood

-over shoulder carrying strap is handy

Cons:

-NOT EASY TO STEER, this is the main reason I do not like this stroller and wish I had never bought it. It hurts my wrists to steer it and the handle bar seems to sway in resistance to being steered and the wheels get stuck as you are trying to turn. This drives me nuts. It doesn't do well on any surface, especially not outside off of a sidewalk. My son is currently 26 lbs and I can't imagine using this for a heavier child.

-Not as compact a fold as the Maclaren strollers

-seems cheaply made, not high-quality components/construction

I bought this stroller thinking I was getting one almost as good to the Maclaren strollers for less money. Not so, now I'll probably end up shelling out more money for a Maclaren when I could have saved the money I spent on this Combi stroller.

At first I loved this stroller. I was looking for a stroller that was lightweight, had a basket, had a taller handle bar (I'm 5'-9"), and more durable than an umbrella stroller. I thought this met all the requirements, until I used it with my older daughter. It is very hard to steer, and the front wheels seem to turn the wrong direction when you stop. I tried to over look these problems, but it got so frustrating that I bought a Graco Mosaic which is cheaper and much better.

I love the features on this stroller, especially for the price. I love how it opens and folds up, the amazing recline, the basket, and great sun shade. The parent's organizer isn't the best, but hey, it came with one. Unfortunately, after three weeks of normal use (and I would go as far as to say light use) the front right wheel became very wobbly. I went back to Babies R Us to exchange it for another Combi, but when I asked the manager about how long another new Combi would last, he informed me it would not make it past my first child. If you drive it around, you can just tell. So for the price, it is cheaper to buy a Maclaren in the long run. I miss my Combi, but despite the Maclaren Triumph's cons (it really is not the easiest to close and the recline is horrible), it's the better financial choice. Especially with a 20% off coupon. Everything about the Maclaren is much sturdier, especially the wheels.