We bought this car seat to match our P3 stroller. We had previously used a GRACO (with the PLIKO P3 its universal strap). Every time we put our daughter into the GRACO car seat, she screamed. After three months of dreading car rides, we opted to purchase the Toffee Primo Viaggio infant car seat. The best thing about this particular seat, is that our daughter doesn't cry when we put her into it. The shape of it has the baby sitting more upright, rather than being hunched (as in the GRACO).
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br /Please note that I am comparing this seat to the GRACO which (having previously owned) I think looks cheap and is cumbersome and difficult to maneuver. This seat is SO much nicer, well-made and easy to use. It is easy to snap into the car base, as well as the Peg stroller. There is an adjustment tether which makes it easy to tighten/loosen the straps in the seat (not so with GRACO). There is styrofoam on the back, yes. It is not, however, a major component of the seat. Rather, it is there to help absorb shock upon impact, which plastic can't do alone. It's a GOOD thing that it has styrofoam.
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br /Though it is more expensive than the GRACO, I feel it is worth the price. After enduring three months of crying every time we put our daughter in the GRACO, she now happily sits in her new Peg Perego. Yes the Primo IS somewhat heavy, but not more than the competitors. Let's be honest, it's not like any of these seats are light! Furthermore, it's beautiful, looks classy, is safe, user friendly and a top-of-the-line product. If you can spare the extra pennies, I highly recommend this product.

I strongly encourage anyone interested in this seat to go look and test it out in store before buying. It is a very attractive seat and we really wanted to purchase it to go with our Pliko stroller. The 2006 model has some much improved features over the older versions, including the SIP and that it can be used without a base. But the seat has some major drawbacks that lead me to return the seat. The canopy barely covers the baby and can't adjusted to many angles like other seats, thus leaving the sun in your baby's eyes. Another draw back is the way the fabric covers the SIP panels. It's hard to explain, but basically, the SIP panels are EPS foam that are cut into three pieces covered with fabric, at least sort of. The cover has an elastic edge and only partially covers the back of the foam so it is visible when you look behind the panels and as the foam is moved or the cover is adjusted, it breaks down and gets all over the seat. When we returned our seat, we looked at the store model and they too had little foam crumbs in the seat. (A previous reviewer also said that a Babies-R-Us staff person said some of the panels broke in the store samples.) I was worried that the pieces could break off in pieces big enough for the baby to grab an put into her mouth when she gets a bit older. Other things to consider ~ the cost is high and the seat is heavy for the relatively low weight and seat limits. Also important to note that while the older model of the viaggio was tested among Consumer Report's safest seats, this one has not yet been reviewed. Just some things to keep in mind when you make your purchase. We ended up getting the Graco SafeSeat (which we can also use with our Pliko although it doesn't snap in it fits in place and feels very sturdy in the stroller) and are much happier with it. The canopy rotates 180 degrees, keeping the sun off the baby, it feels like a rock in our car, and was simple to install, and we will be able to use it for a lot longer than the viaggio. Happy Shopping!

We've been using Peg Perego's newest SIP car seat since our son was 6 weeks old. Our son LOVES this car seat...he NEVER fusses in it and is always happy to go for a ride! As other posters have mentioned the seat angle is very high and upright. We personally didn't find this to be a problem as it helps with our son's reflux. Another poster mentioned the straps are uncomfortable, however pads for the shoulder straps are included with purchase. We found the canopy to be quite sufficient. We have an older Primo Viaggio from 2002 and like the features of the 2006 version ever better. Yes, it is expensive but IMO the safety of the seat is worth it. Plus, you don't have to re-thread the straps everytime you need to readjust the shoulder height.

I bought this car seat because it looked actractive and safe. Well, after one month I returned it because it is the worst car seat ever. The car seat sits so upright that my sons head was always falling completely forward. He never looked comfortable. The car seat comes with the strap covers that are suppose to make the car seat comfortable. These things only make it worse because they are extremely rough and bulky.
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br /This car seat is extremely heavy even without the infant in it. The carrying handle is a joke because you have to push the canopy back to put your arm under it. The canopy is also terrible because it barely works. It only works when the sun is directly above you in the sky. I was constantly having to change the direction I was carrying the car seat to avoid the sun beaming on his face. (unlike the Graco where you can pull the shade all the way down) I hated returning this because I really liked the looks of it but I had to for my sons sake. I bought the graco seat in the blackwell print (which is an o.k. looking fabric).
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br /We are both soooo much happier. He looks comfortable and a little more reclined. The sun isn't in his face and I have $130 extra dollars that I can spend on something else. I think people mainly buy peg perego because they like the way it looks (as I did) or because they expect it to be high quality because of the high price (as I did). But in actuality it just sucks. I wish that Graco would make their prouducts a little more stylish because they are definitly more practical and functional.

I bought this seat a couple weeks ago and my 2 month old nephew is using it when I have him until my son is born in June. I love the look, style and safety of this seat. The only thing that I thought may be a problem was the way the shoulder straps adjust height. My nephew is 22" and he is almost on the second to last adjustment. Also the side impacts don't leave alot of room for a head positioner for newborns and they are far enough apart for the head to have room to wobble side to side. My nephew seems to love it though and seems really comfortable in it. The upright position is something I like, I have never seen him sweat in it, he seems to have growing room, the canopy covers him fine, and I think it is the most comfortable to carry. His parents are using an Eddie Bauer and I know alot of people (including me in the past) that use Graco and other brands and they seem roomier, but not as safe. Also I haven't seen a baby over 4-5 months in the infant seats anyways, I don't know anyone that would want to lug around a baby over 15 pounds in an infant seat, I guess that's just the few of us who aren't body builders. My nephew is 11 pounds now and he is getting pretty heavy in the seat, it's a good thing that the seat isn't too heavy itself. I would recommend this seat, but I can't explain the other reviews, so mabey trying it out in the store is best for everyone.

I bought this thinking I wanted the best for baby. Aesthetically is a very nice seat, and hey it matches my PP Pliko 3 stroller. And yes, maybe it could potentially be a little safer IF the 0.0002% chance, godforbid, an accident were to happen and the car's side impact airbags didn't do there job (and consequently I drive one of the safest SUVs in the road). However it is so heavy and cumbersome to carry around and my baby screamed every time he went in it. It's supposed to last a bit longer (i.e. a few more pounds and inches) but it actually seemed really squishy to start with, esp with the extra padding. In any case, what does an extra few weeks matter when you've ultimately got to get a new seat once baby is a certain size. Baby's head always fell forward which was very awkward and surely uncomfortable. When visiting a relative we used there Evenflo Discovery which my baby seemed to like just fine. And the straps were very easy to adjust and secure whereas on the Viaggio SIP you always have to loosen and tighten every time you use the seat. Overall I was quite disappointed with this seat and didn't feel it was worth the expense.

We bought this to go with the P3 stroller. The seat is rated well and works fine, but if I had my way I would fix a few things. 1) The seat is heavy, add to it an 18 lb baby and you have yourself a backache. 2) the visor stinks.. it barely covers the baby or shades him in anyway so I had to constantly use blankets and other props to keep him shaded. From what I hear other seats have much better ones. 3)Handle. Most seats are like this but it would be so much better if it had that turned handle so you could actually carry it without twisting your arm. 4)It doesnt recline hardly at all in the car so the babys head slumps more than I'd like. It isnt cheap either so, its not worth the price tag. Some of these are minor gripes but the amount of use this thing gets, its worth knowing.
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br /It works fine and it's served us for 6 months, but next time I'll know what to look for and this isn't it. The p3 stroller on the other hand is terrific.

What is with the pathetic canopy? It doesn't even cover the baby's head or shield the baby from the sun??? Sure, the seat is lightweight and fashionable, but come on.

Hmm, I am surprised at the low rating this carseat has received. We have never had any problems with it, and my son LOVED it before he got too big for it. I'll add that he didn't get too big for it until he was over 8 months old and 23 lbs. I don't have a small child, and he was comfortable in the infant carrier for a long time. We never had any problems with the canopy, it always seemed to cover him just fine, and after heavy use (two different cars, every day and our son occasionally playing with the seat at home) our seat looks brand spanking new. Nothing has ever broken or rubbed off. Yes, the carseat is heavy, but I honestly don't remember the last time I actually CARRIED it somewhere. The longest I ever carried it was to and from the cart corral at shopping centers, or into the house from our driveway. What carseat isn't heavy? Believe me, since I have a bad back, I tried them all when I was pregnant, and this one was the only one that didn't hurt my back. Granted, I think they could improve it with an ergonomic handle, but that's about it. I truly loved this infant seat. Another poster has said that why bother getting an infant carrier when you'll just upgrade to the convertable seat later, and I will say that keeping your newborn asleep getting in and out of the car is all the reason I'll ever need to have an infant carrier. He was a light sleeper, so taking him in and out of a seat everytime we stopped somewhere would have been brutal on us all. We have the PP Pilko 3 stroller too....they're both fabulous!

I got this as a gift off of my baby registry. Although it is quit heavy to carry, I haven't had any major problems with this seat. I like the look and quality of the product. My son doesn't mind the straps and I hope that as he grows it won't be a problem for him. We are happy about this gift and plan to buy the stroller to match soon.

I think this Infant car seat is really nice but I did not realize how heavy it can be to carry even without the baby. The seat comes with some extras that other infant car seats do not have and that's a plus like the hood and the rain shield. I have the Peg Perego Venezia stroll which I love and received this as a shower gift to match it. The two truly look nice together but it is a little too heavy.

This is a great seat. It's stylish but most importantly, it's one of the safest infant's seat there is. It offers the SIP, and the base level indicator which assists with getting a proper installations. Given that 80 something percent of seats are installed wrong, this is a huge bonus for me as a mom...it offers no worries in that arena.

I bought this carseat on clearance (thank goodness I didn't pay full price since I'll be buying a new carseat soon!), and the only thing I looked at when buying a carseat was the safety rating. I wish I had read more reviews on this seat so I would have known what to expect. The seat is VERY hot...my baby is always sweating whenever we take her out of it. It's winter right now, and she still sweats, even though she doesn't sweat in other seats. Also, the seat is very small. My daughter is only 7 weeks old, and not a big baby, but she's about to grow out of this one (which is why I'll be buying a new one soon). She's very snug in it now, and she only weighs 10 lbs, so I can't imagine what she'll be like in it at 20 lbs. Those are my main complaints about it, but other problems are that the handle is hard to adjust, and the sun canopy isn't very effective -- it gets in the way more than it helps. The reason I'm giving this seat three stars is because it is a safe seat, which is the main purpose of a carseat. Other than that, I really wouldn't recommend it.

These retail now for $229 at BRU. Just ridiculous. I own one, bought it on eBay for $28 since it was a local pickup only sale. I got a heckuva deal, I'll admit!
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br /This is a fantastic carseat.....but folks, it's JUST an infant carseat! I went looking on eBay for one, since, having had babies before, I couldn't fathom shelling out even $100 for a cheapo, often-recalled Graco, let alone $229 for a Peg Perego! All new babies sweat in car seats....they can't maintain their own body temp until 4 months of age, which is when they grow out of these seats (unless your back goes first) :).
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br /I understand the precautions about car seats being in car accidents.....another folly of the infant gear industry. If car seats are in accidents, they're junk folks.....they aren't in re-saleable condition. And when was the last time that you heard of a car accident involving a baby? Because how many new parents of newborns who would buy a $229 carseat (read: first child) go out further than a trip to the store?
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br /It's a regular old car seat. They can't do much to these, really, except change the fabric. They pretty much prey on your fear surrounding your new pride and joy, so they gauge you on your emotions....hey, I'm a sucker too!
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br /Infant seats are notoriously small, so that you have to buy up the next size faster. They get your money on the car seat and then the stroller, before you are out of that hazy new parent fog and wise up. Save your money.....your baby or your back muscles will grow out of this in 4 months, no matter what.....and then it's $229 right down the drain, faster than a speeding bullet.....Guess you can save it for baby #2.
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br /Think of it this way...for the SAME amount of money, buy a Britax Roundabout and have it last for 4 years versus 4 months, or go on eBay and buy one of these, 4 months old and pretty much brand new, for less than half the new price.

I ususally don't write reviews about products I don't own but I have looked at it very well in the store because I am set on buying a peg perego stroller and I was looking forward to their new line of car seats. I feel like I have to write this review for parents that are buying this seat online...it looks great...but that's about it.
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br /PRO's
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br /- The fabric is soft and the colors are nice
br /- seems to be a very safe seat, side impact protection
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br /CON'S
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br /- handle is awkward, seat is difficult to carry
br /- when canopy is all the way up, carrying the seat is even stranger...very uncomfortable, and it's a bulky seat!
br /- the seat is almost completely upright when put on the floor...I don't want to even think about my tiny newborn's head in a position that upright...not to mention the strain on their little backs
br /- the rain canopy only fits with a lot of pulling as mentioned in the earlier review
br /- the strap covers are also very weird and hard, I would not put these over my infant (they are nylon with rough nylon binding)
br /- even the highest belt position of this seat seems very low...I don't think a baby will fit in it for much longer than into their older version
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br /And if all the above points didn't convince you NOT to buy this seat...here is another one:
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br /The sales person at BRU told me that in the few weeks the seat has been on the floor the head support which is made up of EPS foam has broken in several places...it does indeed feel very breakable because of the angle and the fact that it is, well, styrofoam that is sticking out...not safely underneath the seat or something.
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br /I don't know about you but I find that scary.
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br /I recommend that you don't buy this seat without looking at it live...and if you can't...don't buy it, you will be dissappointed.
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br /Many people will look into buying a peg perego infant car seat because it clicks into the Peg Perego strollers and they match the fabrics. In this case I recommend getting last year's version, or even better, a Graco, these click into the strollers with trays as well and can be additionally secured using the universal adapter strap that comes with most Peg Perego strollers.
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