Bugaboo Cameleon³ plus

This is a paid review of the Cam3 plus in black/aluminium with a ruby red hood/canopy as won through one of these amazing competitions on this great baby page. The cam3 plus has had a few aesthetic changes from the cam3 with changes to the underneath storage basket (the cam’s biggest downfall) and design/aesthetics of the seat frame. As I am a heavy researcher, I have read and looked at a lot of prams, and love the bugaboos for their versatility, their luxurious and interchangeable looks and their high quality design and feel. The cam3 plus comes in aluminium and black frame (retailing at $100 higher). Inside the box you get the pram chassis/wheels, seat frame, seat and bassinet fabrics, bassinet fabric apron and rain cover. This model is their most popular of the series being a versatile single pram but only 9.6kg. The light weight of this pram makes it an appealing choice after all the burden your back is already carrying with a child and the 58292 things that you must carry and take with you (and your child/children). Comes with a plain black bassinet apron, other models you’re required to buy a full tailored fabric set. The cam and fox fabrics (apron and hood) are interchangeable. The new hoods come in a new range of colours and are extendable to help shade your babe in the sun or when sleeping. They feel lighter and have more stretch than previous bugaboo hoods. The bugaboo is one of few prams that have this added level of personalisation where you can pick favourite colours, colours to ‘identify’ gender, and change them up to keep the pram for multiple children. Leather handle/ belly bar. Previous later cam3 models were foam in a small change from leather. Complaints meant a leather replacement kit could be purchased separately with other picking external companies to make leather pieces. There is a market online to have leather kits made for handles and belly bars in a variety of leather design, stitching and colour. The belly bar is fully removable from both sides, can be moved where needed or interchanged with the bugaboo snack tray for the older kids. Rear wheels can be removed to sit flat in the back of a car (for smaller boots, or when loading the boot up). Really easy to assemble and disassemble. Front wheels have a 4 level suspension suited for different baby weights (change at those weights for most appropriate suspension). The small wheels are a deterrent for some compared to the (now discontinued buff), however the Cam is poised as the most versatile of the lot. The pram can be used in reverse with the bigger wheels used at the front to assist in off road terrain or up hill. The pram can also be used in a 2 wheel configuration on the beach. I found I could push the pram in reverse mode forward along the beach. Would be easier pulling but possible to push (strength and sand dependent). Pram basket larger, to mimic the buff (esp since buff discontinued). Number one complaint from all cam users. On closer inspection during assembly, it’s not actually bigger, just a more open design appearing to be bigger, but probably just a bit more user friendly. more open looking but shallower. Pictures online appear to make the basket look bigger but I was a Little disappointed that it wasn’t as big as the hype in the redesign. However, it is more functional so that’s a win. Leather foam look around the top main pram seat frame, change from the foam on the older cam3. Previous models have this all the way around which provides great protection (against scratches and dents) given it’s a two piece fold and you’re always putting the seat on the ground to fold and get it in the car. Think I scratched it just about taking it out the box and again assembling the pram seat fabric to the seat chassis. Seems really pointless to be at the top and not the bottom. Website mentions for a more sophisticated look/ feel- I think weighed up against reducing scratches and padding for durability is a bit more important in 2 piece prams. More reading showed this is the same as the new fox and donkey2 variations, with this change being all across the new bugaboo pram ranges The seat has 3 recline positions, vertical, semi reclined and full horizontal. The seat can also be moved to face inwards or outwards, with the handle able to be moved either side to save moving the seat where required. Research has shown that in the early developmental stages, facing inwards towards the parent is best and avoids overstimulation to the outside world. When your babe is older, you can move the seat to face outwards to show your babe everything that life has to offer. The fully vertical position requires good postural support of your babe and the top shoulder straps. I have found with my toddler I still prefer the semi reclined position, facing inwards or outwards (depending on the adventure). The bassinet was not used during this review however I have used the bassinet attachment. The bassinet fabric Velcro’s onto the seat frame as easily as the seat fabric. The stability is created with a wooden board at the bottom, with side stabilising arms. The bassinet fabric is zipped on (or off) and is interchangeable of colours and designs. The bassinet attachment is rated safe to sleep (off the pram frame) with the use of the Bugaboo stand which provides stability and decreased the risk of falling. The belly bar is used when the bassinet is being used and provides support. You could use only the bassinet part of the pram during those younger years when out and about for dinner or at a friends etc. The chameleon pram can be used with maxi cosi, britex, chicco capsules, but are sold separately and do not come with the pram. This is also a feature that was not trialled out due to not having a capsule or adaptors. Capsules only serve a purpose for a small period of time given their height and weight restrictions. Same physical seat with a 5 point (button release) harness. Meets current safety standards after choice.com released that shoulder straps that connect to waist straps can cause a potential choke hazard. You can use lap on their own or all 5 together for shoulder support. The first edition of the chameleon prams came with a 3 point harness, which is still common across some Pram varieties. After looking at some Other prams, the seat is as it is, with other brands offering an inclusive seat liner (which is removable for cleaning etc). There is a large market to have pram liners made which not only add personalisation and comfort, but protect your pram from nasty spills and stains. The cameleon is the only version of the bugaboo where the pram handle can be rotated in either direction. This is to easily tailor your direction of travel across rough terrain such as sand, gravel, up hill etc. I found this feature most handy when you take the pram to a cafe/restaurant, and want to back the pram into a corner. Moving the handle out of the way can give you better access to the pram and your babe as well as making a little more space. Overall the cam is an amazing pram choice, and easy to see how it is the most popular pit of the bugaboo series. Simple, classic and aesthetically pleasing. People will always comment on how Gorgeous your pram looks and the quality of the pram is worth every dollar. There is a large online bugaboo community, plenty of bugaboo pram accessories to customise your pram, and multiple online companies offering pram liners, customised hoods, vinyl wrapping, Leatherette handles and much more. In short biggest pros: light weight; high functionality; customisable; looks amazing; high and safe reputation. Biggest cons: the basket is still one of the smaller in the pram market; two piece folds take up a lot of boot room; the aluminium frames will show scuffs more than the black.

I bought this pram for my first born and I loved it. So Easy to move around with light in weight, and easy to set up. Also really comfortable to my baby love the basinet I used it up to 4 months and than changed to the set and even then it’s so comfortable for such a small body.