Tavo Travels Systems: Maeve ISO 5x VS Small Flex

Tavo travel systems: Maeve ISO 5x vs Small Flex- both use Roscoe stroller

I’m trying to decide which car seat travel system I want to get for my mini. The Maeve ISO 5x is the newer model, and the Small Flex is the older model. But it’s just not cut and dry as to which one would be the better option for me.

My mini is currently not even home with me yet. She is just over 6 weeks old, so I still have to wait until she’s 8 weeks old. She is projected to be 13-16 lbs fully grown, so both models should accommodate her anticipated full grown weight.

The newer model, the ISO 5x, does not need a base and it attaches to the anchor points in my car, as you can see in the first slide image. It also has a higher weight limit, accommodating 30 lbs, rather than 20 lbs. in addition to that, it has a pouch that holds a power bank, and has a fan. My feeling is that the higher weight limit may allow me to put two dogs in it when I’m using it as a stroller, which could be a really good benefit for me. But the newer model also costs $150 more than the older model, and I’m not sure that the fan, and the higher weight limit are enough of a benefit to justify the extra cost of an already extremely high priced item.

The older model, the Small Flex, uses a base, which although it does look pretty easy to use, it also looks bulky and cumbersome. My feelings on it though are that it may be better if I ever have to use a vehicle that does not have the latch system in it. I think all modern vehicles have it, but maybe they don’t, or maybe they don’t have it on all the seats and really… I just don’t know if the base system is better or worse. This model also does not have the fan, and it only accommodates 20lbs. So I may not be able to use it for two dogs when using it with the stroller…

Both models are very expensive, but Tavo is the pet brand from nuna, which makes car seats for human babies, and the Tavo systems are crash tested. So I feel like I will have more peace of mind using them. The stroller, for both models is the same, and it folds up with one click. I really like that feature a lot. Since my puppy can’t touch the ground yet, I would be using this until she has all of her shots… and also, it will get use any time she is injured in the future (my last dog tore her mcl and I know injuries happen from time to time with dogs), plus when she grows old and can’t walk as much. So much of the use of the stroller is further down the line for her except for the initial 2 months that I will need to use it in the beginning.

If any of you have either model, and can let me know the things you know now but didn’t at time of purchase, I would really appreciate it. Also, just general thoughts on your experience I’d appreciate as well.

I keep going back and forth on this and I’m not sure which model to get. Other than the price, there’s pros and cons to both and I cannot figure out which one is better for me.