50 Words or Less
The BIG MAX Blade IP 2 push cart has the slimmest folded profile of any cart I’ve seen. Simple, clever folding mechanism. Wide and stable. Large console with tons of accessories available.
Introduction
Thanks to their superb collection of golf bags like the Dri Lite Feather [review HERE], it’s easy to forget that BIG MAX has been consistently designing some of the most innovative push carts in golf. Spending a little time with the BIG MAX Blade IP 2 push cart, however, has made that fact impossible to forget. With its unique FoldFlat mechanism, the Blade IP 2 is a godsend for golfers who need to fit more gear into less space.
Set Up & Ease of Use
The BIG MAX Blade IP 2 push cart comes out of the box ready to roll. There’s no assembly necessary, you just need to remove the tags and cardboard.
I tend to be a bit timid with new products, so I was happy that BIG MAX included an instruction sheet explaining how to fold and unfold the Blade IP 2. It’s easier than I imagined – it just pulls apart. There are locking mechanisms that needs to be opened to set the handle height and unfold the front tire, but the majority of the cart sorts itself out. It’s a really clever system, particularly the way that the rear tires fold in to create the slim folded profile.
Features
The console of the BIG MAX Blade IP 2 is the most obvious upgrade over the original Blade [review HERE]. It’s generous in size, offering ample room for whatever you might want to bring along. There’s a pencil holder along the side and a clip for your scorecard on the top. In front of the main compartment, there’s a slot with a bungee cord where you can stand your phone or a GPS unit.
The main compartment is large enough to satisfy the biggest pack rat. It also has a clever divider to keep things organized in the cavernous space. You can stash all your valuables, a drink, a dozen balls, and a rangefinder with room to spare.
A unique feature of the BIG MAX Blade IP 2 push cart is the array of Quick Fix and Quick Lok bases. There is one of each on either side. The available accessories range from rangefinder cases to umbrella holders to sand bottles. Other BIG MAX accessories add even more storage and there’s a cooler bag to keep drinks cold.
Performance
The primary selling point of the BIG MAX Blade IP 2 push cart is its slim folded profile. It’s thinner than a can of soda – officially 4.9″ – and the footprint is roughly 34″ X 24″. The aluminum frame weighs just 13.6 pounds, making it very maneuverable and easy to pack into a trunk. Though I can’t see why you’d need to, the rear wheels do detach.
When unfolded, the Blade IP 2 has a wide, stable stance, spreading its rear wheels across 50″. BIG MAX lists the height as 34.6″, but the soft handle is adjustable. Above you can see the handle at it’s maximum height of 44″. Below, the handle is set at 24″.
All three wheels are solid polyurethane. This is my preference for a push cart as it eliminates any concerns about maintenance, whether that’s keeping air pressure up or dealing with a puncture. The back tires are 11.6″ and the front tire is 7.7″ – not massive, but big enough to handle any normal terrain you’ll encounter. Also, the front wheel is fixed. A pivoting front wheel does make for easier turning but can be annoying if it gets turned the wrong way. I don’t have a strong preference on this issue, and the BIG MAX Blade IP 2 rolled and turned without any hassles.
Sticking with the wheels, the Blade IP 2 features two footbrakes. This is one of those small upgrades that users will appreciate over time. If you lock a single wheel on a slope, the cart can pivot and potentially topple. That’s not a concern when you can lock two. Additionally, if you only need one, you have the ability to lock whichever wheel is more convenient. Both brakes worked as designed, and the levers are large enough to easily manipulate with your feet.
I put several types of bags on the BIG MAX Blade IP 2 push cart and found it was most comfortable carrying a stand bag. It can tote a full sized staff bag, but the bag ends up being very upright. If I had one nit to pick about this cart, it’s that the elastic straps at the bottom don’t seem very useful. Because of the angle of the straps and the way the bag’s base sits on the cart, they simply aren’t doing much. That’s not a real concern because A) the top straps are quite secure and B) the bag is leaning back toward the cart anyway, but it’s worth noting.
Overall, the Blade IP 2 push cart is a pleasure to use on the course. It rolls smoothly, holds the bag securely, and keeps all your essentials handy in its spacious console.
Conclusion
Available in five colors, the BIG MAX Blade IP 2 push cart represents the peak of the company’s engineering prowess, packing an outstanding user experience into a remarkably slim package. Customize it with some of BIG MAX’s great accessories and you’ll be cruising in style all season long.