I would personally recommend the scootababy over the ellaroo, for a number of reasons.
The scootababy has a unique windpro (fleece) shoulder that is very comfortable and supportive, it also can be worn on either hip without having to reverse rings or buckles (unlike the ellaroo). The adjustment mechanism is much simpler and therefore quick and easy to use, especially if your partner also wants to wear, or you want to quickly lower your baby for a feed. I know a few people with the ellaroo who have found it to be quite complicated to adjust, whereas I have had people who have never worn a child before use a scootababy without instruction and found it easy and intuitive. The waist is a heavily padded SSC type waist which is really supportive for toddlers (I have literally carried my 13kg toddler all day in one)
The scootababy is more expensive but for comfort and ease of use it is (IMO) a far superior dedicated hip carrier than anything else on the market. You might be able to pick one up second hand on either thebabywearer or baby-carriers-downunder for-sale-or-trade boards, which would make it much cheaper.
Another thought - if you like using a HAB and are used to tying a wrap, why not consider getting a woven wrap? Much more supportive than a stretch wrap and you can do a multitude of carries, including hip carries. Whereas a dedicated hip carrier is restricted in that sense.
If that interests you, let me know and I can post some recommendations of where to buy and what to look for.
Thanks girls for the replies I am looking into those, def need 2nd hand as they are quite costly. I don't understand why they need to be so expensive.
Suse thanks for that I think I'd prefer to avoid wraps again, the HAB has been handy but wraps can be quite annoying would prefer the ease of the others, going to check out those sites you suggested.
Aside from the fact that a lot of work that goes into making a SSC, materials are not cheap and a good carrier uses premium fabrics and hardware. Carriers like the Scootababy and Ellaroo are not mass produced in the same sense that many of the more commonly available brands are - they are not produced offshore in factories in countries that have very cheap labour. (Not that it helps make it any more affordable, just a bit of explanation of why good carriers are expensive).
Though, if you compare the cost of these carriers to a Baby Bjorn (for example), they are actually not that much different in price, especially when you consider the longevity of wear that you will likely get in comparison to a Bjorn.
The USD - AUD exchange rate is pretty favourable right now too, and with the US economy depressed it's not difficult to find a bargain if buying second hand from US sites like thebabywearer. International postage can be a bit of a stinger though.
If you sew, a ring sling can be made quite cheaply.
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