baby hawk or piccolo

We currently have a bubzilla pouch sling, which is great, but now bubs is getting a bit older, she will only go in it if she is aldready asleep - she hates being in it when she is awake because she can't see, but she's still too small to wear her in it like you would an older baby. So I've been looking into other types, and really like the piccolo, the only problem is that I've only found one online! everywhere else is sold out, and I would like it asap. So then I had a look at the babyhawk mei tai, which i like because i can get a pattern for me, and have the other side plain black for hubby (whereas the piccolo, he wants me to get a plain one so he can use it). The main thing we like about the piccolo is that I can wear dd facing out on the front (i quite often end up carrying her like this at the shops, but she's getting to heavy), but can you do this with the mei tai?

As a side note, I remember reading a post about trying to justify another sling to dh - i managed to get him to agree to a new sling after I'd told him how much the dress I bought for a family wedding was - it was almost a third of the budget ($6, as opposed to the $150 he was letting me spend)!

I have both. :P

I love the Pikkolo for ease of use for dh, love that older kids can face out (Si has just started to at 4.5months, although I think he might be a bit short still). It also has a sleeping hood, so if older kids fall asleep, you can support their head. Good for back carry with an older child.
The down side is if you're on the slim side - when Si was newborn it was fine, but now I've slimmed down, it's tightened to the point where the buckles are almost out of reach towards my back! Until Si gets older/bigger, it's only an option if I have someone with me to help.

The one I reach for at the moment is my BabyHawk - it's so adjustable, and supportive. Si can't face out in it (CatBirdBaby MT's allow this though), but he can still look out the side, and he's still young enough that going out is a bit overwhelming and it's best to face in. The learning curve is a little higher with a Mei Tai, but once you've found your groove, they're really really great and comfy.
It's also good for back carries for an older child.

So...don't make me choose! I couldn't for me. :P I love them both. Depending on where you live, you might be able to try them in real life. Do you live near me?

I'm in Adelaide, so nowhere near unfortunately. But i took the pluge today and ordered a piccolo - i went for it as dd loves to look out so the outward facing was the winning factor, although i loved the fabrics of the babyhawk. I didn't know that catbirdbaby did a mt as well - didn't come across that one.