13 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
Glad it was a gift... I didn't pay for it myself.
Date of Review: Sep 22, 2007
The Bottom Line: Pass over this one, unless you have low self-esteem and like to torture yourself on a regular basis.
Great seat in theory, but more of an annoyance than a help.
It was a bit on the tall side while reclined and didn't fit well in the middle van seat. It also was far too big
for the infant until he was 7 months old.
It is wonderful as a toddler seat, as long as your child never leaks, spills or dazzles you with their digestive pyrotechnics. I dread taking the cover off and will spot clean if possible (I would not hesitate to take the cover off any of the Britax or Graco carseats I and my sisters have owned). To take the covers off the first time, I had to cut the elastic bands that secured the seat cover underneath because they were threaded on a metal rod that runs under the seat. No way was I going to try to remove and replace that. It also is nearly impossible to pull the buckle itself through the opening without tearing the fabric.
The cushion on the adjustable headrest was no better. In order to remove it completely, you have to pull the plastic ovals out which secure the headrest and fabric to the piece that adjusts up and down - I punctured my finger doing this. I have never had such an experience just to wash a carseat cover. The harness straps also twist quite easily whether the shoulder pads are used or not. This seat stays in my sister's car, where it is used less frequently.
Overall, I would have to say I prefer not to use this seat unless absolutely necessary. For the cost of this one seat, one could actually buy an infant restraint and convertible toddler/booster seat separately for less and get a lot more use.
