Evenflo Triumph Advanced

[millere]

I'm considering buying the EFTA for my son. I can't find the new Triumph safety ratings on the NHSTA website. Though I know these ratings are pretty unhelpful, I wanted to make sure it has been government tested.

Are there problems with buying such a new seat that I should know about?

I've heard good things about this seat, and wanted to check about this here. Also, are there any safety concerns with the infinite harness adjuster? Is this similiar to the one in the Boulevard?

Thanks for any insight/input.

Ellen

[mominabigtruck]

If it hasn't passed govt testing then its not for sale, period.

Technically, the efta isn't eally a new seat, its been out for almost a year now and tons of people have them including myself and I haven't heard about any major structural problems.

[mish]

A lot of people on here have this seat and love it. Depending on your son and your vehicle, it may or may not be a good seat for you. If you have a babies r us near you, you can go there and try it in your car. If I were you, I would go to car seat reviews on this board and read what people have said. I think there area couple of reviews. Happy seat hunting!

[scatterbunny]

Just to be clear, the government does not publish safety ratings, they only publish ease of use ratings, and those, indeed, are pretty unhelpful. Carseat companies self-certify. They test their seats according to federal laws, and assure the government they pass. NHTSA only does spot-checks. We must then always assume the best seat is the one that fits your child, fits your vehicle and will be used correctly each and every time. For different families, different seats work better or worse depending on the situation. I always try to steer parents toward a seat that has tall top slots and/or a high rear-facing and/or forward-facing weight limits, as these will last longer.

The EFTA is a really nice seat. You could also consider the Compass TrueFit and Safety 1st Uptown, in the same price range.

[skaterbabscpst]

Honestly, those government ratings for for "ease of use" - and rarely do we agree with them. The people writing them have gotten too caught up in trying to avoid hurting someone's feelings than giving useful information. :twocents:

All seats currently on the market meet the same minimum standards. Any seat that fails testing is not released until it passes. If it fails later, there is a recall and whatever caused the failure is repaired or replaced.

As far as the Triumph Advance, I really like the seat. My daughter has a Britax Marathon, but has more room in the the Triumph Advance both by height and by width. The weight limit is more realistic for the harness height than the limit on the MA, I can see many kids actually making it to 50 lbs before outgrowing it by height.

The harness adjuster is a love-it-or-hate-it type of thing. I really like it, but it is VERY different than other seats on the market. Rather than tightening the harness UP towards the shoulders, the harness tightening mechanism pull the harness webbing down onto and over the thighs. It's not better or worse, but it can seem a little odd at first.

[Patriot201]

The harness adjuster is a love-it-or-hate-it type of thing. I really like it, but it is VERY different than other seats on the market. Rather than tightening the harness UP towards the shoulders, the harness tightening mechanism pull the harness webbing down onto and over the thighs. It's not better or worse, but it can seem a little odd at first.


:yeahthat:

I would try out a store model (if you can) to see if you like the harness tension adjuster. as Rebekah said, some like it while some hate it. It is truly a personal preference.

[Unregistered]

Thanks so much for all your replies.

I tried the seat at BRU, and like the knobs. I'm wondering about the infinite harness height adjuster. I haven't seen other seats like this (I think my friend's boudlevard has it). Do you think it's as safe as those that don't slide?

My sister has the old Triumph, and we could use it for my son. I don't think he'd make it as long as I'd like rear facing.

Also, when kids are rear facing past 12 months, should you change the incline angle from 45 degrees to more upright?

Thanks again!
Ellen

[Loves2sing]

Thanks so much for all your replies.

I tried the seat at BRU, and like the knobs. I'm wondering about the infinite harness height adjuster. I haven't seen other seats like this (I think my friend's boudlevard has it). Do you think it's as safe as those that don't slide?

My sister has the old Triumph, and we could use it for my son. I don't think he'd make it as long as I'd like rear facing.

Also, when kids are rear facing past 12 months, should you change the incline angle from 45 degrees to more upright?

Thanks again!
Ellen


There are a few seats out there with the infinate height adjuster, and it is a safe, and tested option. It is especially great for those who are needing to use the seat for different children of different heights. It is super easy to use, and I personally LOVE it. I think it's fantastic.

You could use your sister's Triumph as long as it has never been in an accident, but it wouldn't last as long as the Triumph advance. You could possibly think of using it until your son doesn't fit it RFing anymore, then consider buying the EFTA, or another seat that would fit your budget, child, car and needs. This would at least put off the purchase of a new seat for a while.

You can definatley change the angle of the seat to more up right when your ds is a year old. I personally put my dd's seat more upright once she was about 9-10 months old.

I hope this answers your questions!

[Mommy2Marcus]

Also, when kids are rear facing past 12 months, should you change the incline angle from 45 degrees to more upright?

Yes you can have your DS's seat more upright now that he is older. His seat can be anywhere between 30-45 degrees reclined as long as their head does not flop forward when they sleep. I have my 18 month old DS RF at about a 30-35 degree angle. His are probably somewhere in between at around 32-33 & his head does not flop forward! He would probably even like the more upright angle!

That being said I have the EFTA & absolutly LOVE it. It is a great seat. I also really like the knobs & the harness. I have found that once the harness is tight like it is supposed to be, without being able to pinch any webbing at the collar bone, then the harness will NOT move as it is snugged down on their shoulders. The only way I could see it not staying put & moving is if the harness was to loose!

[heyruthie]

We really like our EFTA. :twocents:

[Unregistered]

Thanks, JennasMom and Mommy2 marcus--I was really wondering about the infinite harness.

We're going to try out the EFTA in our car to make sure it's a snug fit.

I really appreciate all your prompt replies. It's so helpful to hear from safety minded folks who own this seat!

Ellen