Fisher Price Safe Voyage Deluxe Convertible Car Seat

[mmcphee]

This is definitely my new favorite car seat. This seat is based on the Britax Marathon but with only a 55 lb forward facing weight limit, but the same 33 lb rear facing limit. It is super easy to install with seat belts and my 3 year old is very comfortable in it. I highly recommend this seat!

Please see my full review:

http://www.epinions.com/content_261928619652

[KateZC]

Well, I certainly did not have the same experience. I was so excited when my FP Safe Voyage Deluxe Seats came (I could not find them in ANY stores, so I purchased online).

Well, the excitement faded quickly.

1. The straps are extremely difficult to re-route. It took me FOREVER and my fingers/cuticles were all torn up afterwards. I felt that it was because of the way the fabric/cover is on. It is not very tight and there is lots of space between the fabric slots (which are very small to begin with) and the shell slots. Thankfully this is not something you do often (change the harness height).

2. My main issue is that the LATCH strap is extremely short, making it impossible to install in the captain seats of my Mazda MPV. I tried for a very long time over the course of two days. I could not get the seat installed with LATCH. There was not enough play room in the strap length. Yes, I could use the seatbelt, but I should be able to use LATCH and I can't. I just don't see how this seat (two of them) is going to work for us.

3. This one is my fault: No cupholder. Big issue when on trips. But I should have noticed that.

This is just my take on the seat. I was so wanting this seat to be "the one" for us for the next several years. Now I am not so sure...

Kate

[UlrikeDG]

There's a really easy solution for #1. Simply pull the cover off the top portion of the seat, thread the straps, then put the cover back on.

[tjham]

I love mine! I bought it right before picking my granddaughter at kindergarten. I changed the harness straps quickly with the seat sitting on the sidewalk outside the school, then installed it. I don't remember it being a problem. I use a Siderider from OneStepAhead.com. It is a mesh basket that clips to the side.

[tjham]

I like the mesh clip-on holder from OneStepAhead called the SideRider.

http://www.onestepahead.com/product/...08781/117.html

It is an add-on but lots of techs say it's OK to use because it is soft. They come in a 2 pk. I bought 4. I have one each on my Bolero, Marathon, Chase and Scenera. It can hold a sippy cup and a bag of snacks, or a few little toys.

The clips are really hard to open. Have a butter knife handy! I had a hard time attaching the clips to the fabric so I pinned 2 diaper safety pins to the areas I wanted the clips to go and attached the clips to the pins. But now that they are on, they are on tight and good to go!

[joolsplus3]

Well, I certainly did not have the same experience. I was so excited when my FP Safe Voyage Deluxe Seats came (I could not find them in ANY stores, so I purchased online).

Well, the excitement faded quickly.

1. The straps are extremely difficult to re-route. It took me FOREVER and my fingers/cuticles were all torn up afterwards. I felt that it was because of the way the fabric/cover is on. It is not very tight and there is lots of space between the fabric slots (which are very small to begin with) and the shell slots. Thankfully this is not something you do often (change the harness height).

2. My main issue is that the LATCH strap is extremely short, making it impossible to install in the captain seats of my Mazda MPV. I tried for a very long time over the course of two days. I could not get the seat installed with LATCH. There was not enough play room in the strap length. Yes, I could use the seatbelt, but I should be able to use LATCH and I can't. I just don't see how this seat (two of them) is going to work for us.

3. This one is my fault: No cupholder. Big issue when on trips. But I should have noticed that.

This is just my take on the seat. I was so wanting this seat to be "the one" for us for the next several years. Now I am not so sure...

Kate



It's hard to imagine the LATCH strap being too short if it's in the correct belt path. Perhaps it came in the rearfacing belt path and needs to be moved to the front facing belt path. Is there any clear picture in the manual or a sticker on the side of the seat showing the LATCH in the proper belt path for reference?

Yeah, I've never met a seat that's really easy to rethread the harness except for the Regent...all those slots are narrow, and I usually get something wrong every time (different cover from the seat shell slots, duh, lol).

Love the Side Rider for our Marathon...Britax/Fisher Price don't seem to like to add extra (and possibly dangerous, as they can hold projectiles or even become projectiles) features to a seat that don't enhance the safety or ease of use of the seat.


Hope it works out for you, otherwise.

:)

[KateZC]

Thanks for the suggestions on the siderider. I will definitely check that out. I will also check that the LATCH strap is in the right belt path. I read the instructions pretty clearly, but will go back over again. I certainly may have missed something.

Thanks for your help! Maybe all is not lost for my two new seats! :)

[chirosports]

Does anyone know the difference b/t FPSV Deluxe and FPSV EX? I notice online that there is about a $20-30 difference.

Thanks.

WIll

[skaterbabscpst]

the Safe Voyage Delux is based off the Marathon and has a 55 lbs FF limit. The other model is based off the Roundabout and has a 40 lbs FF limit.

[tjham]

I just read they are not having the 40 lb. one anymore. Really, what's the point?

[hapahaole]

Does anyone know if you can use a Britax Marathon cover on the Fisher Price seat? I love how soft most of the Britax covers are compared to the FP one. Just curious...

Thanks!
hapa

[skaterbabscpst]

Britax says you can't.

[hapahaole]

Thanks skaterbabscpst.

hapa

[Melanie]

Does anyone know where I can see this seat in person? I've tried Target & Babies R Us with no luck. This seems like a great alternative to a Marathon, but I really hate ordering it sight unseen.

[hapahaole]

Our Babies R Us has them. You might want to call around to some of the more specialty baby stores or ask BRU if they're going to start carrying them.

[busybusymomma]

I bought a FPSV Dlx in Sept 06 and we are using it for our now 3.5yo son. It is a fantastic seat. VERY easy to install and user friendly and I think he'll be able to stay in it until he mature enough for a booster seat. I had no issues adjusting the strap height and it was incredibly easy to install- the first try. I had my installation checked by a tech and we passed with flying colors. His previous seat was a Fisher Price Safe Embrace, which we loved and I'm so glad we were able to find an affordable alternative to the Britax seats. :D

It's time to retire my infant daughter's FPSE and I plan to buy another Safe Voyage for her as well. :D

[trailrunnermom]

We purchased a FPSVD in February from albeebaby.com. The DOM on this seat is July 2006. They don't seem to be producing the seat now (in '07), but '06 models are still available from several online retailers. Hopefully FP/Britax will be making more of these.

Why we bought this seat for our 38-month-old son (38 lbs., 39" tall): We needed a higher-weight harness seat for him for our 2nd car (and for use in his aunt's car, friends' cars, etc.) He's in a Radian 65 in our main vehicle. My choice was between the Cosco Apex 65 and the FPSVD (FF to 55 lbs), since I didn't want to spend too much for a seat that would only be used once or twice each week.

I chose the FPSVD because it's relatively lightweight and it's easy to install. So far I've installed it in a '99 Subaru sedan and a '96 Honda Accord...all that was required for a tight install was a few twists of the seatbelt stalk. It's also very easy to buckle the child (important feature since his dad and his aunt aren't quite as familiar with carseats as I am). Also, the buckle and chest clip on the FPSVD are easier for me to open than the ones on the Apex. Neither the FP nor the Apex gives the child much room at the crotch buckle location (also true for the Radian 65), but I think they're designed to be this way so that the child has to sit up straight and back against the seat.

The FPSVD sits up much higher than the Apex...this was okay because I knew I would be installing it in sedans. However, in an SUV or van, it would be easier for the child to climb into the Apex by themselves since it sits lower.

The FPSVD harness straps are easy to adjust higher or lower if I pull the cover aside so I can see what I'm doing.

Other things I like about the seat: It's a convertible, so if needed, I can use it RF or FF for either of my two great-nieces (one age 3 months, and the other, 2 years). But yet, it doesn't look too babyish, so I don't think my son will mind riding in it...he will probably outgrow it right about the time he realizes it's not a booster seat. His 5-1/2 year old brother would still just fit in the FPSVD, so I know we'll get at least two more years of being able to keep the 3-y.o. in a 5-pt. harness in all cars. (And by then, his brother will be ready to move out of the Britax Husky and pass it down to him.)

The cover of the FPSVD isn't as plush (or cute or colorful) as the Britax Marathon covers, but overall, it's a good seat for the price that will last most children (except those with long torsos) up to a size where they could probably ride safely in a belt-positioning booster. For longer 5-pt. harnessing, the next step up would be a Britax Regent. (The Radian goes up to 65 lbs, but the harness heights seem to be about the same as the FPSVD...maybe 1/2" higher at most.)

[nurse_reedle]

We were all for the FP until we saw one in person. We did NOT like it at all. The base is horribly flimsy, and I am sure that if it broke, the carseat would be no good. My dh almost broke it while it was on the display, and he did nothing but lean it back and then back up again! The padding has MUCH to be desired for in a $150 carseat. I would actally choose an Uptown over that seat. The FP also sits alot more upright than the Marathon does. I don't know why that is, but we compared them side by side.

[Simplysomething]

http://www.epinions.com/content_261928619652

What I find really funny is that I just read this review---and was going to come here to ask if what the posters here thought of it. lol (I googled fisher price safe voyage deluxe, and the review was the first one that popped up)

Based on what has been said in this review AND by the experts on this site...I want one now. The covers may be ugly in comparison to the Britax seats, but I have a Scenera. Which is the epitome of ugly.

I would like more information regarding the HUGS and a recall on a much earlier seat, it's mentioned further down in the article, in the comparison between the MA and the FPSVDX. I'm just interested, it has no factor in the seat I purchase after DS2 outgrows the scenera.

[trailrunnermom]

Update as of 3/20/07 to my original review above: I installed the FPSVD for our 2+ hour trip last weekend for DS#2 (3 yrs 4 mos., 37.5 lbs, 39"). He rode in the 2nd row captain's chair in our Odyssey. The LATCH install was very easy. He seemed very comfortable in the seat and slept a fair amount.

However, the one problem with sleeping in the FPSVD is that it doesn't have a lot of recline FF, plus the side material is slick, so every time we braked, his head would fall forward. Traffic was heavy --stop-and-go on the highway--so I was constantly pushing his head back up (Note: I was riding, not driving.) :) (Without the stop-and-go, he was able to keep his head back okay.)

I think it might have been a little better if he rode in his Radian because the material isn't so slippery. But with the way we had to constantly slow down/stop, he probably would have had the same problem even in the Radian.

[Judi]

Baby Depot and Burlington Coat Factory had it last year. If they still have some, (I don't at my store, but that is what you get when you have a tech in a baby dept!), they would probably be on clearance by now. I like the seat, had no problems with install, but didn't care for the quality of the cover.

[sshen81]

I purchased a Fisher Price Save Voyage Deluxe from babyuniverse.com about a week ago and it arrived today. These definitely haven't been discontinued. The one I have has a manufacture date of 3/12/2007 (just a couple of weeks before I ordered it). It seems they're still being produced, but it might only be available on special order from retailers.

I saw the seat in person at a local brick & mortar, and was a little bit concerned about the seat cover quality. I decided to go ahead and buy the FPSVD, figuring I could always get a Marathon seat cover to replace it. I was pleasantly surprised when the seat arrived because the cover fabric on this seat was far better than the floor model I had seen earlier. From what I can tell, the seat looks great and will provide a long period of use for my son. I really like that it's made by Britax and at $129.99 (after an online coupon) shipped, I can't complain.

I hope this is useful information for anyone considering this seat and having difficulty finding it.

[1girltwinboyz]

Does it recline well for kiddos to sleep FF? :)

[1girltwinboyz]

So I read this seat CANNOT be tethered in RF mode?

[Judi]

No, it can not be tethered RF. Recline for FF should only be used if it is to get a good fit in the car.

[trailrunnermom]

However, the one problem with sleeping in the FPSVD is that it doesn't have a lot of recline FF,

An update to my 3/20/07 update...I realized that when I have the FPSVD installed in one of the captain's chairs, I can recline the captain's chair 1-2 clicks (just a little bit) and get a much better recline angle for napping. :)

[sixboys]

I just installed one of my new FPSVD seats into our 2002 PT Cruiser, RF outboard driver's side, and I was able to get a rock solid install using the latch. I am very happy with my purchase. I had to upgrade the 6 year old seats we had been using in my husband's car, but did not want to purchase our 8th and 9th Britax seats. (The seven Britax seats in my vehicle just about broke the budget! No Starbucks for me for the next year!:( Okay, more like 10 years!)

Anyway, it is essentially the same build as the Britax Marathon with these main differences: the recline is not quite as easy to do, no belt lock-offs, only one side of the latch strap is adjustable and they are a hook on rather than clip on style *no button release*, no pouch for the tethter strap, the fabric isn't as soft, no HUGS or belly pad, and no velcro tabs to hold the straps out of the way when getting baby into the seat. I do think the shoulder strap pads on the FPSVD are superior to those on our Britax Boulevards in that they are longer and narrower. I also think the padding and safety foam are very comparable to the Britax seat, and it is much softer than the Cosco Scenera I was also considering. (I never saw the Uptown in person, so I don't know how it compares to that.) I do know that it has a 55 lb. harness limit, so it will be able to take my little guys all the way until they are ready for a high back booster - and I'm happy about that.

[stefani]

Does it recline well for kiddos to sleep FF? :)

Not as well. I have Evenflo Triumph, which can be reclined 4 positions (I think) for FF, so it is at the setting 1 less than upright, and DS sleeps in that very well. The FPSVD doesn't recline as much (and less of a bowl shape). Still, DS slept for 45 minutes yesterday, and I had to wake him up because we got to where we were going. He also said that he likes the seat (he is 3.75 years old) so that is :thumbsup:

[musicmaj]

I bought this seat for my 20 month old to use rfing. He is 20lbs and 30 inches and has lots, and lots of room to grow in it. I have it installed with latch in the second row captains chair of our odyssey. It was simple to install and is rock solid. I have found that it is easy to adjust the harness. We are very pleased with this seat.

[BeanJeepin]

I saw the seat in person at a local brick & mortar, and was a little bit concerned about the seat cover quality. I decided to go ahead and buy the FPSVD, figuring I could always get a Marathon seat cover to replace it. I was pleasantly surprised when the seat arrived because the cover fabric on this seat was far better than the floor model I had seen earlier. From what I can tell, the seat looks great and will provide a long period of use for my son. I really like that it's made by Britax and at $129.99 (after an online coupon) shipped, I can't complain.

I hope this is useful information for anyone considering this seat and having difficulty finding it.

What color cover did you get? Or was it the same color as in-store?

[Judi]

The cover that looks like Target dots, is cheap. Don't get it!

[CHaney72]

I have the black cover, not the red one and it is great! :thumbsup: