Ridesafer vest or another scenera (2 threads merged together)

[AnnR]

We will be traveling with a 3.5 year old and a 18 months old to Arizona. We will be renting a car and need travel carseats. We already have one cosco scenera which we used for the older boy before when he was younger, but this time we will be using it for the youger one who outgrow his infant seat. My question is what is the best option for my 3.5 year old? (he will be about 32-33 lbs and and 3 year 7 month at that time to be exact.) We will be driving around quite a bit for sightseeing, mostly shorter rides but on some day will be driving 2-3 hours. We probably will be getting in and out of car often each day.

We have britax roundabout and graco nautilus at home but definitely will not take those on the trip.

I am thinking whether I should buy another cosco scenera or getting a ridesafer vest for my older son. What is your recommendation?

I am leaning towards the ridesafer vest due to the ease of travelling (only one actual carseat to lug around for a younger one, instead of two.) and that we can use it longer for the future trip.. My concern is that he will sit low and will not see outside and so might get impatient quickly with the car ride. So I feel I might have to put him in the middle back seat so he can see outside? Another thing is -it seems that the vest is a 4 or 5 point harness(?) but when I look at the videos I am not sure if there may be a chance he will wiggle out of the vest if left unsupervised on the back seat? So do I need to sit on the back to supervised the little guy? Wonder what is your experience with this?

Thank you so much for any suggestion.

 

[AnnR]

Cosco scenera or ride safer vest

I already posted this once, wait a long while and it does not appear. So I am trying this again and sorry if this is a duplicate.

We will be traveling to Arizona in November with then 3.5 year old and 18 months old boys. We have one cosco scenera which the older son used on the last trip but this time we will have the 18 months old use it instead. My question is what should we get for the 3.5 year old. (he will be 3 year 7 months and 32-33lbs to be exact at that time.) We will be driving around for sightseeing with mostly shorter rides but some will be about 2-3 hours.

We have britax roundabout and graco nautilus at home but won't be taking those.

I am thinking if we should buy another scenera, or get a ridesafer vest for him. I am leaning toward the ridesafer due to ease of traveling (so we only lug one actual car seat, not 2.) and that we can use it longer for future trips. But concern that he will sit low and cannot see outside so may get impatient during those rides (plus carsick?) Would siting in the middle back seat work? It seems to be a 4 or 5 point harness and from what I read so far, is safe. But I am concerned that he may possibly wiggle out if left unsupervised in the back seat based on what I see on the videos. Do I have to sit in the back with him to supervise if I would use this?

Thank you so much for any suggestion.

 

[Stelvis]

Many 3.5 year olds would be too tall for the Scenera.

Have you looked at the Safety 1st GoHybrid? It's a really cool seat but requires the seating position to have a top tether. It is also kind of tough to install with a seatbelt, but very easy to install with LATCH.

 

[AnnR]

Re: Cosco scenera or ride safer vest

Thank you for your reply. I was looking at the safety 1st go hybrid as well. It seems to be about the same price with the ridesafer vest but I thought the ridesafer will be easier to lug around. But do you suggest the go hybrid better?

 

[wendytthomas]

Re: Ridesafer vest or another scenera

The vest is kind of four point. The three of the belt and a crotch strap.

Since at 32/33 pounds it's unlikely a plane's seatbelt will restrain him, I'd buy something like an Evenflo Maestro to use traveling. No sense for a Scenera if you're forward facing. I'd get a longer lasting seat to travel with for both kids for years.

Then use the Scenera for the baby rear facing.

Wendy

 

[KaiLing]

Re: Cosco scenera or ride safer vest

For a child used to sitting in a car seat, the gohybrid will feel like a car seat. The ride safer travel vest will not--it's like a booster. That means if it's the first time your kid has sat in it, you will need to keep him in position. I do not produce 3.5 year olds who will do this, especially while traveling.

 

[Stelvis]

The vest is kind of four point. The three of the belt and a crotch strap.

Since at 32/33 pounds it's unlikely a plane's seatbelt will restrain him, I'd buy something like an Evenflo Maestro to use traveling. No sense for a Scenera if you're forward facing. I'd get a longer lasting seat to travel with for both kids for years.

Then use the Scenera for the baby rear facing.

Wendy

Another option would be a CARES harness for the plane.

 

[wendytthomas]

Another option would be a CARES harness for the plane.

The CARES doesn't tighten the lap belt, though, and at 32/33 pounds the lap belt may not tighten enough. And the Go isn't FAA approved.

Wendy

 

[AnnR]

Thank you very much for your replies. For the flight I initially thought that I will have a 3.5 yo ride in the scenera, the 18 months old will be a lap child with baby b'air we have. Then when we got there, the 18 months old will get the scenera rear facing then that is where my dilemma comes in of what to get for my older son.

I initially thought I will eventually get the ride safer vest or bumble bum anyway in the future whenever it will be safe to do so. So I guess I am trying to save some money not to buy another in between car seat, but sounds like I will have to..

My older son is at about 25 percentile, so he is on a smaller side. He was using the scenera 2 months ago with our last trip. (on flights and in rental car.) I was under the impression that he will still fit the scenera 6 months from now (so at least can use during flights.) but I guess I cannot be so sure. And sounds like there are other better option suggesting here.

I have not heard about evenflo maestro. Is it a good seat for travel? How big and how much it weighs compared to the scenera? (so I get some idea.) The price is the cheapest in between these options.

Safety 1st go is actually more expensive than the ridesafer. (just check more carefully.) But probably more convenient than the maestro to travel as it folds into a bag?

I am glad you told me that the ride safer vest feels more to the child as a booster, not a car seat. I think that is very important. Now I am not sure if I will really be comfortable using this right now if there is a chance he will move around as if he is in a booster. I initially thought it will keep him in place more than that as a 4 point harness. Is there anyway the seatbelt can be locked though, with a clip or something? Is it safe to do?

Thank you so much for all the info. I really appreciate this.

 

[wendytthomas]

Ah. Not sure if you're aware, but your 18 month old should have a seat and use a carseat on board. As per the FAA, AAP, NTSB, and likely the airline you're flying. Whatever you buy if it's not used on board must be transported both ways in its box for safety.

The Evenflo Maestro harnesses to 50 pounds with 18" top slots then makes a short term booster. Versus the Scenera with 14.5" top slots and a 40 pound harness limit. The Maestro will last you years longer than the Scenera, usually it costs about $65, and it weighs 11 pounds or so. It's a great travel seat. The Scenera doesn't make sense to buy for a child who will outgrow it shortly and won't use it rear facing.

Please buy your baby a seat and transport everyone on board the plane safely (since an object not secured is a projectile risk, correct? That doesn't stop just because your baby is human, and your Baby B'air is not approved for the three most dangerous parts of the flight. Nor would it do anything).

Wendy

 

[Stelvis]

The CARES doesn't tighten the lap belt, though, and at 32/33 pounds the lap belt may not tighten enough. And the Go isn't FAA approved.

Wendy

True. It did tighten fine on my DS last year when he was right around 35 lbs. This must vary from plane to plane.

 

[wendytthomas]

Piper was 38-43 pounds, and on one plane a year or two later was 53 pounds without a belt that would tighten.

It depends a lot on the shape and weight of the child, but at 32/33 pounds I don't know of any kids who will actually fill out the belt and sit properly and not unbuckle it and not have the buckle at their abdomen or slouch down.

Wendy

 

[Stelvis]

The Baby B'air isn't FAA approved, so you can't use it (or any other type of sling) during takeoff, landing, or when the fasten seatbelt a sign is on. Actually, it's more dangerous than just holding your child loose, because it turns them into a human airbag for your torso. If the whole thing doesn't just rip apart, because its not made to withstand crash forces.

In cases of severe turbulence, your unrestrained child will have to be -- literally -- shoved under the seat in front of you like a carry-on to keep them from becoming a projectile. That's what the attendants are required to do.

 

[Stelvis]

Piper was 38-43 pounds, and on one plane a year or two later was 53 pounds without a belt that would tighten.

It depends a lot on the shape and weight of the child, but at 32/33 pounds I don't know of any kids who will actually fill out the belt and sit properly and not unbuckle it and not have the buckle at their abdomen or slouch down.

Wendy

He didn't unbuckle it. It was a 2 hour flight. He thought the harness was a special pilot harness and that he was cool, and he didn't mess with any of it.

The CARES is only approved up to 40 lb/40", so the FAA must feel it provides acceptable restraint for small children in most situations, since it is an approved device.

I'm not going to claim the lap belt fit was as good as it is with a proper booster in a car, but given the relative safety of air travel over car travel, and the different physics of plane incidents over car crashes, it seemed fine to me.

ETA: from the CARES website on the topic of submarining:

"CARES does not have a crotch strap. This is because the FAA was concerned that given the particulars of airplane movement the strap itself could cause injury. In their testing the FAA found that if the CARES straps and the lap belt were tightened securely, slipping beneath the belt is not common. With that said, children grow and develop at various rates including the ability to sit upright, unassisted, which is necessary when using CARES. You can determine what’s best for your child."

http://kidsflysafe.com/cares-overview/frequently-asked-questions/