Britax "Check Fit" fix

[rfk]

Welcome to Q3. Any new news from Britax on this?

Twins are still sub-40 lbs, so our old Frontier 80's still work using Latch...

I take it no one's heard anything on the updated Britax seats?

Happy Q3.

 

[MikeyD]

I wrote to Britax about the issue with regard to the Pinnacle model and received the following response:

"The design change went into affect on July 17th. There is not part number change for the product but the manufacture date is what you can go buy if you purchase one in the store."

Thus, apparently the seat has been redesigned but you can only tell which version you are getting if you can see the manufacture date ahead of time. Interestingly, Britax hasn't bothered to update their website to reflect that the change has already occurred. I wanted to order online but I'm not confident I'll get the remodeled version, so I'll probably wait a while while the remaining stock of the previous version sells out.

 

[MotoMommaNH]

Did they mention a kit to fix the current seats out there?

 

[SafeDad]

Did they mention a kit to fix the current seats out there?

Yes, current owners can call for a SecureGuard clip. Improves fit (prevents the lap belt from riding up into the tummy) AND provides a 4th point of restraint. Double Bonus!

 

[rfk]

"The design change went into affect on July 17th. There is not part number change for the product but the manufacture date is what you can go buy if you purchase one in the store."

Thus, apparently the seat has been redesigned but you can only tell which version you are getting if you can see the manufacture date ahead of time.

Uh, didn't lack of part number change just get GM into big trouble? When they changed the design w/out part number change to cover up a flawed design? Hoping people wouldn't catch on?

Are. You. Kidding. Me. ??

Unreal.

 

[bella_1818]

Yes, current owners can call for a SecureGuard clip. Improves fit (prevents the lap belt from riding up into the tummy) AND provides a 4th point of restraint. Double Bonus!

How are people supposed to know this?

We weren't notified, but we move a lot, so maybe the notice didn't make it?

What did the redesign entail?

 

[happiness-and-balance]

How are people supposed to know this? We weren't notified, but we move a lot, so maybe the notice didn't make it? What did the redesign entail?

I have a FRct and a PNct (Canadian) and haven't received anything.

ETA: I think because it's not actually a recall, they won't send it out unless you request it. Kinda like the longer radian crotch buckle.

 

[katymyers]

How are people supposed to know this? We weren't notified, but we move a lot, so maybe the notice didn't make it? What did the redesign entail?

I've not been notified and I know for a fact Britax has my info on file. To be honest I'm kinda pissed about the whole thing. Why did they release the seats with inferior belt fit to begin with? It's inconvenient to have to call and get sent the SG clip when my seat should have been fine all along without it.

 

[MotoMommaNH]

I'm actually not too concerned or bothered by it...Ill probably request the Secure Guard just to have it but Ill be harnessing DS in the fr90 until he's at least six and by that point I doubt fit will be an issue.
IIRC the dummy IIHS uses is more the size of an average 4 year old?


Eta:nevermind they use an average size 6 year old dummy. Well, even still, ill once again be using the harness for a while and will reevaluate fit when he's ready to booster. Not too worried as he's larger than average.

 

[laeta904]

I wrote to Britax about the issue with regard to the Pinnacle model and received the following response:

"The design change went into affect on July 17th. There is not part number change for the product but the manufacture date is what you can go buy if you purchase one in the store."

Thus, apparently the seat has been redesigned but you can only tell which version you are getting if you can see the manufacture date ahead of time. Interestingly, Britax hasn't bothered to update their website to reflect that the change has already occurred. I wanted to order online but I'm not confident I'll get the remodeled version, so I'll probably wait a while while the remaining stock of the previous version sells out.

I will come back to post photos tomorrow, but I'm pretty sure the new Frontier that I received from Amazon this evening has different armrests than I have seen in product/review photos. The red part is definitely not one smooth curve, more like the side of a rectangle.

Backstory:
I had been following this thread, watching for updates periodically, and delayed purchasing this seat for several months hoping I could get a redesigned version. On Wednesday of this week, my 1yo figured out how to undo the chest clip on his Keyfit infant seat and wiggle his arms free no matter how tight I could squeeze him in, so it was time to pass down big brother's Radian XTSL. I came to this thread to check again for updates with no luck, so I just decided to bite the bullet and ordered a new Frontier on Amazon, with the knowledge that I fully intend to harness my kids as long as possible, so theoretically they won't need the booster part until around 8ish or later, and hopefully it would fit just fine by then. I ordered the seat out of desperation, without any expectation of getting a redesign, and I think I was lucky to have waited just long enough! Like I said above, I'm hoping to be back to post photos tomorrow. Woohoo!

 

[rfk]

I will come back to post photos tomorrow, but I'm pretty sure the new Frontier that I received from Amazon this evening has different armrests than I have seen in product/review photos. The red part is definitely not one smooth curve, more like the side of a rectangle.

Like I said above, I'm hoping to be back to post photos tomorrow. Woohoo!

That's great news. Yes, please post photos as soon as you can!

I assume the poster above asking for a "kit" meant the new parts for under the armrest. If the other poster is correct, there was no part number change (how GM of Britax). Hopefully they can be ordered (free?) and replaced...?

 

[Keeyamah]

That's great news. Yes, please post photos as soon as you can! I assume the poster above asking for a "kit" meant the new parts for under the armrest. If the other poster is correct, there was no part number change (how GM of Britax). Hopefully they can be ordered (free?) and replaced...?

The "kit" is the Secure Guard clip, which is technically from their Parkway SG (Secure Guard), not new armrest pieces. It adds a fourth point of restraint between the child's legs and helps to pull the lap belt down. The SG clip works with both the Frontier and Parkway.

 

[laeta904]

For your viewing pleasure! I checked the box, and manufacture date is 7/28/14.

 

[Keeyamah]

For your viewing pleasure! I checked the box, and manufacture date is 7/28/14.

I'm on my iPad and the pics aren't showing up, anyone else have the same problem?

 

[laeta904]

I'm on my iPad and the pics aren't showing up, anyone else have the same problem?

I just resized and moved to a different location. Hopefully it works now!

 

[Keeyamah]

I just resized and moved to a different location. Hopefully it works now!

Worked, thanks

 

[MotoMommaNH]

Oh yeah that is way different!

 

[rfk]

The "kit" is the Secure Guard clip, which is technically from their Parkway SG (Secure Guard), not new armrest pieces. It adds a fourth point of restraint between the child's legs and helps to pull the lap belt down. The SG clip works with both the Frontier and Parkway.

Honestly, I just don't understand why Britax keeps getting a free ride on this.

MotoMommaNH can speak for themselves, but the kit I think (s)he meant is one that replaces the under-armrest red parts with the new design. Not the additional accessory, band-aid approach that further puts the burden of a safely-installed booster on the parent, in compensation for a poor original design from Britax.

What's next, cheers for GM because they are *finally* recalling a poorly designed ignition lock?

All that said, I plan on buying a pair of these revised seats very, very soon. The redesign looks to be well done.

 

[happiness-and-balance]

It there a ClickTight logo on the hight adjustment handle?

 

[MotoMommaNH]

It there a ClickTight logo on the hight adjustment handle?

Yea mine that was manufactured in May 2014 has a logo there too.