Evenflo Symphony 65 can use latch in booster mode - how did we miss this before??

Kat_Momof3

New member

• Jan 12, 2010

• #1

Evenflo Symphony 65 can use latch in booster mode -UPDATE - ALL EVENFLO COMBO SEATS CAN DO THIS!!

Info for update is in post #11

I was looking at their booster install video to see if my confusion about the review of it as a booster on carseatblog could be resolved (it was)

and as soon as that happened, I almost closed that tab... but then I heard it... "attach the surelatch connectors" and I paused... I heard "push down to tighten" and I had to rewind and watch the whole thing over again to be sure.

here is the video

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZGHejyg7WY"]YouTube- Car Seats: Evenflo Symphony 65 Booster Mode[/ame]

 

Last edited: Jan 21, 2010

Judi

CPST/Firefighter

• Jan 12, 2010

• #2

Ok, I missed that.

 

JerseyGirl'sMama

New member

• Jan 12, 2010

• #3

Whaaaaaaaat?!

 

Brycen'sMommy

New member

• Jan 12, 2010

• #4

I bought a Symphony 65 yesterday and I just read the booster portion of the manual and that wasn't mentioned anywhere. It does say to "Always secure the booster seat with the SureLatch connectors or vehicle seat belt when not occupied". But that is the only mention of using the SureLatch in booster mode in the manual.

 

tjham

New member

• Jan 12, 2010

• #5

Wow, I wish they all had them. It seems like such a "no-brainer" to me!

 

Judi

CPST/Firefighter

• Jan 12, 2010

• #6

Not as easy as they look.

 

firemomof3

New member

• Jan 12, 2010

• #7

Is it me or is the boy in that video slouching in the seat & too tall? From the video it looks like it makes a horrible booster.

 

emandbri

Well-known member

• Jan 13, 2010

• #8

I remember when it first came out folks said it could be latched in booster mode. That is one of the reasons I want it for my mom's van. I know technically you are supposed to take the harness out but in theory I could install the seat, leave it be, and she could use it for a booster kid or a harness kid without uninstalling it.

 

Kat_Momof3

New member

• Jan 13, 2010

• #9

I don't think the boy is slouching, but I agree, while Evenflo may think the fit is okay, I'd say that boy is ready to move to a taller booster (as it looked like that is as tall as the headrest goes)

I do think we should bug Evenflo to make it more clear about being able to use latch in booster mode with this seat, as it is a good selling point.

I'm not even remotely trying to say this is the best booster, but I know from this site's blog that it gives a good booster fit on kids who fit it and with the reasonable height top slots and a pretty good rf limit, it's certainly the only good 3-in-1 seat on the market and actually fits newborns with the padding and low bottom slots evenflo gives their seats.

And I agree, it's a seat kids could share... you don't remove the harness on the symphony... they get tucked in behind the cover INTO the seat... which could be done when the seat is already installed.

Now, it didn't say to attach the top tether, but that wouldn't be too hard to do up for a harnessed child and then undo when it's time to use for another child/grandchild using it in booster mode.

 

csully4

New member

• Jan 13, 2010

• #10

I just happened to be looking at their website. If you click on the link to learn more about sure latch there is a question and answer section. They recommend using the latch in booster mode but also state in another answer to only use latch up to 48 lbs. with the harness.

 

capeKO71

New member

• Jan 21, 2010

• #11

FYI - totally didn't realize this conversation was happening - but I recently received a symphony, maestro and generations - and couldn't figure out the booster/latch question. here is the response from an engineer at evenflo:

"This is what we are saying about using latch to secure a booster seat
when occupied.

We do permit the use of tethers and lower anchors for belt positioning
boosters when occupied, as long as the position of the booster seat in
the vehicle and the fit of the auto belt over the child are not
affected.

Some vehicles have offset latch connectors that would force you to move
the seat more inboard disrupting the position of the seat (in booster
mode) and the fit of the auto belt to the child. We do not recommend the
use of latch when occupied, as a booster, in this type of scenario."

 

Kat_Momof3

New member

• Jan 21, 2010

• #12

WOW... thanks for that... so we can now let people install the Maestro and Generations with latch in booster mode (not that either make a GREAT booster, but hey, it's still preventing a projectile!)

 

tjham

New member

• Jan 21, 2010

• #13

capeKO71 said:

FYI - totally didn't realize this conversation was happening - but I recently received a symphony, maestro and generations - and couldn't figure out the booster/latch question. here is the response from an engineer at evenflo:

"This is what we are saying about using latch to secure a booster seat
when occupied.

We do permit the use of tethers and lower anchors for belt positioning
boosters when occupied, as long as the position of the booster seat in
the vehicle and the fit of the auto belt over the child are not
affected.

Some vehicles have offset latch connectors that would force you to move
the seat more inboard disrupting the position of the seat (in booster
mode) and the fit of the auto belt to the child. We do not recommend the
use of latch when occupied, as a booster, in this type of scenario."

Click to expand...

Wow, what a reasonable answer! Now if they would just put it in the manual!

 

Mommy0608

New member

• Apr 7, 2010

• #14

Bumping this up... I couldn't figure out in my Symphony 65 manual whether or not LATCH was allowed in booster mode, now I see according to this thread that it is. I thought I'd heard somewhere that Evenflo does allow LATCH in booster mode, this confirms it. :thumbsup:

The booster mode installation video shows the guy installing with only the lower anchors, no top tether. The email quoted in this thread says that the lower anchors and top tether can all be used. Weird. If you're using the lower anchors in booster mode, why wouldn't you use the top tether as well? Is there any reason not to?

 

Pixels

New member

• Apr 7, 2010

• #15

No reason not to, but no reason to use the tether either. Not unless you're sharing the seat for a booster kid and a harness kid as discussed upthread.

 

Mommy0608

New member

• Apr 7, 2010

• #16

Pixels said:

No reason not to, but no reason to use the tether either. Not unless you're sharing the seat for a booster kid and a harness kid as discussed upthread.

Click to expand...

Hmm. Simply speculating here, but wouldn't using the top tether help keep the top of the booster properly positioned rather than moving forward (or sideways) as the child moves forward in a crash? Or would the lower anchors do a pretty good job of that alone?

Definitely makes sense to use it in situations where the seat is shared and used in both modes. :thumbsup: