Scenera question

Unregistered · Feb 25, 2007

I went to Target today to buy a Scenera for my just-turned-3 year old who is 33 lbs and 39". I just want to get a year or two out of it and I had read the top slots were reasonably high. But when I saw it I noticed the box said for kids up to 43", and I can't remember how long it might take him to grow those 4 inches. I think I read here the slots were about 17" high? But when I measured in Target they seemed 14" or so--though I might be measuring wrong. They were also shorter than some of the other seats there, when I was expecting them to be at the higher end of the spectrum.

My question is--those of you using the Scenera--how tall and what age is your child? Is it reasonable at all to hope that my son could be in it until 4 or longer?

Thanks!
Therese

LuvBug · Feb 25, 2007

no the scenera has average top slots... but for a 40lbs convertible they are relatively high. Most 40lb seats that can both rear and forward face have slots somewhere between 14-16" with 14" being low and 16" being taller. I get 15.5" when I measure our scenera. Tall top slots on a harness seat in general are considered to be 17+". The tallest of all harness seats being the regent at about 20.5".
Id recommend a graco cargo- cherished, ultra, or one of the newer platinums- bolero or generations, or possibly a chase. Those all go to 40lbs with 16.5-17" slots.

Also you dont have to go by the maximum height recs because those are only guestimates of how tall a child will be when they outgrow it. Some kids are all legs, some all torso, and some are even... so its best to go by the top slots and their weight.

What seat is he in currently and how does he fit? Are you looking to only harness him until the minimum of 4y AND 40lbs? or do you want to harness him longer?

kelly · Feb 25, 2007

The slots are pretty average (14-14.5), its the SHELL that's very high. Great for the extended RF kiddos. But, for FF its just average. It is nice with the tall seatback if you have a window right there. This was my situation in my husband's F-350, in a shorter shelled seat her head seemed too exposed to all that glass even though she still technically fit fine. The Scenera was WAY over her head and seemed more protected from the glass.

My FF daughter outgrew one by 3.5 years old or so when she surpassed the top slots.

What's the child's weight? If you've got some time before 40 lbs, I'd recommend a combo seat like the PP said. The Evenflo ends up making a nice booster in the end.

If the child is pushing the 40 lbs limit, I'd look into an Apex if it works in your car. The headrest isn't "structural", so the midpoint of the child's head must be at or below the VEHICLE's headrest or seatback.