My very brief ProBooster review (with pics)

Defrost

Moderator - CPSTI Emeritus

• Nov 21, 2010

• #1

So, I'm officially in LOVE with the ProBooster. It fits beautifully in my 3rd row - better than the Start, even. It's also taller than the Start, has anyone else noticed? Not by a whole lot, but Fighter's about to outgrow the Start by height, but he's still got about an inch in the ProBooster.

So far I only have pics of Macha (10 years old) in the 3rd row, but I plan to get pics of Fighter (12) and the 11, 8, and 4yo who are currently living with us, and in the 2nd row.

Look at the shoulder belt - no bunching! It's so perfect!

 

luckyclov

New member

• Nov 21, 2010

• #2

Oh, that just burns my booty to see those pics. I had an '08 5 that we traded in when I was pregnant with #3 - mostly because I haaaaaaaaaaaated the 3rd row seat belts (where my oldest would have been moved in his HBB - which, at the time, were an old style PW and Monterey). The other reason being lack of space...but it was mostly the seat belt issue.

Of course, the ProBooster didn't exist in July 2009 when we traded it in.

But it does happen to be what my oldest is riding in now, anyways.

Grrrr.

But it looks fantastic back there - wow!

 

BabyKaykes

New member

• Nov 21, 2010

• #3

I want...trying to sell two Avenues and a Nautilus to fund one. Nice fit for a funky belt!

 

jujumum

Well-known member

• Nov 21, 2010

• #4

Great pics!

The ProBooser seems to have good leg support, unlike the Vivo?

Does it have metal bars inside like the Vivo?

 

Defrost

Moderator - CPSTI Emeritus

• Nov 21, 2010

• #5

jujumum said:

The ProBooser seems to have good leg support, unlike the Vivo?

Does it have metal bars inside like the Vivo?

Click to expand...

Yes, the leg support is much better than the Vivo. My dd is short/petite for her age, but her thighs are very long. Her knees are just a couple inches past the edge on the PB.

No, there's no steel-reinforcement in the PB. I was a bit disappointed by that at first, but it's SO much lighter this way, and I really don't think a booster needs that kind of reinforcement.

 

Splash

New member

• Nov 21, 2010

• #6

How tippy do you find it? That's been my main hesitation, because so many people said it was tippy.
The seatbelts in the third row of the 5 have been fixed, so I don't have the weirdness issue of previous generations, but Charlie will probably end up there someday, so nice to get something that fits!

 

luckyclov

New member

• Nov 21, 2010

• #7

Splash said:

How tippy do you find it? That's been my main hesitation, because so many people said it was tippy.
The seatbelts in the third row of the 5 have been fixed, so I don't have the weirdness issue of previous generations, but Charlie will probably end up there someday, so nice to get something that fits!

Click to expand...

The PB is on a narrow raised base and it's light-ish and I think that impacts the potential for tipping issues. Ours can be tippy *if* my DS is being lazy...meaning, if I take a turn and he's just blah, then he'll tip his body, which will tip the booster. If he's alert and paying attention (working on his six pack, is what I tell him) and controlling his body, then there's no tipping issue. I think maturity and compliance of the booster rider plays a role. It does in our situation, atleast.

 

Splash

New member

• Nov 21, 2010

• #8

See, the main use I'm going to give a booster for the next year (at least) is with my dad in his truck. So I don't need my kid tipping over. And even though I know technically you're not "allowed" to lock the belt, I probably still would, but that might make tipping even worse.

 

luckyclov

New member

• Nov 21, 2010

• #9

FWIW, I played around in my neighborhood cul de sac with the SB locked and told DS to be floppy. It was still tippy. This was in the 3rd row, passenger side of a Grand Caravan.

 

Defrost

Moderator - CPSTI Emeritus

• Nov 21, 2010

• #10

In our 2nd row seat, Fighter complained of it being tippy, but seeing as how he's near both the height and weight limit, that was probably part of it. It's not tippy at all in the 3rd row; the seat is more contoured and holds it in place better than the 2nd row.

 

Thanksgiving_Twins_Mom

New member

• Nov 22, 2010

• #11

any B&M stores carry this? would like to have DD2 test one out for when her PW expires in Oct 2011

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Nov 22, 2010

• #12

AFAIK no chains have it in-store at this point, it would be independent retailers that do (baby specialty stores, USA Baby, etc. You'd have to call around.)

 

emandbri

Well-known member

• Nov 22, 2010

• #13

She fits great! Benjamin does fine in the ProBooster when he is awake and can keep it upright, but not when he is asleep.

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=144235&highlight=probooster

for comparison here he is sleeping in the monterey.

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=143675&highlight=sleeping

Both of these pictures were taking in my sienna, the pro booster in the back and the monterey in the second row. The monterey is latched.