Question Cybex Aton vs. Chicco Keyfit 30?

G

Guest

Guest
Hi--First-time parent here trying to get my head around the ins and outs of car seats! I've gotten a lot of help from the archives here, and am wondering if someone familiar with the new Cybex Aton might be able to help me sort out whether we should buy that or the Chicco Keyfit 30 for our coming baby. Before I read about the Aton, we had settled on the Chicco Keyfit 30 over the Graco seats, and maybe we should stick with that choice---but the Aton sounds compelling for our needs. Which to choose??

We need something that's lightweight and easy to connect and disconnect from the base, since we'll be taking it in and out of the car frequently; the Aton seems to have a slight upper hand on this. It's also important that we be able to install it without the base (seems fine for both of these) and that we can get a good install in a small sedan, either center with a lap belt or side with the latch system. (Just one car, so easy there.) Safety ratings are important---I'm struggling with this on the Aton since there don't seem to be many tests of this one, though of course I know it's been approved. We'd also ideally like a carrier with less toxic/"greener" (to the extent those exist...) flame retardants, if possible (really challenging to figure this out---the Aton seems to get good marks from the European testers on this front, but I can't tell if they're using the same fabrics/retardants in the U.S. given the laws here, and can't find anything on the Keyfit). The seats have similar weight/height limits and we plan to stay rear-facing until two or beyond anyway, so I'm not too worried about when the baby will outgrow it.

Price is comparable at the local store where we'll buy it, so that's not a deciding factor. However, they don't have any Atons to look at in real life, which makes the decision tough. I've seen some poor feedback on the Aton canopy, as well---as a first-timer, I'm not sure if this is a concern or not. (Do you use the canopy when it's in the car, or is this just an issue when you're using it with a stroller?) I also can't tell if it's good or bad to have to put the handle up when it's in the car, as with the Aton (versus the Keyfit, which seems to allow you to have the handle in any locked position?) Is that a pro, a con, or a negligible/personal factor? And lastly, for anyone who has or has seen an Aton, do you know what the buckle/latch mechanism is like? We liked the Keyfit latch a lot more than the Snugride when we tested them out, for whatever reason. Curious to know where the Aton latch fits in all of that.

We don't need to buy this until the fall so we have some time, and I'm hopeful we'll be able to look at an Aton in person before then. But I'd love to know if anyone has any thoughts/advice on which to choose as we put our registry together, or if there's someplace I can look for more safety information on the Aton....thanks so much! (And sorry this is so long---as you can probably tell, this stuff makes my head spin!)
 
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murphydog77

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
Hi! I don't think you can go wrong with either seat. They both install very easily without the base, though the Aton has the advantage of the Euro install with the shoulder belt behind the seat. That will keep it from rotating down in a crash, but it can also be installed "normally" as well. The handle being up in the car is a safety advantage, IMO. If the child is properly harnessed, there shouldn't any head contact against it and it serves as an anti-rebound bar.

No one, except Orbit Baby, rates the flame retardant on their seats. If you're concerned about the chemicals, it's best to buy the seat early and leave it to air out. The buckle tongs on the Aton are plastic with some metal in them--I don't know how much, but I can see a bit peeking out from the end. It takes a firm push to get them inserted into the buckle, but it's not a puzzle buckle like other plastic buckle tongs are.

The canopy is wimpy, but I can't speak for using one since we had a van with limo tint on the windows when my kids were babies so I never used the canopy in the car. If you're out and about, you can throw a blanket over it to enhance the canopy or buy a lightweight cover.
 

LISmama810

Admin - CPS Technician
Cybex had something on their Facebook a week or two ago about how their seat is less toxic than others, or something. I asked if they use the same flame retardants as other companies, but they responded that they couldn't discuss specifics. :rolleyes:

Heather, you haven't heard anything in that regard, have you?
 

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