BabyKaykes
New member
Ok, so three hours and 5 Targets later, I finally found one that was on display and not tethered to the shelf or the rest of the other seats on it. Based on pictures, I had really liked it. But then I started messing with it and it's really not that great. In fact, the average car seat buyer is going to horribly misuse it because they won't install it correctly.
Your guess is as good as mine about the chest clip. This is the only store where I saw the seat without it. I was going to try and snag one from the RA50, but realized there was no way I was going to be able to get it on the Trendz.
DS is on the top slots with about two inches to spare. He really liked the seat, but 1)I'm sure we'd have lost half that grow room upon install and 2)there were none available. One store said there truck was coming in tonight and they'd probably be on it.
Though the seat is nice and deep, the crotch buckle only has one position and it's nowhere near out far enough. I didn't measure but it's really short.
The back of the seat. Unless I'm missing something, there's no real way to raise and lower the headrest. You just kind of snatch it up into position, and then hope your kid doesn't accidentally push it down when they're getting in the seat (which DS did twice). This will be more of a problem in booster mode. Not sure how clearly you can see, but the red arrows pointing in the back, that's the belt path. The top tether is hanging down.
The crazy belt guide. The seat says that the belt should always slide freely through the belt guide. Not sure how that's going to work.
Sorry for the blurry pics, apparently the iPhone doesn't focus well...
This is where the install gets crazy. Based on the stickers on the seat (no manual in sight). Regular lap belt install. But only if you are NOT using the top tether. In through one side, out through the other
If you ARE using the top tether, you need to feed the belt as usual, but then feed it back through the front of the seat and around the arm rests, then buckle. These rules apply to ALL installs. If you're using the top tether in any mode, you have to install over the armrests.
Seat depth
Compared to the Maestro
~Seat specs~
Belt guide in highest position: 19"
Seating area width: 13"
Seat Depth: 13.5"
Total width: 17"
Top slots: 16"
Bottom slot: 12.5"
Other stuff:
LATCH may be used to 50lb
Booster mode requirements are 3yrs, 30lb, and 38"
Harness mode requirements are 22lb, 1yr, and 33"
Harness and high back expire after 6yrs
Backless expires after 10yrs
Made in France
Harness covers MUST be used
The battery in the buckle is NOT replaceable, so if it goes out, the entire buckle must be replaced
I have audio of the beeping that sounds when it is unbuckled. Not sure how or if its possible to post it. It's not annoying and loud, just a soft alert. But I wouldn't count on any car seat escape artist getting out of this thing once buckled and tightened properly, it's pretty much covered by the crotch pad. You have to push down to release (like the old Graco ones)
For the record, DS is 5yrs 10mths, 45.5" tall, 43lb, with a 14" torso. He normally rides in a FF RN65.
Your guess is as good as mine about the chest clip. This is the only store where I saw the seat without it. I was going to try and snag one from the RA50, but realized there was no way I was going to be able to get it on the Trendz.
DS is on the top slots with about two inches to spare. He really liked the seat, but 1)I'm sure we'd have lost half that grow room upon install and 2)there were none available. One store said there truck was coming in tonight and they'd probably be on it.
Though the seat is nice and deep, the crotch buckle only has one position and it's nowhere near out far enough. I didn't measure but it's really short.
The back of the seat. Unless I'm missing something, there's no real way to raise and lower the headrest. You just kind of snatch it up into position, and then hope your kid doesn't accidentally push it down when they're getting in the seat (which DS did twice). This will be more of a problem in booster mode. Not sure how clearly you can see, but the red arrows pointing in the back, that's the belt path. The top tether is hanging down.
The crazy belt guide. The seat says that the belt should always slide freely through the belt guide. Not sure how that's going to work.
Sorry for the blurry pics, apparently the iPhone doesn't focus well...
This is where the install gets crazy. Based on the stickers on the seat (no manual in sight). Regular lap belt install. But only if you are NOT using the top tether. In through one side, out through the other
If you ARE using the top tether, you need to feed the belt as usual, but then feed it back through the front of the seat and around the arm rests, then buckle. These rules apply to ALL installs. If you're using the top tether in any mode, you have to install over the armrests.
Seat depth
Compared to the Maestro
~Seat specs~
Belt guide in highest position: 19"
Seating area width: 13"
Seat Depth: 13.5"
Total width: 17"
Top slots: 16"
Bottom slot: 12.5"
Other stuff:
LATCH may be used to 50lb
Booster mode requirements are 3yrs, 30lb, and 38"
Harness mode requirements are 22lb, 1yr, and 33"
Harness and high back expire after 6yrs
Backless expires after 10yrs
Made in France
Harness covers MUST be used
The battery in the buckle is NOT replaceable, so if it goes out, the entire buckle must be replaced
I have audio of the beeping that sounds when it is unbuckled. Not sure how or if its possible to post it. It's not annoying and loud, just a soft alert. But I wouldn't count on any car seat escape artist getting out of this thing once buckled and tightened properly, it's pretty much covered by the crotch pad. You have to push down to release (like the old Graco ones)
For the record, DS is 5yrs 10mths, 45.5" tall, 43lb, with a 14" torso. He normally rides in a FF RN65.
. But that could just be me....
