Question Cosco Scenera 40, rear facing

goodmorning

New member
I thought that I posted this question a few weeks ago, but can't seem to find any record of it ... so I apologize if you're reading this for the second time.

My daughter is 10 months old and, although of average height, she's very light for her age. She still fits into her Graco Snugride infant carseat, but ever since she's learned to sit up a few months ago, she's not very happy in it - keeps on struggling to sit up straight instead of having to recline. I figure that it's time to switch to a convertible carseat.

After hearing the specs of what I'm looking for* a friend suggested the Cosco Scenera carseat. It seems like a good match, but page 25 of the user manual available online (not exactly this model, but close - http://www.coscojuvenile.com/usa/eng/DJGFiles/ProductDocuments/43583614D.pdf) says: "To use rear-facing, the child restraint MUST be fully reclined." That sounds like it defeats the whole purpose of getting her this seat! Can anyone weigh in on this? Is it truly necessary? Do two year olds who are still rear-facing really need to recline?

* (In case you have any other ideas, my carseat situation is as follows: I don't own a car but occasionally get rides with other people or take taxis. I'm therefore ideally looking for a carseat that is extremely easy to install (without LATCH), since I will be constantly taking it in and out of cars. The less expensive, the better - again, this isn't going to get heavy use.
Other factors: safety (that was obvious), space (preferably shouldn't take up too much of it), and easy of strapping baby in.
If you know of any other carseats that seem to fit any or all of these requirements, I'd love to hear about them!)

Thanks a lot!
 
ADS

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
Dorel seats (Cosco, Maxi Cosi, Eddie Bauer, and Safety 1st) have a controversy over their recline.

First, all rear facing seats need to be mechanically reclined. Every single one. So in that regard the Scenera is like all others. In this case you put the forward facing leg in so that the seat reclines.

However, most other seats have a range of recline that is acceptable (your Snugride does. Feel free to sit it more upright, right to the edge of the approved angle). The Scenera has a line level to ground and that's it, and Dorel states that you MUST follow the line. So according to them, either two year olds don't rear face, or they love 45 degrees, like a newborn.

They have stated, though, that their seats are tested more upright, and they pass just fine as upright as 30 degrees. Then in the same breath say to leave it level to the line.

Their new seats coming out have two lines. One more reclined for newborns, one less reclined for older kids (I think they're doing weight limits, not ages, but either way, one is for no head control, one is for head control). There are no structural differences between these new seats and the old ones. They just have a second line.

So, given that the new seats have a line to approve them more upright, and the old ones pass testing more upright, whether or not you use it upright is up to you.

However, to achieve a comfortable angle (not super reclined, just comfortable) in many cars, the Scenera needs a pool noodle. That's not hard to deal with, and you can keep it with the seat when it's not installed, but it is something to note.

Wendy
 

Patriot201

Car-Seat.org Ambassador
Wendy covered everything in her post, so I have nothing to add, but I wanted to say, "Welcome!" :D I also wanted to reinforce what she said about the pool noodle. That does make this seat a little bit harder to install.
 

Keeanh

Well-known member
If you have experience installing an infant seat without the base, you can often install a Scenera the same way. You just jam the front edge of the car seat into the back of the vehicle seat.
 

goodmorning

New member
Thanks to everyone for the advice and welcomes!

I'm not sure if I'm completely understanding the situation. Why is it that all rear facing seats need to be reclined?

And Keeanh, can you explain again how to install the Scenera (does your advice not require pool noodles)?

And if noodles are necessary, then yes, that's a bit of inconvenience too much if we're already carrying around the seat and switching it to different cars. Can anyone weigh in with a better recommendation?

Thanks again!
 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
Because backseats are sloped, and so if they're not reclined they're too upright.

If you don't like the Scenera, I'd check out the Combi Coccoro and the Flash stroller frame.

Wendy
 

Kaitsmom

New member
I just thought I would add my 2 cents real quick. I had 3 sceneras as spare seats and they were not seats I wanted to install and reinstall frequently, they were a pain. I got rid of my car last year when I lost my job, and now we just use my Britax Marathon. I move it daily, sometimes twice, and it takes less then a minute. Maybe look at the Roundabout 55 if its in your price range, its significantly more then a Scenera.
 

goodmorning

New member
Thanks Kaitsmom, I appreciate that ... maybe it's time to get some advice afresh under a new thread?

Thanks a lot to all of you who weighed in!
 

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