Safety 1st Apex 65 Vs. Cosco Alpha Elite

Can Anyone Tell Me The Difference Between These 2 Seats?

Assuming the Alpha Elite model you're asking about also includes "Apex" in its model name, those are the same combination seats essentially, sold under different brand names and with different covers. Dorel Juvenile tends to have multiple products under their Safety First, Cosco and Eddie Bauer brands, with the only difference being the cover choices and exact model names. I think Dorel likes to stick the "Alpha Elite" label on a variation of their convertible carseat models, too. It tends be a tad confusing. The only real potential structural difference in the Apex models, depending on the date of manufacture, is that Dorel began to include EPP foam (like bike helmet foam for impact protection) in the headrest starting about a year ago. If either seat is older than that time frame, it probably won't have the EPP foam.

The Apex is a forward facing (FF) seat only that harness' up to 65lbs and then converts to a decent booster. When using the Apex you must have headrests in the vehicle for added head support.
As far as the difference between the Apex and the Apex Elite here is what I got off the Safety 1st website; they are pretty much the same seat:
Apex 65 Booster Car Seat
• Forward-facing 22-65 lbs and belt-positioning booster 40-100 lbs
• 5-point harness system can be used up to 65 lbs
• EPP energy absorbing foam
• 4 harness heights
• 3-position adjustable headrest for children up to 57” in height
• 3 buckle locations
• Extra-deep sides for comfort and support
• Removable harness pads
• Removable toddler insert for added comfort
• Padded armrests
• Up-front harness adjustment
• Detachable cup holder
• LATCH equipped for easy installation




Alpha Elite - Apex 65 Booster Car Seat
Deluxe high-back belt-positioning booster for your child 22-100 lbs. Use the 5-point harness system for up to 65 lbs!

• Forward-facing 22-65 lbs
• Belt-positioning booster 40-100 lbs
• 3-position adjustable headrest
• Extra deep sides for comfort and support
• 5-point harness system with up-front adjustment
• Removable harness pads
• 4 harness heights
• Removable padded toddler insert for added comfort and support
• Padded armrests
• 3 buckle locations to fit your growing child
• Detachable cup holder
• LATCH equipped


The Cosco Alpha Omega Elite can be used rear-facing (RF) or FF but only harness' to 40lbs before you have to use it as a booster. This seat is often outgrown very early on before the child is ready to use a booster.

And the Safety First Signature Biltmore is also the same seat ! (It even says Apex on the registration card.)

Dumb, dumb, dumb!

http://www.albeebaby.com/sa1stsibiboc.html

(I don't know how to copy a picture of it!)

Here it is as the Safety 1st Signature on albeebaby.com ...


And here it is as the Alpha Elite - Apex 65 Booster Car Seat as seen on the Safety 1st web site.


The only thing is that in the Safety 1st Signature it doesn't mention anything about the "EPP foam in headrest".

I just ordered two of the Safety 1st Signature boosters from albeebaby.com for in my '07 Toyota Sienna.

thanks for all the info....does anyone know if the dimensions of the 3 seats are the exact same?
Safety 1st Signature, Alpha Elite Apex 65 Booster and Safety 1st Apex 65.
Is the Britax Regent wider then these seats?

THANKS!!

The Regent is wider then the Safety 1st Signature, Alpha Elite Apex 65 Booster and Safety 1st Apex 65 which will all have pretty much the same dimensions.
Britax Regent/Husky:
*Top slots:20"
*crotch depth: 7.5 9.5
*back height: 28.0;
*width: 21.5
Cosco Apex (harness to 65 lbs.):
*Top slots: 17.5";
*crotch depth: 4.0 7.0;
*back height: 28.0;
*width: 18.5

Caryn said:

The only thing is that in the Safety 1st Signature it doesn't mention anything about the "EPP foam in headrest".

Click to expand...

I know it doesn't say it there but I've read elsewhere that it does have it.

The dimensions of the seat are EXACTLY the same. It really is exactly the same seat.

We have the Safety 1st "Calder" (sky blue and navy) in our Sienna, and my mom has the Alpha Elite (black and red) in her car. I don't know if this is the main diff btw the two, but the cover on the Safety 1st is more like a non-shiny cotton weave fabric (but it's not cotton, it's just woven like cotton), and the Alpha Elite is more of a knit poly nylon kind of thing (shiny).

The Safety 1st cover shows more stains, but it seems more comfortable. It looks like hell by now (it's also used more), and the Alpha looks fine.

hth!