Harmony Defender

KaysKidz

Senior Community Member

• May 18, 2014

• #1

I bought this for a back up seat for my 4.5yr old DD to use in my 17yr olds Xterra for the very rare times he takes her to school and I have to say, for $100, I am impressed!

 

happiness-and-balance

New member

• May 19, 2014

• #2

It sounds like such a great seat! It fits a niche and is so reasonably priced for what you get. I'm glad it'll work out well for you

 

E

EmmaGrace'sMom

New member

• May 19, 2014

• #3

I got one for $60 clearanced at Walmart and I was less than impressed with the super short crotch strap, Ellie complained that it was too "tight." So it promptly went back, I don't think I even installed it. I would have liked it a lot better if the crotch strap had been normal.

 

K

Keeyamah

Active member

• May 19, 2014

• #4

EmmaGrace'sMom said:

I got one for $60 clearanced at Walmart and I was less than impressed with the super short crotch strap, Ellie complained that it was too "tight." So it promptly went back, I don't think I even installed it. I would have liked it a lot better if the crotch strap had been normal.

Click to expand...

They lengthened the strap and were offering longer ones to current owners, IIRC.

 

happiness-and-balance

New member

• May 19, 2014

• #5

Keeyamah said:

They lengthened the strap and were offering longer ones to current owners, IIRC.

Click to expand...

That was my understanding as well.

 

E

EmmaGrace'sMom

New member

• May 19, 2014

• #6

Keeyamah said:

They lengthened the strap and were offering longer ones to current owners, IIRC.

Click to expand...

Man, I wish I had known that! I didn't try installing though, so I'm just going to tell myself the install would have sucked...

 

mom of six

Active member

• May 19, 2014

• #7

We love ours. I have been using it for my 3.5 year old since he went FF. We got the longer crotch strap and it fits him fine.

 

MotoMommaNH

New member

• May 19, 2014

• #8

Do we know if they sell it with the longer crotch strap now or if you still have to request a longer one separately?

 

mom of six

Active member

• May 19, 2014

• #9

I *think* the come with the longer one now. If not I e-mailed my request and it came 2 weeks later.

 

T

TXmom2

New member

• May 20, 2014

• #10

I just scored two at my local Walmart for $69 each. Too late to open tonight but will asap tomorrow ! Hoping this solves my cramped back seat dilemma in hubby's car. .

 

KaysKidz

Senior Community Member

• May 20, 2014

• #11

Mine came with a short crotch strap, but I don't know the DOM. I didn't even check it! DD has only tried it in the house and wasn't bothered, but I may go ahead and request one.

 

T

TXmom2

New member

• May 20, 2014

• #12

Our DOM is March 2013 Not great, but not too bad for such a deal I guess. I can't tell if the crotch straps are short or not...they fit my little ones fine. We gained almost 3 inches in the center of the rear seat installing 2 Defenders (latch) tonight :dance::dance:

 

Last edited: May 21, 2014

TeenaMarie

New member

• May 20, 2014

• #13

I feel like I've got to be the only one but I don't like the defender. I've tried very hard to like it, my best friend LOVES hers(has bought two, prefers it to her Nautilus') but I cannot stand it. My mom picked it up to be used as a spare seat for my niece for $45. I've only been able to get it properly installed without a hassle in the 05 cherokee so it's taken over the Nautilus' position in the Altima and the Nautilus has become a spare.

But I haven't switched it to the longer crotch buckle, ordered it as soon as I assembled the Defender but J's not bothered by it so I've not bothered.

 

G

Gidgetc13

New member

• May 21, 2014

• #14

I also really want to love the Defender but I have had a heck of a time with installation. I've tried it in 3 vehicles and have only achieved an acceptable install outboard with latch. I have yet to get a good install with a seat belt. I bought it hoping to use it in the center seat of my car instead of the FF Radian I currently have there, but I can't get it installed in that position at all. I think it is just incompatible with my center seat, but I can install it outboard. Right now it is sitting in my garage. I bought it for $79, so we figured we would hang on to it as a backup seat even if I can't get in installed where I currently want it. I need to play around with it more to see if I can fit it in a different position in one of my 3 across set ups, and to figure out its quirks. I thought it would be easier to install than a Radian, but so far I have a much easier time with the Radian! We should be able to use it eventually, but might have to wait until I turn my 3 year old around which won't be for awhile.

Mine came with a short crotch strap, but it was about a year old when I bought it. I emailed Harmony and got the longer one so that I would have it.

 

MotoMommaNH

New member

• May 21, 2014

• #15

I have heard other people struggling with seat belt installs also - seems to be a much more secure install with LATCH for most.

 

T

TXmom2

New member

• May 21, 2014

• #16

I think the "v shape" bottom has a lot to do with some of the install problems too. We can't use it in the center position because the center hump and "v" bottom make for a very unstable surface. It's great in those recessed seating areas though.