Question Carseat with closed belt path

kidrepair

New member
Is there a car seat with a closed belt-path besides the RN? My DH is a pastor and we use the church bus often enough that it's easier to leave a car seat in. I've been using a rf RN but it's going to expire soon. The bus has a lap belt similar to an airplane belt so a ff seat would have the buckle right in her back with an open belt path. She just turned 3 so I would feel ok with her ff on the bus if needed.

So any thoughts on a seat that might work that won't break the bank?
 
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unityco

Ambassador - CPS Technician
The Peg convertible's belt path is closed (but it's still pricey) and I THINK the MyRide's FF path is closed.

(The Radian's FF path is NOT closed, FTR. ;) )
 

kidrepair

New member
I've been using the RN rearfacing and love the closed beltpath,I guess I assumed the ff beltpath was too. I only ever used it ff with latch so never paid attention. Thanks,I'll check out the Graco. The Peg looks so nice but way more than I want to spend for occasional use.
 

kidrepair

New member
Is the buckle a push button release or a pull up release?

You know what...I need to look at it. I'm describing it as similar to an airplane buckle but now I'm questioning my memory. I'm actually not sure if it's a a button or if it's the airplane type.
 

Aurezalia

Well-known member
Is the buckle a push button release or a pull up release?

I was wondering that too. If it's a pull-up release, like in airplanes, I'd be nervous about using a closed beltpath seat, as you won't be able to release the buckle. :eek: Someone had trouble getting their RF RN OFF the plane iirc, as the buckle had gone into the beltpath when tightened and they almost had to cut the seatbelt to get the seat out.
 

joolsplus3

Admin - CPS Technician
I'm quite sure that land-based vehicles have push buttons, and air-based have lift-flaps, never lift-flaps on cars or push buttons on commercial aircraft, so that shouldn't be a problem in a bus.
Oddly, though, I have a picture of a Britax vehicle belt buckle from the 60's, and it was a lift flap, it's my screensaver, lol.
 

Aurezalia

Well-known member
I'm quite sure that land-based vehicles have push buttons, and air-based have lift-flaps, never lift-flaps on cars or push buttons on commercial aircraft, so that shouldn't be a problem in a bus.
Oddly, though, I have a picture of a Britax vehicle belt buckle from the 60's, and it was a lift flap, it's my screensaver, lol.

Good to know! Of course, depending on the seat's beltpath and the buckle, it may still be very hard to access the buckle to push the button to undo it... but it will be infinitely easier than trying to lift the flap-style buckle to loosen it when there's not enough space in the beltpath. :p
 

kidrepair

New member
My thoughts were that an open belt path would leave the buckle for a forward facing seat right in the middle of her back. Does anyone know if that's the case? I just got an AA for the RN so hopefully I can just rf her until it expires. I have an older SK RN with a 35 lb limit so hoping she doesn't gain too quickly. She was 29.8 lbs at her 3y checkup last week.
 

Aurezalia

Well-known member
My thoughts were that an open belt path would leave the buckle for a forward facing seat right in the middle of her back. Does anyone know if that's the case? I just got an AA for the RN so hopefully I can just rf her until it expires. I have an older SK RN with a 35 lb limit so hoping she doesn't gain too quickly. She was 29.8 lbs at her 3y checkup last week.

Yeah, open belt paths will leave the buckle there. It's kind of a no-win situation with that kind of belt that buckles in the middle. :rolleyes: I've heard from a lot of people that they install the seat and then wrap a towel around the buckle to cushion it so it doesn't bother the kid as much, and that works for a lot of people. (I know it wouldn't work for me, though!) I'd aim to just keep her RF as long as possible, that'll be easiest. ;)
 

safeinthecar

Moderator - CPS Technician
I'm quite sure that land-based vehicles have push buttons, and air-based have lift-flaps, never lift-flaps on cars or push buttons on commercial aircraft, so that shouldn't be a problem in a bus.
Oddly, though, I have a picture of a Britax vehicle belt buckle from the 60's, and it was a lift flap, it's my screensaver, lol.

I've seen lift-release levers in cars. My Dad's Maverick front seats is one I'm positive on. I know of at least one truck and one van that's I've seen them in too, but I can't remember if they were Ford's or GM's.

One solution that would be a lot cheaper than a new car seat is to use a belt shortening clip on the buckle webbing to move the buckle out of the belt path.
 

mom of six

Active member
The Harmony Defender has an open belt path but it is deep. I bet the buckle wouldn't protrude into the kid seating area. I have one if you want me to take measurements of pictures.
 

kidrepair

New member
The Harmony Defender has an open belt path but it is deep. I bet the buckle wouldn't protrude into the kid seating area. I have one if you want me to take measurements of pictures.

I've had a chance to check the seatbelt. It does not have a lever like an airplane but even though the buckle won't be as bulky as the lever type it would still place the buckle in the center so a seat with a deeply recessed belt path would probably work well. Is it easy to change harness height while installed? There is a small chance that this seat on the bus might be used by other kids.
 

Brigala

CPST Instructor
The Harmony Defender has a front-adjust no-rethread harness. It's not the easiest on the market (the release button is kind of hidden under the top of the head rest fabric) but it certainly doesn't need to be uninstalled to adjust. As long as you show whoever might be using it how to do it, it's simple enough. It just isn't obvious. :)
 

kidrepair

New member
The Harmony Defender has a front-adjust no-rethread harness. It's not the easiest on the market (the release button is kind of hidden under the top of the head rest fabric) but it certainly doesn't need to be uninstalled to adjust. As long as you show whoever might be using it how to do it, it's simple enough. It just isn't obvious. :)

Thanks,I've always liked the looks of it,just wish it came in other colors. I'll plan to try to keep her rf to the RN limits if 35lbs. At the doctors yesterday for a sick visit she was 30.4 lbs so hopefully we have a few more months. Hopefully it will go down in price again,it's now $115.
 

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