What's your experience with Flex Loc?

RJB78

CPST Instructor
So I had my first experience with a Flex Loc today. Pregnant mother came in with one today. She said she picked it because it was rated top for safety.

I don't know what kind of reputation it has, but it was a pain for me! Why would the release lever be between the vehicle seat and the carrier instead of behind the carrier? And who designed the pathway for the seatbelt to thread through? It was so narrow, I could barely fit the LS belt through! And it's $10 more than SR?

I've noticed some on here saying it's one of their top infant seat choices. Is there something I'm missing?

ETA: We installed it w/seatbelt because no LATCH available.
 
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wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
I hate that seat. Hate hate hate. It's one I'm guaranteed to swear, sweat, and break nails over. I don't know that I've done one with LATCH before. I think maybe once and it was fine. Generally I get them and they're done with the seatbelt and it's HELL.

Wendy
 

jka1217

New member
I don't own one, but have installed one in my car.

It is a very narrow seat, so I was able to get it and 2 Radians in my narrow backseat with a couple inches to spare. I think it's one of the narrowest I've seen, which would make it appealing for 3 across.

We did a seat belt installation and I didn't think it was that bad. I was trying to put both the lap portion and the shoulder portion through the belt path on the base before I looked at the pictures on the sticker and in the manual again and realized that only the lap portion of the belt goes through, the shoulder portion does not. After that, got it in really tight, can't say if it stayed tight since it was just to try it out.

I didn't really try out any other features though. Not a big fan of the plastic puzzle buckle, but I could live with it.
 

joolsplus3

Admin - CPS Technician
Not on top of MY favorites list :thumbsdown: (any seat that the handle has to be put down doesn't make my cut, lol). If you have a super narrow spot, maybe, but I almost like the Combi Centre/Shuttle better, but hate them all because of the plastic puzzle buckles :eek:
 

rosey2007

Active member
I own a Flex Loc (2005 version) and thought it was ok at the time. I think that the handle was a big PITA(it would stick all the time), the base that I have can only be used with LATCH at the time another PITA, the handle has to be down when in the car another pain. After testing other brands on the market I plan on getting a different brand for the next baby.
 

fyrfightermomma

New member
I installed one a few months ago for a pregnant mom. Man was I irritated. I felt so stupid as I explained how to remove the seat from the base, and couldn't figure out how and had to look in the manual(yes I look in the manual but I didn't think I needed to look at the how to remove the seat page!)

I tried my best to explain there aren't too many other seats that release like that
 

RJB78

CPST Instructor
LOL - yes, I felt pretty stupid, too! I felt like saying, "I really do know what I'm doing." :p
 

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