Uptown and Avenue Comparison Update

jka1217

New member
My first quick comparison is in this thread. With the sale at K-Mart this week and a $5 off coupon, an Avenue came home with us today to try out. So, I installed it in my car and there are a few other differences that I missed the first time.

First, when I got home, we (azgirl71 and I) worked on installing it RF in my '06 Equinox. We couldn't get a full 45 degree recline that a newborn or younger child would need, but we came close. It did require quite an arrangement of pool noodles. It just wasn't working right with the pyramid, I think in part because of the new cutout on the bottom of the seat. (I know the yellow on is a little out of place, but was too hot and sweaty to try and correct it). It's wasn't moving, but I'm not sure how happy I am with the installation.

ETA: I didn't leave it in the car this way, I will hopefully get to play with it more later, but it gives you an idea of the space that needs to be filled.

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While installed, you can reach the velcro flap to access the harness adjuster quite easily, except that the harness adjuster is actually quite a bit lower. Getting a finger or 2 in there to get it adjusted is not too easy.

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So we brought it inside to look it over next to the Uptown.

Hey mom, this makes a great TV chair!
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Avenue and Uptown with and without the covers
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Different buckle (my Uptown DOM is '06) and the Avenue has harness guides now where it comes up from the bottom of the seat. They were a little tough to get out to take the cover off, but seems like a nice addition. Uptown on the left, Avenue on the right.
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Different splitter plates, the Avenue plate just seems so tiny. The harness doesn't really fit on it. Mine was actually slipping off when I took it out of the package. Uptown on the left, Avenue on the right.
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The Avenue cover is kept in place with elastic straps, 2 on top, 2 on the sides, 2 underneath. The Uptown cover would fit on an Avenue shell, but the Uptown shell does not have all the same nubs to put the Avenue cover on it.

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The upper nubs are on both shells, but the Uptown doesn't have the nubs on the sides.
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The bottom is shaped quite different, something I didn't notice the first time I looked at it, it was brought to my attention in another thread here. They reshaped the outer portion and use it for the elastic straps on the bottom, but it makes it tough to use pool noodles with installation (see above pictures). Uptown on the left, Avenue on the right.
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I'm keeping it for now, but I'm not thrilled with the struggles I had with it. I'm just not feeling the love for it like I have for my Uptown. Maybe it will grow on me.
 
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sunnymw

New member
Yikes on that install! It looks like there's virtually no seat touching the vehicle seat!! But ITA, I've never gotten a 45 degree angle with an Uptown even, it was always really upright with my 3 noodle tower.

Thanks for the comparison though!
 

firemomof3

New member
What the heck is point of the cutout on the avenue?!! How frustrating! I can see how it would be very difficult with for an inexperienced user, that really bums me out!
 

BookMama

Senior Community Member
I always thought that the maximum number of noodles allowed is three smaller ones or 1.5 larger ones. :confused:
 

LISmama810

Admin - CPS Technician
I was discussing the noodle thing with an instructor the other day. She said the curriculum doesn't actually specify a number, just that three is the accepted standard--but that you could use more. Does anyone know if it actually is in the curriculum?

Anyway, yeah, I'm not digging that cut-out.
 

jka1217

New member
Yeah, it's probably not the best scenario with pool noodles. I think if I had a couple larger noodles, it would have worked better to get the full recline. Having the cutout does make the noodles slip up under the seat and away from the vehicle seat bight, which is why we stuck more in there. If I get a chance when it's not as warm and I have more energy, I'll probably try some other configurations and try it FF too.
 

scatterbunny

New member
There is no maximum # of noodles allowed, from what I was taught, and everything I have read since my course. However, that doesn't look like a good install to me. :(

ETA: I verified that there is not a maximum number of noodles allowed, you can use however many you need (as few as possible), in whatever arrangement necessary (no need for it to be a pyramid, although this is usually easiest, IME).
 

Mama!

New member
I've gotten a 45 degree angle on an Uptown, but man it was hard. It involved me practically shoving the seat into my ovaries as I drove it in and tightened it. It was also done with LATCH.
 

azgirl71

CPST Instructor
It was hot out. We may possibly been able to get it, but the kids were hot and wanted to go in.

As Scatterbunny already stated, there is no maximum amount of noodles to achieve recline. You do want to use as few as possible though.

Neither of us was happy with the install, but did not want screaming kids while we played some more. The cutout makes it a huge PITA!

Thanks for posting the review Jen. I tried to give you rep, but i have to spread the love first.
 

scatterbunny

New member
I just tried to give her rep for the photos, especially the detailed comparisons to the Uptown, but I've given out too much rep in the past 24 hours. :eek:
 

azgirl71

CPST Instructor
Yikes on that install! It looks like there's virtually no seat touching the vehicle seat!! But ITA, I've never gotten a 45 degree angle with an Uptown even, it was always really upright with my 3 noodle tower.

Thanks for the comparison though!

I wanted to make sure you knew the LATCH bag had fallen out and was blocking the view of the base on the outboard side. I think we couls probably get everything under the cutout if we tried again without the kids.
 

BookMama

Senior Community Member
Neither of us was happy with the install, but did not want screaming kids while we played some more. The cutout makes it a huge PITA!

Thanks for clarifying, because that really wasn't apparent from the previous posts. :)

Thanks for posting the review Jen.

Yeah, thanks - the detailed side-by-side comparison is great!
 

azgirl71

CPST Instructor
Thanks for clarifying, because that really wasn't apparent from the previous posts. :)

I figure it may not have been clear that is why I clarified :). It was not even set up to fit either of our kids. We had not even gone in the house yet. We just took it right out and started playing until it got to hot.
 

jka1217

New member
Thanks for clarifying, because that really wasn't apparent from the previous posts.


Sorry, that's my bad. :eek: I was trying to use car seats as a distraction for the day, but my mind was still elsewhere. I edited my first post to state that it didn't stay in my car with all those noodles, and it needs more work on another day.
 

Kat_Momof3

New member
I think what I'd like to try is bigger noodles (that yellow one is bigger, but I've seen thicker ones... omg, forget where I saw ones that would be perfect, but they were HUGE, and sold shorter (wouldn't have to cut them, but you might only be able to use 2 and then, if you needed something more, would have to top the pyramid with a smaller one)... oh... now I do... Food Lion... you might still have to use 3, but I think the install would be better and at least easier.

I do like the guides on the lap straps, and since the bottom slots are taller than on the Uptown (aren't they??), then I don't mind not getting a 45* angle, but if someone wanted to use this from birth for a big baby, they would mind!
 

azgirl71

CPST Instructor
We originally tried the big yellow noodle alone and it was very upright. You are correct if someone had a older child this seat would be just fine since it could be use more upright.

The bottom slot are acually the same. They are not higher on the Uptown. I though so ar first too until we removed the covers.
 

Kat_Momof3

New member
okay... then definitely the answer is to use larger noodles... like 3 of those yellow ones was what I meant, not it alone.
 

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