Frontier recline block

GAH!!!!! Where is my hitting a carseat with a hammer smilie? Someone make one! NOW!

I hate this thing. I wanted to love the FN (I never will). I wanted it to install like a dream (it never will). I wanted my son to love it as much or more than his GN (dammit... got that one, now I'm screwed).

Installing it is a nightmare. No way would it ever install SBP. It does okay LBP with a lot of crying and pleading. It does LATCH with the same crying and pleading but a smidge less blood. And it's all because of that stupid block!!

I came exceptionally close to just skipping it and installing it without the block. Okay, I *did* install it without the block. And it was sooooo much easier and nicer. And I thought of leaving it that way, but of course I didn't. Because the reason I sold the Regent (which i never really liked but grew to like wayyyyy y x bajillion better than the FN) is because I could install it beautifully and easily without the bar, which is "required" for some dumb reason, and I wanted to make an honest woman out of me and use a seat the way they told me I "have" to, even though I know I'm right and they're wrong .

I just wish it would disappear, or be optional... but it's another dang prop, like the recline bar and the HUGS, that Britax needs to pass testing. I'm wondering, really, with all these required props, if Britax isn't just a cheapy shoddy manufacturer. Of course, I choose to believe otherwise. But it annoys me.

Think it'll ever be optional?

I thought the block was attached and only swiveled forward for harness installs and back for booster install. :scratcheshead:

lodonal65 said:

I thought the block was attached and only swiveled forward for harness installs and back for booster install. :scratcheshead:

Click to expand...

It is. I meant do you think they'll ever let us use it however we want it? Like the GN has a recline mode, and it's up to you if you want to use it, same with the AO, EFTA, RN, and a ton of other seats. The FN appears to be the only one mandating that you recline the seat.

Splash said:

It is. I meant do you think they'll ever let us use it however we want it? Like the GN has a recline mode, and it's up to you if you want to use it, same with the AO, EFTA, RN, and a ton of other seats. The FN appears to be the only one mandating that you recline the seat.

Click to expand...

ok, Now, I'm tracking.

Yes, I agree. I could get a very nice install with the recline block in booster mode. Too bad you can't use the harness like that.

I'm kinda glad I'm done with harness seats. It seems every new seat Britax comes out with has all these "rules" about HOW it can be installed depending on the size/shape of your kid.

I accidentally installed it in booster mode last time...and didn't feel compelled to reinstall it for 4 months...and then I put another seat in and haven't even tried to install it with the block forward again

Yep, been wondering what makes the seat so much safer with the block + harness since you use the booster mode without it. Same seat, even same size kid, potentially. So what gives? :scratcheshead: Isn't harnessed supposed to be safer anyway? So why not sit the same way?

joolsplus3 said:

I accidentally installed it in booster mode last time...and didn't feel compelled to reinstall it for 4 months...and then I put another seat in and haven't even tried to install it with the block forward again

Click to expand...

Hmmmm....I need to reinstall my Frontier. Maybe I will accidentally install it with the recline block in booster mode.

I'm guessing it's a head excursion issue... same (I assume) as the Regent. Reclined puts the kid a little bit farther back and down, lowering the center of gravity and, presumably, making head excursion a smidge better.

I'm seriously thinking of skipping it. I know I shouldn't, but...

Actually, I think I'm gonna send the thing back anyway, so it probably doesn't matter. Shame, because it's such a nice seat in appearance and so comfy for Charlie (fits him wonderfully).

I've never played with a FN, so I'm no help at all, but I'm so sorry that you don't like it, Splash. I know you had high hopes for this seat! It really stinks that it's not working out!

Splash said:

I'm guessing it's a head excursion issue... same (I assume) as the Regent. Reclined puts the kid a little bit farther back and down, lowering the center of gravity and, presumably, making head excursion a smidge better.

Click to expand...

So shouldn't it be used in reclined as a booster for the very same reason? :scratcheshead: That's why I"m puzzled about the whole requirement. Kid's the same, seat's the same... so why not require the same incline for safety?

Personally, I think you just love to return Britax seats. You have such a long history of the habit, why stop now?
:duck:

Morganthe said:

So shouldn't it be used in reclined as a booster for the very same reason? :scratcheshead: That's why I"m puzzled about the whole requirement. Kid's the same, seat's the same... so why not require the same incline for safety?

Personally, I think you just love to return Britax seats. You have such a long history of the habit, why stop now?
:duck:

Click to expand...

Hey, this would be the first one I returned. All the others I've used, loved for a period (or dealt with, as in the Regent) and then sold.

Splash said:

Hey, this would be the first one I returned. All the others I've used, loved for a period (or dealt with, as in the Regent) and then sold.

Click to expand...

Ahh, sorry, perhaps I'm getting the whole warranty dilemma & then the Regent & your wails of frustrations all confused.


senior moment.

Has anyone bugged Britax about it? Maybe it's one of those things they could give the ok on.

someone should pm Sarah and see what she knows about the requirement with the recline block.