CRS
Senior Community Member
Disclaimer: Please note that the Brio Zento is not certified for use in the U.S. or Canada. The reviewer is in New Zealand, where it is legal to use a Swedish seat, and we're most grateful for the in depth review.
Brio Zento Review
Photo courtesy of Brio New Zealand
Main info:
Manufacturer: Brio
Model: Zento
Manufacturers website: www.briocarseats.co.nz or www.brio.net
Date of manufacture: October 2007
Seat type: 3-in-1 (rear-facing, forward-facing, booster)
Safety Standard: ECE R44/04 (European Safety Standard) as well as the Swedish "T" approval
RF weight limit: 0-25kg (0-55lbs)
FF weight limit: 12-18kg (26-40lbs)
Booster weight limit: 15-25kg (33-55lbs)
Brief introduction:
The Brio Zento is a 3-in-1 child safety seat made by Brio, Sweden. The design of the BRIO Zento is based on more than 20 years of research into child safety. BRIO Zento fufills the latest safety requirements according to ECE R44 rev 04 - the European standard for children's car seats - as well as Swedish "T" approval. The Swedish "T" approval is one which only seats that show very low force on the head and neck in a collision get. Very few seats have this approval.
Whilst the Brio Zento is available in Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway etc) please remember that some of the information in this review (such as costs and retailers) may pertain to the country in which I reside, New Zealand. The Brio Zento is the first of its kind in this country and it's arrival has been long awaited. As of 22.02.2008 (or 02.22.2008 for some of you overseas!) the Brio Zento is sold exclusively through Baby On The Move retailers around the country for approx. $549NZD.
Measurements:
Please remember these measurements are approximations and may not be totally accurate.
Bottom slot: 19.8cm (7.8 inches)
Top slot: 36cm(14.2 inches)
Shell height (from seating position to top of seat): 57cm (22.4 inches)
Please also note that although the top slot height does appear to be quite low, the Brio Zento can be used until the tips of the ears/eye level is aligned with the top shell of the seat.
Features:
EPS Foam: The Brio Zento has a great amount (and might I add, rather thick!!!) encasing of EPS Foam around the back and sides.
If you don't know much about EPS Foam and it's benefits, you may find the following threads informative:
http://car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=25317
http://car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=30226
Blow moulded shell:
The Brio Zento has a blow moulded shell (as opposed to a single cell shell) which provides a double wall of plastic and air for enhanced side impact protection.
Innovative locking clip:
One of the features of the Brio Zento that I found particularly interesting was the "locking clip". Although it appears to look relatively similar in shape and composition to your regular locking clip, it's actually bolted to the frame of the car seat by way of a strap to prevent it becoming a projectile in the event of a motor vehicle collision (was going to say accident but we're not allowed to call them "accidents"! LOL).
Instruction labelling/booklet/DVD/vehicle compatibility list incorporated in to head rest:
Another feature I thought was quite smart was putting a huge label on the underside of the head rest to demonstrate how to use the seat (if of course, you left the manual at home or temporarily misplaced it). In the head rest is an actual POCKET where an instruction/demonstration DVD, instruction booklet and vehicle compatibility list are stored.
The instruction manual is 8 pages (including the front and back page) even with very few pages I found it quite informative.
The DVD was quite interesting, you'd have expected that it would have voice over instructions. However, it did not. Even still I found the visuals quite good and as most people are very visual I think most people could understand the DVD quite easily.
And something you'd almost never see on any seat (though I did get one with my Britax Two Way Elite) is a vehicle compatibility list. Which is as it sounds, a list with a whole lot of vehicles the Brio Zento is compatible with, what a marvellous idea!
**Rear-facing tethers**
I felt the rear-facing tethers section deserved to have its very own post so please read on to the second post in this thread - Thanks!
"Rubber" type backed harness shoulder pads, car seat "heels" and rubberised arm rests:
Pretty self explanatory really. I couldn't say for 100% certainty why the harness shoulder pads are rubber backed but some on here have theorised that this helps keep the harness firmly on the shoulders (much like a chest clip). As I said though, I'm not completely sure why they are "rubber" backed but I will endeavour to get this information for a future update of this review.
**UPDATE** After contacting Brio New Zealand I received this info about the rubber backed shoulder pads:
As above, the Brio Zento also has rubberised "heels" and arm rests. I'm not sure if there is a reason behind the "arm rests" being rubberised, however one would assume that the "heels" are rubberised to provide further stability? Hopefully I can get more information on this for a future update.
**UPDATE** After contacting Brio New Zealand I received this info about the rubberised heels and arm rests:
Other features:
For sure there are many other magnificent features, as you can see. The cover is nice and durable, suede, very pleasing to the eye. As of 22.02.2008 available in New Zealand are colours "Gray", "Red", and "Black". If you see anything in the pictures I've yet to explain, please PM me so I can update this review with anything I might have missed!
Red:
Gray:
Photo courtesy of Brio New Zealand
Black:
Please note: Colours of seats in the above pictures may not be "true to life".
Overall impression:
To be honest I am astounded by the attention to detail and quality of this seat, it is by far the best car seat I have had the pleasure of "playing" with let alone owning! Whilst some of the installation can appear to be daunting at first, I believe this is because it's not exactly conventional to what we have available right now so of course anything you're not used to is going to seem completely foreign (which technically it is really!).
The only cons I could think of that it is slightly heavy, especially because of it's thick blow moulded shell. The "upper tether" "hook" looking attachment can be a bit annoying to reconnect to the metal ring at the back of the seat however unless you're constantly switching this seat from RF to FF or repeatedly washing the cover, you're probably not going to care.
I've also yet to try to use it as a belt positioning booster and although it's marvellous to have a seat that can be used for multiple purposes, I feel that I would probably rather use a dedicated booster seat. The reasons for this are a) It's not going to be the only seat you ever need (nor is it even advertised to be) because it's simply just not tall enough to be used as a booster until transition from booster to adult only belt. You're definitely going to need to buy a belt positioning booster after you finish with this seat, but don't let this put you off. b) There's no shoulder belt adjuster? There's nothing to bring the shoulder belt on to the right position on a child, no strap, no guides in the side of the seat, nothing which is another reason I'd personally prefer a dedicated BPB.
**UPDATE** After contacting Brio New Zealand I received the following info about the Brio Zento used as a booster and my above "concerns" about a lack of a "belt positioning strap":
So all in all I'm left feeling incredibly impressed and then some. I already own a "Swedish" RF seat (Britax Two Way Elite) which I am still very happy with and when I got that seat it blew me away and when I got my Brio Zento I was even MORE amazed. I wish everyone could have one of these seats!
I hope you've found this review informative thus far.. Cause it's not over yet! Please see "Part 2" of the review in the next post.
Brio Zento Review
Photo courtesy of Brio New Zealand
Main info:
Manufacturer: Brio
Model: Zento
Manufacturers website: www.briocarseats.co.nz or www.brio.net
Date of manufacture: October 2007
Seat type: 3-in-1 (rear-facing, forward-facing, booster)
Safety Standard: ECE R44/04 (European Safety Standard) as well as the Swedish "T" approval
RF weight limit: 0-25kg (0-55lbs)
FF weight limit: 12-18kg (26-40lbs)
Booster weight limit: 15-25kg (33-55lbs)
Brief introduction:
The Brio Zento is a 3-in-1 child safety seat made by Brio, Sweden. The design of the BRIO Zento is based on more than 20 years of research into child safety. BRIO Zento fufills the latest safety requirements according to ECE R44 rev 04 - the European standard for children's car seats - as well as Swedish "T" approval. The Swedish "T" approval is one which only seats that show very low force on the head and neck in a collision get. Very few seats have this approval.
Whilst the Brio Zento is available in Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway etc) please remember that some of the information in this review (such as costs and retailers) may pertain to the country in which I reside, New Zealand. The Brio Zento is the first of its kind in this country and it's arrival has been long awaited. As of 22.02.2008 (or 02.22.2008 for some of you overseas!) the Brio Zento is sold exclusively through Baby On The Move retailers around the country for approx. $549NZD.
Measurements:
Please remember these measurements are approximations and may not be totally accurate.
Bottom slot: 19.8cm (7.8 inches)
Top slot: 36cm(14.2 inches)
Shell height (from seating position to top of seat): 57cm (22.4 inches)
Please also note that although the top slot height does appear to be quite low, the Brio Zento can be used until the tips of the ears/eye level is aligned with the top shell of the seat.
Features:
EPS Foam: The Brio Zento has a great amount (and might I add, rather thick!!!) encasing of EPS Foam around the back and sides.
If you don't know much about EPS Foam and it's benefits, you may find the following threads informative:
http://car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=25317
http://car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=30226
Blow moulded shell:
The Brio Zento has a blow moulded shell (as opposed to a single cell shell) which provides a double wall of plastic and air for enhanced side impact protection.
Innovative locking clip:
One of the features of the Brio Zento that I found particularly interesting was the "locking clip". Although it appears to look relatively similar in shape and composition to your regular locking clip, it's actually bolted to the frame of the car seat by way of a strap to prevent it becoming a projectile in the event of a motor vehicle collision (was going to say accident but we're not allowed to call them "accidents"! LOL).
Instruction labelling/booklet/DVD/vehicle compatibility list incorporated in to head rest:
Another feature I thought was quite smart was putting a huge label on the underside of the head rest to demonstrate how to use the seat (if of course, you left the manual at home or temporarily misplaced it). In the head rest is an actual POCKET where an instruction/demonstration DVD, instruction booklet and vehicle compatibility list are stored.
The instruction manual is 8 pages (including the front and back page) even with very few pages I found it quite informative.
The DVD was quite interesting, you'd have expected that it would have voice over instructions. However, it did not. Even still I found the visuals quite good and as most people are very visual I think most people could understand the DVD quite easily.
And something you'd almost never see on any seat (though I did get one with my Britax Two Way Elite) is a vehicle compatibility list. Which is as it sounds, a list with a whole lot of vehicles the Brio Zento is compatible with, what a marvellous idea!
**Rear-facing tethers**
I felt the rear-facing tethers section deserved to have its very own post so please read on to the second post in this thread - Thanks!
"Rubber" type backed harness shoulder pads, car seat "heels" and rubberised arm rests:
Pretty self explanatory really. I couldn't say for 100% certainty why the harness shoulder pads are rubber backed but some on here have theorised that this helps keep the harness firmly on the shoulders (much like a chest clip). As I said though, I'm not completely sure why they are "rubber" backed but I will endeavour to get this information for a future update of this review.
**UPDATE** After contacting Brio New Zealand I received this info about the rubber backed shoulder pads:
...the rubber backed shoulder pads are supposed to help in keeping the harness in better position since rubber has got quite a good grip.
As above, the Brio Zento also has rubberised "heels" and arm rests. I'm not sure if there is a reason behind the "arm rests" being rubberised, however one would assume that the "heels" are rubberised to provide further stability? Hopefully I can get more information on this for a future update.
**UPDATE** After contacting Brio New Zealand I received this info about the rubberised heels and arm rests:
...the rubber blocks on the heel are to prevent the Zento slipping on the vehicle's seat. The armrests however - not really sure if there is a good reason for that - maybe more comfy than just straight plastic that can get a bit sweaty and uncomfortable
Other features:
For sure there are many other magnificent features, as you can see. The cover is nice and durable, suede, very pleasing to the eye. As of 22.02.2008 available in New Zealand are colours "Gray", "Red", and "Black". If you see anything in the pictures I've yet to explain, please PM me so I can update this review with anything I might have missed!
Red:
Gray:
Photo courtesy of Brio New Zealand
Black:
Please note: Colours of seats in the above pictures may not be "true to life".
Overall impression:
To be honest I am astounded by the attention to detail and quality of this seat, it is by far the best car seat I have had the pleasure of "playing" with let alone owning! Whilst some of the installation can appear to be daunting at first, I believe this is because it's not exactly conventional to what we have available right now so of course anything you're not used to is going to seem completely foreign (which technically it is really!).
The only cons I could think of that it is slightly heavy, especially because of it's thick blow moulded shell. The "upper tether" "hook" looking attachment can be a bit annoying to reconnect to the metal ring at the back of the seat however unless you're constantly switching this seat from RF to FF or repeatedly washing the cover, you're probably not going to care.
I've also yet to try to use it as a belt positioning booster and although it's marvellous to have a seat that can be used for multiple purposes, I feel that I would probably rather use a dedicated booster seat. The reasons for this are a) It's not going to be the only seat you ever need (nor is it even advertised to be) because it's simply just not tall enough to be used as a booster until transition from booster to adult only belt. You're definitely going to need to buy a belt positioning booster after you finish with this seat, but don't let this put you off. b) There's no shoulder belt adjuster? There's nothing to bring the shoulder belt on to the right position on a child, no strap, no guides in the side of the seat, nothing which is another reason I'd personally prefer a dedicated BPB.
**UPDATE** After contacting Brio New Zealand I received the following info about the Brio Zento used as a booster and my above "concerns" about a lack of a "belt positioning strap":
Not exactly a con, but rather something I would change is giving it a higher shell. I believe the majority of children with "average" height torsos would most probably get till at least five years of age in this seat. However, children with abnormally high torso's would be fortunate to get till five in this seat. Even so, in my personal opinion this by far supersedes any RF child safety seat available in New Zealand, currently. In the sense that it offers much more longevity for RF children.under the latest ECE standards you are not allowed any loose bits, hence locking clip bolted on and head pillow permanently attached. If the seatbelt does not end up sitting correctly on a child when used as a booster the child is too small to use it a s a booster and should remain in the rearfacing position. To get a better idea as a distributor, I have tried both a 4-year old (weighing 19 kg) and a 5.5 year-old weighing 22kg, and on both of them the seatbelt sat in the perfect place - close to the neck - (not across it) - and close to the body - but not too far out on the shoulder.
So all in all I'm left feeling incredibly impressed and then some. I already own a "Swedish" RF seat (Britax Two Way Elite) which I am still very happy with and when I got that seat it blew me away and when I got my Brio Zento I was even MORE amazed. I wish everyone could have one of these seats!
I hope you've found this review informative thus far.. Cause it's not over yet! Please see "Part 2" of the review in the next post.
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