Harmony folding booster

[FedBaby]

At 4 it is not suggested to get a booster only seat.
The Importance of a 5 Point Harness Car Seat - Belle's Gift - YouTube
A combo seat would be a good option.

Thank you for the video. I needed to see that. Now I just have to figure out how to get my sister to stop boostering her DD (Kid#4) who turned 4 in Nov...

I'll stop thinking about a booster for now and find a 5 pt harness that will work for us. Thank you!!!

 

[nannykates]

Yes it stays shut when folded.

 

[henrietta]

I bought one today. I'm pretty pleased. I bought it for my 4.5 yr old, who is almost 38 lbs and 43 inches tall. We've been working on him learning to ride in a booster properly, b/c his grandmothers can't buckle/unbuckle the combo seats like the Maestro/Secure Kid/Nautilus. It's for occasional use, and he understands how he must sit and does very well.

This booster folds really easily, once you know how. It has really good belt fit. It's SUPER lightweight. And it is rated from 30-110 lbs, which is unlike some of the others out there that start at 40 lbs. That's one reason I didn't pick up an Evenflo Amp highback--it starts at 40 lbs. That and the belt fit didn't look as good on the lap belt.

The only part I'm not thrilled about, but it is a plus in some ways, is that it can be tough to get the shoulder belt in/out of the guide. But my kid can't remove it from the guide while he's riding, once I've put it in, so that's good for new booster riders, little stinkers, and grandparents! .

And yes, I agree a 4 yr old should stay harnessed whenever possible, but for a travel seat and if it's not, this is a good, well fitting option.

 

[momtoo3]

Does this need head support behind it? This may be the answer to dh's Malibu problems!

 

[nannykates]

I couldnt find it anywhere in the manual. Ill search the manual down and let you know for sure though.

 

[nannykates]

I double combed through the manual and don't see anything on needing vehichle support!

 

[Harmony96]

Thanks for the pics and measurements!

 

[henrietta]

It does actually recommend that you lock the seatbelt though!

 

[christineka]

Harmony recommends vehicle head support, but does not require it. What's the top belt guide position?

 

[nannykates]

I had measured 19" as the highest belt guide position. I've never locked the belt with a booster rider...should I?

 

[ketchupqueen]

No, you really probably shouldn't. Several automakers forbid it and according to reputable researchers it can lead to a higher risk of submarining in a crash.

Do you have folded measurements? Does it fit in the carryon dimensions of most airlines?

 

[Stelvis]

It does fit as a carry on, and comes with a box with a handle for that purpose.

 

[henrietta]

No, you really probably shouldn't. Several automakers forbid it and according to reputable researchers it can lead to a higher risk of submarining in a crash.

I'm assuming you mean my comment that Harmony *recommends*, not requires, locking the seat belt.

On page 24 of the manual, Harmony recommends locking the belt. I'm just pointing it out. It does NOT say that it's incompatible in vehicles that have lightweight locking latch plates. How would locking the belt be different from lightweight locking latch plates in this circumstance?

http://www.harmonyjuvenile.com/uploads/instructions172.pdf

 

[JOII]

Can anyone who owns this measure how high the arm rests are? (base up to top of arm rest). I am wondering if these will fit in my three across but the arm rests look like they might be too high up. Thanks!

 

[nannykates]

I will look tomorrow.

 

[Jessica61624]

And how wide it is at the arm rest?

 

[nannykates]

17" wide at the tips of the arm rests.
10" high (from base to top of arm rests) at arm rests.
10" deep at arm rests

Hope that helps!

 

[ketchupqueen]

I'm assuming you mean my comment that Harmony *recommends*, not requires, locking the seat belt.

On page 24 of the manual, Harmony recommends locking the belt. I'm just pointing it out. It does NOT say that it's incompatible in vehicles that have lightweight locking latch plates. How would locking the belt be different from lightweight locking latch plates in this circumstance?

http://www.harmonyjuvenile.com/uploads/instructions172.pdf

I'm aware that Harmony recommends it (in all their boosters) without mentioning that it's not allowed by several auto manufacturers. It's recommended by them to prevent belt entrapment and strangulation. Frankly, if children are impulsive/young enough that playing with the belt in this manner is an issue, the answer is not to lock the belt- it's to have the children in harnessed seats.

The difference between lightweight locking latch plates and a switched retractor is that the retractor is engaged in one case, and not engaged in the other. The research that has led to strongly-worded warnings not to lock the belt except when installing a child restraint was conducted specifically with a locked retractor. It doesn't apply to a non-engaged retractor with a locking latch plate.

 

[Brigala]

I have been searching for a seat that would work with a chunky-thighed child. Specifically, the problem the mom is having is squeezing the belt under the arm rest. We have tried a backless Turbo and a backless Evenflo Amp (or similar) with no real luck. But these arm rests look really high up and I wonder if that might solve the problem. Any chance for a side-by-side shot of the arm rests with a Turbo?

I wonder whether this will fit in my Civic next to the Radian... the other Holy Grail I've been searching for. *sigh*

 

[ketchupqueen]

Why not try something that has flip-up armrests? The Cosco Pronto and Safety 1st BoostAir Protect do, and are cheap-ish, and wider for a larger child, and position the belt well on most kids in most vehicles...