I bought a Smartseat

[MissAllyLou]

I couldn't resist, it was $246 after tax with the trade-in at BRU. So far, we love it! It's a beast, very heavy. It's a good two inches wider than the Nautilus. Install was easy!
Pics, in order, are: Smartseat forward facing, Nautilus comparison, growth room FFing, side view comparison with GN, RFing growth room, and leg room.

Any specific pics you want, just ask!

Model is 3y6m, 30 lbs, 36 inches

 

[zactayaus]

The RF'ing leg room looks awesome!

 

[CrunchyMaineMama]

Wow! It does look like a beast of a seat, but not in a bad way. Love the RFing leg room!! What do you think the puzzle possibilities would be for it? This may just be added to the list of possible seats for the new baby

 

[Kac]

Can you use it RF with the headrest all the way up?

 

[tl01]

Can you put the headrest all the way up in FFing mode? Ours was going to knock in to the headrest of the car. I can remove my headrest... but I wonder if that will be an issue for headrests that are not removeable.

 

[MissAllyLou]

Yes I can put the headrest up all the way FFing. I have to check on RFing, will do that after dinner.

Tl01, can you install with LATCH? the straps are too short in my car.

 

[Admin]

Can you use it RF with the headrest all the way up?

Nope- only to the 3rd position. Kecia's full review should appear at www.carseatblog.com this weekend, too.

 

[tl01]

Yes I can put the headrest up all the way FFing. I have to check on RFing, will do that after dinner.

Tl01, can you install with LATCH? the straps are too short in my car.

I'll try. I have a SS1 and always used the lock off since it is so easy so it didn't occur to me to try LATCH. Strange that the strap would be that short.

 

[Kat_Momof3]

can the headrest be lower when she's harnessed like that? I just don't like how the headrest seems to be so high.

which seat does SHE like better (without factoring in that she can sit facing backwards in the SS)

 

[3acorns4Christy]

love how much more room it has. wow.

 

[jess71903]

Holy Moly! That's MT-like RF leg room! Cool!

 

[4boysmom]

Did we ever get a top strap height for FFing? (You can compare to the nauti vs. numbers even)

 

[chelsey]

I love it!and the recline doesn't look bad in your car:thumbsup:the leg room is awesome!

 

[NannyMom]

how about a pic for growing room in the nauti? What Nauti slot is she on?

 

[Kat_Momof3]

Did we ever get a top strap height for FFing? (You can compare to the nauti vs. numbers even)

I believe the top slots are 16.5-17" vs the 18"-18.5 of the Nauti

 

[MissAllyLou]

can the headrest be lower when she's harnessed like that? I just don't like how the headrest seems to be so high.

which seat does SHE like better (without factoring in that she can sit facing backwards in the SS)

The headrest isn't in the right spot in any of those pics, I just realized. I'll have to get a pic of her riding in it on Tuesday (I won't have her until then.

She says the SS is more comfortable. She calls it her brown seat. She's chosen it every time so far, and was irritated when I wouldn't leave it with her mom for the weekend (it won't fit 3-across in Mom's Jetta!).

 

[stayinhomewithmy6]

Wow, it looks nice! I seriously want one, but I don't know what I'd do with it.

 

[MissAllyLou]

how about a pic for growing room in the nauti? What Nauti slot is she on?

She's on the second from the top slot, but she's just over the second from the bottom slot. I can get a comparison pic on Tuesday.

 

[cookie123]

How was the install? Is it nice and tight? There looks like no ff leg room. Also, does it push her head forward at all?

 

[MissAllyLou]

How was the install? Is it nice and tight? There looks like no ff leg room. Also, does it push her head forward at all?

Install is easy peazy, rock the car solid, with the seatbelt. I can't get it installed with LATCH, because the strap is too short to hook to the anchors.

FFing leg room is about the same as the Nautilus, from the looks of it. I can take a tape measure out there in the morning to measure, if you'd like. Doesn't push her head forward at all :thumbsup: