Recaro Start Booster vs. Safeguard Go

[mstarr]

My son rides in a Recaro Start booster (the one with the shoulder lockoff) in our second car and with the grandparents. He is harnessed in a Husky in our main car but another Regent/Husky isn't an option for the second car as it needs to be portable. Since I purchased the Recaro, the Safeguard Go has come out. Would it be safer to be in a SG Go and be harnessed but without any side-impact protection or to be just in a belt with the Recaro that has the aluminum frame and deep sidewings for head and chest? The Recaro seems more substantial and has great safety ratings but I like the Harness on the GO. The main car he's in is new and has side impact protection and great safety ratings although the grandparent's van is older and does not. A tether anchor is available in both (although it is off to the side on the floor of the van--not straight back).

I have been thinking about putting him back in the harness, as even though he's a good kid, we are both less stressed when I don't have to remind him to not lean out of the belt and with the lockoff on the Recaro, he takes his arm totally out. He's only 4-1/2 but tall and heavy (torso too long for an MA and almost 50 lbs). He actually prefers his Husky as it's easier for him to buckle himself and he can relax without me constantly reminding him to sit up, etc. I thought the lockoff would keep this from being a problem, but it actually makes me more concerned as if it weren't locked, at least the belt would follow him to some extent. Who knew.

Just curious what others think to be safer. He does ride in it almost every day although it's just mostly for trips to/fro school and then on weekend errands. I have a younger daughter so no seat will go to waste. Eventually they will all be used!

 

[twokidstwodogs]

If he's outgrown a MA for torso height, then you won't get much use out of the Go. It depends on where the top tether anchor is, but the Go's harness straps are more or less the same height as the MA's. (My very tall 4 y.o. daughter went through a growth spurt and outgrew her MA slots within a couple of months after we had shelled out for a Go for travel. Unfortunately, she's just about outgrown that too, at least in 5 pt harness mode. Bummer.)

 

[gwenvet]

Wow, this is a tough one! I had a Safeguard Go on loan from BRU for a few weeks but wound up not liking it. I really missed the seat shell for whatever side impact protection it might provide...just felt he was so exposed in the Go. At your sons height, I don't know how long he would have in the Go as the upper limit of the harness height is 17" (torso height). If he's not sitting reliably in the Recaro, then as great a seat as it is, it isn't safe for him. I guess I would either do some intensive education with him on sitting safely or I would get another seat with a 5 point. Others can let you know which high harnessing seats have the highest harness heights.

 

[markf1971]

If the car with the HBB has switchable retractors then I would just take the extra couple of seconds and switch to the ALR mode when buckleing the child. That way he could not lean his torso forward.

 

[willoL]

I'm not as educated as many here, just an interested amateur car seat lover.

We have a SafeGuard Go for our 35#, 38" 3 year old in our secondary vehicle (Honda Pilot-used about 15 minutes per week) and to travel with. The height of the harness adjusters on the Go will vary a bit, due to the flexible nature of the back, based upon the seat in which you install it. If you can try before you buy (obviously always a good idea), you might get a more accurate idea of how this seat could fit your child.

I'd also like to tell you that, in my experience (4 cars so far--2 model year Toyota Avalons, Honda Pilot 2004, and my sister-in-law's SUV whose make/model I forget), installing this seat with LATCH takes 2 minutes vs. about 15 minutes of huffing and puffing for seatbelts, but all installs have been rock solid.

My son is still in his Britax Wizard in my ancient economy car (94 Ford Escort) where he really needs the extra protection.

He told me today that his favorite seat is the Go. (I'm shopping for new seats as we're expecting #2 for June. ) He said, "It's more comfortable." I tried to get more from him, and, basically, he likes that it sits low to the seat and is more open on the sides.

Now, I'm not taking him out of a highly protective seat just to suit his pre-schooler fancy, but it was good to know he finds that seat so comfy when he's in it.

--willo

 

[joolsplus3]

If the car with the HBB has switchable retractors then I would just take the extra couple of seconds and switch to the ALR mode when buckleing the child. That way he could not lean his torso forward.

The Start has built in lockoffs...if you lock the shoulderbelt in addition to that, you end up with a 5 minute struggle to get the seatbelt retrheaded and unlocked.

I'd keep using the Start, personally.