What exactly about the AO

[Mommy2Mya]

Makes it a crappy booster, and is generally not the best carseat? I figured I'd ask you guys to double check before posting it on this one forum I'm having a disagreement in. Lol. Thanks a bunch!

 

[joolsplus3]

Check out these pics, these cosco boosters (same basic design as AO)make the lapbelt ride too high on the tummy http://www.iihs.org/research/topics/child_restraints/default.html

 

[jennsmile]

The shoulder height is very low. So kids outgrow the harness well before they are ready for a booster.

Jenn

 

[Ahzryn]

Pros:
High rf weight limit (35 pounds)
High rf height allowance due to tall back
Higher end models are well padded
No-rethread harness heights
Generally an easy install without the base

Cons:
Low top usable slot height (top slots for booster mode only)
Low ff weight limit (40 pounds) puts kids in a booster before they are ready (along with low top slots)
Wide, even with the base off
Harness adjuster on some models can be dificult to reach rf
Lower end latch anchors, difficult to tighten and release
As a booster, lap belt usually rides too high
As a booster, short shell (kids will still need a booster after they outgrow it)
As a booster, deep sides you need for a convertible for SIP hold the shoulder belt away from the child

I think that about covers it

 

[Jewels]

Here's another list of the cons of the AO/AOE seats in general that was created by carseatmom:
1. This WILL NOT BE THE ONLY SEAT YOU WILL EVER NEED!! Reason being... Carseats expire after 6 years max (plastic starts to break down after 5 years and the seat can have hidden damage and fail in a crash). Children need to ride in a booster seat until they are 8-10 years old and at least 4ft 9in tall. Also there are new advances on carseats all the time and in 6 years there will be lots of new information and new seats out that will be better. You will need to purchase a new seat after your AO expires.
2. There have been problems with the harness straps twisting. You may or may not have a problem with this, but something to be aware of and for others to know. These MUST be untwisted EVERY SINGLE RIDE and need to lie flat against the body.
3. The harness slots are rather low on this seat and your child may outgrow it by height before weight and making them need the belt position booster when they should still be in a harness (should be in a harness until at least 40lbs).
4. The back on the booster is not all that high and will probably be outgrown by a child at about 60lbs (tips of ears are even with the top of the shell).
5. The AO is designed with less head/side support then other convertibles in order to accommodate the later belt-position booster. But yet it offers too much side support for a belt position booster and it could cause the shoulder belt to be held away from the child’s body and in a crash the child could slip out from under the belt.
6. The chest clip tends to slide down when in use and the clip needs to stay at armpit level in order to prevent ejection from the seat and car in the event of a crash. Cosco is aware of this problem and has redesigned the clip, but some models still have the old clip.
7. This seat can be very difficult to install in many vehicles. It has many incompatibility issues. Some of which cannot be fixed and a different seat is recommended.
8. Seat shell may crack in extreme heat. This renders the seat completely useless. Cosco is not at all surprised this accurse and Cosco customer service says (according to one mom who spoke with customer service) "sometimes that happens on these seats when you have a hot spell".
From Consumer Reports…
9. When used a belt position booster (with out the harness) the belt guide can stick causing the belt to have slack. The child could slip out from under it in the event of a crash.
10. Also when used as a belt position booster (also with other Cosco boosters) children can slip out from under the lap belt portion in a crash.
New info I have learned about Cosco as a company: First, Cosco has several lawsuits filed against them right now for allegedly selling dangerous seats. They are aware of many problems with certain seats and refuse to pull them from store shelves as they “pass all federal safety standards”. The reason these seats pass standards is because they are only TESTED in frontal collisions, but the in real life results have been much different and unfortunately it has resulted in many children being seriously injured, paralyzed, and killed. Second, Cosco has been fined by the government many, many times for reporting false information to NHSTA about their seats. Third, Cosco will wait until they absolutely HAVE to put a recall out on one of their seats before doing so. This to me tells me they are a company out for a few $$ instead of worrying about children’s lives

 

[Mommy2Mya]

Awesome! Thank you guys so much.

Also, because I've only ever had the AO and now a MA, what what be a good choice for a convertible for a lower price than the MA in Canada? I know the Radian would be nice, only I'm not sure of the price on those. I'm just trying prove there are better options other than the AO to this one girl who thinks becuase she worked at Sears that she's an "expert." *rolleyes*

 

[Jewels]

The Radian is $199 in Canada at Canadian Tire. Another alternative would be the Cosco Scenera or maybe even the evenflo Triumph (especially if the new Triumph comes to Canada) for convertables. Here are the Common Measurements if you want to check how high the slots are on seats.