Easy to install and all around wonderful convertible carseat

Silver Member Joined: Apr 14 2010 Posts: 711

I'm getting ready to switch my baby from an infant carseat to a convertible one. We don't own a car, but we do occasionally get rides from people or take taxis, and I really liked how easy it was to "install" the Graco Snugride, even without the base - just thread the seatbelt through and close.

Seeing as infant carseats are meant to be moved in and out of cars and convertibles are not, do there exist regular carseats that are similarly easy to install? Or at least not terribly hard? This will not be a one time installation and that's it, so I'm really looking for the simplest and quickest out there.

Other factors: safety (that was obvious), space (preferably shouldn't take up too much of it), and easy of strapping baby in. Oh, and the less expensive, the better, obviously (especially since we won't be using the carseat too often). Did I miss anything?

Do they make carseats that fit the specs above? If not, what are your best suggestions?

Thanks!

Gold Member Joined: Jun 29 2010 Posts: 1997

im looking for the same thing, or will be soon. Do you mind if I ask this question here: when do you switch? Does it go by weight, age etc? Thanks.

Moderator Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 18293

My first idea was to say the True Fit.
It has built in lock-offs that make installation a breeze. It's incredibly easy to use and adjust, very comfortable, and very safe. But it's big. Very big, and I don't think it's the right choice for your needs.

For occasional use, the Cosco Scenera 40 might be your best bet. It's inexpensive, smaller than most convertibles, but still with very good limits for safety (meaning it can be used RF till 40 lbs). It doesn't last too long FF though (also only 40 lbs).

Not too many carseats are inexpensive, small, but last a long limit for weight/height.

How big is your baby (and what age)? This might help figure out what will work for you. If your baby won't be 40 lbs till 1st grade, no problem. But if your baby is 35 lbs at a year, that will change things Smile

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Moderator Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 18293

http://www.amazon.com/Sunshine-Kids-Radian65-Convertible-Seat/dp/B000G7YM0Q

this is my reccomendation. It folds, has a carry strap, and apparently installs easy with LATCH. Cheap it is not, but it will last you for a long time.

Moderator Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 18293

The Radians also have folding capabilities in some (80 lb models come to mind), but they're NOT cheap, and for only occasional use, it seems like overkill. (Also, all carseats have LATCH these days. I've heard people complain about the install of the Radian RF in various vehicles.)

Silver Member Joined: Apr 14 2010 Posts: 711

Wow, thanks for the quick reply!
My daughter is 9 months old and average height (27.5 inches, I think?) but low weight (16 lbs). She still fits very comfortably in the Snugride (the head protector is still on, simply because it never bothered her and I never got around to removing it). I probably won't switch her for another 3 months or so, but it's the reclining position that's the problem; she keeps on trying to sit up straight.

Silver Member Joined: Apr 14 2010 Posts: 711

Also, I'm not sure if I'm thinking of the right thing, but I don't think that my parents' car (which we often get rides in) has LATCH. (Does that even make sense?)

Moderator Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 18293

Moderator Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 18293

Platinum Member Joined: Feb 20 2009 Posts: 7639

You can put your child in a convertible car seat as soon as they meet the minimum requirements for that particular seat, which generally go by height and weight. I know that many kids continue to be comfortable rear facing once they are in a more upright convertible, versus the infant car seats, which are more reclined. It is safest to keep them rear facing until at least 2 years of age, and best to wait until they reach the maximum height and weight for rear facing in your particular seat before switching to forward facing. Again, once they are upright in the convertible, they are usually happy to stay rear facing. And most convertibles start at very low height/weight, so you can use many even from birth.

Executive Member Joined: Sep 24 2009 Posts: 264

I have the Safety 1st All in One Convertible Car Seat, and am very happy with it. I first had the same seat but by Alpha Omega, and when I needed a second car seat for the next child I wanted the same one.

I find it pretty easy to install with the latch system, but not so easy if you need to use the car's seat belt. My boys are comfortable in them, and it was about $100.

Executive Member Joined: Sep 24 2009 Posts: 264

I didn't see where you said your parents' car doesn't have latch until after I posted. In that case, I don't recommend the Safety 1st/Alpha Omega. It's not easy to do with the regular seat belt.

Gold Member Joined: Jun 29 2010 Posts: 1997

Moderator Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 18293

Gold Member Joined: Jun 29 2010 Posts: 1997

thanks, hy. I dont think shes twenty two pds yet ( though I wish she was, ill find out today by drs visit). But theres no space btwn her head and the top. So I guess shes ready for a new one?

Senior Member Joined: May 14 2010 Posts: 102

I have the Cosco Scenera, and I am SOO happy with it:
It has one of the highest safety rating on Consumer Reports
It was cheap - $60 on Amazon, and you can return it within a year
It's simple, slim, light, and very easy to clean (just throw the seat cover in the washing machine) and comfortable for my daughter (who's also small, about the same size as yours at that age.)

I know you want to know about easy installation - I often switch it between mine and my parents cars. I find the LATCH a little annoying because the latch hooks are embedded deep between the seat cushions of the car, but the whole thing involves 3 hooks, one on each side (those are the hard ones) and one on top (easy one) so it's not the end of the world.

I never looked into the non-LATCH way (threading the seatbelt through) but it seems Hashem_Yaazor knows it's possible with the Cosco scenera.

I also find it very easy to adjust the straps so that the carseat sits snugly in the car. You just pull the strap as tight as it will go (I do that while sitting on the carseat with one knee and pressing down hard.)

Hatzlacha Rabba with your decision!

Moderator Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 18293

Gold Member Joined: Jun 29 2010 Posts: 1997

Moderator Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 18293