Please educate me--Convertible Car Seats

[poorlittlefish]

Can someone please help me understand convertible seats? I have a 2.5year old DD and we have 2 Evenflo Triumph Advance car seats (one for each car). I bought it off of a recommendation and bought it online. It is fine. I don’t know that it is the most comfortable seat and when my DD was smaller, her head would flop forward. It is also very big when rearfacing---the front seat needs to be WAY forward. I was researching new seats as DD#2 is almost growing out of her bucket seat. I shudder at the thought of spending another $500 on 2 convertible seats when I noticed an add in the local paper that Cosco convertible seats were on sale for $35. I don’t get it. Are those as safe as the $200 seats?? We have 2 of the same cars (Ford Fusions) but one is new and we drive it when we go longer distances. So, the girls are only in my car for trips that are less than say, 10 miles so maybe comfort isn’t that big a deal for these kinds of trips. I was thinking about getting 2 of those seats for my car then moving both of the Evenflo’s into my DH car. I just have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that a $40 carseat can be as safe as the more expensive ones. Does anyone have this seat? Can you please educate me?

[leighi123]

For kids with head control, you can install the seat more upright which takes up less room.  Some seats take up more room than others... 

The $35 seats are just as safe as a $300 seat IF it is installed and used correctly.  They wont last as long as other seats though, because they are quickly outgrown in height especially forward facing.   Target has a version that rearfaces to 40lbs.   The difference in cheaper seats vs more expensive is the added features (lock offs, nicer covers, more padding, nicer LATCH system, etc)

I think you have a good idea there - use the more comfy seats in the car they will be in for longer trips, and get more inexpensive seats for your secondary car.  

Is your 2.5yr old rearfacing?  (she is much safer rearfacing!).  How much growing room does she have in the EFTA?    If she is forward facing and you dont want to re-rearface, or if she is close to outgrowing the EFTA, then my recomondation would be different... 

[Ninetales]

I have a Complete Air 65 in our car.  We only have one car, so I have one of the Cosco Sceneras (the 40 lb Target version) as a backup in case I need a ride somewhere while my husband is at work.  It's just as safe, but it's not the most convenient or as cushy as the more expensive seats.  But it's perfect as a backup!  And it's still a great main option for people who need a seat on a budget.

[jocelyndale]

The seats all meet the same standards.  We use the Cosco Scenera 40RF as a travel seat and a back-up seat.  It's currently installed in our car (had a friend's DD in DS's Blvd) and kiddo asked to ride in it today.  He likes it because I let him pick out the color (hot pink). 

I find it slightly hard to install RF, but a visit with a good CPST can help you learn how to install.  It's definitely less cushy and I find the continuous loop harness to be a beast for adjusting at times.  I'm just spoiled by the easy of the Boulevard for harness adjustments.   The Scenera is an awesome travel seat.  I put it on a folding luggage cart, roll it onto the plane, install, then kiddo rides in it.  When we get to our destination rental car, I can get a quick FF install (my son is 3.75yo) or a slightly longer RF install (our preference). 

My son is small and he still fits RF and FF in the Scenera.  He probably has a half inch or so from the top slots FF, a couple inches above his head RF.  He's about a pound away from outgrowing RF in his Blvd.  So, hey, this cheap seat would last longer RF than his super expensive seat. 

[curiouscanadian]

The Scenera is often touted as a good extended RFing seat, but I would caution you to try one in your car before buying. We bought one "for Grandma's car" but could never get it to work RFing in either her car or ours (Pontiac Grand Prix/ 05 Honda Civic). Even with rolled up blankets, we could never get it anywhere near even 35degs, let along 45 deg.