Using my info, can you tell me which seat you'd choose?

[Dot-to-Dot]

I researched tirelessly for months before purchasing the Safety First Complete Air for my 1 year old.  From the start, we had trouble tightening her harness enough to where she was safe according to the manual.  The pull strap just does not pull out.  For 3 months, we've tried everything we could think of to remedy the situation, but last night was the last straw for me.  When trying to use some elbow grease in order to get the darn straps snug on dd's shoulders, I actually dislocated (and relocated, ewww) my thumb trying to pull the tightening strap.  It is very swollen and painful and I am just pissed off at my experience with this seat - it should NOT be this difficult to put the child in and out of the car seat!!!  It seems we're the only ones with this problem (with the Complete Air) and I am resenting all of the angst and energy spent on choosing the safest seat for her. Maybe it's just the way it fits in our particular car.  We're going to return it.

I'm wondering if you happen to know your stuff, if you might tell me the ONE car seat you'd for sure choose if you were me.  Here are my criteria:

1.  Safety.  I like the idea of side collision safety since she'll be outboard soon when the new baby comes

2.  Fits a larger child okay. (she's in the 80th percentile for height and weight - 27lbs and 30" at 16mos)

3. Easy to use straps, specifically the getting in and out several times during errand running

4. I'm not particularly interested in the RF weight/height limit because in all of our efforts to un-install and re-install, we also turned her seat around to FF.  I know it isn't the safest, but I'm able to get her straps more snug when she's FF and I haven't decided if we'll go back or not.  At this moment, it isn't a priority, but please no lectures.  :)

5. We drive an older Honda CRV, not tons of room but probably more than a sedan.  Again, she'll be outborad, but likely FF so most seats should fit okay.  (We have no LATCH, but I don't care if one time installation is tough....so long as daily in and out if easier than it was in the CA)

6.  Comfort.  I'd love for her to be comfortable enough to fall asleep.

7. We're willing to pay up to about $200

Thanks for your help.  My thumb and I appreciate it.

[DahliaRW]

Well, the best SIP is rearfacing.  I would highly recommend you turn her back around.  I know you said you won't, but at 1yo it's just not safe to ff, and you listed safety as your #1 priority. 

As for adjusting the harness, I would try to get another CA and see if that solves the problem.  You may have a defective seat.  The other trick is to tighten before you buckle.  I found that worked really well with my radian, though I don't have that issue with the CA (mine works fine, have had it for 2 years).

[alegna]

Sorry- in no way is a 16mo safe ff  :(  If you're concerned about side impact the single biggest protection is rear facing.

I've not used the CA- though I've heard good things about it.  I would flip her back rf- without question.  My ds is 2.5 and rf and will be rf for at least another year.

Seats to consider would include:

radian, my ride, true fit, possibly britax marathon/blvd especially if you can find the older ones (65, not 70lb)

All I would have rf at that age.  I wouldn't even consider a ff only seat.

-Angela

[Dot-to-Dot]

Just FYI for future responses, I am not looking for advice about RF vs FF.  Didn't say I wouldn't RF...and not asking for advice about it.  Just asking about car seats.  I't not LOOKING for a "FF only seat".  I'm looking for a convertible seat and I will decide later if she RF or FF...no child is safe RF if the harness isn't secure - which is our case currently.  I'll make that decision using my best judgment...but currently, I am only asking for advice regarding a car seat.

[Dot-to-Dot]

Originally Posted by DahliaRW 

highly recommend you turn her back around.  I know you said you won't, 

Nope, didn't say that. :) 

[Friday13th]

While I agree with the other posters regarding the fact that she needs to be RF, have you contacted Safety 1st?  It really sounds like you got a defective seat, I'd call them and make a stink.  You shouldn't have to shell out money again when it sounds like there is actually something wrong with your seat.  Tell them you've heard great things about your seat, yadda yadda (butter them up) then tell them all the problems you're having (dislocating your thumb?! ouch!) 

Also, I assume you've made sure the harness isn't catching on anything and there's nothing stuck in the adjuster, like crumbs.  Assuming that is all fine, I'd take it up with the company.

[illumini]

I will say I have a CA too. I was flummoxed by the adjuster till someone told me it was a "ratchet style adjuster". You may know this already but to tighten the CA you use a series of short jerks, not one long pull. I keep it tightened pretty much all the time and just use the wonderful infinity harness to loosen one side to slip DS in. Then I only have to buckle him in, sometimes tug once or twice and he's done! 

[Dot-to-Dot]

Originally Posted by illumini 

someone told me it was a "ratchet style adjuster". You may know this already but to tighten the CA you use a series of short jerks, not one long pull.  

Oh reeeeeeally?  No, I did not know that and don't remember reading about that pulling technique in the manual, on the youtube videos or anywhere online from any reviewer anywhere!  INTERESTING!  I am anxious to try that!  Thank you for the suggestion.  I will report back whether or not that solves the problem.  And yes, I do usually keep it tightened and use the infininty loop to get her in and out but dh insists that it's easier for him to just loosen the whole thing to get her in...even though he has the same trouble tightening it afterwards.  *shrugs* And so when he goes somewhere with her, I'm left trying to tighten when I want to take her somewhere after that.
 

Fridaythe13th, I thought about contacting them, but it's honestly SO easy to return to diapers.com that I just felt it'd be faster to just get rid of the seat and start all over.  I just want to get rid of the D*$& thing...unless of course the ratchet pulling works like a dream and the problem is completely solved.  We shall see... 

[Lilygoose]

I have a complete air and have found that the harness tightens best if it is not buckled.  When i try to tighten it with the harness buckled it can be very dificult to downright impossible.  However if I tighten it and then buckle it, its very easy.

[Dot-to-Dot]

Tried to pull it ratchet style (it was already close to where I needed it to be, tightening-wise just needed it a bit tighter) but it didn't budge.  Didn't tighten anymore than it was.  You could still easily pinch the fabric on her shoulder straps...the complete air youtube instructional video says you shouldn't be able to easily pinch the shoulder belts.   My husband jumped in and tried but then he totally got everything way twisty and became very frustrated.  I swear we're not idiots.  And we've uninstalled to check out all of the belting for any snags or major twists.  It all looks just fine.  I just want a new seat.
 

[alegna]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dot-to-Dot 

Just FYI for future responses, I am not looking for advice about RF vs FF.  Didn't say I wouldn't RF...and not asking for advice about it.  Just asking about car seats.  I't not LOOKING for a "FF only seat".  I'm looking for a convertible seat and I will decide later if she RF or FF...no child is safe RF if the harness isn't secure - which is our case currently.  I'll make that decision using my best judgment...but currently, I am only asking for advice regarding a car seat.

Well, part of my issue is that I would suggest different seats for rf vs. ff.  For example- I like the old style marathon and blvd (not as well as some other things on the market, but they're easy to use) for rf- BUT I do not like them at ALL for ff.  I feel they sit far too high and are not nearly as safe as other choices.  SO- my suggestions would be different depending on whether the child would be ff or rf.  Also the radians tend to install easily ff, but can be a PITA to install rf.

-Angela

[TheGirls]

Yeah it's pretty hard to recommend a seat if we don't even know which way the child will face in it...  There's no point in buying a convertible if she's going to stay FF, anyhow.   

Have you contacted Safety 1st yet?  Because we have 2 complete airs and no similar problems.  It really sounds like the seat is defective and they should replace that, rather than you needing to go shop for a new seat.  I just tightened DD's CA on here last night - two quick tugs, no problem.  

If for whatever reason the Complete Air wasn't an option, if I were in your situation, I'd try a RF Radian, followed by a RF TrueFit or MyRide.  I do not consider FF an option for an under-2 unless there are SERIOUS extenuating circumstances (severe carsickness, extreme financial hardship, etc)  Some folks like the tightener on the Evenflo Triumph Advanced, too, and it's a fine seat if it works for you too.  I prefer the pull-type tighteners, personally. 

[Dot-to-Dot]

Originally Posted by TheGirls 

Yeah it's pretty hard to recommend a seat if we don't even know which way the child will face in it...  There's no point in buying a convertible if she's going to stay FF, anyhow.   

Well, people can feel free to suggest their favorite FF and their favorite RF like you did so it isn't so "hard" for them...I don't think my current indecision about which direction she'll face is really that big of an obstacle while looking for seats - everyone seems to have gotten over it and went ahead to suggests seats regardless...unless people are just wanting to highlight the fact that I'm not currently 100% committed to having her RF.  But, again, this doesn't have to do with where she's facing.  That's a personal decision and I'm just looking for advice about which seats experienced moms would choose, thank you.  

Actually, there is a point in buying a convertible.  Hopefully we'll be able to use it down the line for future children and I wouldn't want to be limited with a FFing seat when we eventually have a younger child who'll need a convertible. 

 

[mama2soren]

To RF a taller kiddo, I'd skip the MyRide.  Check out the True Fit, the Radian, and the Triumph 65.  The Radian can be a awesome seat, and the 80SL is on sale at AlbeeBaby.com right now for $199!  But, it can be tricky to install in some cars.  What car(s) do you drive?

Another vote for you to call Safety 1st.  It really sounds like you have a defective seat.  Even if you don't want a replacement Complete Air, they might be very helpful getting you your money back.  They might also be interested in having you send them the seat so that they could check out what might have gone wrong.

[Dot-to-Dot]

Thanks!  I sure do hear quite a lot about the Radian.  I will look into those you mentioned.  I drive a Honda CRV.  An older one, so no LATCH system unfortunately.  But, a one time aggravating installation situation certainly beats an everyday buckle situation so I don't mind if it's tough to install.  It's not a huge backseat and was super crammed with the Complete Air when it was RF even when she was in the middle spot.  So I have no idea how we'll fit dd1 and dd2 (when she arrives) in the outboard spots...but we'll have to.   

[an_aurora]

You dislocated your thumb tightening it   Yeah, you have a defective seat.  I'd probably call the company if you haven't already, and demand a refund--not a replacement, a refund. 

Then I'd go get a Triumph (with the super easy tightening knobs) or a Britax with a buttery smooth harness adjuster.  Both take up very little room RF and both will last you ages RF and FF.  

A Radian will likely drive you absolutely nuts RF and make you never want to RF it. I am 100% committed to ERF'ing my kids and the Radian makes me wish I didn't care so much and felt comfortable FFing my 18lb 19 month old 

[Dot-to-Dot]

Originally Posted by an_aurora 

You dislocated your thumb tightening it   Yeah, you have a defective seat.  I'd probably call the company if you haven't already, and demand a refund--not a replacement, a refund. 

Then I'd go get a Triumph (with the super easy tightening knobs) or a Britax with a buttery smooth harness adjuster.  Both take up very little room RF and both will last you ages RF and FF.  

A Radian will likely drive you absolutely nuts RF and make you never want to RF it. I am 100% committed to ERF'ing my kids and the Radian makes me wish I didn't care so much and felt comfortable FFing my 18lb 19 month old 

MUCH appreciated!  Thank you!  This is exactly the kind of input I was hoping for.