Great concept, flawed execution
March 19, 2020
I was so excited to receive this convertible car seat from the Stellar Product Testing Panel to trial and review. I have 3 little ones, whose weight range from 26-34 lbs, so we have a lot of experience with convertible car seats, especially after replacing a bunch after a recent car accident. We have never tried a 4-in-1, though, and since the kids are starting to get to be school-age and have carpools, we're anticipating looking into boosters that can be easily installed (once they reach the weight minimum!), so this was a great opportunity for us.
Pros: Off the bat, one of the first things I noticed when preparing for installation was that there is (sturdy) foam in the seat area underneath the cover. Many other brands just have the hard plastic shell, so that seems like a really nice feature, as I imagine it would be more comfortable, especially for long rides. Taking off the fabric (to prep for installation) was pretty simple, which was great, since my kids get motion sickness, and we find ourselves frequently removing the cover. Adjusting the height and recline were simple, too. I also like the 10 year life of the seat (which is long for the industry).
Cons: As I mentioned, my kids are really small (very low percentiles for height and weight). When buckling with the "crotch belt" in the most forward position, my kids complained (and it seemed pretty evident) that it was too tight there. It seems like there should be an option to move it further away from the back of the seat (beyond the options available). Next, regarding installation, I had a hard time deciphering from the instruction manual which type of latch system was included. None of the pictures quite aligned with what I had (and the one that came closest indicated an additional piece, which wasn't included). I was able to figure out installation, as the methods don't vary that greatly, but I actually found this to be fairly difficult to install securely. As mentioned before, we've taken (different brands and style) seats in and out a LOT (lots of road trips, lots to clean up), so I'm fairly experienced with installing car seats, and this one really wiped me out. Eventually, I was able to get it securely installed, but I would be very reluctant to have to take it out. To me, that feature is of paramount importance, so that caregivers don't install the seats improperly which could be met with drastic results, Heaven forbid.
In all, I like the lifespan and concept of this seat (and some features), especially at the affordable price range, but the instruction manual and installation procedures could use some improvement (as well as the buckle). While I wouldn't purchase another one (unless updates were made), I do plan to use it, and hope to get some booster usage from it, too!
(Note: Website is not allowing me to add my photos.)
This product review was collected by the manufacturer.