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Child Car Seats That Fit
paulpuppet
Member Posts: 1
in General
I tried to put a Britax in, but when rear-facing it can swing back, and the anchor strap has no where to tie. Is there a recommended seat?
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http://www.car-safety.org
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Most vehicles will accomodate a Britax rear-facing tether. You may have to loop the included strap around a seatbelt anchor, or a non-moving, structural portion of the seat in front. You then attach the tether hook to the metal ring on the included strap. You can also run the tether back to the tether anchor used for front-facing carseats, though this may be less convenient. You can find some links on this topic and general information in the LATCH guide at the site Steve posted above, also:
http://www.car-safety.org/latch.html
In the tether section, you will find a mention about the Britax rear-facing tethers with a couple links to other sites that have photos as well.
Good luck!
I am considering purchasing a 2000 Odyssey and am concerned about the child seat installation. Browsing around some old discussions (1999 vintage) leads me to believe that they can be safely installed without the dreaded locking clips by pulling the seat belts all the way out. Is this still the installation method of choice?
Also, it sounded like there may have been a fix on the way for the lack of a place to attach a tether. Does anyone know if there is any new news on that front? The discussion I found indicated that there was an anchor under the passenger side 2nd row seat that worked then, but there may be a better fix from Honda on the way.
I want to buy this van (before someone else does) but have a 3 yo and almost 1 yo and if installing the seats isn't any easier than it has been in my Camry, I may consider other vans... Grand Caravan, Sienna, sedona??...
I appreciate any thoughts - Thanks!
The 2000 Odyssey does have two standard tether anchors on the bottom of the 2nd row chairs, and optional tether anchors on the rear tailgate sil. I have all the details here:
http://www.car-safety.org/odyssey.html
Of course, the Odyssey is not going to be compatible with all carseats. It could happen that your particular models don't work well for one reason or another, though that is possible in any vehicle. The new LATCH system does make installation easier in some cases, but you would have to purchase a 2001 Odyssey for that. The 2000 Windstars did have LATCH, and their safety ratings are also very good overall.
This is a great resource and I will definitely be back next time I need help. Thanks again!
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Odie
Steve, Host
Funny when we went look at the strollers and seats my wife just started laughing at me cause I was checking the Tires and Suspention on the stroller and the Belts on both stroller and seat.
Hey we even got a stroller with air filled tires, and it even had 2 spare tires just incase of blow-outs (and NO they are not Firestones)
Odie
NHTSA said the buckles in these seats can easily collect particles of food, drink, dirt, sand or other material that may interfere with the buckle. The consumer may have difficulty latching and unlatching dirty buckles. In some cases the material may cause a “false latch” if the user mistakenly believes that the buckle is securely latched when it is not."
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Steve, Host
Steve, Host
Or better yet, can someone tell me how to use the extra belt that came with this car seat.
PLEASE PLEASE
I also have a 2000 Alpha Omega (but plain) and also just bought a second one for the new van. I know I have the instructions for the new one and I'll look for the old one tomorrow morning in the daylight as I think it's stored in the slot behind the seat in the old Civic.
If nobody else can give help you learn how to use it by the weekend, I'll fax it to you Monday morning.
I am just glad that someone actually got it for us from our baby shower. I would have been happy with the Alpha Omega since that is what Ike has, but just so to get something a bit different we asked for the Eddie. We had an easy time with our baby shower registry, because Elaine already had done all the research of safety, recalls and so forth. 99% of our stuff is identical to what they have, it was nearly sickening.
Then we both get an Ody the same day and the same dealership. I am just happy they wanted a different color. People did say when we were growing up that they thought we were twins.
Thanks again Harry.
Parents often mistaken about protecting kids in cars (KTVB.com)
Steve, Host
Is that too young or too old. Maybe that's what the article is about?
Every little information, useful or not, is better than no information.
At least this article is better to read on the bus, than the dreaded 10 million pages of extended warranty.
Believe me this new system is alot easier to put the seats in and remove then using the reg. seatbelts.
Odie
I think we are going to Buy Buy Baby this weekend to buy a new one for the van, and leave the old one in the 10 yr old "Egra".
In the new issue of the Consumer Reports they compared car seats. Somehow the Alpha Omega you and I both own are ranked pretty low. If you have the $$, and I know you do from all the savings that you have from not buying the Sienna, you can get the top of the line Brittax (sp?) for double the price of the Alpha Omega (on sale at Target for $99 three weeks ago). If you don't have access to a copy of the magazine, I can fax you the 2 page article.
Comparing the Alpha to the Britax, double the price, I would expect some huge difference in quality and safety.
What puzzles me is that they have the alpha for UP TO 35 lbs. I thought the Alpha was a 3 stage car seat, all the way to a booster where you take out the base. Is this correct?
My gosh, $230 for a car seats, it's for the same people of paid $250 for that Peg Perego High Chair.
Sorry, no offense to the people who paid for it, but the Britax is just our of my league. I want to protect my little one, but at the same time I have to consider some form rational thinking for my situation.
Just as the Sienna is "much more stylish and the leather seats are far superior in leather quality and comfort" than your Odyssey, you also need to compare the Britax with the Alpha in the seat cloth in style/quality and comfort before you decide...
Apologies to you all who haven't read the Odyssey versus Sienna forum debate ...
This is all changing with the improvements Cosco is making in response to the new NHTSA child restraint ratings system. Cosco will also include the easier tilt-adjusters on their tether straps.
If you didn't make it to Buy Buy Baby yet, consider the Britax Husky when you go. They had them on sale for $129 recently if you don't mind the brown cover...
Also, the Alpha Omega is 35 pounds rear-facing. It then goes to 40 pounds front-facing and then can be used as a booster.
Steve-
Kids can graduate from boosters as soon as they fit properly in adult seatbelts. This varies from child to child, and vehicle to vehicle. Some adults technically need a booster in some vehicles:-) The quick rule is 8 years old, unless the child is already 4'9" tall. The best rule is a test like this one:
http://www.car-safety.org/faq.html#Q9
Steve, Host
Child safety seat warns when used improperly (Honolulu Advertiser)
Steve, Host
There are some photos here:
http://www.pbase.com/image/14199491
http://www.pbase.com/image/14199492
http://www.pbase.com/image/14199493
The concept is interesting. The price seems quite high, in that some models are based on a carseat that retails for under $50.
Using the seatbelt in addition to the lower LATCH anchors is not necessary. In some cases, it is specifically prohibited by the manual. Use whichever one results in the better fit to your vehicle.
Also see:
http://www.car-safety.org/latch.html
And you would see it. In spades.
Britax seats have impact-absorbing EPS foam lining the entire seat. They have non-twist straps. They have built-in lock-offs. They can be tethered even while rear-facing to prevent rebound. They have a small base that lets them fit better in more vehicles. The list goes on and on. Go to http://www.carseatdata.org/convertibles to see why the Alpha Omega is not the best choice. Even if you don't want to spend more on a Britax, you can spend *less* and get as much, if not more, as you'll get from the Alpha Omega.
What puzzles me is that they have the alpha for UP TO 35 lbs. I thought the Alpha was a 3 stage car seat, all the way to a booster where you take out the base. Is this correct?
The 35 lb must refer to the rear-facing weight limit. Theoretically, the AO can be used all the way from infancy to booster. The truth is, many carseat techs call the AO a "jack of all trades, master of none." While it is supposed to fit an infant, like most convertibles it just doesn't fit them very well. And it's a poor choice for a harnessed toddler seat because (a) the straps are very twisty, and twisted straps don't provide as much protection, and (b) the top harness slots are lower than most other seats, meaning children tend to outgrow the harness by height *long* before they outgrow it by weight. So your child will be forced out of the safety of a harnessed seat sooner than necessary. You'd be better off buying three separate seats that do their jobs well, rather than one that tries to be all things for all people. And that doesn't even take into account the fact that by the time you use it as a booster, it will be so behind-the-times that you'll want a new seat anyway. I mean, can you imagine how much better boosters might be in 3 years? Britax is already coming out with one that provides enhanced side-impact protection. Who knows what else is coming.
My gosh, $230 for a car seats, it's for the same people of paid $250 for that Peg Perego High Chair.
Or those of us who spend money where it matters (on a carseat) rather than where it doesn't ($60 highchair worked for me, thanks).
Believe me, there is nothing I wouldn't do to keep my kids safe. If I could afford one, I would have preferred to be driving a volvo right now. I also have to look at the over all picture in our family situation. What I basically was saying was that the Britax is out of our budget. As nice as it is, as good as it is, it is just too expensive for us.
I agree with you on the high chair, thats why I made fun of those people who bought the more expensive high chairs. Those high price high chaird are merely for those people who have some extra cash to splurge.
I already checked our sofa, and picked up all the loose change and there still is not enough to pay for the Britax.
Used correctly, any current model with a 5-point harness will be very safe. Of course, some may have features that make them easier to use correctly, and some may fit your child or vehicle better than others. Those factors are very important to safety, though they will vary with each parent, child and vehicle.
You don't have to spend big bucks to protect your child. On the other hand, you do need to spend the time to make sure you are using correcly whichever model you choose.
We own and use a variety of models in our vehicles, including a Britax Roundabout and a Cosco Triad. I'm confident putting my daughter in either one. My son rides in a Britax Husky or Fisher Price Futura, though those choices were limited because of the higher weight limits on the harness system...
If so, do I go to Honda or third party and how much?
Thanks
As for the Lower Latch, I am not sure if the third row is LATCH ready, or if it is something that you can install or obtain after market.
The parts are under $10 each including delivery from online parts dealers like handaaccessories.com, hondapartsforyou.com or hparts.com . Takes just a few minutes to add the two optional anchors yourself. There are no lower anchors in the third row:-(
Hate to sound ignorant but do the 2 hooks from the Graco car seat attach to 1 steel hook or 2. I will be having 2 seats in the third row. Thanks
Akbar
http://www.car-safety.org/latch.html
Akbar
Latch Systems for Child Restraints Aren't Always a Snap (U.S. Newswire)
Steve, Host
Child car seats get ease-of-use ratings (MSNBC)
Steve, Host
Smart Air Bags Not Ready For Tots (CBS News)
Steve, Host
danke,
-nobee
tidester, host
All, is Britax the most recommended with parents? I'm kind of leaning towards the Marathon seats..
-nobee
ksso