trob67 Posted May 22, 2006 Share Posted May 22, 2006 I currently need a second seat for emergency use. I have one of the upper $$ models for safety and comfort but since this will be for short trips I am only concerned with safety. .... Any thoughts on a good model and place with good price? Thanks, Theresa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrn8 Posted May 22, 2006 Share Posted May 22, 2006 Cosco Booster at Target Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malmadmama Posted May 22, 2006 Share Posted May 22, 2006 The women on this board are awesome, most are car seat techs and know so much about seats! I would just post how big your toddler is and what you're looking for and they'll be able to tell you what would work best for you and your little one! http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ppcarseats/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mldepalma Posted May 22, 2006 Share Posted May 22, 2006 Cosco Booster at TargetI went to a car safety inspection in put on by SafeKids in CT and the car seat I had bought didn't fit properly in my car - they "sold" me a cosco one so I would have one for my daughter (about 4 years ago). They said it was a very good carseat that was inexpensive. They were giving these out free to those in need, and just asked for a donation from those who could afford it - so I donated and then I bought a second one for my DHs car. I figure if they can recommend this then it out to be a pretty good one. It wasn't a booster, but it fit child up to 40lbs front facing. I ended up buying mine at Kmart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
able Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 I went to a car safety inspection in put on by SafeKids in CT and the car seat I had bought didn't fit properly in my car - they "sold" me a cosco one so I would have one for my daughter (about 4 years ago). They said it was a very good carseat that was inexpensive. They were giving these out free to those in need, and just asked for a donation from those who could afford it - so I donated and then I bought a second one for my DHs car. I figure if they can recommend this then it out to be a pretty good one. It wasn't a booster, but it fit child up to 40lbs front facing. I ended up buying mine at Kmart.was this right after they changed the booster seaaat laws? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayhaysay Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 I know our vehicle insurance will give us up to 2 carseats. You put a $20 deposit down and if you return them after you're through with them they give you your $20 back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mldepalma Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 was this right after they changed the booster seaaat laws?Ummm, I don't know.... what were the changes? Were the changes national? I know each state has different car seat requirements... My oldest was born in 1999 and since then I've had 3 more kids and I don't remember any changes since I learned the laws for my daughter, so I would guess that it was after the changes.... (If I had to guess... ) Sorry, I can't be more specific... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trob67 Posted May 23, 2006 Author Share Posted May 23, 2006 I know our vehicle insurance will give us up to 2 carseats. You put a $20 deposit down and if you return them after you're through with them they give you your $20 back. what insurance do you have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayhaysay Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 what insurance do you have?Farm Bureau Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jadedmomof2 Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 Let me just say that when you've had a Britax, nothing else will seem as nice or easy to use. Avoid Cosco, really. Their harness slots are low, horrible twisty straps, and there is absolutely no padding on their seats. If you are looking at a seat that can rearface, try the Graco Comfortsport orr the Evenflo Triumph. If you are looking for a combination seat(harnessed seat to 40lbs, booster to 80 or 100lbs) Evenflo Chase or Graco Cargo(make sure you get a model that adjusts in the front) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jadedmomof2 Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 Ummm, I don't know.... what were the changes? Were the changes national? I know each state has different car seat requirements... My oldest was born in 1999 and since then I've had 3 more kids and I don't remember any changes since I learned the laws for my daughter, so I would guess that it was after the changes.... (If I had to guess... ) Sorry, I can't be more specific... the connecticut law is woefully out of date. Over half the states now require booster seats to at least 6 years of age(as well they should) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trob67 Posted May 23, 2006 Author Share Posted May 23, 2006 Let me just say that when you've had a Britax, nothing else will seem as nice or easy to use. Avoid Cosco, really. Their harness slots are low, horrible twisty straps, and there is absolutely no padding on their seats. If you are looking at a seat that can rearface, try the Graco Comfortsport orr the Evenflo Triumph. If you are looking for a combination seat(harnessed seat to 40lbs, booster to 80 or 100lbs) Evenflo Chase or Graco Cargo(make sure you get a model that adjusts in the front)I guess I will just get a graco. The one I have is the one the equipment specialist at babies r us said to get. Based on his reasoning and what I learned on my own it was the safest and better priced than britax. I think mine was 119.00. I got the same car for my mom when they had a grand opening of a supertarget and they were selling for $89 as a lost leader. I should have gotten another one then. However it is a pain in the butt to change from car to car because it is hard to get out hands in to un-latch the latch system. Thanks, Theresa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayhaysay Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 What about this one? We have a Safety 1st car seat and I really like it. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3932621 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jadedmomof2 Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 What about this one? We have a Safety 1st car seat and I really like it. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3932621Just so you know Safety 1st is Cosco, as is Dorel ,and I think they have another name too. The big problem with Cosco combination seats is that their top harness slots are at least 3-4 inches shorter than other seats, which means if you have even an average height child, they will outgrow the seat in height before they would outgrow it in weight. I've seen 2 year olds that are too tall for Cosco seats, my oldest son was too tall at barely 3 years of age. And Cosco was required to donate a very large number of carseats a few years back, due to a lawsuit. That's why organizations were giving them out. Plus, they are inexpensive, not always easy to use, but inexpensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairydustcrissy Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 Just so you know Safety 1st is Cosco, as is Dorel ,and I think they have another name too. The big problem with Cosco combination seats is that their top harness slots are at least 3-4 inches shorter than other seats, which means if you have even an average height child, they will outgrow the seat in height before they would outgrow it in weight. I've seen 2 year olds that are too tall for Cosco seats, my oldest son was too tall at barely 3 years of age. And Cosco was required to donate a very large number of carseats a few years back, due to a lawsuit. That's why organizations were giving them out. Plus, they are inexpensive, not always easy to use, but inexpensive.As a mom of 3 kids, I have been through alot of carseats. My son is currently using the seat Nate described, from the program that Mld described, lol. These are the seats our fire department reccomended, and they gave me the one my son is in now. I have had probably every brand except Britex (although my oldest used a Britax booster). I have to say that i disagree with the harnsess slots being low. I have very, ummm.....big? children, both height wise, and chunky. To me, this seat fits just as well, harness is fine, and no other issues. I will agree that the padding is not much, but its exactly the same on any brand's basic model. Some of the $150-$200 seats I've looked at had no padding. But for a 2nd car, I'd say this is just fine. It's kept my son safe! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jadedmomof2 Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 Well, I think you need to look at them again...The Evenflo and Graco seats have a published higher top harness slot height. Being tall isn't what counts, having a tall torso is. If your child's shoulders are OVER the top harness slots, you can no longer use the harness. I've yet to meet an average size 4 year old who can use a harness on a Cosco/Dorel/Safety 1st combination seat because of their height. And BTW, carseat techs. can't RECOMMEND any one seat over another, if they are, they are in need of some serious re-training. It's not allowed. One reason I'm not one anymore. We can recommend ones that may work the best for them, but can't just recommend one specific brand over the other. Generally, the seats they give away at seat checks are bought in bulk. They try to get seats that will spread their dollar furthest, yet still get children, who may not even have a carseat, into a carseat. Would I rather see a child in a Cosco seat than some 20 year old, pieces missing seat, yes. But, if a parent is out researching seats, then yes, I believe that they should look at other seats, not just go for the cheapest thing available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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