RECARO Como Convertible - Perfect For My Toddler!
Reviewer: Anonymous ,
Atlanta, GA
Date: July 16, 2008
I did lots and lots of research before finally taking the plunge in upgrading my toddler's convertible carseat that he was due out of at 40lbs. The two seats I was most interested in were the Britax Frontier and the Sunshine Kids Radian 80. I had never even considered a Recaro product, but once I was looking at them side by side, the RECARO Como convertible car seat just stood out! First, both the Frontier and the Radian 80 are VERY upright youth seats. There is no way my toddler could have napped comfortably in either of the seats. Secondly, of the three, the Recaro was still a longer use convertible 5 Pt. harness seat (up to 70lbs!), so I could just pass the seat onto my next child and worry about a full booster type seat later on for my toddler...when he is a bit more mature and ready to stay seated in a belt positioning type seat.The Radian 80 has an extremely small bottom seat area and I am not sure that it would have been comfy for extended rides in the car. The entire seat was VERY narrow. The Recaro provided as much plushness and comfort padding as any of the Britax Marathons and definitely more than the Radian or Frontier with more growing room than the Radian 80. My son loves the seat and is very comfortable in it for as long as I need him to be. The Como is VERY self explanatory and the instruction manual is easy to understand. I have heard and read both reviews and friends say that that other seats are difficult to install correctly and there may be info regarding the seats missing in the manual which would be helpful (such as moving the latch restraints to different positions for forward and rear facing children...and how to get that done the right way)...
Overall, I LOVE the seat. The only thing is that I wish it came with a snack or cup holder, but the customer service rep that sold me the seat says that Recaro is just very particular about things like that...safety first. Definitely a great buy if you are into safety, comfort, and ease of use more than style and fabric options!!!
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Works for us!
Reviewer: Anonymous ,
Madison, WI
Date: January 28, 2008
We've had this seat for almost 2 months now, and its been really great for us. My daughter is small for her age (1), and she'll be able to use this seat for a long time. I'm surpised how well it fit in my small car. (I have a 2 door Chevy) It fit perfect in the middle seat and I didn't have to adjust the two front seats, even though its rear facing. Its a big seat, but I can still look around it, but I do notice it while I'm driving.
We have had some small problems with twisting straps, but I find if I'm very careful with the way I take her in & out, they don't really twist at all.
I did a lot of research on car seats before I bought, and my daughter didn't feel as comfortable in any other seat as she is in this one. I have no problems with her, and the seat seems to be resistant to stains and whatever else she's thrown at it (although, time will tell.) I really like the pink & grey.
Overall we're happy with the seat, and we'll probably buy another Recaro in the future.
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Twins
Reviewer: Sue ,
North Attleboro, MA
Date: January 27, 2008
We have two wonderful active identical boys who hated being strapped into their baby car seats, but since we got the RECARO seats they don't mind getting in them at all. The seats are also very easy to use and they make strapping our boys in quick and complaining free. They also seem very comfortable because almost everytime they ride in the car now they fall asleep and look very content.
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Not perfect
Reviewer: Jill ,
woodbridge nj
Date: January 15, 2008
I love the look of this seat but I can't stand how the straps always twist Im tired of fixing them and who has time to fix them every other day???!!!! Other then the straps its a nice seat and my 10 month old son seems to like it. If I could buy another seat I would!
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Great Seat but Not Perfect
Reviewer: Heather ,
Marble Hill, GA
Date: December 29, 2007
I love this seat. I have never owned a Britax, but I have seen them. I got this seat because it had head supports and I knew my son's head would NOT flop in this seat. I could have gotten a Marathon or Regent but I chose this one. The downside is that the straps twist and the top gets narrower instead of wider. There is NO way a 70 lb child can fit in one of these. But it fits all our needs. It installs easy RF or FF. We all love the padding and plushness of the seat. It stays cleaner than my other seats, somehow. I also used it for a 1 yr old RF and he LOVED being nestled in the padding/pillows. I have never heard him so quiet on a car ride, ever! I highly recommend it on that fact alone. It was also quite easy to adjust the seat to the 1 yr old, after being used by a tall 3 yr old. Not as easy as the more expensive model which should adjust without removing the seat from the car, but easy enough. I personally LOVE this seat. My other praise is that an adult can sit comfortably next to this seat due to it being narrow but also because it sits up high. I am 5'9 and I can sit next to it without my shoulders hitting the seat. My shoulders fit right under the side curve. I have used this seat in a Ford Minivan and a Honda Civic Wagon. It definitely fits better in the van, but still works in the small car, while still allowing room for 2 other people. I have had this seat, a convertible highback booster/harnessed seat, and an infant seat in the back of my honda. I know this isn't possible with all seats so I was amazed that it all worked in such a small car!
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Liked seat but not right for us
Reviewer: Heather ,
Elberta, AL
Date: December 08, 2007
The seat seemed very safe and well built. My son also seemed to be comfortable in it. I ended up returning and getting the Britax Boulevard. Reason... the side impact pillows fit right next to my sons head. We live in a warm climate so it made him sweat. It didn't seem to bother him, but it did me. I would recommend the seat but be aware that the SIP fit up against the childs head.
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Nice seat, but not for all..
Reviewer: Cherise ,
Chino Hills, CA
Date: November 21, 2007
To my disappointment, I ended up returning this seat after ordering it because I couldn't wait for the signo. It is a very large seat and our 17 mos old was swallowed up in it (he's a teeny 19lbs). Also, the SIP wings did not fit him in the lowest slots, and had to be removed. My son has never been a big fan of carseats, but he cried for our entire trip in this one because he could not see us, nor could we see him (high back blocks mirror on headrest used to view him while rear facing). All in all, I'm sticking with Britax. I have a roundabout and will likely purchase a Marathon to replace this one. My hubby was a bit disappointed (cool recaro race seat, lol), but all in all, it is not safe to drive with a screaming toddler. Luckily, I purchased return insurance and customer service was great about taking it back.
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Good safe seat, not perfect
Reviewer: Carley ,
Havelock, NC
Date: November 15, 2007
I recently ordered this seat for my 12 month old. Because of circumstances I ended up using it for my 3 year old for a short time. I love the look of the seat, and it seems to be one of the most plush seats on the market right now. In fact it is a bit too plush. My 3 year old (who is 39 lbs and 42 inches) does not fit in the seat with the extra pads in it. Also the straps twist easily, and I've heard that many people are having problems with the front facing seat belt locks.
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Good, Safe Car Seat
Reviewer: Donna ,
Huntsville, Alabama
Date: November 14, 2007
We have only had this seat for just over a week but so far it seems great. First of all it arrived in record fast time. I have been waiting for the Recaro Signo seat for months now (Recaro's delay not this site's) so I was so surprised when I got this seat in 3 days! WOW! Secondly, it was super easy to install!! The straps on the shoulder do not twist at all and we had a big problem with that on one of our Britax seats. The straps do however twist at the waist with the belt buckle and that has been a little annoying. Hopefully that is just user error and will improve as we get use to the seat. The seat feels very plush and comfortable. My daughter seems to be very comfortable and likes the seat. The back does not lay back as far as our Britax but she still seems to sleep comfortably in it. I feel like she is safer in with the SIP and with it just being made by Recaro with the extra metal support.
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