12. Archive of old Aprica, Century, Fisher Price and Britax car seat and stroller reviews, plus PJ Kids bedding and Silver Cross strollers. And Combi Tyro infant seat.
Car Seats
Combi Tyro
Price: $130; extra base $50.
Type: Infant seat, five-point harness
Limits: 22 lbs., 29” height.
Pros: Most padded seat on the market.
Cons: Hard to find. Some say it is hard to release from the base and doesn’t work well in smaller cars. Not as easy to install with just an auto safety belt.
Comments: FYI: This seat will be discontinued late in 2006, but will still be on the market during most of the year. Combi’s first infant car seat is a winner—it is probably the most padded car seat on the market. We liked the rubber handle grip, two-position adjustable base, one-pull harness adjustment and level-indicator. The Tyro also has an adjustable canopy, infant body pillow and padded shoulder straps. Despite the incredible amount of padding, the Tyro weighs just eight pounds. The seat will work with a Combi Ultra Savvy, Savona or Tetra stroller as a travel system. Most parents we interviewed like this seat, but there were a few dissenters. Gripes include difficulty removing the seat from the base . . some say it gets stuck; others say it just takes practice—Combi addressed this concern by debuting a revised version of the Tyro. It is easier to remove from its base. Other folks complained about canopies that broke and the large base doesn’t work well in smaller cars. Final gripe: the very long handle makes it difficult to cradle under your arm if you are on the shorter side (try it out in a store before you buy it). Parents who liked the seat cited the extra padding, adding the seat is perfect for larger babies (that 29” height limit is three inches more than most seats). Finally, we note the Tyro scored highest for LATCH seats in Consumer Reports most recent crash tests (August 2004). Oddly, Consumer Reports tested the same seat again in May 2005 and only gave it an “good” rating for LATCH. Huh? Again, the seat is the same, so we guess Consumer Reports made its crash test more difficult. How? We don’t know, as CR doesn’t explain this. Anyway, we do recommend the Tyro and think it is worthy of consideration.
Rating: A-
Evenflo PortAbout
Price: $60 to $90; extra base, $40.
Type: Infant car seat, three and five-point harness versions
Limits: 22 lbs., 26”.
Pros: Level indicator, adjustable base, two crotch strap positions, lightweight carrier (6.5 lbs.). Z-shaped handle is easy to carry.
Cons: Some parents find handle hard to use. Skimpy, flimsy canopy.
Comments: This seat was previously known as the Cozy Carry, which itself replaced the On My Way. First, let us warn you the PortAbout comes in four different versions: a three-point harness ($60) version and three models that have a five-point harness ($70 to $90). The latter range from a simple model (PortAbout 5) to a plush version (PortAbout 5 Premier Comfort Touch, $90) that has a padded handle and boot/blanket to keep baby warm. All of the PortAbout’s have Evenflo’s “Press ‘n’ Go” handle that enables one-hand release of the handle. Cool, no? Well, it frustrates some parents we spoke with, who found it difficult to use. That said, this seat does have some other attractive features—lightweight (6.5 pounds), adjustable base and level indicator. Detractors say the canopy is the seat’s weakest link . . . it’s just for show, said one mom. We did recommend this seat in a previous edition of our book, but we changed our mind after seeing Consumer Reports latest crash tests—the Portabout partly released from its base when crashed and as result earned only average marks. Hence, we’ve dropped our rating on this seat. This seat is being discontinued and replaced with the Embrace, discussed in our book..
Rating: B-
Safety 1st Comfort Ride
(also known as the Forerunner)
Price: $90 to $110
Type: Convertible, five-point harness.
Limits: 5 to 35 lbs. rear-facing, 22 to 40 lbs. forward-facing.
Pros: Higher rear facing limit than most seats.
Cons: Scored near bottom of Consumer Reports crash tests. LATCH hard to install.
Comments: This basic seat has one strong point: it can be used rear-facing to 35 lbs. That’s five more pounds than most other seats. Parents who have an infant who is off the charts, growth-wise, may consider this seat helpful in keeping a child under age one rear facing. That said, we were not impressed with this seat’s crash-test results from Consumer Reports. At the bottom of their 2004 report were three Cosco seats (Safety 1st is a Cosco brand). And this seat was cited for only average performance when used with LATCH attachments (just installing the LATCH belts can be a hassle, thanks to Safety 1st/Cosco’s inferior LATCH hooks). Again, real-world usability hobbles Cosco’s seats, with parents saying this seat is harder to use than the similarly-priced Graco ComfortSport.
Rating: C
Century 9600 Valley View Rd., Macedonia, OH 44056. For a dealer near you, call (330) 468-2000. Web: www.centuryproducts. com. (NOTE: All Century car seats are now discontinued; this is an archive of our old Century review). Century was acquired by Rubbermaid (Graco’s parent) in 1998 and was merged with Graco. With most mergers, you’d expect one brand to disappear but, oddly enough, Rubbermaid has decided to keep both Century and Graco as separate brands with distinct offerings.
Century is the biggest car seat maker in North America, with a model and style for just about every need. Here is a break-down of their offerings:
Infant car seats. Century’s most innovative feature in this category is their “LevelRight” indicator, which helps parents properly position their seat. This has proved so popular that other infant car seat makers have recently copied it.
Century offers FOUR infant seat models. The best one is the Smart Fit Plus ($50-$70), which features an adjustable stay-in-the-car base, cushioned handle and two piece harness tie. Although this model is a few years old, it is very well-designed. The Smart Fit comes in both a three-point and a five-point harness version. As for the other infant car seats, Century has the Assure ($40) which is basically the same as the Smart Fit, except it lacks the car base (hence you have to belt it in with each use). One bummer:readers say the Smart Fit Plus is somewhat hard to find in stores. On the upper end, Century offers the Vante V. Gone are last year's Celestia and Avanta infant seats. (Actually, the Vante V is very similiar to the Celestia). By the time you read this, the Vante V should be on the market for about $80 to $100. One nice feature: the Vante V is one of the first infant car seats on the market this year with LATCH attachments.
Convertible car seats. Century offers a mind-numbing list of choices in this category. On the low end, the no frills STE car seats are good buys. The 1000 STE Classic ($50) was top-rated in Consumer Reports and features five-point harness, two-position recline, level indicator (like the infant seats) and washable/removable seat cover. At $50, it’s a very good buy and a great no-frills seat for a second vehicle (or grandma’s car). The other STE car seats ($60 to $80) offer more plush fabrics in both T-shield (2000 STE) and bar-shield (3000 STE) versions. The latter features Century’s “Room to Grow” feature for the bar shield—four adjustments to accommodate larger children. There will be no changes in the STE line for 2002.
Next up in price are Bravo seats. They feature a snap-together chest clip (that’s an upgrade from the STE’s) which have the slide-in harness ties). Also, the Bravo seats feature upgraded seat padding, one-hand recline and the "BeltWay" belt routing system, which is basically a trap door that lets you better position the auto safety belt. You also get more seat padding and extras like removable storage pouches and snap-in adjustable head pillows. The low-end Bravo SE has a pillow for $99, while the LX had more padding and leatherette treatments for $130.
Whew! Are we done yet? Nope, we haven’t talked about Century’s top-of-the-line seat: the SmartMove. the “first and only rotational convertible car seat.” It offers a full recline for infants that “rotates instantly and automatically to an upright protective position in the event of a frontal collision.” The super plush car seat is lined with foam for extra comfort. The only bummer to the SmartMove: it’s a monster seat that simply doesn’t fit into smaller cars or those with limited space in the back seat. At 21 pounds, you won’t want to be moving this seat from car to car. One parent told us a car seat technician he consulted called the Smart Move “the bane of his existence” since it is apparently very hard to install tightly in a rear-facing position. When it first came out, the Smart Move was very expensive ($120 to $150), but Century has been lowering the price ever since. As we went to press in 2002, we heard Century was planning to discontinue the Smart Move, although you might see some still on store shelves for $89 to $99.
Finally, we should discuss Century’s new class of convertible seats called the “Accel,” which debuted in 2000. These new low-price models will eventually replace the STE line. Accel models feature larger seats, higher backs, and two-piece harness ties in both five point ($59-$69) and adjustable bar-shield models ($69-$79). We were very impressed with the Accel; they are Century’s best offerings to date in this category.
All of Century’s convertible seats are rear-facing to 30 pounds (with the exception of the STE line, which is just 22 pounds) and forward facing to 40 pounds.
While it’s not a true convertible seat, the Century “Next Step” does merit a brief mention. It’s a combo toddler and booster seat—use it with a five-point harness for children 20 to 40 pounds forward-facing and then as a booster (with the vehicle’s safety belt) for 40 to 80 pounds. If your baby has outgrown an infant seat and is at least a year of age, this might be a good choice for $79 to $99. (We will cover Century’s other booster seats in a special report available on our web page at www.BabyBargainsBook.com).
Safety track record. Century has had a spotty safety record over the last decade, but it has improved in the last few years. Readers of previous editions of this book may recall our articles on the ill-fated 590 infant seat in the mid 1990’s, and Century has continued to have problems with infant seats. That culminated with a recent recall of four million infant seats for defective handles: Century received 2700 reports of handle-related problems, “including handles breaking, cracking or possibly not being locked while the seat is being used as a carrier. In addition to these reports, Century has also received over 200 reports of injuries, including concussions, skull fractures, lacerations, broken bones, bruises and scratches as a result of such handle-related problems.” The seats involved in this recall were manufactured before 1997; since that time, Century has improved the safety of this line and has had no recalls since (as of this writing).
The bottom line: Despite the bumpy past safety record, Century’s current line of infant seats are excellent, with the exception of the too-heavy Celestia/Avanta line. The convertible seats are very good, with the Accel and STE lines as the best bets. Late breaking news: we have heard Graco plans to phase out the Century brand name for car seats, absorbing their offerings into the Graco line by 2003. Rating: B+
Fisher-Price Fisher Price withdrew from the car seat market in 2001. That's too bad, because the company had some great models with innovative features.
Why did Fisher Price throw in the towel? The company says the car seat line didn't make enough money. If you find a Fisher Price car seat on the clearance rack, snap it up—we hear they are still in some stores. For that reason, here is an overview of what Fisher Price offered:
Infant seat. The Stay in View infant car sat has two innovative features—first it features a "mirrored high-back base" that let you see a rear-facing baby while driving, which is a nice feature. But what we really like about this seat is the handle, or lack thereof. Instead of a bulky handle, the Stay in View had a padded carry strap. This has two advantages: first, it makes seat the lightest infant seat on the market. Second, Fisher Price avoids all the safety problems that have dogged other infant car seat handles in recent years. The Stay in View can be used rear facing to 20 pounds, but up to 29" in height. At $70, the Stay in View isn't cheap but we think it is worth it.
Convertible seats. The Safe Embrace ($109) is Fisher-Price's main entry in this category. We were impressed with the Safe Embrace's innovative features: all-steel frame, five point harness, built-in locking clips (a la Britax), energy-absorbing foam padding and color-coded belt paths for easy installation. The Safe Embrace is rated rear facing to 30 pounds (forward-facing 22 to 40 pounds). Strangely enough, however, the Safe Embrace doesn’t recommend use of a chest clip when the seat is in a rear-facing position (which means enterprising infants may wiggle their way out of the seat).
In 2000, Fisher Price rolled out the Safe Embrace II, which is a LATCH seat. At $160, it is a bit pricey compared to other LATCH seats on the market, but still has all the safety features of the original Safe Embrace.
Finally, Fisher-Price offers one product in the transitional booster category, the Futura 20/60 ($89). Similar to the Century Next Step, this model is for forward-facing use for children 20 to 60 pounds. The five-point version of this seat was a great option—you could use the harness for kids up to 60 pounds
.
Once again, we should point out that all Fisher Price seats are now all discontinued—but keep an eye out for one in some stores.
Britax Handle with Care (infant seat)
Price: $100
Type: Infant seat, five-point harness. No base. Not LATCH-compatible.
Limits: 20 lbs, 26”.
Comments: As we went to press, Britax was phasing out this seat to make way for the new Knap-SI model (see above). This expensive seat (which started out at $150 retail but since came down in price) lacked a stay-in-the-car base, which was a deal killer for most parents. You had to buckle it in with each use. Readers who have this seat, however, say its features outweigh any inconvenience. Parents say they get the hang of installing the seat after a few tries and the lack of a base means it’s easier to move from car to car. The only gripe: the chest clip sometimes slides down during use. This seat had two harness heights, but only one crotch position. Like all Britax seats, this one also had EPS foam around the head area for additional crash protection. Note: this seat was not LATCH-compatible. While it is discontinued, you may still see it sold online or in stores. The lack of a base lowers our rating on this seat.
Rating: B-
STROLLERS
Aprica 400 W. Artesia Blvd., Compton, CA 90004. For a dealer near you, call (310) 639-6387 or (201) 883-9800 (web: www.apricausa.com). Aprica (pronounced Ah-pree-cah) is one of two Japanese-made stroller brands sold in the U.S. (Combi is the other). Readers of the past edition of this book will probably notice our review of Aprica hasn’t changed much (if at all) from last year . . . or the year before that—that’s because Aprica’s strollers haven’t changed much either. Why the company seems stuck in neutral is a mystery; Aprica has only released a handful of new models in the last five years. And while Aprica strollers still have such neat-o features as height adjustable handles and “one-touch” open/close handles which fold (or unfold) the stroller, we’re disappointed the prices are so high ($380 to $600). Here’s an overview:
The models. Aprica divides its line into two categories: Prestige (pricey, lightweight aluminum frame strollers) and Royale (less expensive, heavier steel-frame strollers). In the Prestige line, you can get a G-Impact cushion (a five-layered air cushion that absorbs bumps and shocks) as an additional option. The top-of-the line “Windsor Prestige” model (also known as the Intreccio) features the one-touch open/close, plush padding, triple-padded head support, zip-off boot and pop-up head protection. This model (which is based on the old Prima stroller) also has a height adjustable handle and weighs just 13.5 pounds. Price: $400. Ouch! If you want an even lighter-weight stroller that folds compactly, consider the “Super Zap,” which weighs a mere ten lbs ($450). Although it doesn’t have as many features as the Windsor, the Super Zap does have a fully reclining seat, one-touch fold, and a height-adjustable handle. Also in the Prestige line: the Flash ($350 to $400, a seven-pound stroller with one-touch open/close). We should also point out that Aprica makes the only tandem stroller (Prestige Embrace) on the market with a reversible handle. It runs about $450.
Realizing those prices are hard to swallow, Aprica launched a few years ago a lower-price line (Royale) made with heavier steel frames. Of course, “heavy” is a relative term—many of these strollers are still much lighter than the competition. Basically, the Royale models are based on similar Prestige strollers—the Quantum Royale ($300, 16 lbs.) is similar to the Windsor, the Calais Royale ($279, 14 lbs.) is the same as the Super Zap (but no height-adjustable handle or boot), and the Sprint Royale ($240, 9 lbs.) is similar to the Flash.
In the past year, Aprica has rolled out several new models. Among the offerings: the Pram First ($460 to $520, 16 lbs), a full-size, full-recline carriage stroller with one-hand close. The Pram First has a reversible handle and G-impact cushion. Not expensive enough for you? Then try the Milano Slim stroller (12.1 lbs), another new model from Aprica. This one runs $550 to $750, which is hard to believe. Why the difference in price? One version of the Milano Slim (model 94917) has extra padding, hence the extra $200 in price.
Looking for something high fashion? Aprica offers the “A Mode Mistral” strollers (10.6 lbs, $500) in such fabrics as day-glo orange or purple. Again, you get a full-recline stroller with one-hand fold. Ditto for the A Mode Rebecca (10.6 lbs, $500)—it is basically the same as the Mistral, except the Rebecca strollers have fabric with bright check patterns. The A Mode Classic and Italian Sport Series are the same stroller with different fashions. Just to confuse you more, Aprica also has “B Mode” strollers. The B Mode Future Series (7.9 lbs, $480), which is much like the Flash but with fancy fabrics.
Our view. Let’s be honest: these are feature-packed strollers, but the prices are way too high. $500 for a lightweight stroller? The Royale line is a step in the right direction, but Aprica remains a brand that few parents can afford. Yes, you can find these strollers discounted online, but even then you are talking $300 for most models. As for Aprica’s quality and durability, we’ve received scattered complaints about the brand in recent years—folks complain about the skimpy baskets, shaky suspensions, somewhat complicated folding mechanism (and in one case), a hood that broke off a stroller. At this price level, you’d expect the stroller to be darn near perfect, so Aprica is a disappointment overall. Rating: B
Century 9600 Valley View Rd., Macedonia, OH 44056. For a dealer near you, call (216) 468-2000. Web: www.centuryproducts.com Century shook up the stroller world when they introduced the “4-in-1” system a few years ago. By combining a Century infant car seat and a stroller, Century essentially created an affordable carriage system for the masses. Since then, they’ve refined the concept and introduced several spin-offs, discussed below.
In 1998, Century was bought by Graco’s parent, Rubbermaid, which has since merged the two companies. Despite the common ownership, however, the brands are still being marketed separately—hence Century’s stroller offerings are different (albeit slightly) from Graco’s.
The models. In the past year, Century has redesigned their travel systems and strollers, dubbing the new lines “Travel Solutions” and “Lifestyles.” The Travel Solutions travel systems include a basic stroller that enables you to attach a Century infant seat in either a rear or forward facing position. You also get a parent cup holder with storage compartment, extended canopy with peek-a-boo window and three-position reclining seat. As with all Century strollers, you also get an oversized storage basket.
The Travel Solutions travel system line has two models: the Limited and the Take 2. The Travel Solutions Limited ($150) pairs Century’s excellent Smart Fit 22 infant car seat with the aforementioned stroller. The Take 2 ($200) is Century’s first tandem travel system. It features a stroller with a front attachment for an infant car seat (Century Smart Fit 22), height adjustable handle and toddler jump-seat in back (where a toddler can sit or stand).
The new “Lifestyles” systems feature strollers with several upgrades: five-point harness restraints, “AllWays” handles with one-handed steering and a four position reclined seat (to 150 degrees). The Lifestyles strollers also have a “WonderFold natural fold system” which Century says is easier to use than competitors’ strollers.
The Lifestyle travel systems come in four flavors: the “Calypso” ($150) pairs a basic Lifestyle stroller with the Century Celestia infant seat (see the previous chapter for reviews of Century’s infant seats). The “Sedona” ($170) features the Celestia seat and an upgraded stroller with bigger wheels. The “Vienna” system ($170) is very similar to the Sedona, except for a few cosmetic differences in the stroller. Finally, the top-of-the-line “Avanta” system includes the Avanta infant seat and “Sedona” stroller for $180.
If you already have a Century infant seat, you can buy just the Calypso or Sedona stroller separately for $90 or $99 respectively.
New for 2002: the Century Solara LX is Century’s first stroller that will be able to accept EITHER a Century or Graco car seat. This 23 lbs. steel stroller will feature a full recline and a time/temperature gadget on the handle. Price: $90.
Our view. We’ve recommended Century’s travel systems in previous editions of this book, but this year’s line-up is a bit of a disappointment. The best stroller (the Lifestyle) is unfortunately paired with the Celestia or Avanta infant seats, which are way too heavy in our opinion. And the strollers themselves are not light-weight affairs either—most are 21 to 23 pounds without an infant seat.
What about quality? While we like Century’s Smart Fit Plus 22 infant seat, the travel system strollers are only average in quality. Parents tell us the strollers are too bulky and have other quality problems. While we think the Take 2 tandem is innovative, we find it hard to recommend any other Century travel system this year. Rating: B-
PJ Kids crib bedding
PJ Kids Call 609-683-5437 or 800-935-5060 for a dealer near you. Web: www.pjkids.com A newcomer to the crib and bedding market, PJ Kids’ strength is their coordinated look—the company combines both furniture and bedding (plus themed accessories) for a total look. (See the review in the crib chapter for more on their furniture). We liked their themed bedding, which has quite a few boy-friendly ideas (sports, safari, galaxies) that are often lacking from other makers. A four-piece set of the All Stars sports bedding, for example, runs $130. Then you can add a matching lamp ($30 to $70), rug ($50), and valance ($30). How’s the quality? Okay—this line is imported from Asia and most fabrics are all-cotton. Parents seem to be pleased, but don’t expect super high-thread counts or over the top detailing. Rating: B
Silver Cross strollers
Silver Cross This company withdrew from the market in 2005. This is an archived review of the brand from our 6th edition. Web: www.silvercrossbaby.com. This famous British brand traces its history back to 1877, when royals commissioned the company for baby carriages. And the handcrafted mystique of this brand still carries quite a bit of cache. But Silver Cross has changed quite a bit from its glory days. First, the U.S. distributor has bought just the name rights for the North American market—what you see on sale here is made in Asia. That could explain why Silver Cross’ new offerings look much like those of other imported strollers, albeit with a fancier name.
The models. The Camden is Silver Cross’s flagship offering for $230. It is 16 lbs. and features a cool fold, rubber wheels and nice seat depth. We did like the full recline and boot, but where’s the leg rest? The Towne three-wheel stroller ($300) featured a foot muff, rain cover and 21 lb. weight . . . and new this year, the front wheel turns, which is a much-needed improvement.
Also new from Silver Cross are two lightweight strollers: the Micro and Mini. The Micro is a 9.4 lb. stroller that doesn’t recline, but features a removable pad and hood, plus suspension. It is $110. There is also a twin version (cleverly named the Micro Twin) for $300 that weighs 28 lbs. fully loaded with a boot (23 lbs. without). Similar to the Micro, the Mini ($150, 12.4 lbs.) adds a partial recline. All in all the Silver Cross Micro and Mini are much like the Mac Volo or Chicco Caddy/London, just more expensive.
If you lust for a Silver Cross made like the days of old, the Mayfair collection (with its shiny chrome frame wheels, wire basket and spoke wheels) may be more your cup of tea. But be prepared to shell out the bucks: these strollers run $500 and, of course, are not lightweight (most are 30 lbs. or more).
Our view. We’ll give Silver Cross bonus points for its creative marketing strategy and nice use of fabrics (Burberry fans will love the knock-off looks here). But we’re a bit disappointed with the lack of innovation. The models looked too much like every other stroller out there and are hardly cutting edge. True enough, they are making some small improvements to the line (the turnable wheel on the Towne, for example) and the new lightweight models are good efforts. The take-home message: Silver Cross has decent quality and designs, but the prices are 25% too high. Rating: B
i'coo/Traxx strollers
i’coo/Traxx I’coo is a division of German stroller maker Hauck, which is attempting to crack the American stroller market with a series of stylish strollers---at this time, they are only sold online on a small number of sites. Hauck’s entrance comes on the heels of Teutonia, the last German brand to sell here (and it failed). Why do German strollers have a tough time making it in the U.S.? Listen to one member of our message boards (who has spent a good amount of time in Europe) describe German strollers: “Germans seem to love really wide, heavily treaded air tires which make the stroller look like a tank or bulldozer. And the colors are bright plaids and lots of orange, often with two contrasting patterns.” Yep, you see right there why Germans and Americans don’t see eye to eye when it comes to strollers. True to form, i’coo’s offerings for the U.S. will feature wide, thick wheels that are covered with (and we’re not making this up) shiny stainless steel mudguards. Cool looking, but all that steel adds to the weight. I’coo’s lightest stroller (the Pico) weighs in at nearly 30 pounds. The initial buzz on the Pico from our message boards is positive . . . parents love the incredible shock absorbers, telescoping height adjustable handle, flat fold, big basket and more. Impressive, but the price is going to be high—the Pico will sell for $400 in four wheel version, $350 for a three-wheel model. An optional rain cover is a whopping $50. Yes, the Pico looks sharp (one pattern is bright green and blue), but we wonder how many parents will shell out these kind of bucks. And the Pico is just one of several pricey models i’coo will try to pedal here: the Traxx Panther 3 (Traxx is another Hauck brand nameplate) is a tri-wheel with pivoting front wheel for $400. A tandem double stroller called the Platon will be $800, while a simpler jogging stroller (the Dolphin) will run $350. All these prices are a bit surprising, since Hauck is known more as a low-price brand in Germany (we guess an unfavorable euro exchange rate has something to do with the high US prices).
