safeguard seats...

[megs4413]

I see the ads on the discovery channel all the time and I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with the safeguard seats. I can't believe they could really be worth $429! I am happy with my seat but I want to make sure that DD has the best possible. Are there any techs out there with experience/opinions on these seats? TIA!

[bjessen]

I also am interested in feedback from a tech & actual users. Not to hijack the thread :) But, we keep coming back to this seat as a solution for our just turned 5 yr old (43"tall, 34 pds...petite) over the Britax MA. She's currently in a 2002 Roundabout non-latch (still .25-.5" under top harness, but growing quickly...mainly all leg though).

We want as small as footprint as possible, w/5pt harness w/tall harness slots (not much out there). DH actually looked at it and said he'd think about it, but the price does have us taking a big pause, plus he really wants a smaller footprint than even that (not possible I am thinking for a 5pt harness with tall slots that will go up to 65pds). He already thinks the Roundabout takes up too much space.

We have a 2005 MDX and 2006 4 door Honda Civic EX and our other carseat for our 2.5 yr old son is a 2003 Britax Roundabout w/latch. We plan on trying again for #3 in the fall, so would like to possibly have a 3 across scenario eventually (might have to trade the MDX for a Surburban to get it though).

Any feedback would be appreciated...would also be interested in how the seat fabric is holding up (how easy/or not to take off & wash, etc) for moms out there. I love the denim on our Roundabouts...not hot like some of the other softer velour fabrics (we had Sandstone, tan velour, and our kids got sweaty head much more often then with the denim).

Thanks!

[skipspin]

I believe that someone on this board does have a safeguard, unless I am mistaken and have seen it on another board. If I can find the thread I will post a link or some info for you. I don't remember any specific or major objections to the quality, although I agree it is quite expensive.

I would also check out the Radian (Sunshine Kids) It's cheaper than the Safeguard, but not up on a tall base like the Marathon. I have heard that it is quite heavy, but narrow and fits 3 across well. It harnesses to 65#. Their site is: http://circles.fertilityfriend.com/Circles/viewtopic.php?p=11040976#11040976

HTH
Joy

[mommyof1sweetboy]

Hi Joy,

Just to let you know;
your link goes to a site that requires a name and pass word.

[bjessen]

Radian does look like it could be a good, less expensive alternative. However, I was reading on the car-seat.org board that there are serious install issues. DH and I are pretty good at installing (though we have been spoiled too with the Britaxs), but it does concern me a bit. I do like that the footprint is smaller than the Safeguard and that the price is better.

Anyone know how tall the harness straps are on the Radian? The Safeguard's are 19.5 at the highest setting and it is 19" wide according to the carseatdata.org. I think the Radian I read was 17" wide, but am missing the top height for the harness slots. Also, anything on the seat fabric (good, bad, indifferent) and ease of take it off to wash?

Thanks!

[annex]

I just bit the bullet and decided to order a Radian from EliteCarSeats for my 3 year-old DD who has reached the top harness slot on her Roundabout already. They agreed to price match the $179 deal at Albee Baby, and they have a better return policy (no re-stocking fee.)

I will let you know what measurements I get from it and how it works in my cars (1998 VW Jetta and 2003 Pontiac Vibe.) It seemed like the best option for small cars in terms of being narrow enough to (hopefully) place in the center and leave room for other carseats/passengers on the other sides. Assuming, that is, that we can get a good install...

Anne

[annex]

I just got my Radian today, haven't had a chance to install it yet. My DD's shoulders (which are close to the top slot on the Roundabout) are at the 3rd from top slot in the Radian. I measured about 5 in of growing room to the top slot from her shoulders.

The "butt to top slot" measurement comes out as 17 in -- which makes little sense to me since supposedly the Roundabout top slot is at 15.5 in. I think maybe it's just less "slopy" than a Britax, making it easier to get the most out of the growing room.

For width, I got 14 in wide at the widest part of the base. It does reach 17 in wide in the shoulder area though.

Will report back later on the belt install, and whether it "sticks" (since others have noted that a tight install can start to loosen on this seat after a few days)!

Anne

[Joolsplus2]

My 6.5 yo dd has at least an inch of growing room in her Radian, even though she outgrew the Marathon a couple months ago...crazy, huh? Yeah, it's gotta be the 'slope' factor, I'm sure. It installs well in my captain's chair with a lap/shoulderbelt and top tether, and it installs great with LATCH. I *hear* it can be impossible to adjust on middle seats as the metal splitter plate/harness yoke gets stuck behind the seat...but hopefully it won't be a problem, I can't wait to hear your experience with the Radian!
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[Joolsplus2]

The moms I know who have this seat really DO love it. One of them owns this page, but her camera went down when she got her Safeguard... http://uccomama-ivil.tripod.com/index.html (too bad, because she does great reviews!). And it might be on www.kids-in-the-car.org in one of the picture sections...and you might try a search on this site, I'm sure the first mom has said at least something about it...she really, really, likes it, and it has quite a bit of growing room for her 6 yo in it (her 8 yo even still fits...it's 'almost as tall' as the Regent).
It's a pretty innovative seat...www.safeguardseat.com has all the specs (I think the side impact protection could be better, honestly, the video they show doesn't appear to contain the head as well as a Britax does...but ALL 5-pt harnesses are remarkably safe, so maybe it's not such a big deal).

:)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx