Customer Reviews

Safety 1st Vantage High Back Booster Car Seat, Nitron

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(30)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I liked this because it can be used for a long time. My son is just over 3, but he still needs a 5 point harness, and I wanted him to be able to use it after he's 4 too. He really likes it because he feel like its a big boy seat. I like the color.
The only downside is that the straps get a little tangled sometimes, but that's easy to fix. It's also a little difficult to get the release button down--my son can't do it himself (maybe that's a good thing!)and it takes me two hands sometimes. Our Britax car seat didn't have those problems, but for the price this is great.

I had purchased two of these units from WalMart and had found a serious problem. Both units fail after adjusting the harness adjustment strap (pg. 8 of instruction book). The failure is this, after an adjustment is made, the harness release lever fails to cinch down tight enough on the harness adjustment strap to prevent slippage of the strap. I have made adjustments then placed my arm in the harness and pulled the harness adjustment strap loose enough to cause serious compromise to occupant safety. I have repeated this several times on both seats. Since contacting Consumers Reports, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Dorel Juvenile Group (manufacturer of the seats) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Dorel Juvenile Group agreed to send me two more seats in exchange for the defective seats. I received the two replacement seats February 1, 2010. Upon inspection, I immediately noticed one of the two seats exhibits the same failure as the original two seats. I find this alarming as I now am experiencing 75% failure rate on a car seat model that is top rated.

We got this seat after reading it was rated number two in Consumer Reports. It's great! Exactly what my daughter, who is small for her age, needs. We think she might be in it a long time since she might not hit the 40 lb. requirement for Ohio until she's 14. But she likes it; we like it. And it comes in a great range of colors, although she was hoping for pink... Good value for the price and safe to boot!

Based upon many of the reviews of this seat, I was concerned that installation would be difficult. Many reviewers feel that the latch system is difficult to fully tighten, and they attribute this to the fact that the seat's latch system pulls tight on a single side (rather than two-pull systems like the Britax seats). We own a Britax seat, and the two-pull system is nice, but I don't believe the price premium is justified.

I found that the latch system was initially difficult to tighten, but I attribute this to the angle of the strap. I discovered that feeding the loose end of the strap back through the back channel of the car seat allowed me to achieve a better angle of pull to tighten the strap (pull the strap from the other side of the car seat - parallel to the seat, rather than perpendicular to the seat). I was able to get the strap very tight, and the seat will not budge! I think this simple technique should be included in the instructions. Hopefully, my tip will help you with your installation.

I am very happy with the product. Consumer Reports rates this seat as second-best overall, and I must agree.

We looked at several booster seats and even purchased a Britax Frontier and returned it before purchasing this one. We really wanted our son to be in a 5 point restraint harness for as long as possible and don't have a lot of money to spend. This seat is easy to install and adjust, sturdy, and very attractive. The oakwood is black and gold (looked like gray and silver on the website) and really looks sharp. As compared to the britax it is a bit lighter, the seat is wider, and it sits a bit lower. I think my son actually prefers to sit higher, but he is only 3 years-old and as he gets taller this seat will fit him better. We also have graco car seats and this is the same or better quality. You will not be disappointed!

This car seat is perfect for my one year old son. He is always comfortable on it, it is very light, easy to carry on trips, and also easy to install in the car. I used to have another car seat, and my son was already uncomfortable on it because of the size even thought it was a seat for his age. This seat is just perfect.

I bought this item quite a while ago, but decided not to review until I've formed my opinion on it. Well, after a recent accident, I've formed my opinion: it does it's job, and it does it well.

I was stopped at a red light when my Subaru Impreza wagon was hit in the back by a Dodge Ram that was going about 25 miles an hour. The impact blew out the rear window and destroyed the rear section of the car. All in all the car took $5000 worth of damage. But I don't care about that. The only thing that matters is that my 17 month old son was totally unhurt. Not only was he okay, but he didn't even get upset. You can only imagine my relief when I looked back to check on him and saw that he was still in his seat and was absolutely fine.

So yes, this seat gets 5 stars from me.

PS. It's fairly easy to remove and place in another car, as I learned by putting it in the rental. Additionally, my kid loves the arm handles.

Love the color. Once you get the hang of it, the car seat is easy to install and safe, it becomes anchored in place. I like the optional recline or upright position. I was so nervous about this next car seat purchase because my child was attached to the infant keyfit chicco. We also drive a small car so that was another "is it going to fit?" I will recommend this car seat to friends.

I've had a lot of carseats, and this may be my favorite. First, the materials seem like pretty good quality. The design is stylish and smart, with a black and orange racing image. Looks good in the back of my sports car against grey leather. My 3 year old feels like a "big kid" getting into it, yet it has the 3 point harness for safety. Adjusting the straps was easier than any other carseat I've had, but was still a slight exercise in frustration. But for the price, I think it's a great carseat, especially since it's rated so high in safety. I'd recommend this car seat for any 2.5 year+ kid.

I bought this car seat because I have a 3 year old on the small side, and still needed the 5 point harness. It is compact, and a good seat for a small car (Subaru Outback Sport). I love it, but my son always complains his "belly hurts" when he's in it - I think it's because it's not really cushioned like the infant car seats. Hopefully it grows on him!