Today’s giveaway is a Safety 1st Onboard 35 Infant Carseat (brown) model #22087DMS. (Please note: this is NOT the new Air version). Thank you to Dorel Juvenile Group for sponsoring this giveaway and the great people at 360 Public Relations for all their help! Winner is responsible for shipping charges from Illinois. Shipping will be via UPS or Fedex from zip code 60540. Winner may select the level of shipping service and add insurance at their option and cost. No returns or refunds on shipping will be issued, sorry. Warranty claims may be made through the manufacturer.
To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment on this blog with a driving safety tip. (Don’t have one? Make up a funny one!) Now, for the fine print again:
You are not eligible if you have previously won a carseat or sponsor giveaway at CarseatBlog.com (our own giveaways of bags and such don’t count if no sponsor was mentioned). Blog writers and editors are also not eligible. Only one entry per household/family, please. If you leave more than one comment, only the first one will count. We politely ask that you only enter if you intend to use this infant seat and would also appreciate the favor of a followup comment about the Onboard 35 in reply to this contest blog. A random winner will be chosen on Friday, March 12, out of the eligible comments left in reply to this blog.
We reserve the right to deem any entry as ineligible for any reason, though this would normally only be done in the case of a violation of the spirit of the rules above. We also reserve the right to edit/update the rules if necessary. Payment for shipping charges must be received within 2 weeks of the contest end, paypal or US Postal Service money order are accepted. Failure to claim the prize or pay for shipping charges within the deadline will result in an alternate winner being chosen. Good luck!
Please note: Your comment may not appear immediately if it is your first comment at CarseatBlog, if you are using a different computer/device or if you are using a new email address. It will not be lost; it may just take a few hours for it to be approved. Thank you for your understanding an patience as this is the only way we have to reduce comment spam.
Ack! What’s that noise?! Oh, it’s the clock going off again. My favorite morning crew are jabbering about something inane—they change topics so frequently that my sleep-numb brain can’t keep up and after all, this is the 4th time I’ve hit the snooze button. Matt hates it when I do that, but he’s long gone. I think. I don’t remember. Perhaps that was the first time I hit snooze. Gah, guess I’d better get up and make sure the kids are eating breakfast so I can get them out the door to school.
Well, the Olympics are done and overall it was a memorable competition. The athletes were phenomenal and awe-inspiring. But you know what? CPS Techs and advocates can be phenomenal and awe-inspiring too. I mean c’mon - those curling “athletes” got nothing on us! Have they ever wrestled with a rear-facing Radian and a locking clip and won? Found a way to fit 3 seats side-by-side in a pre-LATCH Neon? Installed a Century SmartMove rear-facing in a mid 90’s Saturn? I think not.
So, what are your greatest Olympic-worthy carseat installation moments? You know what I’m talking about – those moments of sweet triumph when all your blood, sweat and tears (not to mention all your mad skills) pay off. Those moments when you smile, pat yourself on the back and think to yourself “Damn, I’m good”.
There’s nothing like an updated product to save time writing a full review. Find the old review, update the details and presto, new review! The original Frontier was a pretty good combination booster. In fact, I’ve been using one daily for over a year and a half. We’ve even reviewed it twice, here and here. So why the new Frontier? Basically, Britax took the old one, improved the maximum height and weight limits and then went on and addressed all the issues they heard about from customer feedback, like this thread on our forums. Plus, they did it in just over a year and a half. Very impressive!
So, the Frontier is no more. It has been replaced with the Britax Frontier 85. In addition, the Regent will be phased out, too. The Frontier 85 is a “Harness-2-Booster” or combination (combo) forward-facing child restraint and belt-positioning booster seat. Using the harness forward-facing, it is for children over 2 years, weight from 25 to 85 pounds and from 30 to 57 inches tall. As a booster, it is rated for children starting at a minimum of 40 pounds and 42 to 65 inches tall. In booster mode, there is now a 120 pound weight limit. This is not the same product with higher numbers attached to it. It is revised and improved in many ways. Read More…
I’ve had to hold it all in for some time now. It was almost unbearable when it arrived. It’s nice to hear about cool stuff sometimes before it hits the shelves, but it’s no fun if you can’t tell anyone! Some information has been leaking out about the new Frontier 85 for a while, but as of today, all the details are officially released and so I can discuss them too! By my calculation, it’s past midnight just about everywhere in North America, so…
…enough of my complaining and onto the good stuff. First, the obligatory unboxing video!
Next, a few of the improvements. Some readers probably already know about the big ones, but there might be a few you don’t know about yet!
Harness weight limit increased from 80 to 85 pounds
Top harness setting increased almost 2″, from 18.25″ to about 20″ seated height.
Standing harness height limit increased from 53″ to 57″ (Britax numbers)
Standing booster height limit increased from 60″ to 65″ (Britax numbers)
Seated booster shoulder height limit increased from 21.5″ to 24.5″ (Britax numbers)
Booster weight limit is now 120 pounds (was not listed for the original model)
Lap belt guides updated and now seamlessly join the armrest section with no gap in between
Armrests have a sturdier, shorter, fixed design
Cupholders are now integrated into the front of the base, rather than extending from the side
Harness height adjuster is revised and significantly reinforced compared to the previous one
There are now 10 harness height positions, up from 8 in the original
Harness strap material is a little less flexible and may help resist folding
Harness splitter plate is now a single slot design
Chest clip now has a graphic showing correct position instead of a Britax logo
For all the rest of the changes, you’ll have to wait for my full review later this week! I’ll also have photos, including comparisons with the original Frontier at maximum height for both harness and booster use! Britax has increased the key weight and height limits and also addressed almost every quibble with the original Frontier. That’s something, because the original Frontier was a pretty nice combination seat. The new Frontier 85 is not just the old model with inflated limits. It really has been revamped and improved. Overall, I’m not sure for what else you could reasonably ask! Obviously, some things haven’t changed from the original design. It’s somewhat pricey. It’s relatively big and heavy. It may be incompatible with some vehicles and the long/reverse belt path has a longer learning curve than normal. Beyond that, it really is great. If you liked the Frontier, you will love the Frontier 85. It’s the last child seat you will ever need once your baby is beyond 2 years old and 25 pounds! Heck, if kids run small in your family, you can keep them in the Frontier 85 as a booster (or maybe even the harness!) until they start driving on their own!
Maxi-Cosi is an international brand of carseats and strollers gaining more of a presence in North America in recent years. It is owned by Dorel Juvenile Products Group, makers of brands like Cosco, Safety 1st and Quinny. Today I am reviewing the Maxi Cosi Rodi XR Booster. The Rodi is a high back booster that converts to a backles booster. It is suggested for kids 30-100 pounds (40-100 in backless mode) and 34-57 inches tall (43-57 inches for backless mode).
Key features include deep side head wings lined with energy absorbing EPP foam and width-adjustable side torso wings, also lined with energy absorbing foam. The bottom platform under the base can lowered and shifted back to adjust it from upright to reclined mode. A basic cup holder attaches to either side of the base. A standard lever at the top of the head rest allows for 8 height adjustments for the back. The Rodi XR was recently rated a “Best Bet” as a high back booster in IIHS testing.
Orbit follows its unique infant seat with a toddler carseat built to equally impressive standards. The Orbit Toddler Car Seat is a convertible (rear-facing and forward-facing) child restraint for kids 15-50 lbs. who are less than 49” tall. Rear-facing the seat is rated from 15-35 lbs. Forward-facing, it can be used for children over 1 year old who weigh between 20-50 lbs.
The Orbit Toddler Car Seat comes with a headrest, harness strap covers, braces for installation without the base, and a canopy. It can be used with the Orbit stroller frame up to the 40 lbs. weight limit of the stroller. For a review of the stroller, please see the Orbit Baby Infant Seat review.
Yesterday I was going through a storage box of misc CPS items searching for something and I realized that I have quite the collection of LBB shoulder belt adjuster straps. I thought it might be fun to play a “guess the strap” game. Unfortunately, I have nothing of value to offer the person who guesses them all correctly (unless they need one of these straps – LOL) so this game is just for fun. And that’s assuming there are others who actually think weird stuff like this is “fun”. Who knows, maybe I’m the only one and I really need to be banished to my own little Island of Misfit CPS Geeks. But I digress….
To be fair, if the adjuster was marked anywhere with the name of the CR manufacturer – I’ve noted that on the sticky. Some of them are pretty easy to guess and others are not. You should be able to click on the pic for a better view. Good luck!
I’m still working on the Maxi Cosi Rodi XR review. It’s been pretty cold so I haven’t been real motivated to get pictures in the car!
For now, three Car-Seat.Org members can enter to win a forum subscription just by leaving a comment in response to this blog. The first member to reply will receive a 2-month Benefactor subscription/extension (current Supporters will be upgraded and extended). Of the remaining comments, two will be chosen at random to receive a 2-month Supporter subscription (or extension for current Supporters or Benefactors). Forum staff and Sponsors not eligible, sorry! You may only qualify for one subscription per forum account and the email you leave in your comment must match your account email address at Car-Seat.Org. If you are not a member, please be sure to register first before you leave a comment!
So, a recent study by an affiliate of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Highway Loss Data Institute, finds that laws banning hand-held cell phone use don’t really work. Is that a surprise? I don’t know since I don’t live in a state where hand-held phones are banned, but I’ve often compared the use of cell phones to having a living, breathing passenger in the front passenger seat.
Have you ever driven behind one of those drivers who has a passenger in the front seat who has a compulsive desire to look at his passenger as he talks? The guy ends up looking at his passenger more than he looks at the road during his conversation. I always keep that guy in front of me for my safety, though I go insane to have to drive behind him. I daresay he’s more distracted than he would be if he just had his cell phone up to his ear.
Since I’m usually a solitary driver, I know how distracting it can be to have someone in the passenger seat. Perhaps the cell phone is less distracting because at least when I’m talking on the phone, I’m not concerned with how fat my thighs look sitting on the vehicle seat or if I’m driving like a grandpa.
Still, I’ve been behind, in front of, and beside cell phone drivers and I can say one thing: they’re distracted and all over the road. They run red lights obliviously. They cause crashes and maim and kill people. If you see me coming and you’re driving and phoning, I’ll be yelling, “Put down your freaking cell phone!” Though if you look in your rear-view mirror, you’ll know what my mouth is really saying .
Today’s giveaway is a Safety 1st Onboard 35 Infant Carseat (brown) model #22087DMS. (Please note: this is NOT the new Air version). Thank you to Dorel Juvenile Group for sponsoring this giveaway and the great people at 360 Public Relations for all their help! Winner is responsible for shipping charges from Illinois. Shipping will be via UPS or Fedex from zip code 60540. Winner may select the level of shipping service and add insurance at their option and cost. No returns or refunds on shipping will be issued, sorry. Warranty claims may be made through the manufacturer.
Orbit
