Lifesavers 2009 or Bust
Hey y’all from Nashville! Lifesavers hasn’t officially begun, I don’t think–well, the opening session hasn’t rung in the festivities, but we CPS geeks have already had our first workshop and toured exhibit hall in search of stickers for our “passports.”
Our first session was the Latest Technology Workshop. In the past, this has been split into 2 sessions and was known as the manufacturers’ workshops. So, the manufacturers got up and presented their products, new and old.
olli/ozzi: Nothing new to report that we didn’t already know. They recently increased the weight limit on the boosters to 120 lbs.
oobr: release date of July 2009; weight limit of 100 lbs.
KeyFit Strada booster: release date of May 2009 with a price point of $129.99; 33-100 lbs. with back, 40-100 lbs. without back
The KeyFit infant seats have new labels on handle hubs indicating weight limits
tether extenders are available for all convertible and combo seats
Symphony: trying to extend the weight limit past 40 lbs. (no other info. given to us on weight limit and booth was too busy to ask)
The First Years True Fit 670: looking at a May release date; external LATCH storage loops on sides of seat 3 position recline; angle indicator; and that infamous anti-rebound bar on some models
The Graco rep made a point of saying that the entire base of the Nautilus must be on the vehicle seat. No ifs ands or buts.
The Viva Supreme 5080 will be out in May. Handle can be in any locked position; 4 harness slots
The tether connector strap (D-ring) was extended by 2″ last August.
MA Click & Safe release date 6/09
Advocate Click & Safe release date 6/09
Chaperone infant travel system coming soon
new 4’9″ 80 lbs. 8 yr old doll: will be available soon
Nothing new to report
onBoard 35: different seat than the 22 lbs. seat, but the base can be used by the 22 lbs. seat
Apex 65: harness is 3″ longer–2″ longer in harness, 1″ longer in crotch strap; also LATCH can be used to vehicle LATCH limits on this seat only
chest clip has been changed to show graphic of chest clip on a child’s chest (similar to Graco’s)
Shuttle: will increase in weight limit to 33 lbs. and have new base in summer ’09; new base will have increased spring strength; LATCH storage; seat belt guide
Zeus: weight limit increased to 33 lbs. in 2009
Coccoro: 5-33 lbs. rf.; rf lockoff on back of seat near ff lockoff to grab shoulder belt when seat is installed Euro style with shoulder belt routed behind seat (but it can also be installed rf in traditional way and Combi includes a sturdy lockoff instead of a locking clip)
So, there you go; that’s the first day. That’s what I know 
.
Reader Comments
Nautilus base completely on vehicle seat even when in harness mode? That’s going to upset a lot of people.
FINALLY the Zeus has a decent RF weight limit! Now it will be a viable option for those with the need of a turning seat! AWESOME!
Thanks for the update, Heather! Hope you’re having a blast!
Gypsy, the info about the Nautilus base being completely on the vehicle seat is nothing new – Graco has been telling us this for quite a while.
Wish Britax had provided info on the new Parkway! I’m anxiously awaiting details on it.
I’m sorry to see the oobr pushed back again… but it is what it is.
I like the trend I’m seeing in increasing weight limits… especially on the symphony and on the combi seats… the shuttle has always been a nice, narrow, and tall infant seat… kids were lasting longer in them than in the snugride anyway… not sure if most kids will make it to 33lbs, but they’ll be able to stay in it past the old limit.
And the zeus HAD to get increased… the 22lb rf max was just AWFUL.
if the Symphony will get raised to 50lbs harnessed, I can see us recommending that seat to people who have the space for it… it’s not a bad all-in-1
Do we have dimensions for the Chicco Strada yet?
This is my first time at life savers, and I’m excited. I’m disappointed that the manufacturer’s update didn’t seem to have much more info than I had already gleaned online.
According to the Chicco fact sheet, the Strada is 18.5″x18″x28.5″. It doesn’t really say how far across it is inside, but the torso wings are supposed to adjust for width and height. Who knows if these dimensions take that into account. It’s supposed to weigh 12#.
Thanks for the update. I wish they would say something about the new booster maybe for Britax. Graco with the base all the way on the seat isn’t new right? I know I have heard that before. I can’t wait to hear about the Crotch strap issue on the nautilus.
Thanks for the update!
Oh Danielle–I forgot you were here! Look for the blue carseatblog.com lanyards! Of course, Darren’s been quite free with them
so they’re all over now, lol, but you’re bound to run into us.
I did ask at the Britax booth about the Parkway 120 and she said July for that one.
So, is the Zeus retroactive?
Sounds like some good information so far.
The Symphony’s low harnessed weight limit is it’s only major flaw; good to hear Evenflo is trying to raise it.
Wish I was there with you guys this year, but it’s not to be! Have a good time, go try and score a buckle bag for me if they are there this year (I was so close to getting one when we were in Chicago). Can’t wait to see pics.
Hope you’re enjoying a slice of carseat geek heaven, and thanks for the updates so the rest of us can live vicariously through y’all
how wide is the Strada booster? is there anything on the horizon that can fill the “narrow booster” niche that the FPSV/SRC used to fill? how about narrow HWH combo seats – could y’all drop some hints at SKJP that a radian-width combo seat could be *huge* with so many folks these days trying to fit 3 across in smaller cars instead of going to larger minivans/SUV’s?
Oh, I miss being there SO much! Thanks for the updates, though
Thanks for the info. I am VERY happy they upped the RFing weight limit on the Zeus!
Thanks for the information! Nothing seriously new so far, eh? I can’t wait to see pictures and am insanely jealous!
Pictures, huh? We haven’t taken any yet since there’s nothing new to show. Chicco doesn’t have the Strada here and that’s really the only new seat. Remember that the big push to introduce new seats is the ABC Kids Show since that’s a marketing show.
The weight change to the Zeus is NOT retroactive–it will be a new seat.
Evenflo Symphony is being re-tested to 65lbs. They changed some of the engineering and are hopeful it will pass this time round.
I also spoke with the Graco rep and she was hopeful/rather on the positive side that the Nauti will be deemed ok, but no solid answer, as before any official statement came out, it had to go thru legal and be prepared. She’s expecting it shortly.
Danielle, thanks… if that height measurement (the biggest one) is to the top of the headrest, that makes me think the top shoulder position is going to be 19-20″ tall… and that’s heavy for a non-latchable booster.
Ann, thanks for letting us know what the new weight limit is hoping to be… that would be a great weight limit… the top slots are high enough to get past 40 for sure… like Britax convertibles, I think 65 is probably an overshoot for most kids, but it will take care of the major flaw, so I’m not going to quibble the end result.
I’m glad that we should have an official statement from Graco soon.
Is the Britax Advocate different than the Britxa Advocate Click and Safe? Are they two different seats?
If so when is the Britax Advocate coming out?
Yay on the Zeus. Do I need one? Hmm…
And Apex to full LATCH of vehicle, nice! Now, think I can saw the armrests off of it…?
We were told the Advocate CS should arrive in June. I do not believe there is an Advocate without Click and Safe, so it is just the one model for now.