Comments on: Infant Seat First Look: Britax Chaperone Review http://carseatblog.com/?p=2714 The Official Car-Seat.Org Blog about Kids, Safety and Parenting - Car Seat Reviews, Tips, Advice and More! Sat, 04 Sep 2010 12:06:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: bluzyhound http://carseatblog.com/?p=2714&cpage=1#comment-9171 bluzyhound Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:24:11 +0000 http://carseatblog.com/?p=2714#comment-9171 Figures that they would pull out of America and start producing thier high priced seats in China. They have not reduced the price of the product that it replaced the Companion. It's always about the money! Figures that they would pull out of America and start producing thier high priced seats in China.
They have not reduced the price of the product that it replaced the Companion.
It’s always about the money!

]]> By: Sarah http://carseatblog.com/?p=2714&cpage=1#comment-7957 Sarah Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:03:07 +0000 http://carseatblog.com/?p=2714#comment-7957 I have had the Britax Chaperone now for 3mo and have found it very good overall. My other son is in the Roundabout which has given us no problems. My only complaints with the seat are that as someone else noted, there are no velcro tabs on the sides for the harness which do make it a bit trying and tight to grab the clips from underneath an upset baby. Also, for whatever reason (maybe someone can help me out here) the harness straps are always getting twisted and i'm unable to untwist them as the straps don't twist thru the clips. Did i make any sense there? Also, I own a truck and the bubble levels will never evel. I had it installed at the place of purchase and they said it was fine, as trucks in general are somewhat angled in the backseats. Other than the above the seat is great. Oh, i also have the stroller which is good overall except yes, the wheel came off a couple of times unloading but it is simple to put back on. Its not great in the snow ( but i find any plastic wheeled stroller sucks this way) and for whatever reason the stroller is super squeeky! I've even had my husband grease the wheels to no avail and it seems to be increasingly worse. A bit annoying after a while! I have had the Britax Chaperone now for 3mo and have found it very good overall. My other son is in the Roundabout which has given us no problems. My only complaints with the seat are that as someone else noted, there are no velcro tabs on the sides for the harness which do make it a bit trying and tight to grab the clips from underneath an upset baby. Also, for whatever reason (maybe someone can help me out here) the harness straps are always getting twisted and i’m unable to untwist them as the straps don’t twist thru the clips. Did i make any sense there? Also, I own a truck and the bubble levels will never evel. I had it installed at the place of purchase and they said it was fine, as trucks in general are somewhat angled in the backseats. Other than the above the seat is great.
Oh, i also have the stroller which is good overall except yes, the wheel came off a couple of times unloading but it is simple to put back on. Its not great in the snow ( but i find any plastic wheeled stroller sucks this way) and for whatever reason the stroller is super squeeky! I’ve even had my husband grease the wheels to no avail and it seems to be increasingly worse. A bit annoying after a while!

]]> By: Lorie http://carseatblog.com/?p=2714&cpage=1#comment-7803 Lorie Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:30:49 +0000 http://carseatblog.com/?p=2714#comment-7803 Update on my frustrated review from yesterday. I wanted to let you know that a rep from Britax called us this morning and apologized for the way we were treated on the phone and that the CS Rep wasn't following procedure for the problem we were having. We were informed that this has been an ongoing problem and they will be issuing a recall shortly. They are now sending us a chest clip that goes to a different model of car seat until the problem with the Chaperone is corrected. I've got to give credit where credit is due! Update on my frustrated review from yesterday. I wanted to let you know that a rep from Britax called us this morning and apologized for the way we were treated on the phone and that the CS Rep wasn’t following procedure for the problem we were having. We were informed that this has been an ongoing problem and they will be issuing a recall shortly. They are now sending us a chest clip that goes to a different model of car seat until the problem with the Chaperone is corrected. I’ve got to give credit where credit is due!

]]> By: Lorie http://carseatblog.com/?p=2714&cpage=1#comment-7795 Lorie Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:50:13 +0000 http://carseatblog.com/?p=2714#comment-7795 Just had to point out a problem with this car seat. The chest clip on our car seat has broken 2 times in the 7 1/2 months we have owned the Chaperone! We are not hard on this car seat... just normal, daily use. The problem is that the slit that the belt feeds through has a very thin plastic "frame" for lack of a better word. The first time it broke, it cut my finger right to the bone. I didn't realize that it had broken and when I went to put my baby in it, I reached behind the clip to fasten it and suddenly I was bleeding. We contacted Britax and they responded quickly. They even had us return the seat to a local store where they replaced the whole seat. We were very happy with how they worked with us. Now this morning I went to put my baby in his seat to take his siblings to school and when I fastened the clip, I noticed that it is broken again! (I would love to attach pictures if you would like!) We contacted Britax and they have obviously had this happen several times because they now have a "scripted" response to the problem and were very rude. We didn't expect another new car seat, but we hoped that maybe they had designed a new clip that could be overnighted to us. We were told that we had to supply them with pictures of the broken piece and they would then put a new one in the mail. Yes the same clip that had broken 2 times already! The replacement piece could take up to 10 business days! Are you kidding me? Britax is #1 in safety for what reason? When we told them that the seat is unusable because there is a sharp, thin piece of plastic aiming at my child's heart... we were told to remove the piece and it would not compromise the safety of the seat. So they want me to drive around with my baby in a car seat that has no chest clip! Does this sound strange to anyone else? I love Britax. We have owned a Roundabout and now currently own 3 Frontiers that we have loved, but this may be the last Britax we buy! Oh and if you buy the stroller... prepare to put the wheels back on pretty often. They fall off as you get the stroller in and out of your car. When we complained about that problem they told us that they were very aware of the problem and that was the only response we received. All in all, with the exception of the chest clip... the seat is very sturdy and nice. It just bothers me that something as simple as a chest clip can't get fixed and that they are so unconcerned about it! Just had to point out a problem with this car seat. The chest clip on our car seat has broken 2 times in the 7 1/2 months we have owned the Chaperone! We are not hard on this car seat… just normal, daily use. The problem is that the slit that the belt feeds through has a very thin plastic “frame” for lack of a better word. The first time it broke, it cut my finger right to the bone. I didn’t realize that it had broken and when I went to put my baby in it, I reached behind the clip to fasten it and suddenly I was bleeding. We contacted Britax and they responded quickly. They even had us return the seat to a local store where they replaced the whole seat. We were very happy with how they worked with us. Now this morning I went to put my baby in his seat to take his siblings to school and when I fastened the clip, I noticed that it is broken again! (I would love to attach pictures if you would like!) We contacted Britax and they have obviously had this happen several times because they now have a “scripted” response to the problem and were very rude. We didn’t expect another new car seat, but we hoped that maybe they had designed a new clip that could be overnighted to us. We were told that we had to supply them with pictures of the broken piece and they would then put a new one in the mail. Yes the same clip that had broken 2 times already! The replacement piece could take up to 10 business days! Are you kidding me? Britax is #1 in safety for what reason? When we told them that the seat is unusable because there is a sharp, thin piece of plastic aiming at my child’s heart… we were told to remove the piece and it would not compromise the safety of the seat. So they want me to drive around with my baby in a car seat that has no chest clip! Does this sound strange to anyone else? I love Britax. We have owned a Roundabout and now currently own 3 Frontiers that we have loved, but this may be the last Britax we buy! Oh and if you buy the stroller… prepare to put the wheels back on pretty often. They fall off as you get the stroller in and out of your car. When we complained about that problem they told us that they were very aware of the problem and that was the only response we received. All in all, with the exception of the chest clip… the seat is very sturdy and nice. It just bothers me that something as simple as a chest clip can’t get fixed and that they are so unconcerned about it!

]]> By: Fran http://carseatblog.com/?p=2714&cpage=1#comment-7390 Fran Sun, 17 Jan 2010 14:26:01 +0000 http://carseatblog.com/?p=2714#comment-7390 Do you know if the Chaperone fits well in a VW Vento? Thanks Fran Do you know if the Chaperone fits well in a VW Vento?
Thanks

Fran

]]> By: Guest Review: On the Road with a Britax Chaperone http://carseatblog.com/?p=2714&cpage=1#comment-5576 Guest Review: On the Road with a Britax Chaperone Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:57:54 +0000 http://carseatblog.com/?p=2714#comment-5576 [...] and overall, we both like the seat. Some initial impressions about the seat appeared in an earlier blog entry.  Here’s my thoughts after using it with a “real, live [...] [...] and overall, we both like the seat. Some initial impressions about the seat appeared in an earlier blog entry.  Here’s my thoughts after using it with a “real, live [...]

]]> By: Marisa http://carseatblog.com/?p=2714&cpage=1#comment-5338 Marisa Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:08:18 +0000 http://carseatblog.com/?p=2714#comment-5338 Hi, I am a first time mom and wanted to add to this review of the Chaperone since there is limited info on this car seat. I work at a Children's hospital and am a physical therapist and all of my co-workers and our car seat checker highly recommended the Companion as the safest infant carrier car seat. I was trying to get it until I realized it was being replaced by the Chaperone. My little one came a few weeks before I got mine in the mail since it was on back order until early July. We used our Marathon in the meantime and it worked just fine. She was around 7-8 lbs once we started using it and I found that the newborn insert was unnecessary and took up way too much room. I think the insert is for true preemies. My husband installed it in our Toyota Matrix without any issues and we can still adjust our front seats without running into the carseat. I do have some trouble with the harness straps when getting her into the seat and would love it if it had the velcro tabs on the side like they do on other models. My baby loves to arch so I need to be quick and I don't need to encourage her to arch more by reaching under her bottom for the buckles. Adjusting the shoulder height is a breeze and I am pretty happy with it overall. The sunshade is huge and covers her pretty well in the car unless the sun is coming directly in through the back. It does feel a little heavier and bigger than other infant carseats when they are side by side but I think most infant carseats are heavy and just get heavier. I am 5'2, average weight, and fairly fit but really only can carry it short distances (to our car on the street and back). It should remind all of us to not carry the babies in them too far anyways. I contacted BOB strollers and they told me that it is not compatible but I have been using it in my BOB stroller for a while and it seems to fit very well. With the strap that comes with the BOB adapter, it doesn't move or feel tippy. I hope this is useful to other parents because I was nervous getting a new product that hadn't been reviewed very much but the Britax name seemed like a safe bet and it has proven to be an excellent purchase. Hi, I am a first time mom and wanted to add to this review of the Chaperone since there is limited info on this car seat. I work at a Children’s hospital and am a physical therapist and all of my co-workers and our car seat checker highly recommended the Companion as the safest infant carrier car seat. I was trying to get it until I realized it was being replaced by the Chaperone. My little one came a few weeks before I got mine in the mail since it was on back order until early July. We used our Marathon in the meantime and it worked just fine.

She was around 7-8 lbs once we started using it and I found that the newborn insert was unnecessary and took up way too much room. I think the insert is for true preemies. My husband installed it in our Toyota Matrix without any issues and we can still adjust our front seats without running into the carseat. I do have some trouble with the harness straps when getting her into the seat and would love it if it had the velcro tabs on the side like they do on other models. My baby loves to arch so I need to be quick and I don’t need to encourage her to arch more by reaching under her bottom for the buckles. Adjusting the shoulder height is a breeze and I am pretty happy with it overall. The sunshade is huge and covers her pretty well in the car unless the sun is coming directly in through the back.

It does feel a little heavier and bigger than other infant carseats when they are side by side but I think most infant carseats are heavy and just get heavier. I am 5′2, average weight, and fairly fit but really only can carry it short distances (to our car on the street and back). It should remind all of us to not carry the babies in them too far anyways. I contacted BOB strollers and they told me that it is not compatible but I have been using it in my BOB stroller for a while and it seems to fit very well. With the strap that comes with the BOB adapter, it doesn’t move or feel tippy.

I hope this is useful to other parents because I was nervous getting a new product that hadn’t been reviewed very much but the Britax name seemed like a safe bet and it has proven to be an excellent purchase.

]]> By: Amanda http://carseatblog.com/?p=2714&cpage=1#comment-5292 Amanda Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:48:18 +0000 http://carseatblog.com/?p=2714#comment-5292 Hi! I had the Britax Companion for my son, which was very heavy - heavier than most infant carriers. This one looks to be lighter... is that the case? I'm a very petite person, so it was hard to carry the Companion around. I love the Britax name, but would love something lighter this time around. Hi! I had the Britax Companion for my son, which was very heavy – heavier than most infant carriers. This one looks to be lighter… is that the case? I’m a very petite person, so it was hard to carry the Companion around. I love the Britax name, but would love something lighter this time around.

]]> By: txmom http://carseatblog.com/?p=2714&cpage=1#comment-4716 txmom Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:27:28 +0000 http://carseatblog.com/?p=2714#comment-4716 Thanks for the answer. I currently live in Europe, which is where I first saw the rigid attachments. We will be moving back to the US when our baby is about 6 weeks old and have been told by the "experts" that we should by the car seat in the US. Apparently, the ones bought in Europe don't have the very specific US safety standards sticker attached to it even though it may meet requirements. Thanks for the answer. I currently live in Europe, which is where I first saw the rigid attachments. We will be moving back to the US when our baby is about 6 weeks old and have been told by the “experts” that we should by the car seat in the US. Apparently, the ones bought in Europe don’t have the very specific US safety standards sticker attached to it even though it may meet requirements.

]]> By: CPSDarren http://carseatblog.com/?p=2714&cpage=1#comment-4455 CPSDarren Fri, 21 Aug 2009 21:49:50 +0000 http://carseatblog.com/?p=2714#comment-4455 If you mean rigid attachments, those were available only on the Britax Baby Safe, now discontinued. Sadly, rigid LATCH infant seats are no longer sold in the USA. You can find them in Europe, though. If you mean rigid attachments, those were available only on the Britax Baby Safe, now discontinued. Sadly, rigid LATCH infant seats are no longer sold in the USA. You can find them in Europe, though.

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