Whew! That’s quite a mouthful. But I’m desperately trying to get all our ABC Expo updates finished!
Truth be told, every CR manufacturer has stepped up their game BIG TIME in recent years and that makes me happier than a slinky on an escalator! 😉 Seriously – you have no idea how lame it was to be a carseat geek 15 years ago. Well, maybe you do – in which case, join me in celebration!
Kiddy
New fashions for Kiddy World Plus & Cruiserfix Pro
After having a few too many at the Diono booth earlier in the day, Baby Jack decided to volunteer for some OOP (Out of Position) testing with the Kiddy World Plus. The resulting photo shoot was hysterical but I’m afraid to post the pics because I’ll probably offend the doll safety advocates (who no doubt hate me already for contributing to the delinquency of a baby doll). 😉
Anyhow…. moving right along….
Kids Fly Safe (CARES Harness for aircraft)
New large size for Special Needs tweens, teens and adults up to 6′ tall (requires FAA Exemption; click HERE for more info on using a CARES Harness for children with SN)
Orbit Baby
Low-birthweight kit for infant seat is now available: larger foam insert, smaller chest clip
Orbit Baby Double Helix stroller is finally available and it’s ridiculously cool! I’m also in love with the Sidekick stroller boards (and the sock monkey kids too)!
Speaking of contributing to the delinquency of a baby doll… I’m going to make this a little interesting. The very FIRST person who replies to this blog with the correct answer to the following question will win a bag of random ABC schwag! And because this is not a sponsored giveaway, winning won’t disqualify you from winning any of our really good blog giveaways!
Question: Which inappropriate movie is Auntie Heather letting Baby Jack watch on her ipad as he chills out in his awesome Orbit Baby stroller system?
UPPAbaby
NEW Mesa infant carseat!
- 4-35 lbs
- Up to 32″
- SmartSecure LATCH with built-in retractor for easy installation
- Lock-offs for seatbelt installation
- No-rethread harness
- Internal SIP wings
- Euro belt routing highly recommended if installing without base
- Fits Huggable Images preemie doll well
- SPF 50+ canopy
- Fits Vista and Cruz stollers with one-touch release
- Expected release Spring 2013
- $279?
Ride Safer Travel Vest
RSTV Version 2: current model for use with lap/shoulder belt or lap-only belt + top tether
RSTV Version 3: New model for use with lap/shoulder belt only; no tether attachment; more ventilated and lighter design
Thanks for the clarification, Vera!
There are currently 2 versions of the RSTV available: Ride Safer 2 can be used with lap/shoulder belt with and without the tether or it can be used with a lap only belt as long as the top tether is attached; Ride Safer 3 can only be used with a lap shoulder belt and does not have the capability to be tethered.
Regarding RS2 – The optional tether use is not included in the instruction manual simply because we cannot fit much more information on the paper and still be able to fold it and fit it into the pocket.
@Jennie – I wish I could take credit for that line but it’s from one of the new Geico insurance commercials! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOUbW2A-e2Q
I called the travel vest company with that exact question when I bought the vest a year ago. They said the tether is for instances when you only have a lap belt available. But they also said you CAN use the tether along with the lap/shoulder belt if you want, but not necessary. Might be helpful if you want the extra stability for wigglers.
“Happier than a slinky on an escalator” got a big laugh here, especially from the kiddos. 🙂
“…happier than a slinky on an escalator.” OMG, I have a new favorite phrase!
@Wendy – I agree that we could use some clarification on the issue. Which manual are you looking at? Nothing in the current RSTV manual (on my DVD of manuals) says anything about using the tether with l/s belt – unless I missed something. There’s also nothing about using it that way in the SBS summary sheet either.
I’m also very pleased with this new larger CARES Harness! This is going to be a great option for families with SN kids! They just need to understand that they will have to fill out the paperwork to be granted an exemption from the FAA before they fly. The links on the Kids Fly Safe website will provide all the info.
As for Mesa – no idea about non-standard LATCH allowances but typical short belt path routing will be allowed for baseless installs if Euro routing is not possible due to lack of belt length or other compelling reasons.
Oh, and I have to say, I’m excited about the bigger CARES. I think that’s where it would really shine best, with the bigger kids. Kids for whom the lap belt fits but they need support.
And I’m impressed with the Mesa. Lots of leg room and it looks like an easy LATCH install. Will they allow for non-standard spacing, do you know? And is a short belt path possible with a baseless install, or only the Euro routing?
I understood the manual to mean that the tether was optional with the lap and shoulder in the version 2. Just not *required*.
So now we definitely need clarification.
@Elizabeth – you might want to double-check with the manufacturer to make certain that you’re allowed to use the top tether with a lap/shoulder belt on the v2 model. It is my understanding (from reading the instruction manual), that you only use the tether attachment if using the product with a lap-only seatbelt.
Ding, ding! Yup, it’s Bridesmaids! BREE is our winner! Congrats – I’ll send you an email in a little while to get your shipping info.
As for the RSTV – the new v3 design is lighter and more breathable (the back is much more open compared to the v2 model), which should make it more comfortable for the child, especially in warmer weather. This new v3 product is meant for consumers who don’t want or need the ability to use the product with a lap-only belt and a top tether. I imagine that most RSTV users are using the product for taxi’s and travel situations where a lap/shoulder belt is available and tethering is unnecessary.
Bridesmaids is my guess for the movie. I’m also curious about the RSTV top tether change.
Do you know why they’ve changed the RSTV to not allow tether? We have the current version and used it with lap/shoulder belt plus tether for our 4yo. I don’t think I’d be comfortable with just the belt because a 4yo is not mature enough to stay in position and the belt moves freely through the vest guides (like a booster) in the current version. Have they changed that with the new version or is it only for older booster age kids now? Thank you.