It was another busy day for Heather & I in the convention center exhibit hall. We did our best to cover as many of the new products and updates as possible in a short period of time. We hope we can deliver a little something for everyone!
UPPAbaby Mesa:
- Demo models already shipped to some specialty store retailers
- Mid-June is targeted release date
- Hoping to be in Canada by the end of the year
- Sticker labels reference pg numbers
- It’s a great seat with a lot of awesome innovative features! IMMI buckle and nice easy-open chest clip. The only possible drawback that we can foresee is that the “true no-rethread harness” will not be removable/replaceable.
Graco:
Graco has started including explicit instructions in their manuals regarding cleaning of their buckles to help with the stiffness of the release; sometimes food and other gunk does get down in there and hampers the release mechanism. Graco wants you to hold the buckle by the webbing and dunk just the buckle portion in a cup of water. Press the red button a few times under water to clean the mechanism and shake the water out when done. Let dry naturally. We tried the buckles on the display seats in the booths and they definitely felt easier to release than earlier models.
New SnugRide 35 Click Connect base (LX model is similar but has lock-off)
Recaro:
Performance Booster – ETA is early fall (no pics – prototype product not being shown here)
Cybex:
Great news! Aton 2 base with load leg will be back-compatible with previous Aton carriers! Extra Aton 2 bases with load leg will be available for $159.
Dorel:
- Boostapak shipping this month (will be BuyBuyBaby exclusive)
- Complete Air is now being manufactured with dual recline indicator labels
- Scenera will once again be available to CPS programs through Mercury Distributing (by Mid-July)
- NEW PRODUCTS! Safety 1st Advantage 70 Air + (plus) convertible & Safety 1st Elite 80 3-in-1 Air +. We were one of the first to see the new seats! Advantage 70 is already shipping to Target and should be on shelves in the next few weeks. Elite 80 will be shipping in June and will be BRU exclusive. Check out our video of the Advantage 70 Air + :
More updates (including Nuna Pipa) tomorrow! Stay tuned!
@Elizabeth – we haven’t received a Mesa sample to review yet. However, based on observation with the preemie doll we use – the Mesa should fit small newborns very well. Even though we don’t have a review yet I wouldn’t talk you out of a Mesa if you wanted one. HTH!
Have you been able to fully review the Mesa yet? I did a search but this post was pretty much the only thing that came up.
We have a Vista stroller and anticipate a preemie. The Uppababy has adapters for Graco. And the Classic Connect 35 came highly recommended by you for preemies.
But I’m just wondering if after I buy the seat, plus the adapter, it might not be easier to just get the Mesa. But of course reviews are important. Advice?
Just wanted to comment that I’ve seen the new Graco buckles. They are visibly different if you look super close, and definitely feel slightly different to operate. The lower edge of the red button is now recessed slightly from the gray plastic area where as the old style it was pretty much flush.
Thought I’d share in case anyone is wondering how to tell if a seat they’re looking at has an old style or an updated style buckle.
@Glockchick – I didn’t ask this time but yes, my understanding is that the new Recaro booster will have (non-adjustable) lower anchor attachments.
@Kathryn – yes, the new Dorel convertibles will have a 40″ RF max height limit.
Do we know if the new Safety 1st Air+ models will have the 40″ standing height rule?
Wowzers, nice improvements from Dorel! Better late than never, right? 🙂
Any word on whether or not the Performance Booster will have LATCH? I’m loving my ProBooster, but LATCH would make it awesome. 🙂
It was great to meet you too, Jen! As for Recaro – I’ve joked over the years that Recaro works in the equivalent of dog years. I’m still waiting for the infant seat they promised 7 years ago. Lol! So I’m not holding my breath for a summer Performance Booster release but I’ll be happy if it does show up before the fall. We shall see…
I talked to Recaro a little bit about the Performance Booster and they are really hoping for July or August. The seat depth and width has been increased but I did not get numbers.
I love the feel of the Canopy of the Mesa.
(Side note: it was great to meet you both!!!)
I wish the harness was as high as the current complete air seats, but can’t have everything I guess… I kind of like that it reclines from behind… so you can adjust the recline when it’s sitting in the vehicle before you install it.
I’m anxious about whether the 3-in-1 will make even a decent booster as we have yet to see a good combo seat or 3-in-1 booster from dorel… but anything is possible.
Stay tuned for our review of the Safety 1st Boostapak, coming soon!
YES! THANK YOU CYBEX! MY HUSBAND LOVES YOU! Lol