At last year’s ABC Show, Cybex introduced the Aton 2 with the load leg and it’s proven to be a very popular infant seat. The load leg on the base keeps the infant seat from rotating down toward the floor which improves stability and helps absorb crash forces. Cybex has done comparison crash tests against the competition to see how effective the load leg really is in dissipating crash energy, and they’ve found it to be eye-opening, not only in terms of reducing downward rotation of the infant seat, but also in reducing rebound as well (see chart below). When you reduce the downward rotation, it’s essentially reducing the bounce back from the vehicle seat cushion since it didn’t go as far into the cushion as it would have otherwise. The Aton 2 also introduced the Linear Side Impact Protection (LSP) flip-up device on the sides of the handle. These innovative features won the Aton 2 the JPMA Innovation Award for 2012.
This year, Cybex introduces the Aton Q infant seat. The Aton Q is a part of their Platinum line of products, the top echelon. The Q also won this year’s JPMA Innovation Award, so two years in a row for Cybex! Congrats! What makes the Aton Q different from the Aton and the Aton 2? Plenty. First, it has a larger canopy, but it’s still very Euro, very Aton in flavor. The Q has a no re-thread harness that, as the harness slots move down to fit a smaller baby, the seat pan moves up to boost the baby up to those slots. Innovation anyone? Pictured below is the Euro model with 3-pt harness and no chest clip. The model for the US will have a 5-pt harness and a chest clip. The belt path prongs on the carrier are colored in silver (platinum) plastic, with other silver accents. The Linear Side Impact Protection (LSP) is shifted off the handle and toward the top of the carrier, nearer to the baby’s head. On either side, the LSP telescopes out from the side of the carrier to the depth needed for maximum protection. Perhaps best of all, the Aton Q will fit any Aton base. Cybex is expecting a 1st quarter delivery and a price point of $349.
Let me back up just a bit and explain that Cybex is going to a tier system for their seats. The Silver level includes the Aton at $249, the Gold level includes the Aton 2 at $299, and the Platinum level includes the Aton Q at $349.
Also new is the designer Jeremey Scott “Food Fight” Collection:
Big news? The Solution X-Fix booster is coming back! There were some sad grumblings when it was discontinued here, but they’ve brought it back!
Even bigger news? The Solution Q-Fix. It’s an X-Fix booster on steroids. The torso wings widen as the headrest is raised to give a growing child more room. We measured the top shoulder belt guide height to be 21″. And of course, it has rigid LATCH. Look for a 1st quarter release at $249.
Our full review of the Cybex Aton Q Infant Carseat can be found here: https://carseatblog.com/28443
Our full review of the Q-fix booster can be found here: https://carseatblog.com/27726/review-cybex-solution-q-fix-is-this-the-fix-youve-been-looking-for/
I absolutely loathe when someone is trying to sell something and skews data or testing parameters to “prove” that their product is the best.
The Atons were tested with the handle in carry position. All other seats were tested with the handle down. In all cases except the Aton, the seat rebounded until the top of the seat (or handle, for Atons) was directly over the bottom of the seat, or just a bit further. The Aton is the only one that went significantly past that point. It’s hard to tell from the sketches, but it looks to me like they all rebounded into the bench seat back, and all about the same amount.
Further, I’m still waiting to see any evidence whatsoever that rebound is a bad thing, that it should be controlled or reduced.
*could. Not sure how that got changed to Cottle.
I hope this data on the benefit of load legs will spur someone (hopefully Cybex) to make a super awesome ERF seat with a load leg in the US. I know there is the whole issue of no floor on the test sled but if it Cottle pad testing without it and be optional, that would be so awesome.
Did you have a chance to ask Cybex if the have any plans for a US convertible or ERF only seat?
@Athena, no, the X-Fix has remained unchanged at just under 20″.
Is the top booster guide height of the X-Fix 21″ too, like the Q?
@Katie, it’s hard to tell and we didn’t get a measurement. 🙁
It looks like they might have lengthened the seat pan just a bit?? Or is that just my wishful thinking?
It’s good to see the X-Fix is back! It was our favorite! Love that “food fight” collection.