Oops! Apparently I’m THE photographer and forgot to hand off the memory card to Heather so she could use them for the latest news! Unfortunately, I don’t have the notes, so I have to wing it on the commentary. So, I’ll just post a few more images from the Dorel encampment. Most exhibits at ABC Kids are booths you stroll past or open area exhibits with displays scattered around the floor to browse. You wander in, look around, talk to the representatives and wander to the next one. In contrast, Dorel really has an encampment. If the neighboring convention of healthcare case managers decided to invade ABC Kids Expo, this is the place where you’d retreat to weather the siege. It’s all the way at the very back of the seemingly mile-long trade show floor, making it difficult for the attackers to get there quickly. It is surrounded on all four sides by high walls and has single, narrow, hidden entrance facing the back that is heavily guarded by sales, marketing and PR staff. Here, you can see me attempting to scale the front wall, before we discovered the bridge over the moat on the opposite side.
The treasure kept within was worth the effort! Here are a couple shots of the Safety 1st branded version of the Comfy Carry infant seat. It’s 5″ bottom slots help it to fit the Huggable Images 4 lb. preemie doll at a budget price point: The base has two recline positions, a spot to put a knee during installation and rounded corners above the belt path for leverage with your hand. The carrier is also ultra-light, coming in at 5.8 pounds.
Here are the Essential Air Combiation seats (formerly known as the Rumi). You can see the premium versions (left), standard versions, a cutaway showing the Flextech shell design and the top harness height measurement (right). It’s actually about 16.75″ to the top setting, which is a hair above the opening you see in the fabric cover. The lowest setting was about 12″. Keep in mind these are prototypes and subject to minor changes before they ship.
Here are a couple shots of the BoostAir high back boster, including a view of the substantial energy absorbing foam liner behind the head and the Air Protect cushions:
In other news, Dorel has simplified the offerings of the onBoard 35 infant seat. They’ve phased out the myriad of confusing previous versions of the standard onBoard that varied in terms of minimum weight ratings, infant padding, fabrics and base options. Now, there will apparently be just a single version of the standard onBoard. It will be rated from 4-35 pounds, will have the standard base and will have a partial set of infant/preemie inserts. The onBoard 35 Air remains the same as before. It will include the premium base, upgraded infant inserts and, of course, the Air Protect feature. The standard and deluxe bases are cross compatible and can still be used with any onBoard 35 model.
Also, stay tuned for some new and improved offerings from Maxi Cosi next year. They were not present at the show, but they sound like they will be very nice! More photos from Dorel and others still to come. I have to get ready to head out to the show for another round of appointments today, including a couple of brand new product announcements that we hope to be able to share!
The Comfy Carry has tons of movement in the base itself. I understand ride down with the whole seat but this seat tips up quite a bit because of the anchor system only in the very front of the seat. Is this OK? The Safety 1st does not do this.
Looking forward to the Essential Air release. I thought it was originally set to release this month…but waiting could be for the better.
We will be upgrading from a 2004 Evenflo Vanguard. My four year old has low growth hormone and will require a 5-point harness for several more years despite the fact that she is desperately wanting a big girl booster. Did you get seat dimensions other than harness height and product weight? We just had to downsize to a compact car and getting three kids (two with backless boosters) on occasion into the back seat is horrendous, not to mention the thought of the Radian or Nautilus which both feel overly heavy.
Just to claify the differences between the $59 Cosco Comfy Carry model and the $79 Safety 1st version – the lower price point model will have a non-adjustable base (must use rolled towel or pool noodle if needed to achieve appropriate recline angle in vehicle), a rear harness adjuster system and no head-hugger insert.
Yeah, the price is nice. I’m thinking if it’s available for institutions at a slightly less price (especially the front adjust version), it could easily be an excellent program infant seat.
Awesome price points on the Comfy Carry….if that had been available when my preemies were born, I could have afforded to run out and pick up a “preemie” seat. Would have been really good!
Yes, the Comfy Carry starts at 4 pounds, up to 22 pounds if we recall correctly. Aside from the light weight and good fit for preemies, it is a pretty basic otherwise. It will start at $59 in Cosco trim and $79 in Safety 1st trim.
Will the comfy carry start at 4# then (since you mention it fitting the preemie doll)? Is it supposed to be a more affordable infant seat or just lightweight?
bummer about the harness height on the essential air, i wish it was at least 18″ The princess one is cute, but isn’t that going to be pressed against a seatback so pretty pointless isn’t it? An affordable preemie option, that’s great!