Kiddy is coming! They’ll be introducing an infant seat and their booster seat with energy absorbing shield around May 2011. They didn’t have a prototype of the infant seat to look at, so we focused on the sport’n move stroller. It’s a nice stroller with shocks, a single paddle brake for both back wheels (I’m sure there’s a technical term for this and that’s why we have a stroller team covering strollers ;)), a reversible seat, a carry cot, and a small light on the handle for night-time visibility. There’s also an adapter bar for Peg Perego and Maxi Cosi infant seats and they’re working on other adapters as well. $349 The lights are also available aftermarket for other uses, but I forgot to ask how much they are.
The Comfort and ComfortPro boosters have the energy absorbing shields on them that can be used with LATCH (to vehicle weight limit–40 or 48 lbs.; they’re still working on weight limits) or the seatbelt. 20-40 lbs. with shield, 40-110 lbs. bpb and again available around May 2011. Pricepoint will be around $269-$289. The fashions range from very luxurious to kid-friendly Capt’n Sharky. The purple pattern will lose the additional white applique before it’s released here in the US.
Evenflo is improving the Symphony again. They’ve beefed up the headwings by increasing the size, adding their E3 side impact system to the seat, adding an aircraft aluminum bar in the base for energy absorption, and some seats designated for independent retailers will have the TruTether, which has a red/green indicator on the casing of tether strap latchplate. They also have higher end fashions.
The Serenade has been brought back with a stroller as a travel system and rebranded the Secure Ride 35. There will be versions with and without the E3 side impact system.
The Tribute is also now available at Wal-Mart. We also saw some concept Amps with very artistic covers and painted bases–very hip and cool looking. They also had a hybrid Amp/Big Kid booster on display to get feedback. Unfortunately, we were asked not to take photos of these concept seats because they might not make it to market. I have to say the Amps were impressive-looking and I hope they move forward with the idea.
We do have more photos, but Kecia has them this time ;). Really, it’s not as though I never take pictures–I do! It’s just that my assignment was to write, lol. (I feel as if I have to explain myself!) And Kecia will write lots more too as she was dictating her notes!
ETA: Kecia’s photos – sorry about the cell phone quality but the flash on my camera wasn’t working properly!
any new info on the kiddy shield?
Will the kiddy seats have a longer experation than six years and do they have height limits for the shield?
Yay! Thanks, Kecia!
I like the purple tribute. I think all car seats should have a purple option rather than five different shades of pink.
More photos added ~ enjoy!
I’ve heard from another Evenflo source that they are moving to a straight handle across their infant seat platforms, but it will take time. They will still require the 1.5″ of space between the infant seat and the front seat.
Will Evenflo’s new infant seat require that the handle be down with an inch and a half clearance? Are they giving up the “Z” handle on their other seats? Thanks!
Uh… Can the shield be used with lap-only belt? If so can they PRETTY PLEASE make it to 48/50/60 lbs.? We NEED something for older kids in lap-only positions!
They’re still working on the final wording for the manual and they’re good with the shield weight going to the vehicle anchor limit. It all goes back to making the manual easy to read and understand for the consumer–dummy-proof, as it were.
Thank you for being official ABC Kids secretary, Heather! They mocked me for being the Blog’s Steven Spielberg behind the video camera. Right up until I reminded them that being behind the camera meant that I wasn’t *in front* of the camera…
Great, my kid finally decided to grow and the Kiddy’s make it over here. She’ll be over 40 by then I bet. Bugger. Oh well, the booster still looks just fab.
Secure Ride 35? Really? Really, Evenflo?
Good thing I have time to wait on the Kiddy…not for the shield portion, but those boosters are divine!
Re: the Comfort and ComfortPro boosters. If the weight limit is 40 pounds with the shield, how could one possibly use LATCH to 48?