At ABC we finally had the opportunity to meet with Michael and the rest of the FIVE-IIHS-BEST-BET-RATED-BOOSTERS Harmony Juvenile Team to check out their newest offerings and eat their stash of complimentary chocolate. Actually, I think I was the only blog team member to indulge in the free chocolate loot but it was exactly what I needed at that moment – and the next day too when I conveniently needed to stop by again for more pics and measurements. 😉
Many of our readers are already familiar with the fabulous little Harmony LiteRider booster (aka, Harmony Youth Booster Seat) that was rated a “Best Bet” by the IIHS and is currently available exclusively at Walmart. New cover options are Pink Leopard & Camo. This particular model was 
absent from the Harmony lineup at ABC because…. well, it’s a wally world exclusive. However, we did get a look at the other IIHS “Best Bet” Harmony boosters, as well as a brand new booster design. First up was the Olympian, a tweaked version of the Secure Comfort Deluxe booster that was originally available at Toys R Us. I reviewed the original Secure Comfort Deluxe model last year and found it to be very effective in positioning the seatbelts properly on both of my boys in our minivan’s captains chairs. However, the IIHS had some issues with that original design in their previous 2009 round of booster fit testing, so to their credit, Harmony went back and tweaked it. The result of that tweaking is an IIHS “Best Bet” rating for this model which has been renamed the “Olympian“.
We also saw the Dreamtime highback booster that I reviewed previously on the blog and the please-stop-calling-it-Baby Armor multi-adjustable highback . All were covered in the nice, padded fabrics that we’ve come to expect from this manufacturer. Last but not least, a 
new dual highback design called the V6 along with its backless little sibling – the Carpooler! They claim you can fit 3 backless Carpooler models across the back of many vehicles but that isn’t a guarantee, obviously. Much will depend on how much room you have to work with and how your backseat is contoured. You’re more likely to have 3-across success with the Carpooler if your vehicle backseat cushion is lower (i.e., scooped out) in the outboard positions but more elevated and flat in the center.
Carpooler backless measurements:
- Inside width at rear hip area: 10″
- Inside width at thigh area: 11″
- Outside width at narrowest point in back where booster contacts back of vehicle seat cushion: 10″
- Outside width at widest point: 17″
- Depth front to back: 15″
- Armrest height: 9″
Spec cards on Olympian, Carpooler, V6 & Not-For-Baby Armor:
UPDATE: Link to spreadsheet showing all the select Walmart stores that should have the $19.99 CRUZ (aka the Carpooler LBB) in stock – while supplies last:
Walmart Store List for Harmony CRUZ LBB
Well, I’m not going to take any credit for *that* but Harmony has been very open to suggestions and it’s always nice when people are receptive to your input.
Kecia provided a ton of feedback to Harmony in the last year or so. I like to think that at least in some small part, she helped improve some of these models to IIHS “Best Bet” status!
Thanks, Kecia. A decent narrow highback is really what the market needs, and I can’t wait to get a chance to play with it. Swivel arms for easier buckling would make me unreasonably happy.
KAT – I was under the impression that’s it for now. So, if anyone really wants a Carpooler/CRUZ – I suggest getting it now if you have a local Walmart on that list.
What stores will carry the cruz after they are no longer a limited item??
Kit-Kat here. 😉 They had the best candy bowl in the place! The thing I like about Harmony is that they seem really receptive to suggestions; Michael is excited about his products and eager to hear about how his products are being received. Dang! I forgot to tell him how much we enjoyed taking the LiteRider on our trip to SJ last month.
Lies. While you were talking to Michael, I was eating Twix. 🙂
CHICKABIDDY – Based on the photos I’d say there is a good chance that 17″ is the widest point overall on the V6. Just not sure where or when the V6 is going to be sold yet. The Walmart stores listed in the link above should have the LBB models right now but only for a limited time. This is only a feature item right now so when the store’s initial stock sells out – that’s it.
KQ – Yeah, they know how I/we feel about that name. Hopefully they drop the “Baby” part in the future. Armor booster has a nice big-kid ring to it, dontcha think?
Is the V6 highback also 17″ at the widest?
I, uh, take it you told them of our problems with the name “Baby Armor?”
well, since Combi wouldn’t bring it back, at least Harmony has now cloned it (or at least it looks like they did)… finally, a backless that looks like my favorite backless.. the Combi Dakota!
I’m going to try to put up a link on the blog to the spreadsheet listing all the Walmart stores that are currently stocking the Carpooler. Here’s the scoop from Harmony on that LBB: The backless version is selling as a feature in select Walmart stores for $19.99 under the name “CRUZ”.
I think it was the olympian that I saw at walmart last week.
The carpooler looks nice for a backless.
When will the Carpooler & V6 hit shelves? Where will they be sold?