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Please note that the Kyle David Miller Foundation is an independent non-profit organziation and has no affiliations to any car seat manufacturer.
On the following pages we will list the car seats that our foundation recommends for extended 5-point harnessing. There are currently the ONLY TWO car seats on the market that have the ability to harness to 80lbs. If you do not own either of these car seats, but think that your seat harnesses to a high weight limit, please check your car seat manual carefully! Most convertible booster seats require that the 5-point harness is removed at 40lbs and that you use the seat belt thereafter, thus converting your seat to a belt positioning booster seat.
Please note that if you purchase your Britax from Ebay, your warranty will be void. Please only purchase your Britax from an authorized Britax retail outlet.
Recaro Signo/Como
The RECARO Signo convertable car seat is a deluxe version of the RECARO Como convertible. The Signo has the same basic features and stats as the Como, plus a few additional features like an infinite harness adjustment, double wall head support, and a LATCH swivel connector to sweeten the deal.
Rear facing 5-35 lbs.
Forward facing 20-70 lbs.
Top Harness Slot Height - 19 inches.
Where to Buy - HipMonkey.com - all proceeds from all sales get donated to the foundation.
Safeguard Child Seat
SEAT SPECIFICATIONS
Forward Facing Child Restraint
HEIGHT & WEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS
FITS:
22-65 lbs
(10-29.5kg) 57 inches or less
(86-132 cm) Over 1 Year Old
PRODUCT DIMENSIONS
Width: 19 inches
Height: 28 inches (headrest in lowest position)
34.5 inches (headrest in highest position)
Seat Weight: 24 lbs
Shoulder slot heights:
(measured from seat pan)
Lowest = 12.5 (comfort foam compressed)
Highest = 19.5 (comfort foam compressed)
Buckle height:
(measured from seat pan)
Lowest = 3.5 (comfort foam compressed)
Highest = 6.5 (comfort foam compressed)
Where to Buy - HipMonkey.com - all proceeds from all sales get donated to the foundation.
Britax Regent
Forward Facing Only:
1 year old and up / 22 lbs. to 80 lbs.
Maximum Total Height of Child - 53 inches but manual states that max height is when top of ears reaches top of back of seat or child's shoulders are level with the top harness slot.
Top Harness Height - 20 inches
Where to Buy
Cosco/Safety1st Apex 65
A good budget (~$90) extended harnessing seat.
Forward facing to 65lbs in the harness.
This is a roomy seat (roughly same width of Britax Regent).
The seat REQUIRES a headrest in vehicle behind it for correct installation.
* - Please note that it is possible to get an extended crotch strap for the Apex should this be tight on your child.
E-Z on 86-Y Harness
What happens when my child outgrows the Britax Regent? Well, if you are not comfortable at that point to move them into a booster seat using an adult seat belt, there is another option - the 86-Y Harness.
It can be used from 40-168 lbs.
The E-Z-ON 86-Y harness is certified for use with an attached
tether and lap belt for passengers from 40 to 168 lbs. Smaller
children 40 to 50 lbs are encouraged to a booster seat with the harness. You can use ANY booster with this harness, the booster MUST be used from 40-65 pounds, but the booster MAY be used as long as a child properly fits in the booster.
It's also important to note tether weight limits: this harness can't be used in a Honda for example without the special tether kit that comes with the harness installed. Honda tether limit is 40 pounds.
Graco Nautilis
NEW TO MARKET!!!
A good budget (~$150) extended harnessing seat.
Forward facing to 65lbs in the harness.
Sunshine Kids Radian80
Rear-facing 5-33lbs
Forward-facing upto 80lbs
Maximum Total Height of Child - 51 inches but manual states that max height is when top of ears reaches top of back of seat.
Top Height of Harness - 18 inches, although the shoulders of the child can go above the top harness slot.
* - Please note that is possible to get an extended crotch strap from Sunshine Kids for the Radian should it be tight on your child.
Where to Buy - HipMonkey.com - all proceeds from all sales get donated to the foundation.
There are also various seats on the market which have the ability to harness beyond 40lbs - usually to 65lbs. The following is a list of those options, however, for maximum harnessing capabilities, we do recommend either the Regent or the Radian80.
Britax Marathon - Rear-facing to 33lbs, forward-facing in 5-point harness to 65lbs. Max Torso height 17.5in. ~ $240.
Britax Decathlon - Rear-facing to 33lbs, forward-facing in 5point harness to 65lbs. Max Torso height 17.5in. ~ $260.
Britax Boulevard - Rear-facing to 33lbs, forward-facing in 5-point harness to 65lbs. Max Torso height 17.5in. ~ $280.
Fisher Price Safe Voyage Deluxe - Rear-facing to 33lbs, forward- faciong in 5-point harness to 55lbs ~ $140.
Sunshine Kids Radian65 - Rear-facing to 33lbs, forward-facing in 5-point harness to 65lbs Max Torso height 18in.~ $180.
SafeGuard GO - Forward-facing only in 5-point harness to 60lbs ~ $180
SafeGuard Child Seat - Forward-facing only in 5-point harness to 65lbs. Max Torso height 19.5in. ~ $450
EZ-On harnesses and vests - These are actually harnesses, not seats. They harness anywhere from 30 - 150lbs ~ $75
Ride Safer travel vests - This is a vest your child wears, but crash tests perform extremely similar to a 5-point harness ~ $80, forward-facing only to 80lbs.
Recaro will also be releasing a new seat in July to September '07 that rear-faces to 35lbs and forward-faces in 5-point harness to 70lbs. It is expected to cost $219.
If you are resident in the United Kingdom and wish to find a car seat which harnesses beyond 40lbs, we currently are aware of two options:
Britax Elite - although availability is limited, so begin your search
Britax Traveller Plus for special needs children - a 3 point car seat, not iso-fix - but with 5 point harness. Rated to 80lbs/36kilos. £400. In the States, $610
