Thinking of Apex-65, some Qs

[Beatle412]

I am thinking about purchasing this for my son. Right now he's 29lbs, w/ an 11inch torso height. I certainly plan on keeping him RFing till 35lbs, but our money comes in spurts, and I am not sure when the next spurt will be so I have to buy it now. I know he won't last in the Scenera forever, as he turns ONE in 4 days. And b/c he seems to be weightier than lengthy, I am thinking the Apex might be a better option.

However, I was wondering about the back of the seat height requirement. I have heard the whole back has to be supported, and then also that it only has to go up to half of the headrest. So which is true?

Also, has anyone figured out what makes the difference in slot heights? Isn't one 17" and the other 19.5"?

Also I do not have the option of checking to see if my seats are tall enough by putting the seat in there, so could someone who has this seat measure the length that has to be supported by a seat back/headrest? I would certainly appreciate this and be endebted forever!

Also, how is it boosterwise? I know that The 3-n-1s don't make good boosters, but how about this one?

TIA for ALL the help ladies!

	Rear Facing Car Seats A rear-facing seat is one in which the infant faces the back of the car. Always install a rear-facing seat in the back seat of your car. This is the safest position for an infant. NEVER place a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger airbags.

[cookie123]

I've contacted DJG regarding the harness height, and they claim they're all 17.5 inches. You probably already know the Apex does not rear face - thought I'd put that out there, since you said your baby is just turning 1 and you wanted to rearface until 35 lbs. That said, you may lose as much as 2 or so years of use if you buy a seat now to use that much later. Another thought is that by the time you would use the Apex, there may be a more desirable seat available. People are waiting anxiously right now for the new Recaro convertible seats to come out in May and June.

I've read on the babycenter car safety tips bulletin board that it's difficult for kids to buckle themselves in as a booster because of it's width. I've never seen anyone state an actual measurement. You could try asking over there, too. That board is way more active than this one. Good luck!

	Convertible Car Seats Convertible seats are for infants and toddlers. The seat can be used as a rear-facing seats for younger children, and switched to a forward-facing seat on the child's first birthday if the child weighs at least 20 pounds. However, experts recommend keeping the child in a rear-facing position until he or she outgrows the weight or height allowed by the safety seat.

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law.

	RECARO - Click for more info With over 100 years of company history and long standing experience in vehicle seat construction RECARO knows how to make long journeys a pleasure for the whole family. Materials, design and technical highlights ensure a pleasant journey for adults and children alike. RECARO uses its strength as the premier mobile seat manufacturer to engineer an innovative line of products for your children. No other manufacturer can apply experience from production vehicles, commercial vehicles, and race cars to design toward the comfort and safety of children.

[Papooses]

Right, Dorel/Cosco does not recognize the difference in harness height (although I owned one of each & the difference was obvious: gave 1 to a needy family & my other is out west -- my cell phone is my only camera & the picture was uselessly fuzzy ) so we have no reason as to why ... but it seems as though all the newer ones with energcy absorbing foam are all 17.5" & the older, taller version is no longer being produced

Apex is not a 3-in-1, it's just a basic combination seat ... the only one which requires the vehicle seatback to support the child's head & the only one that harnesses past 40# A good choice for heavy kids, but not the best choice for very tall kids, a poor choice obviously for those with older vehicles that lack head support.

Since your child is still so young the Scenera will last quite a long while yet (kiddo will probably fit rear-facing for about another year or more, which is so much safer) & buying the Apex now could be a waste of $ in the long run as seats expire in 6 years & kiddo would likely still need a booster by then....

I too would save towards the new Recaro Signo If you need a spare convertible seat *now* another Scenera is a very good choice!

	Rear Facing Car Seats A rear-facing seat is one in which the infant faces the back of the car. Always install a rear-facing seat in the back seat of your car. This is the safest position for an infant. NEVER place a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger airbags.

	Convertible Car Seats Convertible seats are for infants and toddlers. The seat can be used as a rear-facing seats for younger children, and switched to a forward-facing seat on the child's first birthday if the child weighs at least 20 pounds. However, experts recommend keeping the child in a rear-facing position until he or she outgrows the weight or height allowed by the safety seat.

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law.

	RECARO - Click for more info With over 100 years of company history and long standing experience in vehicle seat construction RECARO knows how to make long journeys a pleasure for the whole family. Materials, design and technical highlights ensure a pleasant journey for adults and children alike. RECARO uses its strength as the premier mobile seat manufacturer to engineer an innovative line of products for your children. No other manufacturer can apply experience from production vehicles, commercial vehicles, and race cars to design toward the comfort and safety of children.

	RECARO Signo - Click for more info The RECARO Signo car seat is the premier convertible child seat RECARO produces. With its 5-70 lbs weight capacity, adjustable harness, and forward or rear-facing convertibility, the deluxe RECARO Signo may be the only car seat you will ever need. The Signo offers the same basic features and specifications as the RECARO Como convertible, but adds a few features - such as double wall head support and infinite harness adjustment settings.

[Beatle412]

Yea, I should have mentioned that due to metabolic disorders DS3 is on a special formula and will be on there to 3 years or more. (Untill he can do pills/capsules) And kids on this formula rarely have the drop in gain at 1yr that most children do. DS1 didn't stop growing like a weed untill he was just at 4 years, and at that point had outgrown a Britax Wizard. (It was too narrow and squeezed him badly, so thats why I am thinking the Apex b/c it's wider)

As for Recaro, I will never buy another product from them....I have the dedicated booster, paid an arm and a leg for it, and after the sales rep TOLD me it would fit DS, it didn't. Still way too narrow on the sides. And it was like trying to squeeze a jumbo hotdog into a mini bun. SO I have a nice booster sitting in the playroom for the dollies untill DS2 or 3 grows in to it...sigh....

So we really are looking at buying the seat shortly...I would LOVE to get the Regent, but thats out of our budget by a good bit...

But thanks everyone! Thats soooooo odd about the slot height though...Weird...

Oh, and is there a difference between the Apex65 and the Omge65? (I've seen the Apex in blue and black, and the Omega in a tan color...)

Steph

	Britax - Click for more info Britax International has been producing reliable child safety products for over 30 years. Not only does Britax have decades of experience creating car seats and other children's safety equipment, Britax has a long standing reputation as an industry leader and innovator. Britax International is headquartered in the United Kingdom, but Britax car seats are designed and manufactured at facilities in Germany, Austria, and the United States. In the summer of 2002, Britax strengthened their commitment to creating the safest car seats with the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art crash testing facility in North Carolina. Britax car seats have a reputation around the world for being some of the safest, most reliable, and best designed child safety seats ever made.

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law.

	Britax Regent - Click for more info The Britax Regent is the safe way to carry your older and larger passengers, all the way up to 80 lbs. Known as the "king of all car seats," the Britax Regent will accomodate your little king or queen for far longer than traditional car seats or booster seats. The Regent features a large roto-molded shell, comfy extra-thick comfort foam, washable covers, Patented Versa-Tether™, flexible buckle LATCH system, patented HUGS™ system, and tangle-free polyester 5-point harness.

	Forum Speak DD: Dear Daughter DS: Dear Son DH: Dear Husband DW: Dear Wife SO: Significant Other BF: Boyfriend GF: Girlfriend

	RECARO - Click for more info With over 100 years of company history and long standing experience in vehicle seat construction RECARO knows how to make long journeys a pleasure for the whole family. Materials, design and technical highlights ensure a pleasant journey for adults and children alike. RECARO uses its strength as the premier mobile seat manufacturer to engineer an innovative line of products for your children. No other manufacturer can apply experience from production vehicles, commercial vehicles, and race cars to design toward the comfort and safety of children.

[Papooses]

Oh that really stinks about the booster Was it the Young Style or the Start

Apex65 & Omega65 are the same seat -- Dorel Juvenile just likes to confuse us to no end

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law.