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Can be used
forward-facing for children 22 lbs. up to 65 lbs. with the 5-point
harness.
Shown folded and zipped in its
travel case with shoulder carrying strap.
Soft back and rigid headrest still folded
and placed on seat, ready to install.
Adjusts to fit a preschooler in seconds flat
with no rethreading required.
Find it online
at:
Amazon.com
Right Start
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Overview
of the Safety 1st Go Hybrid Booster / Car Seat:
I'm just going to say up front that I
suspect the sales of
this car seat would double if it was no longer marketed as a "booster" and
was simply called a "portable car seat" instead. Why would I say that?
In my opinion, it's
parents with children too young for boosters -- as young as 18
months possibly -- that could probably
benefit most from this unique car seat, and they are not yet
shopping for a "booster."
Plus, there is only one other car seat this
travel-friendly that provides 5-point harness safety and EPS energy-absorbing
foam in a head rest for children as young as 1 year old, with a
minimum 22 lbs. weight and 34" tall (see others
below).
Better yet, when they
purchase this car seat earlier on, they will get the maximum value
out of it--using it with the harness up to 65 lbs., and even longer
as a regular backless booster.
The Go Hybrid at a glance:
- Forward-facing from 34" and 22 lbs.
(approximately 18 months old)
- 5-point safety harness
- Head rest with wings for side-impact
protection
- Use up to 57" and 65 lbs.
with the 5-point harness
- Weighs 15 lbs.
- Folds and fits in its own travel bag
- Converts to a backless
belt-positioning booster, if
desired
Please note: While writing
this review I discovered some materials (the box, product info on
many websites) state that this car seat is for use from 31" minimum
height, while the car seat manual and label on the seat itself state
34" minimum height. I confirmed with the manufacturer that this is
in fact for use from 34" minimum height and 22 lbs. I've been told
the error is being corrected. However, for what it's worth, this
photo of my son shows a good fit at 31" in height.
Travel-friendly features of the
Safety 1st Go Hybrid:
- It folds up and slips into its own
travel case, complete with shoulder strap.
- In some cases, you will be
allowed to bring this onboard as a carry-on (size limits vary by
airline), and it will fit in the overhead bin of most airplanes.
Otherwise, the carrying case makes it easy to gate-check when
flying--a safer bet that it won't be damaged in the luggage
system and will meet you on the other end.
- Because of it's soft back (rather
than a hard plastic shell) and compact package when stored in the
travel case, it's much less likely than other car seats to incur
damage when checked through airport baggage systems--perfect if you
want to check this car seat and
use the CARES harness during your flight, which can also be
used from 22 lbs. for children 1 year and older.
- Push-button LATCH connectors
make for quick and easy installation and removal in different
vehicles.
- Secondary seatbelt path also
allows for installation with shoulder safety belts or lap-only
belts, although a top tether must also be used in every
application.
Other features I like:
No one likes to think about all of
the car seats heading into our land fills each year, but once your
first car seat expires on you and you face this grim reality, you'll
no doubt appreciate how this car seat uses much less plastic than
many others.
Of course, there are a lot of parents
who would also simply like to keep their kids in a 5-point harness
up to 65 lbs.--and the Go Hybrid can accomplish that too. (Check your
vehicle
owner's manual for max weight limits for the LATCH connectors in
case you need to switch to the seat belt.)
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Travel
considerations:
Since the Go Hybrid can only be used
with a top tether, travelers to more remote / improving
destinations, like those with many older cars and uncertain safety
features, may not be able to use this car seat in some vehicles.
Since the Go Hybrid cannot be used in
airplanes, for some journeys you might prefer a car seat you can
take onboard to help your child snooze comfortably. Or, as mentioned
above, you might like to use in conjunction with the CARES aviation
restraint when flying.
Other
considerations:
Since the back of the car seat,
beneath the headrest, is only fabric, the headrest actually pushes
the child's head forward a bit more than the back and shoulders.
This would not be very comfortable for long drives or helpful for
napping on the road.
Bottom line and my suggestions for the
"Travels with Baby" edition (or future enhancements):
The Safety 1st Go Hybrid is a great
concept for a full-featured car seat. Because of the head rest
issue, I would love to see an inflatable back rest feature
added...something like a Therm-a-Rest (backpackers mattress) that
would be self-inflating, durable, and add just enough of a cushion
where it's needed to avoid the uncomfortable C-position.
 Others to
consider:
Sit N Stroll Convertible Car Seat:
If you want a portable car seat that can also be used
rear-facing for infants from 5 lbs. and is also FAA-approved for use
in airplanes, you might prefer the Sit N Stroll, which also provides
wheels when needed for ease of transport through the airport and on
other smooth terrain.
Read
the
full review of the Sit N Stroll.
RideSafer Travel Vest:
Kids who are already big enough to use high
back boosters can use the FMVSS213-certified RideSafer travel vest in
vehicles if they really need to pare down for travel.
Read the full
review of the RideSafer travel vest.
See also:
Car Seat Alternatives
Car Seat Accessories
Car Seat Travel Bags & Carriers
FAQs & Popular Topics
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Car seat provided by Dorel Juvenile /
Safety 1st. |
