Portable Car Seat, Has anyone ever used this?

[Luv2trav]

Just looking for feedback on this product. I would love to leave DS (2.5yr) carseat at home..

http://www.onestepahead.com/jump.js...=117&iSubCat=27179&iProductID=1363&change=117

 

[BelleBeautyandtheBeast]

I do not have one but I am considering buying one for our upcoming trip.
I have found limited info on this product. I did find this Tote N Go Review.
It appears that this seat is pretty hard to install properly in a car. I would love to hear from others who have actually used one of these. It would be perfect for vacation.
And don't forget (as I'm sure you already know) that this can NOT be used on the airplane.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

Hi! I have used a similar carseat. They do take some time to get them installed correctly. I couldn't get it tight enough for a while, but eventually was able to make it work. If you are going to need to install it over and over (use with taxi's etc.), I would recommend practicing the install at home so you are familiar with the technique. If you can keep it installed and don't need to mess with it, it would work fine. I did like the fact that it is so small and doesn't take up much room. The whole reason I bought it was to try to fit three car seats across the back bench in my van (I run a daycare). It worked like a charm for that!

 

[alloyd1170]

I dont have one, but did look into getting one. I think I read some reviews either at BRU, One Step Ahead, or Baby Center. One reviewer said to stay away from it because it was difficult to install, and several people said that it slid down while the child was in it, or the child slid from side to side, especially when sleeping. Personally, it looks like a great idea, and is probably better than nothing, but I wouldnt buy it. The fact that there is no hard support (back) to it worries me. Are you flying and renting a car or what? If renting a car, Hertz just started a program where they will give you a free car seat if you rent with them. You could always rent a car seat as well. If flying and taking a shuttle, maybe you can arrange for a car seat to be in the car ahead of time. If youre going to be getting around via Dis bus, a car seat wouldnt work anyways, and you dont have to use a seat on the plane, though its recommended. If nothing works out, its not a bad idea to take your own. If you dont use it on the plane, get a carry bag and check it through. At least you know that your car seat works for you and your child!

alison

 

[tjmw2727]

I tried one of these a couple years ago and did not like it at all. It constantly slipped from side to side and at one point my dd was able to lay flat on the seat with the restraints still on! We followed the instructions, used a locking clip and tried each back seat belt. IMHO its was a waste of money.

For a 2 1/2yo my advice would be to bring the carseat for the flight anyway. In my experience at that age they will do much better on the flight not to mention safety. My kids associated being in the carseat with staying seated and we had wonderful flights because of this.

You can rent a carseat from the rental car agencies for between $5-9 a day and the limo companies will provide a seat when requested ahead of time.

TJ

 

[HappyMommy2]

I saw this product and thought it sounded too good to be true. I bought it anyway, and sure enough, it was too good to be true!

I have worked hard to learn how to install carseats really well--I've attended several carseat safety clinics and have had a couple of extended private appointments with a certified child safety technician to help me REALLY get good at getting my kids' seats installed properly, etc. Anyway, even with all this experience I could NOT get the Tote N Go to install safely in my car (and I tried both cars; some carseats fit in some cars better than in others). I tried and tried, following the instructions to the letter of course, because I really wanted it to work--it would've been so convenient for carpooling! My son had fun sitting in it in the car in the driveway but in good conscience I couldn't let him ride in it. Like someone else said, it flopped all around and eventually slid down flat on the seat. It was actually pretty ridiculous, and it went right back to the store where I'd bought it. Sigh!

 

[Annette_VA]

I was just coming to post this exact same question! Thanks for saving me the trouble

 

[drtpaper]

After having lugged around the plastic monsters, I loved the portable seat. It is as difficult to install as any standard seat in an unfamiliar car. I think you risk your child's safety lugging around a big car seat through the airport. Our kept falling off of the top of the stroller onto one of our kids and we spent more time balancing the cargo. There weren't enough hands to keep the kids in check. I am going again in a few weeks and will use the seat again. We have also loaned it to friends and they loved it.

 

[NotUrsula]

"I think you risk your child's safety lugging around a big car seat through the airport."

I'm sorry, but that's just silly. If you make provision for carrying it securely, either in a backpack satchel or strapped to a wheeled luggage cart, it is not awkward at all, and certainly not a hazard to anyone. If you were actually attempting to carry it by balancing it on top of a moving stroller, then it stands to reason that it might have fallen on someone.

Personally, I wouldn't waste my money on one of those substitute harness vests. They are very prone to submarining, and you can't use them on aircraft, anyway. I think it's better to put the money into a lightweight 5-pt. carseat for travel use, something like the Cosco Touriva, for example.