Graco ComfortSport 5-Point Convertible Car Seat? What do you think of it?

Question

It can be seen here: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3429548

I am mostly interested in hearing from poeple who have this carseat, and have used it extensively.

Our daughter is 20 pounds and is in a standard rear-facing Graco carseat, but it is only rated to 22 pounds, so we are about to need a new one.

How does this seat rate on ease of use and safety testing?

This seat is not the one that was on TV in the last couple of days... those seats are infant seat rated to 22 pounds or so.

This one and the other convertible carseats were not in that test...

Answer 1

Go to http://www.babycenter.com/search/?BodyQuery=Car+Seats&storesearch=0 you should find some great and helpful information there!

Answer 2

Consumer Reports is known for taking safety to the next level, and in its most recent round of testing rear-facing, infant car seats, it went beyond the current federal safety standards for seat performance in a collision. The government tests seats in front crashes of 30 mph, but Consumer Reports simulated front impacts of 35 mph and side impacts of 38 mph (the same standards used for car safety testing). The results in this more stringent environment were dramatic, with 10 of the 12 seats either twisting too far or coming out of their bases.

Consumer Reports' testing also showed serious failings in seats secured by the LATCH system. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) itself calls the LATCH system confusing and Consumer Reports notes that the NHTSA is planning a public hearing on the system later this year.

Here's how the seats fared in Consumer Reports' tests:

The Good
Baby Trend Flex-Loc Adjustable Back
Graco Snugride with EPS

The Bad
Chicco KeyFit
Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP
Compass I410
Evenflo Embrace
Britax Companion
Graco SafeSeat
Safety 1st Designer
Combi Centre ST
Evenflo Discovery
Eddie Bauer Comfort

What you can do:

Read the full Consumer Reports safety alert.

Tell us what you think of this news: Take our poll.

Visit our car seat safety bulletin board to talk to other parents about this issue.

Find a child safety seat inspection station near you to make sure your seat is fastened as securely as possible.

Check our infant car seat safety article over the coming days for updates on this issue as more information becomes available.

Answer 3

I actually heard a report on the radio just this morning about the Consumer Reports findings on car seats. This model was one of the two best performing, so I would say go for it.

Answer 4

Britax is by far the safest, best brand. Your baby deserves nothing less.