I have a list here of all the seats that I will be covering.
So starting at the top of the list, we have the Baby Trend Flex Loc Infant Car Seat.
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| BabyTrend Flex Loc |
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| Base |
Features:
- Fits babies from 5lbs (2.2kg)-30lbs (13.6kg) and up to 30” tall
- 5-point, no re-thread harness
- 4 position height adjustable base with level indicator
- Smooth carrying handle (triangle shape)
- The term “Flex-Loc” refers to the base’s flexible latch straps (instead of rigid).
- Specs:
Car Seat: 7.7lbs
Base: 6lbs
Available in 34 Different prints.
Available at multiple retailers including: Walmart, Babies R Us,Target, diapers.com, among others.
Current retail price is between $90 and $122 depending on the print.
Reviews:
1) Melissa from Car Seats for the Little’s:
"Mine was made in 2008 and they have become a little lighter since then. The seat was heavy which I liked, it made it feel sturdy to me.
Something that I found out as my carseat journey began was that it is not a recommended seat because the bottom harness is too high for average babies.
BabyTrend also previously allowed you to place on top of the cart; This is not recommended nor is it safe for several reasons, two of which are:
The cart can flip and harm baby
The cart can also harm/damage the locking mechanism on the seat. "
I Loved:
Triangle Handle
No Re-Thread Harness
Angle Adjuster on base to get an appropriate angle for newborns and young babies
I Didn’t Love:
The Puzzle Buckle. It was a pain with a wiggly baby; but I did adjust.
The handle MUST be down while in the vehicle (as compared to other seats that do not require this)
Conclusion:
I loved the seat, but would not buy another again.
2) Heidi from Car Seats for The Little's
"Mine was made in 2008 and they have become a little lighter since then. The seat was heavy which I liked, it made it feel sturdy to me.
Something that I found out as my carseat journey began was that it is not a recommended seat because the bottom harness is too high for average babies.
BabyTrend also previously allowed you to place on top of the cart; This is not recommended nor is it safe for several reasons, two of which are:
The cart can flip and harm baby
The cart can also harm/damage the locking mechanism on the seat. "
Triangle Handle
No Re-Thread Harness
Angle Adjuster on base to get an appropriate angle for newborns and young babies
The Puzzle Buckle. It was a pain with a wiggly baby; but I did adjust.
The handle MUST be down while in the vehicle (as compared to other seats that do not require this)
I loved the seat, but would not buy another again.
2) Heidi from Car Seats for The Little's
"I had a Flex Loc, and I'll agree looking back, I think it was a bad seat for my kiddo... she had a short torso, her harness was always above her shoulders for a good month or two (luckily I did little driving).
I had a Geo and a Mustang, bracing (car seat touching passenger seat) happened in the mustang because of the handle requirements and no one could sit in the Geo because of how far up the seat was.
The puzzle buckle only became an issue as my kiddo got chubbier
I wouldn't necessarily recommend a Flex Loc to anyone... especially someone with a small car two door car
It WAS neat that it came with two bases though! Or at least, mine did. I got it from a trusted friend. It's since expired though
I had a Geo and a Mustang, bracing (car seat touching passenger seat) happened in the mustang because of the handle requirements and no one could sit in the Geo because of how far up the seat was.
The puzzle buckle only became an issue as my kiddo got chubbier
I wouldn't necessarily recommend a Flex Loc to anyone... especially someone with a small car two door car
It WAS neat that it came with two bases though! Or at least, mine did. I got it from a trusted friend. It's since expired though
I Loved:
Nothing
I Didn't Love:
High Harness
Large Seat-took up a lot of space front to back
Puzzle buckle as child grew
Conclusion:
Would not reccomend or purchase again
My opinion:
I babysat a girl with this seat...and all I remember is how HARD it was to get that puzzle buckle-that thing was a B*TCH(excuse my language...) Especially when it was cold outside and the baby was not a happy girl. It also didn't fit her well. She was a longer torso'd baby and at 6 weeks the lowest slots of the harness were still above her shoulders (for Rear Facing they must be at or below). The seat also took up a lot of room in their mini van front to back. That side of the car you could not enter (unless you were her 4 year old brother who could crawl under.)
Overall:
Would not reccomend, especially for newborns, because of the high harness and the difficult buckle.
For more information on why not to put car seats on top of carts (as apposed to in) go here.
