Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite Convertible Car Seat (Quartz)

We bought this over a year ago now and it has yet to fail us. We bought this when it was half-priced at the time and we've had no regrets. (Although it is a pain when you have to swap vehicles and it is a pain to figure out how to wash at first). The carseat we'd had before was easily bothering our baby girl and we didn't think about it at the time as that carseat was a gift and we couldn't afford another one at the time, but once we had gotten this one in (she was still backward facing at the time), she stopped screaming her head off every time we had to put her in.Apparently this one is much more comfortable for her and because it has three tilt levels, she was more able to be mobil in the car we have her in. She was as scrunched up somehow, so it was no wonder she no longer cried as often. It was the first quiet ride we ever had with more to come.About a few weeks after she had turned 2, we turned her around since her legs no longer had any room and we had to double check with everyone we knew just to make sure we could because she's small for her weight (2% percentile) and so we made the decision to turn her due to her legs constantly being awkwardly bent all the time. And now that she's turned around, the setup is much easier for us to get back if we have to swap vehicles. Now, there has still been no problems. The safety harness always makes me feel safer for her because it's a threepoint that's solidly together to the point my phone gets sore trying to unlock them sometimes and that means her tiny hands won't be able to do it easy when she tries for it. Either way, the whole reason I decided to truly by this model was becasue of another review on here, the woman whose car flipped and this model saved her baby's life. Between that and the price, I felt it was a great buy and so far, it's been just that. She's comfortable, she's safe and secure, she can't get herself out easily, she fits in it perfectly. And that's all important.

I was really thrilled to find this convertible car seat that could start rear facing and be moved forward and for a very reasonable price. The material was very soft and plush not scratchy like some we have found although I believe that varies by model. The arm rests are a nice addition but not necessary at this point for my 11 month old so the fact they rotate up easily is nice.We have a 2013 Ford Fusion and were worried that the size may not be easy to accommodate but it fit perfectly behind our passenger seat. That being said we are not a super tall family (5'6"- 5'11") and don't need our seats pushed back all the way so this could potentially be trouble for the vertically blessed. Also something of note depending on the room in your car the cup holder may not be able to even fit if you put this behind the passenger seat as it will smash in the door and it cannot be used on either side. Not a deal breaker for us but just something to be aware of if you really want the cup holder feature.I highly highly recommend watching an installation video before attempting if you are unfamiliar it would have saved us 45 min. We both read the manual and fuddled through installing it but it kept sliding back and forth. Once I watched a 5 min video I went back and started over and installed it via the LATCH tethers in 5 min.

In hindsight, installing this should have been easier. However the manual that came with this seemed to be for a product that was -very similar- to the chair and not... actually it. This made the whole process of cramming it in the car a bewildering trip as the install direction printed on the chair itself only sort of matched the ones contained in the book.Yes, I realize that printing new books for each products nuances can be expensive. But that product manual was just... Absolutely abysmal and impossible to navigate regardless of ill-matching directions.Aside from that, the plastic bit that snaps on the chest feels somewhat flimsy. I like how the uhh... Crotch buckle? Well, that bit has separate bits from each strap that buckles in. That is a nice feature, I like that part. The kid seems comfortable in it but it looks just plain awkward when he passes out. He's still sort of small but outgrew his infant seat. There's no place in this car installed throne of his for his head to rest comfortably so his neck just sort of contorts in this painful looking position whilst his skull rolls about as the vehicle moves.I'll get a travel pillow for him. Hopefully that will fix things.Other then that, good for the price. Kid seems to enjoy sitting in it. Things are good.

I bought this car seat for my grandson whom is under a year old. I love it!! It buckles very easily which makes it so nice getting him in and out of my car. Rear facing I have to put it in the middle of the car because it does not fit behind my seat. However, if you are a short person and no one else drives your car it's perfect. It fits quite nicely in the middle (I have a Honda Pilot). A lot of reviews I read said it was easy to install. Well, not so much for me. Maybe it's just me and being out of the swing for 14 years I'm a bit rusty and installation has changed since then. You do have to put towels under the front of it for stability when facing the rear. No big deal. It is a very comfortable seat, the baby loves it and never complains when I put him in it. He used to complain when I put him in his infant seat.I would highly recommend this seat to anyone. Again the buckle is so easy and I know people with expensive car seats that have a really tough time with the buckle. The price is great!