The First Years True Fit Recline
This is one of the heavier car seats in our Top 10 Review, but despite its weight, the True Fit Recline Convertible Model C650 is a good quality, well put together seat. It weighs in at 19 pounds, not as hard to pick up and carry as the 21-pound models but definitely heftier than the 10- and 15-pounders. All True Fit Convertibles have received a high “Ease of Use” rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The rating was based on seat construction, labeling and instructions. The True Fit Recline carries children weighing five to 65 pounds, a weight limit exceeding all other models we reviewed except for the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio. This First Years car seat uses a five-point safety harness and has a removable headrest which has an easy-release trigger.
The seat’s flip foot is used for installation of the seat – it flips forward for rear-facing installation, and backward for forward-facing. When installing the seat in the rear-facing position there is a center angle indicator to help with making sure it gets installed correctly. There’s also a multi-position crotch strap adjustment, color-coded belt paths to take the guesswork out of which strap goes where and side wings that are side-impact tested to international standards. For all these safety features the price runs between $139.99 to $216.
Quick Specs
- 17.5 by 19.5 by 27.5 inches
- Weight: 19 pounds
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Strengths
One of the best things about this car seat is the approval rating by the NHTSA. It safely carries up to 65 pounds, well above the weight of an average baby. The seat has built in locks for both rear-facing and forward installation. In case of any problems, it has a one-year limited warranty. Weaknesses Canadian consumers will have a hard time buying this seat and shipping it across the border. This model, the C650, is a U.S. model, and it can’t be shipped to Canada. The easy-off pads on the car seat have gaps where the buckle and strap thread through. Some users report that gap exposes the hard base of the seat around the crotch buckle and around the infant’s shoulders. Its large size makes it difficult to fit in the back seat of some smaller cars. |
Prices
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| Valerie Baldowski is passionate about writing about everything from childrens safety and juvenile products to gardening tools. She is the mother of a high energy 8 year old child so she is accustomed to researching childrens products and services. Her writing and researching began at an early age… See more about Valerie |
