Best Car Seat Available - Has Important Features
This review is for the Graco Snugride 35 Infant Carseat - Lowery Design
Pros:
1. Self Supported Canopy (Big plus for me)
2. Easy to adjust harness
3. Up to 35lbs and 32 inches
4. Sturdy Base with adjustable angle
5. Extra handle position
6. Great design (haven't seen the other designs Brunswick and Flint)
7. Rubber on base to prevent slippage
8. Works with the Graco SnugGlider Swing
Cons:
9. On the heavy side of car seats
Description:
1. I must say I am really writing this review because of the self supported canopy. I have seen and used many other strollers and car seats with annoying canopies that latch to the back of the head rest and come out a certain distance. While this is a standard design I hate it. Unless the canopy is really huge it is basically useless because unless you live on the equator the sun always comes in at an angle. The Graco Snugride 35 has a self supporting canopy frame. So the canopy can be adjusted as far forward as you'd like and still maintain its structure. This is such a great feature to keep sun light wind and all sorts of weather off the baby regardless of what angle it's coming in at. Sure other car seats let you unlatch the canopy from the back and move it forward but then the back of the canopy droops down because it has no support.
2. I love the harness on this seat. First off it has the individual side clips that can be buckled in separately so there is no fancy finger work trying to get the two sides together and then snap it in. Second the harness is easily loosened by depressing the clamp and pulling the harness away from the baby. This makes for easier access to the baby. Just in case you were worried when the seat is snapped into the base even if you depress the clamp the harness won't budge. Safety feature I guess. I had a car seat prior to this one that was just incredibly difficult to loosen the harness so annoying. I do say the chest plate seems a little large for a newborn but my 7lb 7ounce son does just fine (he's now 8lb 4ounces).
3. I love how long this should last. It seems so stupid to buy a car seat that can only be used a few months. 35 lbs and 32 inches should make life a little easier. However this feature causes a little more weight which I will discuss later.
4. I am coming from and Eddie Bauer car seat to this car seat and owe my the difference is like night and day. I don't know what Eddie was thinking but their base was so wobbly when installed it was like placing the car seat on a took pick and praying it didn't tip over around a curve (Yes I put all my weight on it and tightened it real tight). When I installed the Graco Carseat which was a breeze to do it felt sturdy before I even gave it a big tightening pull. And to add the security the base has an angle adjustment knob which causes the plate on the bottom called the `foot' to move downward by twisting the knob on top. I did this after I tightened the base in. This increase in height tightened the base even more. That base doesn't move an inch or even a millimeter. The only thing I'm worried about is the nice square imprint the foot will leave on the seat of my car lol. Oh well the safety of my child is way more important.
5. The extra handle position is another plus for me. Most car seats have 2 positions in which the handle snaps. One spot is the carrying position and the other is at the head rest. The Graco Snugride 35 has and extra one in between. It's not really a big deal but it's just one of those things that makes life a little easier. Mostly I like to set it in that position when he's in the car so that the handle doesn't block my mirror set up.
6. Design is awesome soft and sturdy. My wife loves the print. So do I since it's pretty neutral and we are planning on having more kids. I love the newborn head rest. It's seems more plump and effective than others but I do agree with the other review that it could be plumper as there's still plenty of room for the newborn head to move around. We just add a small rolled up towel around his head for now. In about a month I imagine it will be the perfect size.
7. I love the rubber and the bottom of the car seat. It makes me feel so much more at ease when I put him down on a slick surface. Also it still has a curve to it so you can rock the car seat if you'd like.
8. This car seat works with the Graco SnugGlider which I am so happy with right now. My son will cry (sometimes) when I first put into the car seat but as soon as he's situated it's off to a peaceful sleep. He doesn't like being still though for very long. So we either place the car seat on the swing or hurry up and get to the car. Not sure why but car rides put our baby at peace like nothing else. Perhaps it's the vibrations I don't know but they need to make a car simulator for babies lol. Anyways since he sleeps so well in the car we love the fact that when we get home we don't have to take him out of the car seat and wake him up. Instead we just attach the car seat to the SnugGlider and it keeps the motion feeling going which keeps the baby asleep. The swing does have a vibrating setting on it I just haven't used it yet probably should try that out. Anyways the ability to turn the car seat into a swing and not have to take out the baby (which usually wakes him) is just so nice.
9. Well I put this in the cons area but it doesn't really bother me. I've read many reviews about car seats and the one thing people complain about and take away stars for is the weight of a car seat. I tried out a few car seats and determined that these people are stupid idiots. This car seat may be a little bit more then the lightest ones out there but those light ones won't hold as much weight as the heavier ones. And my goodness we are talking about a few pounds difference. If you want to down grade something for weight alone why don't you take a star away from your baby for every pound he/she gains. When the baby weighs 25lbs the weight of the car seat should be a breeze. The best way to make things seem lighter is to do arm curls and work up your muscles either that order a carbon fiber car seat. But I'm sure there still people who want to know about the weight. At 9.4 pounds it basically doubles the weight of your newborn. Both my wife and I are able to carry it around without much hassle. Don't get me wrong I don't go on long walks with the car seat. But carrying it into a store or for a short period of time isn't a big deal. If he's gonna be traveling with me I'll put him into his stroller.
Summary:
This is really a great car seat. I am very glad with my purchase and would highly recommend it to anyone with a new baby.
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