Review: Compass Booster in Pink Daisy - Safe, Pretty, Mom & Kid Approved
Written: Aug 03 '09
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Pros: Attactive Girly Pattern, Safe, Sturdy, Comfortable
Cons: Can be hard to fold up and open. of course a 5 point is safer.
The Bottom Line: My kids ride safe and in style in their Compass booster seats
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| marytara's Full Review: Compass B510 Booster Car Seat - Daisy |
I received this Compass Booster Car Seat in Daisy for my daughter just a bit before her 3rd birthday with the intention of transitioning her out some time in the next few months. The plan was that she'd continue to ride in her Britax Marathon until after her 3rd birthday. Well, as it was - she became "of age" to ride in this Compass Booster but she was no where near the size requirements. So she stayed in her Marathon seat, safe... but mad at me she was in a "baby seat".
Fast forward now more than a year later... shortly after my daughter turned 4, she was finally big enough and very vocal about wanting to move into a "big girl" carseat. Now, being that she could still ride in her Marathon until what seems like forever - I was torn about taking her out of it and putting her into the booster when the 5 point is a safer option. I had made the decision to not switch her just yet and to put up with the incessant whining.
Well, as things happen - one day she came down with quite a tummy bug.. Needless to say, the Marathon came out of the car and into the car went this Compass B510 Booster in Daisy print. If she wasn't miserable for days on end with the bug I would have sworn she did it on purpose. So, we said "good bye" to the "baby seat".
About the Compass B510 Seat
I'm no stranger to this Compass Booster seat. In fact, we have the Compass CB530MMO Folding Adjustable Ultimate Booster in Misty Morning for my son. Compass is a Learning Curve company and a well trusted brand. This booster seat is for children ages 3-10 years old with a minimum weight of 30 pounds (up to 100 pounds) and a height requirement of at least 38" (up to 57" or 4 foot 9in.)
Features of this B510 booster include:
- Removable Pink & Brown Daisy Pattern fabric cover "for girls"
- Swing up Arm-rests and tuckaway cupholders on both sides
- Adjustable seat back to accomodate different sizes of children and "grow" with your child. (6 settings from 27 to 32H")
- EPS headrest & side impact protection
- Seat folds up for storage, and includes a nylon carry/storage bag
The price of this booster is just under $100 depending on where it is purchased.
Our Experience
The Compass folding booster is pretty easy to use. Since it is a booster, it is meant to be used with your vehicles seat belts (shoulder/lap) and doesn't have its own built in harness. So, instead of adjusting harness straps you actually can adjust the height of the seat itself. The seat arrives at its lowest height (27") and the seatback can be raised to 32" for a taller child. My daughter is actually quite petite and has just passed the minimum 38" requirement so we haven't had to make the seat taller - she is still on the lowest setting. I can tell you, however, from my son using a similar Compass booster that the adjustment is very easy to make.
Folding and opening the seat is a bit tricker since it is fairly stiff - the first time I did this I remember thinking I was going to break the seat. It doesn't seem to get easier over time but I haven't had to do this all that much since usually the seats stay installed in the car and are only removed for when I will be having adults sitting in the back (very rare) of my Kia Sedona minivan. I do like this seat folds up and I can put it in the back of the stow and go area (in its storage bag) when I am not using it - but the times I am not using it go few and far between.
Of course my daughter loves the pink Daisy print of this seat. I can appreciate the fact that it is girly yet still subtle - I love the pink & brown color combo. The fabric cover snaps off in order for it to be washed. I recently had to do this when my daughter peed her pants while we were stuck in Jersey Shore traffic on the parkway. She was mortified but I couldn't get mad at her (only at the NYers who were invading our Jersey beaches!) - I just washed the cover and put it back on good as new. I went with hand wash and air dry though I believe it said I could machine wash cold (then air dry).
My daughter also loves the side cupholders on this seat. Most boosters have this feature, but her "baby seat" (the Marathon) didn't have them. The cupholders can be folded in and tucked away when not in use.
What my daughter loves the most about this seat is that she is able to climb into the car, then up into her seat and we are working on her being able to buckle herself up all by herself. She knows that she is never to unbuckle herself while the car is moving, and has surprised me by never getting out when she should not. It just shows that the age recommendations are definitely a guideline and that the children need to be taken into consideration. When my son was 3 years old - he was given a few chances but liked to escape from his booster seat but my daughter is the complete opposite. If your child is one that will be escaping or unbuckling themselves from the booster seat, then they simply are not ready for the booster and need to go back into a harnessed seat. Luckily, nowadays there are more and more harnessed seats available to accomodate larger children (but that is a different review!).
My daughter loves to ride in it, it fits her well, and doesn't slide or damage my car interior (leather). Unlike some other boosters, the back does not remove to convert this seat into a backless booster for down the road - but I believe that this makes the seat extremely solid and substantial. The headrest is padded and the sides are deep so a child can ride comfortably. I do notice that sometimes it looks like the headrest is tilting and I am not sure why that is other than it could be the way my daughter is sitting and if she falls asleep. The bottom of the seat is still securely grounded but the headrest portion is leaning to the side (that she is leaning). Since the seatbelt path is still wear it should be and my daughter is well secured, I am not concerned.
At the end of the day, after using this seat now for about 6 months we are very happy. The Compass B510 Folding Booster seat is solid, sturdy and safe -- and it looks very stylish! If you are in the market for a new booster, I absolutely give my recommendation to this one.
http://compasscarseat.com
More of my Booster Seat Reviews
Compass CB530MMO Folding Adjustable Ultimate Booster in Misty Morning
Evenflo Big Kid Deluxe Booster
Graco TurboBooster 8493
Graco SafeSeat TurboBooster 8497
Graco Backless TurboBooster 8491
Britax Husky
Nania Airway LX
Graco Platinum CarGo Booster
I was sent this Compass Booster directly from the manufacturer, Learning Curve, at no cost to me in exchange for my honest review published at Epinions.com
Recommended:
Yes
Age Range of Child: 3 to 5 Years
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marytara
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Location: Jersey Shore
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