Since this was written, I realized that I made at least one major mistake... I am correcting the part of the review about the five point harness. Thank you to those who alerted me of this problem.
When we were in the market for car seats, we had a list of features that we would like our seat to include.
1. We wanted a convertible seat that would comfortably accommodate a heavier baby.
2. We wanted a seat with a five point harness system.
3. We wanted one that was in our price range, naming between $60 and $120.
4. It had to be easy to move between cars.
5. It had to be comfortable, with enough padding to support a growing child.
We went looking at Walmart first. Almost all of the seats had the five point system, but there was only one that had almost everything that we were looking for. It was the Cosco Alpha Omega carseat.
The basic features of the Alpha Omega include an overhead shield, that adjust to four positions for baby's comfort. This bar is removable for whenever baby graduates to a booster seat. The seat comes with a head support for infants that is very easy to remove for washing, or when baby outgrows it. The seat reclines with one hand, for a more comfortable infant ride. The car seat is rear facing until 30 pounds, and forward facing to 80 pounds- making this the only carseat that you will ever need.
Our main safety feature was the five point harness. The car seat had to have this. A five point harness means that the belts go over the shoulders, and around the waste, and between the legs- when drawn out, it looks like a star. This is supposed to be the safest way to fasten baby into the car. My car seat DOES NOT have this, but I have seen the Alpha Omega with the five point harness system. We were unable to actually find a car seat with the five point harness in our price range, and were mistakenly informed that this was just as good. In fact, overhead shields are not as safe as the five point system. If I were to buy this car seat again, I would prefer to go without the overhead shield.
The Alpha Omega has plenty of padding for a young baby. The sides cocoon around the child, making them feel secure in their carseat. The pattern on the material is a pretty navy blue, and universal to both boys and girls. Young babies may be fascinated by the pattern on the restraining bar in front of them- I know that mine was. Most of the padding is removable and washable. The only material that I was not able to get off was the bit on the restraining bar, but I was able to get it clean with a little cleaner. If the material or the padding gives out during its use, or you wish to replace it for another child, Cosco sells replacements. The information for ordering these comes with the carseat itself.
I find the Alpha Omega easy to install. The seat belt is threaded through two openings, with the belt itself laying across the seat. I have had no problems installing in it either of our cars, but it was a tight fit for our 1993 four door Chevy Cavalier. The seat is of medium weight, slightly difficult to carry because there are no easy hand holds for it. There is also a storage compartment in the rear of the seat meant for holding the instruction manuel- meaning the the booklet is always with the carseat. No need to search for it in times of need.
The Alpha Omega was also in our price range. I had seen it elsewhere for much more than I had actually paid for it- which was between $65 and $70. The average price of it is $120, so don't go in expecting to find it less than that.
Since I originally wrote this review, we have turned the Alpha Omega around so that it is forward facing. In this position, it does fit better in smaller cars- like our 93 Chevrolet Cavalier. But, due to the overhead shield, it is more difficult to put the child in this seat. I've tried putting the car seat in the middle of the backseat- which is safest- only to find that you practically have to be a contorntionist in order to get the child in the seat. So we moved the carseat to behind the driver. Again, it is difficult to get my son in the seat because of the overheard shield. The arms get in the way of his head, and once I get him seated, I have to push him back in order to get the seat to latch right. Also, ours is set to where the shield is as far away from baby as it will go, and everytime I go to buckle him in, his head gets caught on the shield. I'm much happier with the five point system that we have on our other carseat- the Cosco Touriva. I know for a fact that I will never go for an overhead shield again. They just aren't as safe, and they are more of a hassle than the five point systems.
Equipped for both rear-facing and forward-facing travel, this all-in-one car seat comfortably accommodates a child from birth to age eight and beyond....More at Albee Baby
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