SAFETY 1ST Designer 22-390 Infant Car Seat

Pros: Easy to install, great seat!
Cons: Straps are hard to adjust.

My husband and I bought this carseat when we were expecting our daughter. It was quite easy to install in our minivan, even using the seatbelt. I didn't like the leveling position, however. It's simply a straight line on the seat. The carseat I have ...

Pros: Easy to wipe off. Matches double and single strollers. Light weight.
Cons: The buckle system is horrid.

We bought this carseat so that it would match both our double stroller and single stroller. I like that it is easy to wipe off and get in and out of the car/stroller but I have never struggled as much trying to button a baby into a seat. I know I'm not alone in this opinion because my husband struggles just as much. We've also asked other friends to attempt buckling him in once we become frustrated and they also have said it's horrible. After you buckle the part that is below the armpits you have to hold the two sides together while buckling them in at the same time. They are constantly coming apart before I can push them down far enough for the click. I also feel like I'm hacking my son's legs trying to get the buckle to snap. I would never purchase this carseat again until they change the buckle and am VERY disappointed.

Pros: Safety design - field tested - five stars! Washable interior
Cons: the 5 buckle harness is a little tricky to learn to use at first

I had this car seat given to me by my (wise and experienced w/ kids) sister so had done no research previously. Unfortunately, when my baby was 2 1/2 weeks old I was rear-ended by another vehicle on the interstate. My baby escaped injury completely! Where as I did not! When researching to replace the car seat on insurance company dime, I discovered that this seat is rated above many of the $300-$400 brands. I replaced my car seat with the same exact one. I know of no greater proof of this car seats safety. Now that I am used to it I do not find it difficult to use at all, and I find that my little baby sleeps fine in it. The other thing I like about it is it snaps on easily to grocery carts - locking in place. It also rocks gently back and forth when placed on the ground (convenient for restaurant)

Pros: Easy to install, hip roll, travel system
Cons: puzzle lock type of buckle

Baby and I loved this seat. Except that the puzzle lock was a pain. Don't know why you need to use a puzzle lock on an infant seat, I haven't seen an infant yet that can unbuckle himself.

Pros: good safety rating, easy to clean
Cons: Buckle system is horrible

This carseat (I have the red one) came with the Acella Alumilite travel system I bought off ebay after reviewing the ratings in Consumer Reports. It was the second rated car seat (and stroller), and a lot less expensive than the first rated seat. While I like the color and the easy clean fabric, I absolutely hate the buckle system. It takes forever to strap baby in - if he is sleeping, it always wakes him up. It's hard to keep the two parts of the bottom buckle together and also challenging not to hurt his legs with the buckle; after only one month, the straps are starting to twist. We're also having a hard time to get it installed properly, the seat always seems to be too upright.

Pros: you can return it for a refund
Cons: belt system, latch mechanism - thoughtless design

3 words: DO NOT BUY!

Imagine putting your baby into the seat in a car, and you want to adjust the straps. Guess what? YOU CAN'T! The buckle adjustments are put BEHIND/underneath the seat, so it's a royal pain to fit the belts snugly around your child. Did ANYONE at Safety 1st even trial this product?! The "designers" should have to use the product before putting it out on the market. Completely thoughtless design.

Pros: easy to use.
Cons: A bit heavy.

I love this car seat. I would buy it again, and would use it for my next child for sure.