Baby Trend Galaxy Flex-Loc Infant Car Seat
- One-hand A-Loc adjuster
- Universal steel joint to accommodate a wide range of installation angles
- 5-point safety harness
- Rear facing for up to 20 pounds
- EPS Urethane foam
Product Description
Adjustable Back Car Seat Features: 5-point safety harnessHead impact protection foam that exceeds federal requirementsRear facing for 5 to 22 lbs.One-hand base release lever is located at the foot end for easy access and balanceMates with numerous Baby Trend single and double strollers for travel system convenience... More >>
I have had two kids use my Evenflo carseat. I HATED it. It was like they never even tried it out to see how well its features worked. I finally got so sick of it when my 2nd child was 4 months old that I ordered a Babytrend Flexloc. At first I was seduced by the high safety ratings, but even after that Consumer Reports article was rescinded, I still liked a lot of the features.
Pros:
-very comfy seat, good padding
-the canopy is twice as long as my Evenflo so it can cover baby almost completely
- the canopy stays in place; it doesn’t fall forward or backward behind the seat
- the tightening mechanism under the baby’s feet is easy to reach and VERY easy to adjust to make the straps tighter or looser depending on what baby is wearing
- the harness mechanism is very easy to adjust (the shoulder strap height). My Evenflo had to be rethreaded every few months and even my mechanically inclined husband said it was horrible. The Flexloc is just a dial on the back that you turn–it’s a breeze.
- The seat can be transfered between cars without the base. It can be strapped directly to the car by using a seat belt on the car seat or by using the LATCH system if your car has it.
- the triangular handle has a nice grip and is easy to hold in any position
- this carseat is lighter than my Evenflo
- The cloth is very wipeable, not as absorbant of spills and stains as my Evenflo
Cons:
I found a few minor cons that definitely would not deter me from buying this carseat, and one that might (depending on how I can resolve it once I contact Babytrend).
- The release button to take the seat off its base is at the toes under the seat. It’s a little harder to reach than the ones behind the head if the carseat is backward facing.
- As others have said, the buttons to move the handle are a bit stiff, but not horribly so. I was prepared for them to be way worse.
- The handle is thinner and doesn’t FEEL as sturdy as my Evenflo when carrying baby around, but it hasn’t had any problems
-This is the one BIG one that I have to check with Babytrend on: Twice when I have turned a corner sharply, the carseat has tipped to a 45 degree angle! I have tightened down the seatbelt as much as I could, putting my full weight on it and using the seatbelt retracting mechanism. But maybe I’m still not doing it right. The base is narrower than my Evenflo’s was, so maybe that’s why? So I need to contact Babytrend and see if they have any suggestions. Until then, I guess I’ll take the corners slower!
Overall, I have felt like this seat was a MAJOR improvement over my Evenflo and even over the Graco Snugrides I checked out at the store. It was intelligently designed to be easy to use and adjust as baby grows. I would recommend it for sure. Just make sure you strap it in tightly or use the LATCH system if you have it.
I was using the Chicco Key Fit system for my 10 month old daughter but I am expecting another baby in 2 months and needed a larger stroller and a second carseat. I chose the Baby Trend because 1) it matched the stroller and 2) it was rated #1 by Consumer Reports. Although they are going to be issuing new reports, it still impressed me. It is lightweight for a carseat, easy to use and looks fantastic. I would have bought another Chicco had they made a tandem stroller but I am very happy with the Baby Trend. Also, I placed my order around 1 p.m. and got the very next day at 6 p.m.!
I have been using this seat for a month now. I am mostly pleased with it. I was unsure I’d like the triangle handle but I find it as comfortable to use as any of the other styles, if not better.
I love the covering. It wipes clean pretty easy. It’s not like the cloth covered seats where stains soak in.
Very nice sun hood. Almost covers the entire seat.
The few things I’d like changed would be the way you have to put the two strap sections togehter to get them to snap in. It’s a little hard to do if the baby is really wiggly.
Also, the handle is pretty stiff to move back.
In all, it’s my favorite infant seat we’ve had and we’ve had many in the past!
I love this car seat except for the fact that the one I have is defective. The crotch snap does not work properly. When I contacted Baby Trend, they advised that they do not exchange or repair their products free, even though mine was manufactured in October 2006 & I contacted them in December – less than a month after I bought it.
Otherwise, this is a wonderful seat. I love the triangular handle. I use it with the Snap & Go and have no trouble at all transferring her. If she falls asleep in it, it is easy to take her wherever I want without disturbing her. She seems very comfortable in it as well. She was born November 12, 2006.
The hood is such that it can block out the sun, no matter from which direction it is shining. And you can still see her face – if you are tall enough.
The product is great – if yours if fully functioning. I’m anxious for her to grow to 20 pounds so I can buy another seat. As it is, I try not to take her in the car any more than I have to because of the defective lock since I can’t spring for another seat now. I will never buy another Baby Trend for that reason.
I had another car seat that I was planning on reusing for our second child, but was never VERY fond of. I got this one based on a great customer review and a prayer!
hehee! I got it, got it into the car with the base…and have never looked back since. I LOVE IT!!!! SOOOO easy to use (in and out of the car from the base), LOVE the design, LOVE the way my little baby fit in it with a kidopotumus insert (just the head one, not the full body), and she was only 5lbs 10oz leaving the hospital! Her head never bobbed forward, and I was VERY comfortable with her in it!!!!!!!! I am SO thrilled with my car seat…..I was surprised to never have heard about it before…esp for the price!!!!!!!!!!