WE've just bought a SnS Pegasus and an H Harness, but have since discovered the Protecta harness. The difference bewteen the two is that you can 'unhook' the protecta harness in order to thread it through the slits near the shoulder to give better restraint.

I've noticed that this is the one detailed in the Maxirider user manual. Has anyone used this on the Pegasus?

Hope this isn't too confusing...

ETA - changed my questions a bit after reading some other manuals

I haven't used it but I'm keen to see what people say on this one. I also have the H Harness with SNS booster (Can't remember which one off top of my head). DD can pull her head back and get out of the harness which she does regularly as it doesn't sit on her shoulders.

The Protecta Harness is not designed to be threaded through the shoulder slits on the Pegasus or any other foam booster. The booster would not with stand the force of the harness in an accident and would likely break. The shoulder slits in the Pegasus are only there for the seat belt guide clip, when the booster is used with a lap/sash seatbelt (and not the harness). The reason there are slits on both sides is so that the booster can be used on either side of the car.

HTH
Jo

What a shame that it can't be used with the harness through the seat. I will have to stick to it over the top. I know tha it doesn't sit low down on her shoulders but I think the maxi rider uses only the seatbelt from 18kgs anyway. not sure.

That's interesting Jaydee because the staff at the shop couldn't see why that would be the case. It says it can be used with any SnS high backed booster seat.

I might contact SnS to see what they say.

Louy, let us know how you go when you contact SnS - personally I would NOT be trusting advice from the staff at the shop. I've heard stories of baby store staff advising very dangerous things in the past. The fact that they said they "couldn't see why" proves to me they don't really know - they are just guessing. I'm 100% with Jaydee, but will be interested to hear what SnS tell you.

Channel Nein are going through the baby/booster seats in the morning (WED am), on their morning show (sorry, don't know it's name)

The harness can be used with any booster, but can only be threaded through the slits of the Maxirider II (because it has a hard shell).

AFAIK, the slits in foam boosters are for the seatbelt guider only. I will be very interested to hear if SNS tell you any different. I'm no engineer, but can imagine what could happen to a foam booster in an accident due to the force of straps threaded through it inappropriately. IMO, there is no reason to spend the extra money buying a Protecta Harness unless you have an MRII.

Oh, and as an aside (just my little vent here), I'm with JAS here - I cannot believe the amount of crap that customers get fed by sales assistants when buying child restraints. I amount of wrong advice that seems to get thrown around is frightening.

Edited to add, there is another thread here I just read that you might like to look at:
http://members.essentialbaby.com.au/index....howtopic=339549

Jo

DS has used the pegasus for some time, it is great with the anti submarine. He also uses the h-harness with no issues.

As others have said the slits are not for the H-harness to go through.

Still waiting to here from SnS. Thanks everyone for your views so far.

Our original concern with the H-Harness was that there seemed to be a really big gap as the harness went over DS's shoulders and over the booster to be anchored. There seemed to be heaps of room to move - and to catch his neck in the event of a rollover.

Clearly, the harness cannot offer the same amount of protection as a 5 point harness, however my Dh and I were both quite alarmed at the gap - hence the query about using the slits for the harness to contain him better.

Did anyone else have these thoughts, or is it my engineer husband that has to question everything???

Louy,
We hda the same thoughts. DD is tall for her age but still the harness sits up near her ears. I bought lambswool seat belt covers from babies galore to stop them rubbing on her neck where the stitching was. She was in tears the first time we used it without the 'softies' as she calls them. I have even considered buying a maxirider as I think it would contain her better but after spending the money didn't want to have to spend it again. At the time the Maxi rider was huge price and price unfortunately was a factor in our decision. Really keen to hear the outcome as I think we are all thinking the same way. I guess it must be safe otherwise they wouldn't be able to sell them and recommend the harness the way it is.

Thank god it's not just me!!!

I'm beginning to think I'll get a MR11 for my car and move the Pegasus to DH's car. It's all just too much!

My trouble is the logical arguments/discussions with DH...

Louy,
I also understand what you are talking about with the fit of the harness. We tried them with our girls recently and I wasn't overly happy with the fit in comparison to their carseats. Therefore, the Pegasus boosters I bought have been put away until the girls outgrow their SNS Cosi carseats. Nothing compares to a 5-point harness, and they still have plenty of room to grow in the Cosis. I'm also still tossing around the idea of getting 2 MRIIs, as I think they will outgrow their carseats in height before weight.

Out of interest, how tall and heavy is your DS? I presume that for taller/older children, the fit of the H-harness would be less of an issue, as their shoulders would sit higher up.

Jo

My son is 16kgs and about 95cm, so big enough to qualify, but clearly not tall enough to satisfy! DH reckons you'd have to be a giant to make the shoulder straps fit effectively.

I think the most annoying thing is the quality of information we have received from shops and even kidsafe. I get a sense that they all think the MRII is over-rated and the harnesses are for fussy parents!

Hi I would just like to comment on some of the above comments on staff not knowing much on car seat safety in baby shops. I work in a baby shop and can tell you how sad it is that many parents come in and don't want to spend the extra on car safety seats.most of the time they think we are just trying to make money out of them.I love it even more when parent whip out there expensive looking wallets/purses and gold cards to pay for the crappy (less safe) seats. we (most baby store staff)can only advise you on what is out there because as standards state you only need to keep babys restrained upto 12mths(ridiculous I know)

Louy,
Your DS is the same weight as my girls. I will be keeping mine in their forward facing child restraints until they are 18kg (unless they get too tall). Do you mind me asking why you are moving him to a booster?

Kaja,
My mini vent was not directed at all baby shop sales assistants, so my apologies if I offended you. I definitely understand that it is a 2-way street. It's frightening the number of parents who appear ignorant about car safety (my brother/SIL included, who have had my niece in a cheap foam booster with an adult seat belt since she was 2.) I have read a number of comments on here about the dodgy "advice" given by sales assistants re: which restraints to buy and how to install. I too have received dodgy advice. We should not take their word for it - we should always do our own research.

Anyway, the least we can all do is to discuss this issue and make as many people as possible aware of child restraint safety and the correct guidelines. It is something that I am very passionate about. Now I will get off my soapbox

Jo

Jo - it's the old bay outgrowing the capsule situation and the need for an additional car seat.

I had a reply from Britax too:


So tonight I'll rethink the situation and decide what we need.

Thanks again for everyone's comments. DH and I were saying the other day it's a pity baby shops have to stock a range of items - it gives people a false sense of security with some of the cheaper options.

Hi Louy,
I see your dilemma. Perhaps your would be better getting a MRII for you DS. You will be able to use the 5-point harness for some time yet before worrying about changing to an H-harness. The MRII will last you years and then you can use it for your DD too.

Good luck with it all, and good on you for putting so much thought, time and energy into making this decision.

Jo

For those looking at the maxirider II, safe n sound also have an explorer not as wide as maxi so will fit in the car better. The only difference I found is the maxi has armrests and drink holders. You can still use a protecta harness on the explorer and it slots through the shoulder slots like a maxi, it also attaches to the tether belt onto a built in clip so seat and harness are tethered together. $297 explorer is exclusive to babyco compared to $359 and up for the maxi elsewhere.

I'm also frustrated with conflicting information I've received about using the H harness so if anyone can help I'd appreciate it!

We have the MaxiRider II for DS and when we bought it (from Baby Bunting) the sales assistant said we would need the SnS H Harness for use with a Maxi Rider. So we bought that, and when we took the MRII to our mechanic (he's RACV certified/approved to install restraints) he said the H Harness isn't necessary because the straps on the MRII itself are adequate.

Do we need the H harness or not?

Alex,
It depends on how much you DS weighs. If he is over 18kg, you need to use the H-harness. If he is 18kg or under, you use the 5-point harness on the Maxi Rider.

Jo

If you are planning to use the harness after your son reaches 18kg, then you are probably best placed to use the Protecta harness which diassembles in order to be thread through the slots in the seat to facilitate a tighter restraint. You can use the ordinary H harness, but I believe they recommend the Protecta for the maxirider. It's all pretty well explained in the Maxirider user manual.

LOUY - I so understand what you are talking about with the straps gap and cutting into the ears and neck with the harness and pegasus. We have the pegasus and actually purchased an H harness about 6 months ago, and then returned it, as it was sitting so high around ears etc. Today I have gone and purchased a harness yet again and will hopefully work it all out as we go along! It still sit really high around DS 3.5 years ears and if you don't make sure the sub clip of the booster is down low enough it all appears to creep up too high. iykwim.
OMG hubby and I both have degrees and yet can't bl...y well work out a simple booster/harness situation!

He's about 17kg I think and very very tall if that helps.

Thanks everyone!

Hi Alex,
Keep him in the Maxi with the inbuilt 5-point harness until he is over 18kg. Re: height - as long as his eyes are below the level of the top of the seat, he is fine. Once his eyes are at the same level as the top of the seat, he will no longer be able to use it (regardless of weight).

MaxiRiders are pretty tall, so hopefully you won't have that problem.

Jo