Britax Car Seat

I appreciate the quality of britax products. I have several other Britax models for my 5yr, 4yr and 2yr olds. I have had some issues with them but I still like Britax. I bought the chaperone when expecting my newest addition. I researched seats endlessly for 2 months. I read the good and bad on the chaperone, but in the end I bought it for the true SIP and anti-rebound bar.
I was concerned about the seat and base fitting in my vehicle. It works, though the front seat is moved forward some in my Chrysler Town and Country. One major flaw I found with the base is the adjustable leveling foot that is used to achieve the proper recline for the seat. The seat in my minivan is a captain's chair, therefore, there is a significant angle to the seat that has to be overcome for proper carrier recline. The problem for me was that when the foot is nearly fully extended down, it caused the base to become very unstable. The base could then slide side to side too easily. This foot is not the same quality as the base, in my opinion. I rectified this by not using the foot and instead using a pool noodle for leveling.
I will say that the seat is 3-4 pounds heavier than many other carriers. At first it was no big deal, but as baby grows, the weight along with the longer size of the seat can at times be a burden. Because the seat is longer, it is also sometimes an effort to maneuver through doorways at stores if there isn't anyone to hold the door for you.
Also, the longer size of the carrier does cause the top head end to fall backwards both with and without baby in it. I have to put the seat up against something (wall or in a chair# while strapping baby in.
As for the newborn insert, it was useful for about two weeks. But my son was born just shy of 7 pounds and it still seemed to make it more difficult #tight) to strap him in.
The release button for the tightening strap located under the material between the legs can be difficult to locate blindly with the fingers, as it seems to be set a little too far back. But not too big a deal.
The canopy covers about half the carrier and has velcro tabs at the head end. My complaint would be that it does'nt always stay in place, and when extended it does get in the way of the carry handle.
When removing the carrier from the base you do have to pull straight up. This is not a problem for me in my minivan.
The carrier drops into the base with ease for me.
The strap height adjustment is easy to use. And it is also very easy to strap my son into the seat as well as to take him out. I am however, somewhat concerned about the seat width, as my son grows it may become a squeeze as my children tend to be well filled out!
I have the cow print Chaperone. At first I

Highlight Feature

• True side impact protection distributes crash forces, shields from vehicle intrusion, contains the head and body, and keeps the head, neck and spine "in true" or aligned, to limit injury
• Anti-rebound bar stabilizes child seat by minimizing rotational forces associated with front and rear collisions
• Quick-adjust head restraint no re-thread harness easily adjust the harness shoulder height and head restraint without disassembling the harness
• Extra large canopy blocks wind, rain and harmful UV rays from baby?s sensitive skin
• Ergonomic carry handle designed to contour to forearm and body to allow for more comfortable carrying of child in carrier

Editorial Review

Britax Chaperone Infant Car SeatThe name you have grown to love and trust now features an infant car seat! The Chaperone features all the best safety essentials you are looking for. This infant car seat has True Side Impact Protection that distributes crash forces, shields from vehicle intrusion, contains the head and body, and keeps the head, neck, and spine aligned to limit injury. This car seat also has an Anti-Rebound Bar which stabilizes the child seat by minimizing rotational forces associ