Car seats - Manual or retractable

[sakoon]

We are getting a Safe n Sound Meridian but not sure whether to get manual or retractable. Manual is cheaper so was leaning towards that. Please give your experience, which is best/easier

[butterfly_warrior]

We have the meridian and went with manual after hearing/reading about some problems with the automatic one and thick clothing and having to push the clothing down to ensure that it tightens enough... We decided we'd rather do it all ourselves if we were going to have to check. Even with my arthritic hands, the manual one is still quite easy to operate and use.

BW

[Liz]

We have manual. Must say I don't adjust the seatbelt much. Just undo it and do it up again! Only if they have extra bulky clothes on or something, or as they grow it needs adjusting now & then.

I have heard that the retractable is noisy and can wake the baby.. but having said that.. not sure when you would use it when bub is asleep anyway.

But yeah, manual has been good for us

[Mumma&Bubba(s)]

Hi Sakoon,
I agree with Butterfly Warrior and Liz - I have the Meridan Manual and I've heard the retractor can cause more problems than benefits. The manual is great - it's not difficult and you know that bubs is secure because you've done it yourself. Also, I've heard the retractor is more inclined to break because of the mechanism not being as "sturdy" as the manual.
Good luck

[chrysalis]

Hi there,
I would add to the manual recommendation. At the time we bought the seat the two stores we discussed seat purchases at both strongly recommended manual over the retractor. I like the idea of being responsible too.
Cheerio
Belinda.

[sakoon]

thanks very much, i'll get the manual then.

[~Trish~]

I reckon retractors are over-rated! I have both (not Meridians, but Safe-N-Sound car seats) and I find the retractor really awkward sometimes, the straps seem to get tangled and I can never get it just right. The manual ones seem heaps more practical.

[MantaRay]

I say manual too. We have one of each and the manual is much easier. The retractable keeps getting loose straps and you have to fiddle around the back of the seat to fix it.

[PlonkeeMumma]

we have both and would definately say manual - you end up 'manually' doing the retractable one from the back anyway as it doesn't do it tight enough or careful enough for my liking

Julie x

[blueiris]

We put our seat (S'n'S Royale) on lay-by recently 7 were advised to go with the manual option. As others have said the retractor part wears out really fast compared to life of the seat.

[sakoon]

Put the meridian manual on layby a month ago and picked it up today. When I opened it at home I found out they gave us the retractable instead. They have given us choice to keep retractable or go back to the store to exchange with manual. Should I keep the retractable or go back to the store and swap for manual

[~Trish~]

It's up to you, I'm sure you will be happy with either one. Even though the retractable ones can be a bit annoying at times, they're not that bad. You don't have to adjust their straps all that often, just as they grow or depending on if their wearing really bulky clothing or not.

[LimeSlice]

I would swap it. Manual is just so much easier. Take it back if they have given you the option