Baby Trend Flex-Loc’s main selling point is its affordability combined with a good design. It comes with a harness that’s easy to adjust, a boot that will keep your baby warm during cold months, and other promising features. However, adjusting the angle of the seat can be quite challenging. So will the shortcomings of this infant car seat outweigh its good points? Find out in this detailed review.
Dimensions and Limitations:
- Weight Limitation:
- 5 to 30 lbs.
- Height Limitation:
- Up to 30 in.
- Width:
- 16.5 in.
- Height:
- 25 in.
- Length:
- 26 in.
Notable Features:
- LATCH connectors are flexible.
- Adjustable no-thread harness.
- The base reclines.
- Compatible with some strollers.
Fit to Vehicle
The Baby Trend Flex-Loc comes with a slim design and one of the narrowest available today. It is smaller than most infant safety seats even with its base attached to it. Depending on the type of car you have, you can place three of these at the backseat. The base is also slim and will not take up too much space. Even if it is narrow, your baby will feel comfortable on it.
Ease of Installation
Flex Loc’s installation is fairly simple. You can adjust the seat at four various angles by just clicking its base either up or down. Compared to a more costly baby seat, the Flex-Loc base only comes with a level indicator instead of two. However, this is not a big issue. If you want to check and see if you got the right recline angle, just look at the indicator at the side of the seat. Like most seats with a lower price range, you need to use a pool noodle or a folded towel when installing it without its base to get the perfect recline angle.
When installing it with a seatbelt, you will need the locking clip that comes with the car seat. You can find it put safely below its cover on one its side. Most parents are not aware of this so make sure to check it before paying for the seat. The clip ensures that the seatbelt is always locked tight when the Baby Trend Flex-Loc is placed in your car without its base.
Installing its base is easy as well. You can find the adjuster of the seat angle at the foot of its base. You can either lower or raise it to get the safety seat’s proper recline angle. The base is in the proper recline angle if the indicator has no red color showing in it.
Safety Features
The Baby Trend Flex-Loc comes with the energy-absorbing EPS foam which will protect your baby upon impact. It also passes all the federal requirements during its crash tests. It only means that this infant car seat will provide your infant with the utmost protection in case of a vehicular accident. Moreover, it comes with an additional padding to increase its side impact support.
Do not forget to double check you’ve installed everything correctly, and your baby is securely strapped to make sure your he is always safe during the drive.
Harness
It has a 5-point harness to ensure your kid is safely contained in your vehicle. The harness is no-thread, so there’s no need to re-adjust its straps everytime your child outgrows it. It has a knob located at the back which you can turn to move its straps up or down. If you want to tighten the straps of the harness, simply pull it in the front. Loosening the harness is very simple, all you have to do is push its button and pull the harness, and you’re all set.
Pros:
- You can install even without its base.
- Installing with a seatbelt is easy.
- Its cover is easy to remove as well as removing the seat from its base.
- Its 5-point harness height is easy to adjust.
Cons:
- Adjusting the seat’s angle is pretty difficult.
- Some may find it challenging to install the LATCH system.
- The seat’s cover is non-machine washable.
Conclusion
Overall, the Baby Trend Flex-Loc is a decent simple infant car seat. It has a sleek and compact design and will provide your baby with the support and protection he needs. Although there are a few drawbacks that you need to take into consideration, at its price point, it’s still a pretty good buy.
