Cosco Scenera Review

Our family travels quite frequently, by air, as our family lives out of state and too far to drive.  I have a regular car seat that I use in our mini van on a daily basis, but needed a car seat for my older toddler that I could use in rental cars while traveling.  It needed to be easy to install, inexpensive, cute (of course she is a girl), and have a carrying case.  It needed to be light weight to carry it from parking to check-in and then back out to the rental car.  During my shopping I found the Cosco Scenera Car Seat available at Wal-Mart for $43.74. Since it is $10.00 a day to rent a car seat from the rental car company, it seemed like a good and inexpensive alternative.  

Features:

-rear and forward facing seating for infants and toddlers

-for use in children 5-40 lbs and 19-43 inches. 

-four different harness positions

-cup holder (she used it for snacks)

-brightly colored pink fabric with big bold floral print

-can be used for airplane travel

-5 point harness system

-travel bag

My Experience:

The car seat came pre-packed in its own see through travel bag. No assembly was required, except for the adjustment of the harness system which was set at infant and needed to be adjusted to fit my 17 month old daughter.  It was light weight enough to carry from car to check in and then out to car rental.  It easily installed in our 2008 Dodge Caravan middle seat (captain's chair not bench).  It was difficult to adjust the harness at first, but that could have been due to a dark parking garage and no real place to set the seat for proper adjustment, however, in moments my husband had this no easy feat accomplished. The fabric easily wiped clean. 

My Viewpoint:

We did experience some problems, but those were primarily with the travel bag. The bag had already easily torn during the first check in, and the airlines had to provide us with another bag to place the travel bag inside of, which actually makes it much safer for travel, but added additional check in steps as well as security scrutiny. The straps remained easily in place, and after first use we decided that it needed adjusted a little bit more which was easily accomplished.  The lift button that allows for easier adjustment was easy to locate and use.  The locking system allowed me to unlock with one hand with the easy push button system, an important feature for me with so many children to get out of the car, however it was not easily detached by a child's tiny hands nor did it come undone or twist and tangle. My daughter was very comfortable in it, and sat in it as a seat inside the house even after we returned.  The high sided padding was perfect for her to rest her head on while sleeping in the car.

Overall, it is a great, inexpensive car seat for older children and travel, but I will probably still have to go purchase a more sturdy travel bag. For the money it can't be beat, not only is it great for travel, but also for second car use or grandparents.