I had this seat for a few weeks but ended up returning it. Its a really great concept and will work great for a lot of families. I just think they need to work out a few issues and then I would be more than happy to buy another for my daughter.
Its extremely easy to install and transport between different vehicles because of the base. Its on the heavy side for carseats but thats not a big deal for me as I dont carry it around on a daily basis ;) Everything is extremely easy to adjust and use.

The 2 things I think they need to fix are the humungo thick harness covers that are required in the rear facing position, then not allowed in the forward facing position. They have thick foam in them so it makes it tough to get the straps tight like they need to be. My daughter and I both prefer the using strap covers and wouldnt be able to when she switches to forward facing :( How about we just get normal thickness pads like the My Ride 65 has so they can be used in both... Read more

Extensively researched many car seats, my son is moving out of his infant carrier and i don't want to buy another seat for him after this one.

Yes, this one is on the more expensive side but i believe it is worth every penny. Plenty of room to grow (out and up), many seat settings (you will only have one permanent one for each "mode" but the variety is perfect to customize fit for each car).

It is a bit heavy but due to the steel bars i wouldn't expect anything less and i don't plan on moving it around too much (small price for the security it provides). Also, the weight is something i can handle if i need to.

i read all reviews on amazon, babiesrus and other web sites just to know what i was getting into and although highly rated it may not be for everyone. smaller cars i could see being a problem. i have a jeep grand Cherokee and this seat is positioned in the center of the rear bench. If it were on the sides of the bench, there would be some limits... Read more

We spent a lot of time comparing and deciding on a convertible car seat to replace the infant one we had been using for our now 6-month old. We finally settled on the Smart Seat as the features and design really stood out. But, after using it for 2 weeks, including a couple long trips, we returned it. In every-day use it just doesn't back up its price and is missing some final design & engineering touches that would make it frustration-free.

The Good:

- Nice material design with good fabrics
- Plenty of cushioning
- Removable for use in multiple cars
- Easy installation (installing the base instead of the seat makes maneuvering and tightening the straps a whole lot easier than other convertibles). The leveling bubble also makes MUCH more sense than other brand's "make sure this line is parallel with the ground".
- Comfortable recline angle and head support that prevents head slumping while sleeping
- Wings aren't huge. Our... Read more