Safe-n-Sound Meridian AHR Tilt & Adjust Review

Review by: Ally

Introduction

Seat Type: 0-4yrs Convertible car seat
 Standard Tested: Series No. 7200/A/2010
 Installation: Anchor point + Top tether

The Meridian Tilt & Adjust is easily a forerunner of the Safe-n-Sound car seat collection. Offering EPS protection within the deep side wings, a hassle-free harness system, a tilt & adjust headrest feature and the option to use the seat in both a forward facing and rear facing position, the Meridian Tilt & Adjust is easily a contender in the “Which Carseat Is Right For Me” competition! The Meridian Tilt & Adjust also ranked exceptionally well in the most recent CREP testing, and offers a plush comfortable seat for your infant – the Meridian Tilt & Adjust just makes sense.

Harness

The harness of the Meridian Tilt and Adjust is ingeniously built into the headrest and easily moves up and down the seat back. To move the harness and headrest, tilt the top of the headrest forwards and simultaneously raise or lower the headrest into the desired position. The harness will automatically rise or lower as the headrest is moved.

There are many benefits of this unique system. However the benefit that stands out the most is the adaptability of the seat. Once it is professionally installed it does not need to be removed to adjust the harness – you only need to install it once and then it is fine to leave the seat as is until baby moves into the next style of seat.

I have found that loosening the harness when the seat is rear facing can be somewhat difficult as the strap is quite tight. To get around this I have pressed the thread-release button in with one hand and reached around to the back of the seat with my other hand, pulling the straps loose from the back. Tightening the harness again is always easy enough and pulling the strap always gives a good firm fit once again. This isn't a big problem and I actually feel it makes the seat better – I would be much more concerned if the harness was difficult to tighten, rather than the other way round!

Seat Dimensions

Lowest Height marker: 35cm
Highest Height marker: 41cm

Ease of Installation and Use

Seat rear facing

Rear Facing
The Meridian Tilt & Adjust is a very user friendly seat that offers an excellent install, first time. To install the seat rear facing, first tilt the seat all the way back to the rear facing position. Locate the two levers underneath the front of the seat – one is a long blue handle and the other is a long grey handle with the word 'recline' on it. Squeeze both handles and allow the seat to 'fall' backwards into position. Then lift up the fabric on the seat and raise the stabiliser bar – it will 'click' into position when it has been raised enough. Remove the infant insert from the seat and completely raise the headrest trim fabric up towards the head rest, and then flip the seat 'flap' of fabric towards the stabiliser bar. From here the seatbelt can easily be thread through the seat, following the blue indicators, and then clicked into place. Pull the sash part of the seatbelt firm to remove any slack in the lap part of the belt, then feed the sash through the belt lock off. Replace the seat fabrics and loop the tether strap over top of the seat and anchor firmly. Adjust head rest to desired position.

Seat belt locking mechanism

Forward Facing
The Meridian Tilt & Adjust can be used in a forward facing position once your baby's shoulders have reached the lower height markers, usually around 12 months of age. To install the Meridian Tilt & Adjust forward facing it needs to be converted back to a forward facing seat. Firstly, retract the stabiliser bar by pressing the blue button on the left side of the seat and pushing the stabiliser bar back into the seat. To sit the seat back in an upright position, hold the base down on a firm surface and lift the back of the seat upright. The seat should automatically sit back upright once more. You can now decide if you would like the seat slightly reclined or completely upright. To sit the seat up completely upright, squeeze the recline lever and press the base of the seat down til it is in an upright position – you should feel the seat 'click' into place. The seat can now be placed onto the car seat. In a forward facing position the seat belt needs to follow the yellow belt indicator path. Engage seat buckle and pull on sash part of the belt, removing slack and then feed the sash part of the belt through the belt lock off. The tether strap can then be placed over back of the seat and anchored firmly.

Child Comfort

The Meridian Tilt & Adjust has got to be the most plush convertible car seat on the market. Complete with an indulgent padded velour exterior, a lovely soft microsuede interior, and an infant insert to match – the Meridian Tilt & Adjust is clearly styled to the hilt! My almost 4yo absolutely adored sitting in this seat in a forward facing position, and my 12 month old still has plenty of space to rear-face (and has no problems falling asleep in this seat either!)

Accessories

Infant Insert

Harness pads

Messy Mat

Canopy/Hood

Conclusion

I absolutely loved using the Meridian Tilt & Adjust seat and can clearly say it is my favourite convertible car seat on the market. Not only did it rate the best in the CREP testing in both forward and rearward facing categories, it is also a plush, comfortable seat that is easy to use and easy to install. This seat can easily last over 12 months in a rear facing position which makes it extremely desirable and functional in regards to longevity of use. With seat covers that can easily strip off without having to uninstall the seat and toddlers who like to make a mess on said-seat covers... this seat is clearly a winner!