Safe-n-Sound Hi-Liner SG Review
Review by: Annabel
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Seat Type: Dedicated booster seat for children aged from 4 to approximately 8 years of age.
Standard tested to: AS/NZS1754:2010
Installation: The Hi-Liner is installed with a top tether strap
Introduction
The Safe-n-Sound Hi-Liner SG is a dedicated booster seat designed for the Australian market, where children are required by law to travel in an appropriate child restraint or booster seat until 7 years of age. While Safe-n-Sound have sold the Hi-Liner for several years, the seat design has changed over these years, and this review features the latest 2011 model which has been designed to meet the most recent revision to the Australian Standard.
I used the Hi-Liner primarily with my 9 year old son who is 125cm tall and weighs 24kg (well within the height limit of the seat despite his age). I also trialled it with my 6 year old daughter who is 110cm tall and weighs 19kg. Both children used it with the car’s lap sash seat belt.
Harness
The Hi-Liner does not have a built in harness. It can be used with the car’s lap sash seat belt, or with a child Safe-n-Sound Protecta PLUS Harness or Babylove EzyGo Harness threaded through slots in the back of the seat.
Seat Dimensions
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The Hi-Liner is a narrow seat which is ideal for families who need to fit three children across the back seat. The headrest also has a very tall highest setting which means children are able to use the seat well after they have outgrown some other seats on the market.
Backrest height: (measured from inside seat)
Highest: 78cm
Lowest: 64cm
Harness slot heights: (measured from inside seat)
Highest: 53cm
Lowest: 40cm
Width of seat base :
External: 45cm
Internal (widest point): 40cm
Internal (where backrest meets base): 24cm
Ease of installation and use
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The Hi-Liner is very easy seat to install and use. Installing the seat was as easy as lifting it out of the box, attaching and adjusting the top tether strap, and adjusting the headrest position. The Hi-Liner seat has clear printed instructions printed in various positions on the seat, so that it is easily to use the seat correctly even if the instructions booklet is not available.
I really liked the tether strap adjustment mechanism on the Hi-Liner. After wrestling with many seats over the years I loved how easy it was to adjust the length of the tether strap. The tether is also lovely and long and I didn't need an extension strap when using the seat in a hatch with the anchor points at the front edge of the boot space.
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The headrest adjustment is intuitive and easy to use. The headrest adjusts by simply pushing in a large button at the back of the headrest and pulling up or down (this can be done with one hand). Once in position the headrest locks in place which keeps it in the correct position when moving the seat in and out of the car. Printed lines on the backrest show at a glance the minimum height for a child with the seat in the smallest position, and the maximum height for a child with the seat in the tallest position.
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The Hi-Liner has a seat belt guide in each side of the headrest which keeps the seat belt in a good and comfortable position at my son’s shoulder. The design of the seat belt guide keeps the seat belt within the guide in between uses, even when the height of the seat back is being adjusted, and we have not once had to reposition the guide after many uses.
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The seat belt path at the hip and shoulder is coloured red and well labeled.
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The Hi-Liner has a red Slideguard clip between the child’s legs to hook over the seat belt or harness. This clip is designed to stop children slipping under the belt, or ‘submarining’, in an accident, which can cause abdominal injuries. The Slideguard clip needs to be used each time a child travels in the booster. The length of this clip is adjustable and it is very quick to put on and off (children who can belt themselves in should easily be able to attach this clip themselves).
Child comfort
My son is very comfortable in the Hi-Liner, and enjoys using the seat. The headrest gives him plenty of support without getting in his way, and he fits comfortably into the rest of the seat (he is a very slim child and the narrow seat suits him).
Accessories
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The Hi-Liner has a slide out cup holder on each side of the seat. A small net pocket is also located on the side of the seat to hold small items. A messy mat to put under the seat is also included.
Conclusion
I have been very impressed with the Hi-Liner SG. The seat installs easily, fits well in the car, is comfortable and easy to use. The fabrics are attractive and durable and the overall quality of the seat’s construction is high.