Orbit travel-stroller systems are available online --for a hefty $900 US. Like other travel systems, the Orbit infant system is a child seat that can either be snapped into its stroller or latched into its car-seat base but in Consumer Reports tests at a specialized lab, two out of six seats failed simulated crashes.
"In one case, when the seat was installed with latch and it tested to the federal standard, it detached from its base. In the second case, it did so when attached with the lap and shoulder belt. Though there have been no reported injuries, we do feel that this poses a safety risk," Consumer Reports' Jennifer Stockburger said.
Consumer Reports contacted the manufacturer, Orbit Baby. The company insists its seat is safe and said: 'We took immediate action and scheduled further extensive testing at the same certified test lab. All of the car seats subjected to these tests passed," a press release said.
Still, Consumer Reports says don't buy the Orbit infant system. And if you own it, use it without the base. So you would secure it with just a seat belt. Thread the seatbelt through the carry handles, and a clip on the buckle side. That way the car seat passed consumer reports crash tests.
The news isn't all bad. Consumer Reports liked the $330 Graco Stylus Travel system. It passed all of Consumer Reports tests and was named a best buy.
With a report from CTV consumer reporter Chris Olsen
