IMMI Go vs Wayb Pico

IMMI Go: 

If the vehicle has LATCH, the IMMI Go will yield a secure installation about 99% of the time. The Go installation takes less than 3 minutes. Click here to watch our installation videos.

The IMMI Go will install best if you go in the following order (trust us, there’s a method to the madness!). 

    1. Connect the lower anchor strap to both lower anchors in the vehicle – making sure there are no twists in the strap and the connectors are right way up (wider part up top – like a stapler).
    2. With your body in the foot well so that you are facing the IMMI Go, tighten each lower anchor strap. Use one hand like an L and push underneath the arm rest to shove the Go into the back of the vehicle seat – while using the other hand to pull the lower anchor strap (the optimal angle is for the strap you are pulling to graze the bottom of the arm rest). Repeat on each side until both straps are tight. Check for tightness by lifting up firmly on each arm rest – it shouldn’t lift up. 
    3. Connect the tether strap to the tether anchor in the vehicle (in an SUV or minivan this can be done most easily by folding the vehicle seat forward).
    4. Tighten the tether. In an SUV or minivan where the vehicle seat folds forward, tighten the tether with the seat folded forward – as it will usually make the tether tighter when you sit the vehicle seat back to its normal upright position.  
    5. Check that the tether is tight as shown here.

Wayb Pico:

If the vehicle has LATCH, the Wayb Pico will yield a secure installation 90+% of the time. The Pico installation takes less than 3 minutes.

The Wayb Pico will install best if you go in the following order (trust us, there’s a method to the madness!). 

    1. Connect the tether strap to the tether anchor in the vehicle (in an SUV or minivan this can often be done most easily by folding the vehicle seat forward).
    2. Tighten the tether so that when you push down firmly on the Pico seat (where the child’s bottom goes) the Pico’s aluminum frame just barely touches the vehicle’s seat cushion (make sure the vehicle seat is upright). 
    3. Connect the lower anchor strap to both lower anchors in the vehicle – making sure there are no twists in the strap and the connectors are right way up (wider part up top – like a stapler).
    4. Tighten the lower anchor strap by pulling down, then up, down then up on the strap until there is absolutely no more slack to remove. Remember, car seats are safer the tighter they are installed.  
    5. Check that the car seat is tight – less than 1 inch of side to side movement, less than 1 inch of front to back movement – and there is no slack in the tether. 

Center LATCH Installation

Both the Pico and the Go are allowed to be installed in the center seat using lower anchors that are spaced wider apart than the standard 11 inches – so long as the vehicle manufacturer also allows this wider spacing. In the past few model years we’ve seen an increasing number of vehicles that allow the “borrowing” of the innermost lower anchors to install a car seat in the center. Please click here to read more about center LATCH and access a searchable database that includes every vehicle since model year 2001 that allows center LATCH. If you are in a vehicle that allows center LATCH and don’t need to put other LATCH-installed car seats in that row, we’d strongly recommend putting the Go or Pico in the center as this gives the child the best protection in a side impact since they are furthest from an impact. 

When considering a center LATCH installation, the first key thing to understand is that two car seats can NEVER use the same anchor at the same time. One anchor, one car seat. Therefore, if you are borrowing anchors from the side seats to install in the center, you will NOT be able to install another car seat using LATCH on either of the side seats. For families with one child, borrowing anchors works just fine – but for families looking to install 2 car seats with LATCH, borrowing is NOT going to work and each car seat will need to go on a side seat. If you are installing 2 car seats – one with LATCH and one with seat belt – then you could consider putting the LATCH one in the center and the seat belt one on the side. 

IMMI Go: 

We do NOT recommend installing the Go with a seat belt. It is an exceptionally difficult installation (due to a serpentine belt path that always wants to twist the seat belt) that frequently yields a much-too-loose installation. Besides the extreme difficulty of the installation, there is an added quirk found only on the Go with a seat belt installation where the top shoulder strap height is lowered by several inches – note that this quirk does not happen when the Go is installed with LATCH. If you are traveling somewhere and need to install a car seat with a seat belt, the Go is NOT the seat to bring. 

The Go is an absolute rockstar with a LATCH installation, however. When using a Go, so long as the vehicle has LATCH you’ll get a secure installation in 99% of vehicles.  

Wayb Pico:

The Wayb Pico – when compared to the IMMI Go – is much better a seat belt installation (but hey, it doesn’t really get any worse than the Go when it comes to a seat belt install). The Pico will yield a secure installation with a seat belt in many cases, but definitely not all of them.

We’ve noticed the following vehicle designs increase the chances of incompatibility with the Pico & a seat belt install:

  • The seat belt buckle (female end) is on a long piece of seat belt webbing
  • The seat belt buckle is rigid and angled sharply towards the front of the vehicle
  • The seat belt buckle is forward of the seat crease (this is worse if the buckle is longer or rigid)
  • There is a prominent bump at the seat crease

The Pico seat belt installation takes less than 3 minutes. 

Seat Belt Button/Stitching Issue – and How to Troubleshoot

Most seat belts have a plastic button or extra webbing on the lap belt that is there solely to prevent the latchplate (the male end of the seat belt – the part with the silver tongue) from falling down too far. Studies show that adults are much more likely to buckle up when they can quickly and easily find the latchplate.

Unfortunately, these button/extra webbing were too thick to pass through the red lap belt guide on the Pico. As a result, slack would get stuck on the side where the lap belt is anchored and couldn’t be removed… which is not safe.

We figured out an easy way to work around this. Before you route the seat belt through the first red lap belt guide, tilt the Pico towards the side where the seat belt comes out (away from the buckle side) – make sure you tilt it far enough that you get the button/extra webbing INSIDE the red belt guide (behind the child’s back), not outside the guide. Now proceed with the rest of the installation as usual. 

IMMI Go: 

The IMMI Go must always use the tether strap.

Wayb Pico:

Wayb strongly recommends using the tether strap at all times with the Pico.  

Important note from The Car Seat Lady:

If it were our kid, we would never use a forward-facing car seat that was untethered. Why? The tether is a critical piece of every forward facing car seat that significantly reduces how far forward the child’s head moves in a crash. In fact, the government has two requirements for how far a child’s head is allowed to move in a forward-facing car seat during crash – one where the child’s head is allowed to move up to 32 inches forward, and the other where it is allowed to move only 28 inches forward (both measured from a point that is near the back of the vehicle seat). Manufacturers must pass the 32 inch test without a tether. To shave off 4 inches of movement for the child’s head, most manufacturers find that the tether strap is the only way to pass this 28 inch test.

How much does 4 inches matter, you might ask? A lot! The most common part of the body to be injured at any age in a crash is the head – and the most likely reason for a head injury is because the head hit something hard – like the back of the front seat, the window, or the doorframe. 4 inches can easily be the difference between the child’s head hitting something or not during a crash. To put 4 inches into perspective – when you pay for extra leg room on a plane, you are typically getting 3-4 inches more room – and it is noticeable!

Traveling with the Go or Pico? Wondering if you’ll have tether anchors in the cars you’ll be using?

If you are planning a trip anywhere inside the US, Canada, or Europe you should be able to find a vehicle with a tether anchor. In the US, all passenger vehicles since 2000 – with only a handful of exceptions – have tether anchors in at least 3 seating positions. In Canada, vehicles have required tether anchors for a similar amount of time. In Europe, tether anchors were required since model year 2012 in at least 2 seating positions. Since taxis, Ubers, Lyfts, etc are regular vehicles they too will have tether anchors. 

If you are planning a trip outside of the US, Canada, or Europe you need to be prepared for the likelihood that you may not have any of the following features in the vehicles you go in: lower anchors, tether anchors, or a car seat locking feature built into the vehicle’s seat belts. Therefore, we recommend bringing a rear-facing seat (since rear-facing doesn’t require a tether strap).

For kids who still fit in an infant seat, bringing an infant carrier with a European belt path will ensure that your seat will install securely in basically any car in any country. The Chicco Fit2 is the longest lasting infant seat – and will truly fit kids until 35 inches (which is 75th% height child at 24 months).

For kids who are too big for an infant seat, we recommend a rear-facing convertible seat with a built in locking device for the seat belt (so it won’t matter if the seat belts don’t have a car seat locking mode built into them). The Clek Fllo is our recommended rear-facing seat convertible seat and can be used rear-facing until a child is 44 inches or 50 pounds (all kids are too tall before too heavy). Once you connect the Fllo to a GoGoBabyz Travelmate you can wheel it easily through an airport and onto the plane and to your rental car. 

Traveling with the Go or Pico? Wondering if you’ll have lower anchors & tether anchors in the cars you’ll be using? Wondering if the seat belts will have a car seat locking mode? 

If you are planning a trip anywhere in the US or Canada:

Will the vehicle have lower anchors: Yes, if the vehicle is a 2003 or newer. Lower anchors are only required in 2 seating positions, and are typically just for the side seats (not the center). Note that in Canada the lower anchors are usually called UAS (Universal Anchorage System).

Will the vehicle have tether anchors: Yes, if the vehicle is a 2000 or newer. Tether anchors are only required in 3 seating positions. If you have a 3-row vehicle (SUV or minivan), know that some or all of the 3rd row seats may not have a tether anchor.

Will the seat belt have a car seat locking mode: Yes – so long as the vehicle is a 1996 or newer.

Remember that taxis, Ubers, Lyfts are regular cars like the one you park in your garage… so the above will apply to these vehicles just like a rental car or privately-owned vehicle. 

Exceptions to the above: Vehicles over 8,500 pounds – like hotel shuttles, “church vans”, the largest pick-up trucks – are not required to have lower anchors or tether anchors. 2-door convertibles are also not required to have tether anchors.

If you are traveling anywhere in Europe

Will the vehicle have lower anchors: Yes if the vehicle was made since February 2013. Some vehicles made between 2001 – Feb 2013 will have lower anchors, but it is random which ones do and don’t. Lower anchors are only required in 2 seating positions, and are typically just for the side seats (not the center). In Europe the lower anchors are usually called ISOFIX, and are often labeled as such. With the new iSize standard coming in for car seats & vehicles in Europe, you may find a lower case i next to the lower anchors & tethers in some vehicles (for the purposes of installing the IMMI Go or Wayb Pico, the anchors are the same regardless of whether they are iSize or not). 

Will the vehicle have tether anchors: Yes, if the vehicle was made since February 2013. Some vehicles made between 2000 – Feb 2013 will have tether anchors, but it is random which ones do and don’t. Tether anchors are only required in 2 seating positions in European cars – so you typically won’t find a tether anchor in the center seat, but will only have tether anchors for the side seats. If you have a 3-row vehicle (SUV or minivan), know that some or all of the 3rd row seats may not have a tether anchor.

Will the seat belt have a car seat locking mode: Most likely no. The car seat locking mode found in seat belts in the US is only there because US law requires it – it is not found in most cars outside the US or Canada. Due to the separation of the lap and shoulder belt in the routing path of the Pico, a locking clip will not work with the Pico in most cars. Even if a locking clip did work, we never recommend a locking clip installation when traveling as it is very challenging and carries a very high misuse rate – and would strongly advise sticking to a LATCH installation with the Pico or Go when in Europe.

If you are traveling anywhere in Europe

Will the vehicle have lower anchors: Yes if the vehicle was made since February 2013. Some vehicles made between 2001 – Feb 2013 will have lower anchors, but it is random which ones do and don’t. Lower anchors are only required in 2 seating positions, and are typically just for the side seats (not the center). In Europe the lower anchors are usually called ISOFIX, and are often labeled as such. With the new iSize standard coming in for car seats & vehicles in Europe, you may find a lower case i next to the lower anchors & tethers in some vehicles (for the purposes of installing the IMMI Go or Wayb Pico, the anchors are the same regardless of whether they are iSize or not). 

Will the vehicle have tether anchors: Yes, if the vehicle was made since February 2013. Some vehicles made between 2000 – Feb 2013 will have tether anchors, but it is random which ones do and don’t. Tether anchors are only required in 2 seating positions in European cars – so you typically won’t find a tether anchor in the center seat, but will only have tether anchors for the side seats. If you have a 3-row vehicle (SUV or minivan), know that some or all of the 3rd row seats may not have a tether anchor.

Will the seat belt have a car seat locking mode: Most likely no. The car seat locking mode found in seat belts in the US is only there because US law requires it – it is not found in most cars outside the US or Canada. Due to the separation of the lap and shoulder belt in the routing path of the Pico, a locking clip will not work with the Pico in most cars. Even if a locking clip did work, we never recommend a locking clip installation when traveling as it is very challenging and carries a very high misuse rate – and would strongly advise sticking to a LATCH installation with the Pico or Go when in Europe. 

Any rental car will be new enough that you’ll have lower anchors + tether anchors in two seating positions. 

If you are planning a trip outside of the US, Canada, or Europe you need to be prepared for the likelihood that you may not have any of the following features in the vehicles you go in: lower anchors, tether anchors, or a car seat locking feature built into the vehicle’s seat belts. Therefore, we recommend bringing a rear-facing seat (since rear-facing doesn’t require a tether strap).

For kids who still fit in an infant seat, bringing an infant carrier with a European belt path will ensure that your seat will install securely in basically any car in any country. The Chicco Fit2 is the longest lasting infant seat – and will truly fit kids until 35 inches (which is 75th% height child at 24 months).

For kids who are too big for an infant seat, we recommend a rear-facing convertible seat with a built in locking device for the seat belt (so it won’t matter if the seat belts don’t have a car seat locking mode built into them). The Clek Fllo is our recommended rear-facing seat convertible seat and can be used rear-facing until a child is 44 inches or 50 pounds (all kids are too tall before too heavy). Once you connect the Fllo to a GoGoBabyz Travelmate you can wheel it easily through an airport and onto the plane and to your rental car. 

Any rental car, taxishould be able to find a vehicle with lower anchors and tether anchors. In the US, all passenger vehicles since 2000 – with only a handful of exceptions – have tether anchors in at least 3 seating positions. In Canada, vehicles have required tether anchors for a similar amount of time. In Europe, tether anchors were required since model year 2012 in at least 2 seating positions. The US has required the lower anchors since 2003 in all passenger vehicles Since taxis, Ubers, Lyfts, etc are regular vehicles they too will have tether anchors. 

If you are planning a trip anywhere in Australia: 

Will the vehicle have lower anchors: Most likely no. Some new cars have lower anchors in Australia, but it is not common enough yet to rely upon having it.

Will the vehicle have tether anchors: Yes. Australia uses tether straps on all of their car seats (rear and forward facing ones) so every vehicle will have a tether anchor. 

Will the seat belt have a car seat locking mode: Most likely no. However, for less than $10 you can get a Lockie (sadly, it is only available in Australia right now) that will easily and securely lock the seat belt around your child’s rear or forward facing car seat. 

 

If you are traveling anywhere outside of the US, Canada, Europe, or Australia:

Will the vehicle have lower anchors: Most likely no. Vehicles sold in Central & South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia are not required to have the lower anchors. Some vehicle manufacturers – like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes – typically put the lower anchors & tether anchors into their vehicles sold throughout the world since the anchors have been required in Europe (Feb 2013). We’ve also seen that some of the Toyota minivans in Asia have lower anchors & tether anchors. 

Will the vehicle have tether anchors: Most likely no.Vehicles sold in Central & South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia are not required to have the lower anchors. Some vehicle manufacturers – like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes – typically put the lower anchors & tether anchors into their vehicles sold throughout the world since the anchors have been required in Europe (Feb 2013). We’ve also seen that some of the Toyota minivans in Asia have lower anchors & tether anchors. 

Will the seat belt have a car seat locking mode: Most likely no. The car seat locking mode found in seat belts in the US is only there because US law requires it – it is not found in most cars outside the US or Canada.

Due to the separation of the lap and shoulder belt in the routing path of the Pico, a locking clip will not work with the Pico in most cars. Even if a locking clip did work, we never recommend a locking clip installation when traveling as it is very challenging and carries a very high misuse rate – and would strongly advise sticking to a LATCH installation with the Pico or Go when in Europe. 

When traveling outside the US, Canada, or Europe we would NOT recommend the IMMI Go or Wayb Pico as you are most likely going to find yourself in a vehicle without the necessary hardware to install either seat properly. Here is what we would recommend for travel to these parts of the world (outside US, Canada, Europe): 

Babies under 35 inches tall: Therefore, we recommend bringing a rear-facing seat (since rear-facing doesn’t require a tether strap).

For kids who still fit in an infant seat, bringing an infant carrier with a European belt path will ensure that your seat will install securely in basically any car in any country. The Chicco Fit2 is the longest lasting infant seat – and will truly fit kids until 35 inches (which is 75th% height child at 24 months).

For kids who are too big for an infant seat, we recommend a rear-facing convertible seat with a built in locking device for the seat belt (so it won’t matter if the seat belts don’t have a car seat locking mode built into them). The Clek Fllo is our recommended rear-facing seat convertible seat and can be used rear-facing until a child is 44 inches or 50 pounds (all kids are too tall before too heavy). Once you connect the Fllo to a GoGoBabyz Travelmate you can wheel it easily through an airport and onto the plane and to your rental car. 

Any rental car, taxishould be able to find a vehicle with lower anchors and tether anchors. In the US, all passenger vehicles since 2000 – with only a handful of exceptions – have tether anchors in at least 3 seating positions. In Canada, vehicles have required tether anchors for a similar amount of time. In Europe, tether anchors were required since model year 2012 in at least 2 seating positions. The US has required the lower anchors since 2003 in all passenger vehicles Since taxis, Ubers, Lyfts, etc are regular vehicles they too will have tether anchors. 

If you are planning a trip anywhere in Australia: 

Will the vehicle have lower anchors: Most likely no. Some new cars have lower anchors in Australia, but it is not common enough yet to rely upon having it.

Will the vehicle have tether anchors: Yes. Australia uses tether straps on all of their car seats (rear and forward facing ones) so every vehicle will have a tether anchor. 

Will the seat belt have a car seat locking mode: Most likely no. However, for less than $10 you can get a Lockie (sadly, it is only available in Australia right now) that will easily and securely lock the seat belt around your child’s rear or forward facing car seat. 

 

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IMMI Go:

IN our experience, most kids will fit in the IMMI Go using the 5 point harness until at least 6 years of age. 

The IMMI Go is for kids who are:

  • Age: at least 2 years of age (IMMI changed the minimum from 1 to 2 years of age in 2017 to be more in line with recommendations to keep kids rear-facing longer… but the Go did not change). 
  • Weight: 22-55 pounds (Yes, we know it technically goes to 65 pounds with the 5 point harness, but since 56-65 pounds it must be installed with a seat belt, which goes poorly and lowers the top shoulder strap slot by a few inches, it is essentially unusable beyond 55 pounds). 
  • Height: 31-52 inches. Kids are too tall for the IMMI Go when the shoulder guides are in their highest setting and the child’s shoulders touch the guides. Kids will typically fit in the IMMI Go until they are around 48-52 inches (it is obviously dependent on torso height).

Harness adjustment:

  • Shoulder Strap Height: The height of the shoulder straps is adjustable by simply sliding plastic guides up or down (no rethreading – and all adjustment is done with the child in the seat). 
  • Crotch Buckle: There are 3 positions for the crotch buckle – allowing for a comfortable fit for any size child (please note that literally no child will need the most forward position… it is far enough forward for an adult!). 

Wayb Pico:

In our experience the Pico will fit any child who is under 45 inches… but it gets VERY snug in the crotch buckle area (there were a lot of complaints from many of the kids who tried it out) as the kids get bigger. 

The Wayb Pico is for kids who are: 

  • Age: at least 1 year of age – but Wayb recommends that kids be at least 2 years of age before using the Pico since it is a forward-facing seat. 
  • Weight: 22-50 pounds
  • Height: 30-45 inches. 

Harness adjustment:

  • Shoulder Strap Height: The height of the shoulder straps is not adjustable – there is one height for all kids. We put several kids in who were 45 inches and none of them was close to maxing out the shoulder strap height – all had another inch or two at least between their shoulder and where the straps emerged (the shoulder straps must always come from at or above the child’s shoulders, as with any forward facing car seat). 
  • Crotch Buckle: There is only one position for the crotch buckle and it is low and snug and for kids with chubbier thighs the plastic buckle tongues dig into the inner thigh. 

IMMI Go: 

If the vehicle has LATCH, the IMMI Go will yield a secure installation about 99% of the time. The Go installation takes less than 3 minutes. Click here to watch our installation videos.

The IMMI Go will install best if you go in the following order (trust us, there’s a method to the madness!). 

    1. Connect the lower anchor strap to both lower anchors in the vehicle – making sure there are no twists in the strap and the connectors are right way up (wider part up top – like a stapler).
    2. With your body in the foot well so that you are facing the IMMI Go, tighten each lower anchor strap. Use one hand like an L and push underneath the arm rest to shove the Go into the back of the vehicle seat – while using the other hand to pull the lower anchor strap (the optimal angle is for the strap you are pulling to graze the bottom of the arm rest). Repeat on each side until both straps are tight. Check for tightness by lifting up firmly on each arm rest – it shouldn’t lift up. 
    3. Connect the tether strap to the tether anchor in the vehicle (in an SUV or minivan this can be done most easily by folding the vehicle seat forward).
    4. Tighten the tether. In an SUV or minivan where the vehicle seat folds forward, tighten the tether with the seat folded forward – as it will usually make the tether tighter when you sit the vehicle seat back to its normal upright position.  
    5. Check that the tether is tight as shown here.

Wayb Pico:

If the vehicle has LATCH, the Wayb Pico will yield a secure installation 90+% of the time. The Pico installation takes less than 3 minutes.

The Wayb Pico will install best if you go in the following order (trust us, there’s a method to the madness!). 

    1. Connect the tether strap to the tether anchor in the vehicle (in an SUV or minivan this can often be done most easily by folding the vehicle seat forward).
    2. Tighten the tether so that when you push down firmly on the Pico seat (where the child’s bottom goes) the Pico’s aluminum frame just barely touches the vehicle’s seat cushion. 
    3. Connect the lower anchor strap to both lower anchors in the vehicle – making sure there are no twists in the strap and the connectors are right way up (wider part up top – like a stapler).
    4. Tighten the lower anchor strap by pulling down, then up, down then up on the strap until there is absolutely no more slack to remove. Remember, car seats are safer the tighter they are installed.  
    5. Check that the car seat is tight – less than 1 inch of side to side movement, less than 1 inch of front to back movement – and there is no slack in the tether. 

Center LATCH Installation

Both the Pico and the Go are allowed to be installed in the center seat using lower anchors that are spaced wider apart than the standard 11 inches – so long as the vehicle manufacturer also allows this wider spacing. In the past few model years we’ve seen an increasing number of vehicles that allow the “borrowing” of the innermost lower anchors to install a car seat in the center. Please click here to read more about center LATCH and access a searchable database that includes every vehicle since model year 2001 that allows center LATCH. If you are in a vehicle that allows center LATCH and don’t need to put other LATCH-installed car seats in that row, we’d strongly recommend putting the Go or Pico in the center as this gives the child the best protection in a side impact since they are furthest from an impact. 

When considering a center LATCH installation, the first key thing to understand is that two car seats can NEVER use the same anchor at the same time. One anchor, one car seat. Therefore, if you are borrowing anchors from the side seats to install in the center, you will NOT be able to install another car seat using LATCH on either of the side seats. For families with one child, borrowing anchors works just fine – but for families looking to install 2 car seats with LATCH, borrowing is NOT going to work and each car seat will need to go on a side seat. If you are installing 2 car seats – one with LATCH and one with seat belt – then you could consider putting the LATCH one in the center and the seat belt one on the side. 

IMMI Go: 

We do NOT recommend installing the Go with a seat belt. It is an exceptionally difficult installation (due to a serpentine belt path that always wants to twist the seat belt) that frequently yields a much-too-loose installation. Besides the extreme difficulty of the installation, there is an added quirk found only on the Go with a seat belt installation where the top shoulder strap height is lowered by several inches – note that this quirk does not happen when the Go is installed with LATCH. If you are traveling somewhere and need to install a car seat with a seat belt, the Go is NOT the seat to bring. 

The Go is an absolute rockstar with a LATCH installation, however. When using a Go, so long as the vehicle has LATCH you’ll get a secure installation in 99% of vehicles.  

Wayb Pico:

The Wayb Pico – when compared to the IMMI Go – is much better a seat belt installation (but hey, it doesn’t really get any worse than the Go when it comes to a seat belt install). The Pico will yield a secure installation with a seat belt in many cases, but definitely not all of them.

We’ve noticed the following vehicle designs increase the chances of incompatibility with the Pico & a seat belt install:

  • The seat belt buckle (female end) is on a long piece of seat belt webbing
  • The seat belt buckle is rigid and angled sharply towards the front of the vehicle
  • The seat belt buckle is forward of the seat crease (this is worse if the buckle is longer or rigid)
  • There is a prominent bump at the seat crease

The Pico seat belt installation takes less than 3 minutes. 

Seat Belt Button/Stitching Issue – and How to Troubleshoot

Most seat belts have a plastic button or extra webbing on the lap belt that is there solely to prevent the latchplate (the male end of the seat belt – the part with the silver tongue) from falling down too far. Studies show that adults are much more likely to buckle up when they can quickly and easily find the latchplate.

Unfortunately, these button/extra webbing were too thick to pass through the red lap belt guide on the Pico. As a result, slack would get stuck on the side where the lap belt is anchored and couldn’t be removed… which is not safe.

We figured out an easy way to work around this. Before you route the seat belt through the first red lap belt guide, tilt the Pico towards the side where the seat belt comes out (away from the buckle side) – make sure you tilt it far enough that you get the button/extra webbing INSIDE the red belt guide (behind the child’s back), not outside the guide. Now proceed with the rest of the installation as usual. 

IMMI Go: 

The IMMI Go must always use the tether strap.

Wayb Pico:

Wayb strongly recommends using the tether strap at all times with the Pico. 

  1.  

Important note from The Car Seat Lady:

If it were our kid, we would never use a forward-facing car seat that was untethered. Why? The tether is a critical piece of every forward facing car seat that significantly reduces how far forward the child’s head moves in a crash. In fact, the government has two requirements for how far a child’s head is allowed to move in a forward-facing car seat during crash – one where the child’s head is allowed to move up to 32 inches forward, and the other where it is allowed to move only 28 inches forward (both measured from a point that is near the back of the vehicle seat). Manufacturers must pass the 32 inch test without a tether. To shave off 4 inches of movement for the child’s head, most manufacturers find that the tether strap is the only way to pass this 28 inch test.

How much does 4 inches matter, you might ask? A lot! The most common part of the body to be injured at any age in a crash is the head – and the most likely reason for a head injury is because the head hit something hard – like the back of the front seat, the window, or the doorframe. 4 inches can easily be the difference between the child’s head hitting something or not during a crash. To put 4 inches into perspective – when you pay for extra leg room on a plane, you are typically getting 3-4 inches more room – and it is noticeable!

Traveling with the Go or Pico? Wondering if you’ll have tether anchors in the cars you’ll be using?

If you are planning a trip anywhere inside the US, Canada, or Europe you should be able to find a vehicle with a tether anchor. In the US, all passenger vehicles since 2000 – with only a handful of exceptions – have tether anchors in at least 3 seating positions. In Canada, vehicles have required tether anchors for a similar amount of time. In Europe, tether anchors were required since model year 2012 in at least 2 seating positions. Since taxis, Ubers, Lyfts, etc are regular vehicles they too will have tether anchors. 

If you are planning a trip outside of the US, Canada, or Europe you need to be prepared for the likelihood that you may not have any of the following features in the vehicles you go in: lower anchors, tether anchors, or a car seat locking feature built into the vehicle’s seat belts. Therefore, we recommend bringing a rear-facing seat (since rear-facing doesn’t require a tether strap).

For kids who still fit in an infant seat, bringing an infant carrier with a European belt path will ensure that your seat will install securely in basically any car in any country. The Chicco Fit2 is the longest lasting infant seat – and will truly fit kids until 35 inches (which is 75th% height child at 24 months).

For kids who are too big for an infant seat, we recommend a rear-facing convertible seat with a built in locking device for the seat belt (so it won’t matter if the seat belts don’t have a car seat locking mode built into them). The Clek Fllo is our recommended rear-facing seat convertible seat and can be used rear-facing until a child is 44 inches or 50 pounds (all kids are too tall before too heavy). Once you connect the Fllo to a GoGoBabyz Travelmate you can wheel it easily through an airport and onto the plane and to your rental car. 

Traveling with the Go or Pico? Wondering if you’ll have lower anchors & tether anchors in the cars you’ll be using? Wondering if the seat belts will have a car seat locking mode? 

If you are planning a trip anywhere in the US or Canada:

Will the vehicle have lower anchors: Yes, if the vehicle is a 2003 or newer. Lower anchors are only required in 2 seating positions, and are typically just for the side seats (not the center). Note that in Canada the lower anchors are usually called UAS (Universal Anchorage System).

Will the vehicle have tether anchors: Yes, if the vehicle is a 2000 or newer. Tether anchors are only required in 3 seating positions. If you have a 3-row vehicle (SUV or minivan), know that some or all of the 3rd row seats may not have a tether anchor.

Will the seat belt have a car seat locking mode: Yes – so long as the vehicle is a 1996 or newer.

Remember that taxis, Ubers, Lyfts are regular cars like the one you park in your garage… so the above will apply to these vehicles just like a rental car or privately-owned vehicle. 

Exceptions to the above: Vehicles over 8,500 pounds – like hotel shuttles, “church vans”, the largest pick-up trucks – are not required to have lower anchors or tether anchors. 2-door convertibles are also not required to have tether anchors.

 

If you are traveling anywhere in Europe

Will the vehicle have lower anchors: Yes if the vehicle was made since February 2013. Some vehicles made between 2001 – Feb 2013 will have lower anchors, but it is random which ones do and don’t. Lower anchors are only required in 2 seating positions, and are typically just for the side seats (not the center). In Europe the lower anchors are usually called ISOFIX, and are often labeled as such. With the new iSize standard coming in for car seats & vehicles in Europe, you may find a lower case i next to the lower anchors & tethers in some vehicles (for the purposes of installing the IMMI Go or Wayb Pico, the anchors are the same regardless of whether they are iSize or not). 

Will the vehicle have tether anchors: Yes, if the vehicle was made since February 2013. Some vehicles made between 2000 – Feb 2013 will have tether anchors, but it is random which ones do and don’t. Tether anchors are only required in 2 seating positions in European cars – so you typically won’t find a tether anchor in the center seat, but will only have tether anchors for the side seats. If you have a 3-row vehicle (SUV or minivan), know that some or all of the 3rd row seats may not have a tether anchor.

Will the seat belt have a car seat locking mode: Most likely no. The car seat locking mode found in seat belts in the US is only there because US law requires it – it is not found in most cars outside the US or Canada. Due to the separation of the lap and shoulder belt in the routing path of the Pico, a locking clip will not work with the Pico in most cars. Even if a locking clip did work, we never recommend a locking clip installation when traveling as it is very challenging and carries a very high misuse rate – and would strongly advise sticking to a LATCH installation with the Pico or Go when in Europe.

If you are traveling anywhere outside of the US, Canada, Europe, or Australia:

Will the vehicle have lower anchors: Most likely no. Vehicles sold in Central & South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia are not required to have the lower anchors. Some vehicle manufacturers – like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes – typically put the lower anchors & tether anchors into their vehicles sold throughout the world since the anchors have been required in Europe (Feb 2013). We’ve also seen that some of the Toyota minivans in Asia have lower anchors & tether anchors. 

Will the vehicle have tether anchors: Most likely no.Vehicles sold in Central & South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia are not required to have the lower anchors. Some vehicle manufacturers – like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes – typically put the lower anchors & tether anchors into their vehicles sold throughout the world since the anchors have been required in Europe (Feb 2013). We’ve also seen that some of the Toyota minivans in Asia have lower anchors & tether anchors. 

Will the seat belt have a car seat locking mode: Most likely no. The car seat locking mode found in seat belts in the US is only there because US law requires it – it is not found in most cars outside the US or Canada.

Due to the separation of the lap and shoulder belt in the routing path of the Pico, a locking clip will not work with the Pico in most cars. Even if a locking clip did work, we never recommend a locking clip installation when traveling as it is very challenging and carries a very high misuse rate – and would strongly advise sticking to a LATCH installation with the Pico or Go when in Europe. 

When traveling outside the US, Canada, or Europe we would NOT recommend the IMMI Go or Wayb Pico as you are most likely going to find yourself in a vehicle without the necessary hardware to install either seat properly. Here is what we would recommend for travel to these parts of the world (outside US, Canada, Europe): 

Babies under 35 inches tall: Therefore, we recommend bringing a rear-facing seat (since rear-facing doesn’t require a tether strap).

For kids who still fit in an infant seat, bringing an infant carrier with a European belt path will ensure that your seat will install securely in basically any car in any country. The Chicco Fit2 is the longest lasting infant seat – and will truly fit kids until 35 inches (which is 75th% height child at 24 months).

For kids who are too big for an infant seat, we recommend a rear-facing convertible seat with a built in locking device for the seat belt (so it won’t matter if the seat belts don’t have a car seat locking mode built into them). The Clek Fllo is our recommended rear-facing seat convertible seat and can be used rear-facing until a child is 44 inches or 50 pounds (all kids are too tall before too heavy). Once you connect the Fllo to a GoGoBabyz Travelmate you can wheel it easily through an airport and onto the plane and to your rental car. 

Any rental car, taxishould be able to find a vehicle with lower anchors and tether anchors. In the US, all passenger vehicles since 2000 – with only a handful of exceptions – have tether anchors in at least 3 seating positions. In Canada, vehicles have required tether anchors for a similar amount of time. In Europe, tether anchors were required since model year 2012 in at least 2 seating positions. The US has required the lower anchors since 2003 in all passenger vehicles Since taxis, Ubers, Lyfts, etc are regular vehicles they too will have tether anchors. 

If you are planning a trip anywhere in Australia: 

Will the vehicle have lower anchors: Most likely no. Some new cars have lower anchors in Australia, but it is not common enough yet to rely upon having it.

Will the vehicle have tether anchors: Yes. Australia uses tether straps on all of their car seats (rear and forward facing ones) so every vehicle will have a tether anchor. 

Will the seat belt have a car seat locking mode: Most likely no. However, for less than $10 you can get a Lockie (sadly, it is only available in Australia right now) that will easily and securely lock the seat belt around your child’s rear or forward facing car seat. 

 

If you are traveling anywhere in Europe

Will the vehicle have lower anchors: Yes if the vehicle was made since February 2013. Some vehicles made between 2001 – Feb 2013 will have lower anchors, but it is random which ones do and don’t. Lower anchors are only required in 2 seating positions, and are typically just for the side seats (not the center). In Europe the lower anchors are usually called ISOFIX, and are often labeled as such. With the new iSize standard coming in for car seats & vehicles in Europe, you may find a lower case i next to the lower anchors & tethers in some vehicles (for the purposes of installing the IMMI Go or Wayb Pico, the anchors are the same regardless of whether they are iSize or not). 

Will the vehicle have tether anchors: Yes, if the vehicle was made since February 2013. Some vehicles made between 2000 – Feb 2013 will have tether anchors, but it is random which ones do and don’t. Tether anchors are only required in 2 seating positions in European cars – so you typically won’t find a tether anchor in the center seat, but will only have tether anchors for the side seats. If you have a 3-row vehicle (SUV or minivan), know that some or all of the 3rd row seats may not have a tether anchor.

Will the seat belt have a car seat locking mode: Most likely no. The car seat locking mode found in seat belts in the US is only there because US law requires it – it is not found in most cars outside the US or Canada. Due to the separation of the lap and shoulder belt in the routing path of the Pico, a locking clip will not work with the Pico in most cars. Even if a locking clip did work, we never recommend a locking clip installation when traveling as it is very challenging and carries a very high misuse rate – and would strongly advise sticking to a LATCH installation with the Pico or Go when in Europe. 

Any rental car will be new enough that you’ll have lower anchors + tether anchors in two seating positions. 

If you are planning a trip outside of the US, Canada, or Europe you need to be prepared for the likelihood that you may not have any of the following features in the vehicles you go in: lower anchors, tether anchors, or a car seat locking feature built into the vehicle’s seat belts. Therefore, we recommend bringing a rear-facing seat (since rear-facing doesn’t require a tether strap).

For kids who still fit in an infant seat, bringing an infant carrier with a European belt path will ensure that your seat will install securely in basically any car in any country. The Chicco Fit2 is the longest lasting infant seat – and will truly fit kids until 35 inches (which is 75th% height child at 24 months).

For kids who are too big for an infant seat, we recommend a rear-facing convertible seat with a built in locking device for the seat belt (so it won’t matter if the seat belts don’t have a car seat locking mode built into them). The Clek Fllo is our recommended rear-facing seat convertible seat and can be used rear-facing until a child is 44 inches or 50 pounds (all kids are too tall before too heavy). Once you connect the Fllo to a GoGoBabyz Travelmate you can wheel it easily through an airport and onto the plane and to your rental car. 

Any rental car, taxishould be able to find a vehicle with lower anchors and tether anchors. In the US, all passenger vehicles since 2000 – with only a handful of exceptions – have tether anchors in at least 3 seating positions. In Canada, vehicles have required tether anchors for a similar amount of time. In Europe, tether anchors were required since model year 2012 in at least 2 seating positions. The US has required the lower anchors since 2003 in all passenger vehicles Since taxis, Ubers, Lyfts, etc are regular vehicles they too will have tether anchors. 

If you are planning a trip anywhere in Australia: 

Will the vehicle have lower anchors: Most likely no. Some new cars have lower anchors in Australia, but it is not common enough yet to rely upon having it.

Will the vehicle have tether anchors: Yes. Australia uses tether straps on all of their car seats (rear and forward facing ones) so every vehicle will have a tether anchor. 

Will the seat belt have a car seat locking mode: Most likely no. However, for less than $10 you can get a Lockie (sadly, it is only available in Australia right now) that will easily and securely lock the seat belt around your child’s rear or forward facing car seat. 

 

Accordion Content

Accordion Content

IMMI Go:

IN our experience, most kids will fit in the IMMI Go using the 5 point harness until at least 6 years of age. 

The IMMI Go is for kids who are:

  • Age: at least 2 years of age (IMMI changed the minimum from 1 to 2 years of age in 2017 to be more in line with recommendations to keep kids rear-facing longer… but the Go did not change). 
  • Weight: 22-55 pounds (Yes, we know it technically goes to 65 pounds with the 5 point harness, but since 56-65 pounds it must be installed with a seat belt, which goes poorly and lowers the top shoulder strap slot by a few inches, it is essentially unusable beyond 55 pounds). 
  • Height: 31-52 inches. Kids are too tall for the IMMI Go when the shoulder guides are in their highest setting and the child’s shoulders touch the guides. Kids will typically fit in the IMMI Go until they are around 48-52 inches (it is obviously dependent on torso height).

Harness adjustment:

  • Shoulder Strap Height: The height of the shoulder straps is adjustable by simply sliding plastic guides up or down (no rethreading – and all adjustment is done with the child in the seat). 
  • Crotch Buckle: There are 3 positions for the crotch buckle – allowing for a comfortable fit for any size child (please note that literally no child will need the most forward position… it is far enough forward for an adult!). 

Wayb Pico:

In our experience the Pico will fit any child who is under 45 inches… but it gets VERY snug in the crotch buckle area (there were a lot of complaints from many of the kids who tried it out) as the kids get bigger. 

The Wayb Pico is for kids who are: 

  • Age: at least 1 year of age – but Wayb recommends that kids be at least 2 years of age before using the Pico since it is a forward-facing seat. 
  • Weight: 22-50 pounds
  • Height: 30-45 inches. 

Harness adjustment:

  • Shoulder Strap Height: The height of the shoulder straps is not adjustable – there is one height for all kids. We put several kids in who were 45 inches and none of them was close to maxing out the shoulder strap height – all had another inch or two at least between their shoulder and where the straps emerged (the shoulder straps must always come from at or above the child’s shoulders, as with any forward facing car seat). 
  • Crotch Buckle: There is only one position for the crotch buckle and it is low and snug and for kids with chubbier thighs the plastic buckle tongues dig into the inner thigh.