The Autolite Spotglo Seatbelt Lite is a fantastic idea. I definitely had high hopes for it, and despite some of the concerns that I mention below, it will remain in our vehicle: my son loves it!

But, I've got to be honest: there were some glitches along the way, a couple of which I'll definitely take credit for in the "user error" category.

Initially I had some trouble figuring out how to open the battery compartment versus how to open the "arm" that attaches on to the seatbelt. The battery compartment area was difficult to untwist (I think one is supposed to use a coin?) and I ended up damaging the plastic a bit as a result.

As I was fiddling with it, I noticed the warning labels printed on the back of the device:

Not for use with infant seats
Not for use with child booster seats
Not for use in front seat of the vehicle

Um. Spliggle is in the first category (unless they mean infant carrier-type rather than a "regular" carseat,) the Cat is in the second category, and I am in the third.

So technically, the only people who can use this must be over 80 pounds and seated in the rear of the car. That is great for preteens and teenagers, but not for the younger set or their parents.

I recognize why babies shouldn't have this device; but Spliggle is old enough to operate such a thing without eating the batteries. I understand if it is an issue with fit; 5-point harnesses aren't meant to point in the diagonal direction that would work when reading, and perhaps there is a safety compromise if the straps of a carseat have things attached to them. (And yet, I know of toys that attach to the straps.)

The Cat is certainly responsible enough, and his booster seat uses the adult seat belt. It fits around him just as it would an adult.

For the front seat, I would suspect the air-bag would be the concern.

Nonetheless, I tried out the Autolite Spotglo Seatbelt Lite while sitting in the front passenger's side of the car, and I let the Cat try it out in the backseat on the properly-positioned seatbelt, even though he happened to be sitting in a booster seat to provide that proper-position.

The Cat loved it!

Spliggle appreciated being able to see the book that the Cat was reading, too. The light was directed enough so that I wasn't bothered; and more importantly, Husband the driver wasn't bothered. The Cat used the Autolite Spotglo Seatbelt Lite for several nights in a row before I took it off of his seatbelt so that I could give it a try.

But it took quite a wrestle to get it off the Cat's seatbelt.

The great thing about this is that it won't just fall off. Plus, although it can slide up and down the belt for positioning purposes, it will not slide up and down by itself: once secured to your preferred location, it is tightly secured.

Of course the downside is then that to remove the device from the seatbelt takes some sore fingerpads and perhaps a ripped nail or two! Of course, most customers probably won't be moving the light around; each family member would have one.

Once I gave it a try, it took awhile to position. Seatbelts don't fit me well as it is: my ample chest and short stature means that the seatbelt chokes my neck and so forth. As such, to get the light to beam in a direction that is useful for reading was a real trick. If I were flatter, the design would have worked better. The Autolite Spotglo Seatbelt Lite does have a tilting feature, but my problem was that my anatomy made it tilt too much without any help if positioned directly on the "problem area." Above that section, and the book wasn't illuminated, since my chest blocked the light. Below that section was a bit too close to the book.

Still, I appreciated having the light. It was directed rather sharply, so I had to move the page around a bit to successfully read. But I knew it wasn't a distraction to anyone else in the car.

I know the Cat did not have this problem; he could see his whole book (as could Spliggle) without difficulty. And so, I have given him the light, since he appreciates it and seems to have an easier time using it than I do.

The Autolite Spotglo Seatbelt Lite is a great idea, and is a step in the right direction. I would suggest a "thicker" version so that the light starts further away from the person's body, but can still be tilted up or down.

Autolite has a variety of products that are intriguing, such as a blinking safety light, lightweight weather-proof utility light, and reusable battery-powered flares.