I recently ordered some Lakevue jump seats. When I shipped them out to my mechanic for install, he suggested I consider returning them and getting Atlee dodge. I got the Lakevue ones because I couldn't really see the difference, and they were $400 cheaper. My mechanic tells me that the Atlee are better for a few reasons. Higher quality, metal seat and back vs fabric, but most important of all, the system utilizes rails which have a good tie down system associated with them. I'll be doing some cargo hauling, which is why I got jump seats so the tie down system is of interest.

I still have yet to hear anything bad about Lakevue, but sounds like the Atlee have a few things that I may want. Too bad I didn't properly research this out before I bought.

Can anyone with experience with these seats comment on this?

Thanks.

Garth

I've installed them both and like both of them. Quality seemed good on both kits.

Atlee's seats do come with brownline track for the floor which is obviously good for tie downs, but is it really oriented in a way which is useful for tying down? A few of those little turtle shaped anchor plates strategically located might be better for a cargo net.

http://www.cargosystems.com/store/produ ... t=0&page=1

Unless running the seats with no padding I prefer the ceconite base, lighter and more comfortable once foamed up and covered. Certainly strong enough for any butt that can fit on them.

Sounds like I'm trying to talk you out of going with the atlees, not my intent, just some thoughts.

Sam

I have experience with both. Atlees hands down. They cost more for a reason... Install is more involved however.

I have Atlee, no complaints, they seem well built and are easy in and out. They did seem to cost a lot for what you get, but that is anything airplane, after a while you just get numb to it.

Steve

I'm putting in some LakeVues as we speak. They are a bit lighter, the install is a bit easier, covering them, should you want to is really easy. They install in such a way that you can still use your factory seats, at least I can use mine in the 185. So if I am actually taking somebody in the back for a long ride I can go to the comfy seats in a few minutes and a logbook entry. In reality, I almost never take anybody in the rear seats. Then again you never know, zombies could be chasing folks down the runway and need a lift…

I use a combination of cargo plates with the push on clips and the clamp onto the seat rail. The push on clips are 100# and the seat clamps are 300# tie downs. One thing I really like about the LakeVue mount is the addition of more standard seat track. I have a seat rail clamp that has a bicycle fork mount on it, so I can mount my bike upright with the front wheel removed and it is über stable. Kind of a niche requirement for sure, but import to me.

The choice of the two is really one of aesthetics and cost. They both function virtually the same, weight is similar, function is similar. I spent some time looking at both installs, the Dr. in the hanger next tome had LakeVues and I looked at others that had Altee's. I liked how the Doc's came out better, from an appearance point of view (he had a dude in Prescott make some really nice covers). He claims they are very comfortable on trips from Flagstaff to Idaho, where he has a ranch. He is kind of picky about his aircraft, he has 5, including an Beaver and an Albatross. I like the ability to use my factory seats, the seat rail clamp options and ease of installation and removal. Oh, one other item, Denny actually has them in stock, so you get them in a few days and don't have to wait for them to be built. As wonderful as Altee's company is, due to Alaska's inventory tax laws, they keep very little in stock.

Tell your mechanic that if he pays the $400, you'll switch.

Garth, if I'm not mistaken, the Lakevu ends up with a sort of slide rail the sticks up quite a bit above the floor when not in use, where as the Atlees track is flater, May be a consideration for loading stuff on floor? A friend has the LakVu's in his 68 182. He said he went with those instead of FAD ones so he could still use bench seat. I've also looked at the FAD's in various 180/185 installations. Personally I like the FAD better. Again, I think the two considerations -1 are you going to still use bench seat? - if so you have to go with Lakevu, and 2 do the rails sticking up on the floor when seats are removed cause a problem for loading/laying stuff flat, etc? - if so FAD. I'd be interested to know your final installation costs whichever one you go with. I would like to do the same to my plane. Russ

Being able to use the old seat may be important to me so that may be the tipping point. I already have the Lakevue ones in my possession so I'm leaning in that direction. If I end up installing them, I'll post some pictures.

If anyone has pictures, particularly of the rail system, that would be appreciated.

Thanks all for the comments.
Garth

Garth,

Posting pics of the rails is tough at the moment, gallery not accepting new pics during the transition., PM me your email and I'll send you some of mine direct tomorrow. However, the rails are just standard Cessna seat rails, stick up about .5", nearly the same as the Brownline track sticks up (.4"), except it is about 1" wide and the Cessna track is a T with the top about .5" wide. Depending on your year model, they are 17.125" long or 24" long on an old model aircraft. It is just like the back of a 206 or 207, seat track in the cargo area.

It is a chevy ford thing again. They both function as well as each other, looks are dependent on the observer's taste. Neither will fit a photo contest winning Walmartian. The difference in price is only 57 poorly or incorrectly made grandé lattes at Starbelch.

Lakevue sells the old BAS folding jump seats. I always liked these more than the Atlee Dodge version, although I never owned either. They were both out of my budget so I put a single stock 185 middle-row jump seat in the back of my old C170. I know people wh ran BAS seats without any padding or upholstery- the Ceconite covering is easier on your arse than the metal seat of the Dodge seat.
I don't believe either one of these folding seat mods come with any provision for holding the seat in the stowed position--- some sort of BS bungee-cord arrangement was used on all the ones I've ever seen. Not a very elegant touch.

I say Lakevue because a friend(fellow Iowan) of mine makes them. Also, my deceased friend had them in his 55 180 and they just had the ceconite covering. It didn't look like it'd be comfortable but it wasn't too bad.

I do plan on recovering the ceconite with some sort of thin cushion which apparently will make them a lot more comfortable.

Dog pilot sent me some pics and the mounting rails aren't really any different that the seat rails which isn't a problem for me. I'm going to head out to the hanger later this week and go though it with my mechanic. He also told me there is a 180 next to mine with Atlee seats in it so I can look at see the difference for myself. Will report back.

Garth

I had posted this on another thread, but since it is appropriate here... My FA Dodges

I'm pretty happy with my BAS seats, though I never get to sit on them.

Not one complaint from the kids either, even covering 16 hours in 3 days from KCCR to KOSH. Up and out of the way in seconds, very light. Upholstered with 1" of tempur foam on the seat and a half on the back.

I decided that i'm sticking with the BAS. hopefully the install will start soon.

can anyone tell me if you can remove the seats after the install? Im just wondering if i have to have them upholstered first before i do this, or can i get everything installed first then remove the seats and do it?

You simply remove the screws at both ends of the slider bar, then the seats just lift out.

I know this is an old thread, but here's a question that I haven't been able to find addressed anywhere.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but both the Lakevue and FA Dodge seats only set up in one position; ie: they don't slide back for more leg room, or slide forward for more baggage space. So why do they both use seat rails on the floor? Why not just a single attach point?

Chris

The FA Dodge seats, according to their install instructions, should have the forward leg locked in towards the front of the seat track where there is a red mark painted on the rail. I see no reason why you can't slide the seat back further, in fact that's what I always do. My daughters car seat fits in the plane a little better that way and I can slide my seat all the way back without bumping into her. The only reason I can think of why you should lock it into the recommended position is the arm will be the same as the stock seat location for weight and balance computations.

Thanks for the reply, Rob.

I'm not worried about W&B considerations, merely that the seat does in fact slide forward or back along the track.

However, looking at the various pictures of installations, I can't quite see how it is accomplished. It looks as if the slide rail that is installed on the aircraft sidewall slopes downwards towards the tail end. Thus, as the seat slides back, it would get closer to the floor. The legs that support the inboard side of the seat don't appear to be telescopic, so how does it all physically fit? The legs would have to get shorter as you slide the seat back in order to keep the seat level.

Chris

I have had both. First were Atlee Dodge in a 182B Second time is in my 56 182 with Lakevue. like the Lakevue the best cus of price. They are both not to comfy but I will never be in them.

Tim