Any thoughts on Britax car seats?

[akasleepingbeauty]

We have had 2 Roundabouts and just ordered our first Marathon last week. I absolutely LOVE Britax carseats and have decided after battling with a vastly inferior Graco for the last year that I will not buy any other brand. They are so easy to install - no locking clips etc. and my kids really seem comfortable in them as well. Of course the safety ratings are the primary reason to purchase but the other features sure do help. My daughter is 5 and although many if not most kids can easily use a booster at this age she just doesn't fit in them well; we tried several ones (including the Britax ones) but she is just too petite (very narrow through the hips and shoulders) and I did not feel she was adequately protected in them. Thus the purchase of the Marathon -hopefully she can use it for a couple of years (she is only 35 pounds but is 44 inches so she'll probably outgrow the height before the weight) and then we have a couple of years for ds to use it.

Anyone considering a Britax purchase should definitely do price comparison shopping online. I ordered my Ashley floral Marathon for $185 total including delivery (no tax either) and the stores around here want $250 (w/tax $270+) so I really really saved doing it this way.

Also remember that carseats should only be used for 5 years from date of manufacture (not date of purchase) because the plastic in them begins to degrade at that point which compromises their stability in an accident. The manufacture date is clearly printed on a label on the carseat so please check any hand-me-down seats to make sure they are still safe for your little one!

 

[JennsBabySky]

I have a Marathon and I've been extremely happy with it. As far as carrying it through an airport, a friend gave me a tip one time. She said to let out the straps all the way and wear it as a backpack - I did it on our last trip to WDW and it worked like a charm. I hardly even knew I was carrying it!

Sorry, but I'm going to be a nag here. Don't carry the carseat by the internal harness. It is a big no-no according to Britax -- too much extra strain on the straps, so it might not perform properly in a crash. Yikes! They have given their nod of approval to carrying it by the top tether or you can buy a carrier made to attach to the carseat so you can carry it like a backpack (PacBac I think, I have it and it works quite nicely).

 

[JennsBabySky]

Also remember that carseats should only be used for 5 years from date of manufacture (not date of purchase) because the plastic in them begins to degrade at that point which compromises their stability in an accident. The manufacture date is clearly printed on a label on the carseat so please check any hand-me-down seats to make sure they are still safe for your little one!

By the way, Britax allows carseats to be used for 6 years. I just found this on their website. But thanks for pointing this out. I had thought it was 7 years and my seats are 6 next year. I was just thinking about this today (how we are going to be changing the carseats around next so that everyone has a safe seat in all the cars), so it is a strange coincidence to see it posted her!

From Britax website:
Q. How long can my seat be used?
A. We recommend that the use of a restraint be discontinued if older than six years of age or has been in a severe crash. After six years, technology has changed, components degrade from the environment depending on how and where they are stored, parts get lost or installed incorrectly, instructions and labels may not be available to read. The restraint may be unsafe and should be thrown away.

 

[long4disney]

We have the britax roundabout and the marathon. The best carseats out there. My dd was always so comfortable in both seats. I would probably purchase just the marathon since my dd outgrew her roundabout quickly. She is very tall for her age. The marathon is a lot bigger and very soft and padded for them. She sleeps so well in it!!! You won't regret the purchase.

 

[akasleepingbeauty]

JennsBabySky - thank you for that information. I am almost positive that when we purchased our first Britax (way back in 99) that they were said to last 5 years. Perhaps they have upgraded their materials or done further testing but whatever the cause I am very glad to hear it as it means another year for one of our seats.

I am always surprised at the number of people who are not aware that there is a limit on how long you can use a carseat - I guess it is not something that everyone thiinks about. I am glad Britax puts that info on their website - hopefully someone who hadn't thought about it before will read this and not use a carseat beyond its safe age.

 

[WDWorBUST]

We have 2 marathons - one for my car and one for my moms. I love them. I never thought about the materials degrading and them having a "shelf" life.

 

[pkgman]

I would say that the length of use limit is more a liability than safety issue. The same materials used to make a car seat and straps is the same products used to make "car" seats and seatbelts. No one would think that car is unsafe because it was six years old.
I could see a problem with use if a family had three kids spaced 2-3 years apart. The youngest child could be using it 12-13 years after the oldest was born.
We got a Marathon fromBabyAge for $190 with coupon from NaughtyCodes.

 

[disneymom3]

Love them love them love them! They are fab to install and worth every single penny! Thankfully my kids are almost out of the 5 point age and size, at least so I don't have to buy another one, but if I did, I would buy a Britax. Hands down, no question about it.