Britax Booster

[mad hatter fan]

Hi everyone!

I have a Britax Boulevarde for my son and am looking for a Britax booster for him for our other car. He is 5 1/2 now. We have a Britax Parkway for my 8 year old but I have found they have stopped making both the Britax and the Parkway. The only booster they have now can also be used with a harness and is $250 at least. That is well over our budget. I have found a few places online have a couple of Parkways or Monarchs still left in stock.

Can anyone tell me what they think of the Monarch booster seat? What do you like or dislike about it. What guides the shoulder belt to be in the right position? I cannot tell from the photo.

Thank you!

 

[ms_missy66]

I know this isn't specifically answering your question, but I've got some input anyway. ;-)

I'm a Britax lover. Both of my girls are in Regents and I intend to keep them there until they go to their 8th grade dance. (Kidding!) Anyway, I've got true boosters for them for my mom's car and was reluctant to spend $260 each, plus the seats are a bit big for her car.

I researched booster seats, prepared to spend big bugs for Britax and much to my surprise learned at the top rated one by Consumer Reports is the Graco TurboBoost. And it's like $60!

Hope that helps.

 

[all4fun]

Yes, unfortunately the Parkway has been discontinued. The Frontier is new and seems to be getting fairly good reviews. It harnesses to 80lbs, has 18" top slots, TSIP like the Blvd and PW booster, and converts to a good booster. A comparible, but less expensive option would be the Graco Nautilus ($150 retail), which harnesses to 65lbs, 18" top slots, and converts to a decent booster (both high and low back). The Frontier has a 9yr lifespan and the Graco's is 6yrs as a HBB and 5pt and the LBB part is good for 9yrs.

My ds is 5-1/2yrs old as well and he also rode in a Blvd until just before he turned 5 (when he outgrew the harness by height). He now rides in a Regent (the Frontier & Nautilus hadn't been released on the market yet when I bought it). He does ride in a booster seat w/the adult seat belt occasionally. He is still pretty impulsive (understandably, he's 5) and still has to be reminded even on short rides, to stay seated properly in the booster. So I feel a lot more comfortable knowing he's still in a 5pt most of the time.

As far as the Monarch goes, I don't have any personal experience but this "booster fit page" may help you. It compares the same 10yr old in several different boosters. Very interesting to see how differently he fits in each one. The Monarch is shown there.
Another one that I see gets rated very well is the Sunshine Kids Monterey booster. It is fully adjustable, has the extra SIP and is very tall so it will last as a HBB for a long time as well.

hth!

 

[emh1129]

That's too bad they discontinued the Parkway. My almost 7 yr old is in a Parkway and we love it. It even supports his head when he falls asleep.

Our 4 yr old is in a Regent and has a long way to go before she outgrows it, so I don't know anything about the boosters on the market now. Good luck!

 

[tanyaandallie]

The SK Monterey is very popular right now! Most who have it love it. I've seen one irl and it's super soft! The Monarch is a great seat as well.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

We have our dd in a Reagent, I am a Britax lover and she came from a Marathon. I hated dropping $250-$300 for a car seat but it was worth it, it's wonderful and I know my dd is safe in it.

 

[tanyaandallie]

Forgot to add this, if you can find a Parkway, it's a great seat as well. One of the tallest on the market, very user friendly and fits smaller kids very well. We have one as a spare for my 5.5 year old and llike it a lot.

 

[MickeyMom2Boys]

My DS5 is in the Monarch and we love it. He has never complained about it in any way. I was concerned that the "wings" around his head would be too large and block his view, but they don't. He can see just fine and if he falls asleep he has a nice headrest. I also like that it has full side impact protection. I absolutely love the seat.

On another note, there was a recent study of booster seats and the britax parkway and monarch were listed as top choices, along with a Graco booster and a Fisher Price booster. When I researched the Fisher Price one, I found out that it was made by Britax. It's the Fisher Price Safe Voyage.

 

[Mrs D]

I can't answer your specific question but did want to let you know that I have DS3 (36 lbs and 39") in a Frontier and I really like it. It's my first Britax but not my last! I did look at the Graco Nautilus and it looked VERY comparable. If I were choosing between these 2 and $ were an issue, I'd feel very comfortable choosing the Nautilus.

Good luck!

 

[all4fun]

My DS5 is in the Monarch and we love it. He has never complained about it in any way. I was concerned that the "wings" around his head would be too large and block his view, but they don't. He can see just fine and if he falls asleep he has a nice headrest. I also like that it has full side impact protection. I absolutely love the seat.

On another note, there was a recent study of booster seats and the britax parkway and monarch were listed as top choices, along with a Graco booster and a Fisher Price booster. When I researched the Fisher Price one, I found out that it was made by Britax. It's the Fisher Price Safe Voyage.

Sorry, but FP discontinued the Safe Voyage line a year or two ago, so if you do find one to order, it will probably be over a year old already (they have a 6 yr lifespan, just like the Britax boosters do). The SV booster is one of the narrowest choices which can be good for 3-across situations. It's too bad they discontinued it.

 

[jodifla]

Ah, Britax, price-gouging parents the world over!!!

 

[tanyaandallie]

Ah, Britax, price-gouging parents the world over!!!

Well, wasn't that just a totally unnecessary comment. Here we are having a nice discussion about booster seats and you have to add in your little jab at Britax. Nice.

 

[kremenos]

Well, wasn't that just a totally unnecessary comment. Here we are having a nice discussion about booster seats and you have to add in your little jab at Britax. Nice.

You have right men!!!