Car seat for the long drive (1000+miles)

[lovethattink]

Anyone drive this far to Disney with child in car seat? My baby has outgrown his infant seat/carseat that we have been using and it's time to get a new one. We're making the 1000+mile one way, 2000+ both ways, trip this summer and I'm looking for a car seat that is safe, the material won't get too hot with the summer sun, and is comfy for him to make the long trip. So far I like the Deluxe High Back Eddie Bauer Booster #22862 and the Evenflo Generations Spectra booster Seat--3521546. Any suggestions?

 

[Tishke]

This is the one that we have for DS5:
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...867083-2872143?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B0002TEA9G

Ours is a beige color, though, much like the Eddie Bauer seats. It has a removable pillow to keep their heads cushioned, a cup holder and toy basket on the side. I also like the 5-point harness that it has. It takes a few time to get used to putting it all together, but DS buckles it himself now. I really liked it. We had looked at the Eddie Bauer sear and liked it, but it was so similar to this one (which was less money and we were buying 2, one for each car) that we went with this one.

Hope that helps,
Tish

 

[all4fun]

I have been researching this as well. The combo boosters I have seen recommended the most are the Graco Ultra or Platinum Cargo (the same seat basically, but the Platinum is a little more plush) or the Evenflo Chase/Traditions/Generations. The Cosco/Safety 1st seats tend to have lower top slots so are not recommended for that reason - your dc may outgrow them height-wise before they reach the seat's weight limit. If you want to keep your dc rear-facing, which is safer, you can also consider a convertible car-seat like a Britax Marathon, which also has the advantage of harnessing up to 65-lbs. Whatever convertible seat you choose, you can keep your child r/fing up to 30-35 lbs depending on the seat. I just thought I would mention that option if you didn't already know. I found the Baby bargains book message boards to be extremely helpful.

hth!
Cheryl

 

[campingcorgi]

Here is the Britax we have--the Husky.

http://www.babyuniverse.com/pro.asp?rc=715151981516&id=68063

It has a 5-point harness for 22-80 lbs. We had to go with this seat to fit the 5 year old in the motorhome (no shoulder harness at the dinette) but we love it in the car, too. It is very comfy for her and it attaches to the car so well and tight that I feel it is super safe! I can easily see her using this seat till she is 8 years and 80 lbs. Now, this isn't a carseat you'd want to move much from vehicle to vehicle, but if you only have to move it occasionally like we do it is super!

 

[lovethattink]

Thanks for all the input so far! I'm going shopping this weekend and will check out those car seats. Looking at customer ratings of the products and consumer reports, I see alot of pros and cons to eat seat. Didn't think this would be so confusing!

 

[all4fun]

Oh yes, I forgot to mention that Cosco has a new booster they are introducing called the APEX that also harnesses up to 65 lbs. It is supposed to be competing with the Britax Husky, but will cost less. I read on another board they are supposed to start selling them in retail stores starting in May, so if you can wait a bit, you might want to check that out too.

 

[Laura66]

We had the Britaz roundabout and loved it!
Was very comfy for DD.

Laura

 

[lovethattink]

I know cost shouldn't be as much concern as a child's safety, but Dh doesn't want to spend an arm and a leg. I'd like the Britax Marathon, but looks like that's out of the question due to price. Will have to check into the APEX, however, he's too long for his infant carrier, I think we've already waited too long. Hmmm, decisions, decisions...

 

[rt2dz]

Whatever seat you buy, please remember that not all seats fit in all cars as well, despite costs (less or more). For your seat to be as safe as possible, & therefore your child, make sure it is the best fit for your car as possible. I bought a really nice seat that is supposed to be very safe when DS#2 outgrew his carrier & it just didn't fit my car right. I had to go get another carseat.

 

[tbelfonti]

Another fan of the Britax Roundabout

 

[lovethattink]

How can you find out if a particular carseat will fit the car before you buy it?

 

[pjshaff]

Usually if you go to Babies R Us, they will let you try the store model seat in your vehicle if you leave them your drivers license(you would try the seat out in their parking lot)

Also if you go to ParentsPlace.com/messageboards, and go to their messageboards, there is an EXCELLENT board for Carseats (page 4 under Best Products, Shopping, & Saving). They people on that board are very helpful and they have alot of links that are good. One of them is Carseatdata.org aka Toby's Compatability database. Go to it, I'm sure it will be helpful to you.

Good Luck

Pam

 

[califred]

I have a Britax Husky b/c my 2 year old is almost 40 lbs now and he's not mature enough to not have a harness. I iwish I had bought the Marathon when he was an infant and even though it would have been expensive it would have been the only seat he ever needed, with a harness to 65 lbs. He could have moved on to the backless booster at that point if he was still too short/young for a seat belt.

I wish the APEX had come out earlier.

There is a website that will tell you if a seat will fit in your car, I wish I could remember it.


Also, remember the best car seat is the one that is properly installed and used correctly. If you can get it installed at a safety checkpoint.

 

[weregoingtodw]

Also if you go to ParentsPlace.com/messageboards, and go to their messageboards, there is an EXCELLENT board for Carseats (page 4 under Best Products, Shopping, & Saving). They people on that board are very helpful and they have alot of links that are good.

Here's the direct link to that board - http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ppcarseats. Lots of great info!

 

[TinkerbellMama]

Another fan of the Britax Roundabout

We have both a Roundabout and a Marathon. Both seem very comfy and, most importantly, get fantastic SAFETY ratings! One thing I've read recently...the LATCH with the Marathon is UNSAFE rear-facing!! So if you have a Marathon and need to rear-face (like we do), use the car's seatbelt instead of the tether and contact Britax for more information! It was some sort of crash test NOT done by Britax but hopefully they will know something about it! I HOPE! It is supposed to be perfectly safe when using the belt, however. Good luck with your choice! Consumer Reports is a great resource.

 

[maxsmom]

LOVE it! I paid I think $159 for mine. You can find them for cheaper if you buy on-line than at BRU. Check babyage.com and albeebaby.com. The Graco busters have the seatbelt thing attached to the cover not the seat. I personally didn't like that at all. Didn't seam as safe to me. I know he's not ready for a booster, but something to consider.

 

[lovethattink]

Thanks again for all the responses. We bought a car seat yesterday at Target.