Car seats...what kind?

[dsneygirl]

Thank you for your replies!

I have a Ford Escape so I hope it will fit. I didn't know Babies R Us would let you test them in your car so I will try that. There are 3 seats I'm thinking of: Britax Roundabout, Marathon and the Evenflo Triumph.

We have an Escape and Roundabout. We moved DS into it at about 6.5 months as he was already 28inches. There is lots of room in our car.

 

[Kanga&2Roos]

My vote is for the Evenflo Triumph--I bought mine 4 1/2 years ago & it is still holding up great for my second ds. I love how easy it is to adjust the straps, especially the way you can adjust the height of the straps without taking the carseat out. The only negative thing that I can say about the triumph is that it is a bit heavy so it's not real practical if you need to switch it from car to car. Great idea going to Babys r Us to test them out in your own vehicle--that's what we did! Good luck!

 

[kaygreen]

Have you seen the new RADIAN car seat. It keeps them in a 5 point harness up to 80 pounds. It is 3 inches narrower on the outside than a Britax. You can fit 3 across an SUV. It is what my 7yr old daughter uses and loves!

They are at MyPreciousKid.com

 

[cinmell]

Thanks everyone! I went to the babycenter boards and someone mentioned that the Fisher Price Safe Voyage Deluxe is manufactured by Britax but marketed under the FP name, therefore cheaper. I'm going to head to Babies R Us in the next few days to check them out. Thank you for you replies, they have been very helpful and thoughtful.

 

[dhardawa]

Have you seen the new RADIAN car seat. It keeps them in a 5 point harness up to 80 pounds. It is 3 inches narrower on the outside than a Britax. You can fit 3 across an SUV. It is what my 7yr old daughter uses and loves!

They are at MyPreciousKid.com

The bad thing is that you'll never make it close to 80 lbs in that seat because it has the same harness height as the regular Radian.

 

[dhardawa]

I can absolultely guarantee that you can get a Marathon rear facing in your Escape. I have a friend who is a tech who had that (and a Roundabout actually) rear facing in her Escape.

I agree with what the others have said though. Go ahead with the Marathon. You'll get a lot more use out of it. My niece is 3 and just outgrew her Roundabout. Luckily, I had Marathons that I had planned to pass down to her anyway (that is actually why I had my sister buy the Roundabout as opposed to the Marathon) but for the typical family, this would mean going out and buying a new harnessed seat. My daughter is 7 1/2 and still fits in the Marathon.

The Fisher Price seat is good too. Look online though. They are discontinued and being clearanced out for around $130 - $140 with free shipping. The seat is made by Britax but is missing some of the added safety and ease of use features. It doesn't have lock offs or a rear facing tether. It also has a 55 lb weight limit as opposed to 65 lbs on the Marathon (this is typically not an issue though because most kids outgrow the seat by height well before 65 lbs).

There are good reasons why Britax seats are so expensive. It truly is a case of getting what you pay for. Unlike the stupid Cosco Alpha Omega, but we won't go there.

Also, NEVER use Consumer Reports as a guide for car seat purchases. They are HORRIBLE. They install the seats once using untrained installers and then make recommendations. Long term issues like twisty straps, kids complaining of the seat cutting into their back, plastic that cracks, incompatibility, adjusters that stop working, etc. are never seen in their testing. If you want really good recommendations from people who use the seats every day, I invite you to come over to Car Seats and More on the Delphi Forums.

Just a note too, if you are looking for a good seat that is cheap as a second seat, Big Lots had the Evenflo Orion in their ad this week for $60. The seat is essentially the Triumph with a different method of adjusting harness height.

Dana
Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician

 

[Manda]

I've got a Roundabout (2, actually). It's the seat I brought my son home from the hospital in and it's served us well. We had it rear-facing in the back seat of a 2-door VW GTI and it fit fine. We love our Roundabout. However, my son is now 3 years, 8 months and is about to outgrow the Roundabout, but is still too young for a booster. So, I'm shelling out another $250 for a Britax Regent. If I'd realized when I had him, how little he'd still seem at 40 inches/40 pounds, I would have went with the Marathon for sure. That way I wouldn't have had to buy multiple seats.

 

[all4fun]

Thanks everyone! I went to the babycenter boards and someone mentioned that the Fisher Price Safe Voyage Deluxe is manufactured by Britax but marketed under the FP name, therefore cheaper. I'm going to head to Babies R Us in the next few days to check them out. Thank you for you replies, they have been very helpful and thoughtful.

Like Dhardawa said, the FPSVD has been discontinued due to low sales. It might be difficult to find on store shelves. It does have the same basic shell as the Marathon though so if the MA fits then the FPSVD will too. Albeebaby.com has it on sale for $130 however it's an older Date Of Mfgr. People are reporting the ones they are getting have a DOM of 6/06, so it's nearly a year old, meaning there's only 5yrs left until it expires. That would last a one year old long enough though. Just something to think about if you might want a seat that lasts a year or two longer because you want the ability to pass it down to another child. The price is still fair IMO because one child could still get several years use out of it.

hth

 

[cinmell]

FYI
I was in Toys R Us yesterday and there was a notice posted at the front of the store about a Britax Boulevard recall. I don't remember the model numbers but I'm sure the Britax site will have all the information.

 

[designermv]

I have the Britax Wizard (I think it's now the Boulevard..whichever one has the protective headwings) and it's a beast (big), but I love it. It's so easy to use, easy to install, and I love that the straps don't get all twisty. My daughter always looks very comfortable in it. Britax makes wonderful seats, I don't think you could go wrong with any of them. I think the Marathon has a higher height limit than the Roundabout, but I'm not sure.

Good luck!

 

[designermv]

I think the recall is from November 2006. I couldn't find any information on a current recall, and I lurk on a lot of carseat safety boards. The issue was with the tether straps on Boulevard models manufactured between March 1, 2006 and August 1, 2006. The affected seats' tether straps could break when the seat was installed forward-facing with a child weighing more than 50 lbs. You can contact Britax to see if your seat is affected.

I would hope that retailers would have pulled affected seats from their shelves and displays, but it doesn't sound like that's the case.

 

[cinmell]

I noticed it was dated 11/2006 as well but at the bottom of the notice at TRU, it said to display until June 1, 2007.

 

[TheRatPack]

I have a list of carseats I'm considering for our 3 new children (adopted). I've found that most seats they will outgrow height wise before hitting the max weight, so I am trying not to go by that as much. All car seats have to pass the same safety test, so again....every car seat you're going to buy passes the same safety rating, some just have a few additional options. I like the Graco Cherished CarGo and the Graco Ultra CarGo, they both go up to 80 pounds....again probably outgrow by height prior to getting to 80 pounds (my 11 year old only weighs 70 pounds LOL). Both car seats are around 80.00 too, which is easier for my pocket book buying 3 at one time. I really really liked the Britax Decathlon seats, they looked more comfortable then the Britax Marathon and had a max weight of 65 pounds.

Friends recommended the Alpha Omega, but I really just don't like the fact that they sell you on being the last carseat you'll ever buy and most kids outgrow by height before using the booster part to 100 pounds. For when they are older I like the high back boosters who fit up to 57" and 100lbs.

There are so many out there....but I don't remember thinking this hard about it when my others were younger. My main interest is in safety, followed closely by my concern with comfort and cost. Sadly I do like those Britax but I can't see shelling out 900.00 for carseats that only have slight differences and where other seats are just as safe.

 

[all4fun]

I think the recall is from November 2006. I couldn't find any information on a current recall, and I lurk on a lot of carseat safety boards. The issue was with the tether straps on Boulevard models manufactured between March 1, 2006 and August 1, 2006. The affected seats' tether straps could break when the seat was installed forward-facing with a child weighing more than 50 lbs. You can contact Britax to see if your seat is affected.

I would hope that retailers would have pulled affected seats from their shelves and displays, but it doesn't sound like that's the case.

You have the mfgr dates right but the problem w/the tether wasn't that they would break but that w/kids weighing over 50lbs, in an accident, it could cause the seat to slip from upright into recline mode, causing injury to the child. Most kids outgrow the bigger Britax seats around 50-55lbs (the avg weight of a 5-6yr old) so not everyone who owns one of these will actually be affected by this "recall" notice.
Here's more info http://www.britaxusa.net/support/documents/20061020-NotificationLetterV2_000.pdf

hth

 

[all4fun]

I like the Graco Cherished CarGo and the Graco Ultra CarGo, they both go up to 80 pounds....again probably outgrow by height prior to getting to 80 pounds (my 11 year old only weighs 70 pounds LOL). Both car seats are around 80.00 too, which is easier for my pocket book buying 3 at one time. I really really liked the Britax Decathlon seats, they looked more comfortable then the Britax Marathon and had a max weight of 65 pounds.

The CarGo is a "combo" seat that harnesses to 40lbs then converts to a so-so high back booster seat up to 80lbs. If you buy one, make sure it has a front harness adjuster. I think it's the "Treasured" CarGo that doesn't have a front adjuster so I would recommend staying away from that particular model. The one labeled "Zephyr" HERE has taller top harness slots than the others so that is probably the one you want to get if you buy the CarGo seat. If you want a seat that makes a good harness seat AND a good booster after 40lbs, the Evenflo Generations here or Bolero (@Kmart - less expensive version) are ones you should probably look into. These also go to 40lbs w/harness, then convert to a booster up to 100lbs. We actually bought a Bolero for my ds as a spare seat for MIL's car and for travel use.

Friends recommended the Alpha Omega, but I really just don't like the fact that they sell you on being the last carseat you'll ever buy and most kids outgrow by height before using the booster part to 100 pounds. For when they are older I like the high back boosters who fit up to 57" and 100lbs.

You're right to stay away from all the 3-in-1 or All-in-1 seats as the harness on those are so short most kids outgrow them well before age four (my ds outgrew his at 34mos by height), and they make terrible booster seats anyway. You know the rule about any one thing that tries to do it all..."jack of all trades, master of none."

As far as the Britax seats go, it's hard for many people to afford one much less three so don't feel badly about that. I actually agree with the pp who was recommending the Fisher Price Safe Voyage Deluxe seats to you. This is a dressed down Britax Marathon. It has 17.5" top slots, harnesses to 33lbs r/fing, and 55lbs f/fing. It's $130 right now at Albee Baby.com - on clearance due to low sales, so who knows how long it will be available. These seats typically last kids until they are between 5-6yrs old.

ETA: this site also has the pros/cons of many popular seats I thought you might find it helpful
http://www.carseatsite.com/recommended_car_seats.htm

ETA: here are links to the FPSVD on albeebaby
http://www.specialtybaby.com/fiprsavodeco1.html
http://www.specialtybaby.com/fiprsavodeco2.html

hth

 

[dhardawa]

I have a list of carseats I'm considering for our 3 new children (adopted). I've found that most seats they will outgrow height wise before hitting the max weight, so I am trying not to go by that as much. All car seats have to pass the same safety test, so again....every car seat you're going to buy passes the same safety rating, some just have a few additional options. I like the Graco Cherished CarGo and the Graco Ultra CarGo, they both go up to 80 pounds....again probably outgrow by height prior to getting to 80 pounds (my 11 year old only weighs 70 pounds LOL). Both car seats are around 80.00 too, which is easier for my pocket book buying 3 at one time. I really really liked the Britax Decathlon seats, they looked more comfortable then the Britax Marathon and had a max weight of 65 pounds.

Friends recommended the Alpha Omega, but I really just don't like the fact that they sell you on being the last carseat you'll ever buy and most kids outgrow by height before using the booster part to 100 pounds. For when they are older I like the high back boosters who fit up to 57" and 100lbs.

There are so many out there....but I don't remember thinking this hard about it when my others were younger. My main interest is in safety, followed closely by my concern with comfort and cost. Sadly I do like those Britax but I can't see shelling out 900.00 for carseats that only have slight differences and where other seats are just as safe.

I just want to be sure you're aware that the Cargos are only good with a harness to 40 lbs. After that they must be used as boosters and with the closed belt guides, they are not good boosters. That is a common mistake parents make.

You are SO righ ton the Alpha Omega. It will never last a kid from birth to a seatbelt. First, it is outgrown by height as a harnessed seat well before a child is ready for a booster. Then, as a booster (which it makes a CRAPPY booster) it is outgrown before they are ready for a seatbelt. Top that off with the fact that it will expire before the child is ready for a seatbelt. It also has lists of other problems. It is not a good seat at all.

Also, all car seats have to meet MINIMUM safety requirements (which in the US are pretty pitiful). Some go above and beyond and add extra safety features, extra ease of use features, extra crash testing, etc. That is what you pay for with Britax.

 

[dhardawa]

You have the mfgr dates right but the problem w/the tether wasn't that they would break but that w/kids weighing over 50lbs, in an accident, it could cause the seat to slip from upright into recline mode, causing injury to the child. Most kids outgrow the bigger Britax seats around 50-55lbs (the avg weight of a 5-6yr old) so not everyone who owns one of these will actually be affected by this "recall" notice.
Here's more info http://www.britaxusa.net/support/documents/20061020-NotificationLetterV2_000.pdf

hth

I have also heard that the "defect" actually increased the safety of the seat. It worked in reducing how hard the child was thrown forward kind of like the rip-stitch tether. Obviously, this is something Britax could never advertise due to federal regulations, but that has been the word on the street.

You are right about most kids outgrowing the seat by height before this becomes an issue though. My daughter is 7 1/2, still fits in the Marathon but probably just outgrew the Boulevard, and is 47 lbs.