Need Convertible carseat reviews

[Mommy2JulietJocelyn]

I am going back & forth about buying DD#3 a new convertible carseat or making a new cover for DD#1's Evenflo triumph 5. The evenflo was made 2004 so it does need a new cover. I have a newer version with extra pillows/padding for DD#2 who is 33inches and 22lbs (her 3rd birthday is this week). DD#3 will be bigger than she is more like DD#1 who never had any problems with the Evenflo. BUT... I have been looking at the Graco comfortsport seats does anyone have one? pros? cons? and are the Britax ones really all they are cracked up to be? If I buy a new one I would like to get a narrower one so that I know my husband can fit DD31's graco booster, DD#2 Triumph and DD#3's convertible seat across in the truck(f250 supercrew) so if anyone has experieince with that truck & 3 seats let me know too please. We don't take many long trips at all but we are driving from NJ to Disney in September so I want to take that into consideration too. TIA.

 

[hmacmahony]

We also live in NJ, and have driven to disney 3 times. The first time we had 3 kids, one in a infant seat, one in a eddie bauer, and one in a britax (we were in the process of upgrading to all britax).
Honestly, my daughter who sat in the eddie bauer, was very uncomfy, she cried and never really fell into a good sleep. Finally we stopped and switched her out of the uncomfy seat and put her in the britax, and she fell right asleep. Then, of course, my daughter in the eddie bauer fused the rest of the ride. The britax, is very comfy, very padded.
But, I do not think you could fit 3 across, we can not fit 3 across, but that is in a minivan, so not sure about in a truck.
Also remember carseat expire, so check the date on your evenflo to see when that happens.
I have heard that the sunshine radians have a very narrow base, and would fit 3 across. Plus, check out the new graco natulius, which is only a forward facing seat, (walmart does have them), it is cheap, but harness to 65 pounds (I believe, you would have to check, we don't own one, but I hear amazing things about it). But, check that one out as well, I just don't know the specifics on it yet.
good luck in your search!
H

 

[RobinFabulous]

Yes the Britax are all they say they are. My youngest DD has one and after two other children I can honestly say that it is wonderful. She's small, 3 and about 22 pounds and she still fits in it comfortably. We had the FP Safe Embrace before and it was comprable, but the don't make it anymore. The Britax has been worth every penny

 

[sohappy]

We switched earlier this year from an Evenflo Triumph to a Britax Regent. I was bored and read the manual for the Evenflo while waiting in traffic. In the manual, it says that the bottom 2 settings for the shoulder belts are for rear facing only. My son was almost 3 and there is no way he would turn back around at that point. It would still be a while before he could fit safely into the top strap. I know that newer models have a slider instead of strap holes. My Evenflo was purchased in 2005, so I am guessing yours is the same way. Just something to think about.

The regent will last us several years but it is HUGE. I am not crazy about how big it is, but I will deal with it for the safety it provides.

 

[mamaLori05]

I HIGHLY recommend the Britax!!! We have two Britax Marathons and they are great! We started my dd out in a graco infant seat, then to the Alpha Omega Elite convertible seat. While she was in the Alpha seat she always had a hard time falling asleep. When she did her little head would fall to one side and just kind of hang there. Any bump we would go over she would wake up. I had originally always thought people were nuts for buying the Britax seats because of how expensive they were, but then I started doing reviews.....they are rated the highest for safety!! No other seat even comes close. I'm usually not a sucker for safety stuff like that, but after reading the reviews and safety specs I was sold. So I went and bought a Britax Marathon, installed it in my car (SOOOO easy by the way), put my dd in it, and it was a dream!! She fell asleep as soon as we started moving, and didn't wake up until we got home. No head bobbing, nothing. She even was telling me how much she LOVED her new carseat. When we got home I even took out the Britax and put the two seats next to each other to compare them. The belts alone were a much thicker material and much sturdier than the Alpha or Graco seats. The padding in the Britax was also much better. It was the styrofoam stuff used in bike helmets, where the other seats had just a flimsy foam if anything at all. Anyway, my advise would be to go to your local baby store and take a Britax seat and another brand and take the covers off and just do a comparison. I think you'll find yourself buying a Britax after you really compare them. Definatly worth the extra!!!!

 

[juliana_sd]

I am going back & forth about buying DD#3 a new convertible carseat or making a new cover for DD#1's Evenflo triumph 5. The evenflo was made 2004 so it does need a new cover.

Don't make a new cover - you should be able to order one from the manufacturer. The reason is that the covers need to be fire retardant.

I've always had Britax seats and love them, but if you really need to fit three across, you will probably just have to go to Babies R Us with the two seats you have, and see which ones fit. If you have a rear-facing one in the center then you'll have the best chance, since they can kind of fit together like a puzzle, if that makes sense.

 

[djmeredith]

I have done lots of research on car seats for my 5 nephews, ages 4.5-2 mos. We love Britax, and have used the Roundabout, Marathon, and currently 2 Regents. However, I now recommend the Radian by Sunshine Kids over the Britax. It is more narrow than Britax and I have read that it can fit 3 across in a back seat.