OT: Any non-Britax car seat that harnesses beyond 40lbs?

[molly2004]

Hi, there! I need your help on an off-topic matter. My guys are still under 3 and will hit the height and weight limit on their car seats soon-ish. They're not mature enough for true booster yet so I hesitate to go that route. Most convertible/booster car seats only harness up to 40 lbs. They're 35+ lbs now and will most likely hit 40 lbs before they're mature enough to use the seat belt only. Are there any car seats out there that allow you to harness the kids beyond 40 lbs other than Britax? If I had all the money in the world, I'd have no problem buying the Marathon. I wished I had enough foresight to buy them when they first grew out of their infant carriers. I really don't want to drop a grand on 4 car seats, but if I have to, I have to. I just hope there's an alternative out there I don't know about.

If there is no alternative, at least I'd like to try to make my $$ go farther. Any thoughts on the Regent?

Thanks!

 

[LaraK]

I have four Nania Airways....two for each car. DD outgrew the "average" five-point at 2.5....with the Nania Airway, I can keep her in a 5-point to 50lbs. It was about $120. You have to get it on line because they don't sell it retail in the states. It's not as easy to manipulate as a Britax, but is half the price. (it's French, so everything is a little backwards...not a slam on the French, they just do seats differently)

 

[PoohHappens]

I am not suggesting this as it is not what you asked, but at least you will have the info. The Compass booster does start at 30 lbs where most start at 40. My 5 year old does not weigh 40 yet but was tall and could no longer fit in his harness properly. We moved him to this at 4. We also have another cheaper booster and it does not seem to restrain him nearly as well. We have been really happy with this booster. This might be an option for your second car. I feel he is well restrained in the Compass. I know anything can happen even a block from home, but we do feel like he is well restrained in the compass.

 

[tanyaandallie]

If you can at all swing it, I'd get the Britax seats. One you might consider is the Regeant. The Regeant would hold your little's up to 80 lbs. If you search around you can find Britax seats on sale.

 

[molly2004]

I have four Nania Airways....two for each car. DD outgrew the "average" five-point at 2.5....with the Nania Airway, I can keep her in a 5-point to 50lbs. It was about $120. You have to get it on line because they don't sell it retail in the states. It's not as easy to manipulate as a Britax, but is half the price. (it's French, so everything is a little backwards...not a slam on the French, they just do seats differently)

This might work. Would you tell me where you bought yours?

 

[brat5063]

I believe Apex makes a 5 point harness that goes to 65lbs. I want to say it costs $150. I too have a big boy who will be 3 in Feb and weighs 38 lbs. I do think it is important to keep them in a 5 poing harness as long as possible.

http://www.toysrus.com/sm-safety-1st-apex-65-booster-seat-lancer--pi-2401331.html

I love Britax carseats. We have a roundabout and a marathon. I wish we had just purchased to marathons from the start. We just purchased the regent a month ago and it is a great seat. I don't regret spending the money on it. I don't know if there is a store called The Right Start around you. They carried them both in stock and let you put them both in your car to see what fit better. Babies R Us probably does it too.

 

[kokotg]

The fisher price safe voyage retails for around $180, and harnesses to 55 pounds. I found one for $150 w/ free shipping a few weeks ago. It's manufactured by Britax; I think it's essentially a less expensive marathon with a little bit lower weight limit.

 

[LaraK]

This might work. Would you tell me where you bought yours?

I just googled it...here's one

http://www.familyonboard.com/nania_carseat_booster_car_seat.html

 

[ceiligh1]

we have the recaro young sport. I belive that it would work for you as well. I like the fact that it has more head and neck support than many of the other seats out there. It is spendy though it does convert to a booster when you need it to do so.
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...1/602-4178700-9343830?ie=UTF8&asin=B000AHPMEW

 

[amyup]

The fisher price safe voyage retails for around $180, and harnesses to 55 pounds. I found one for $150 w/ free shipping a few weeks ago. It's manufactured by Britax; I think it's essentially a less expensive marathon with a little bit lower weight limit.

This is the carseat that is most recommended on the babycenter board for those that don't want to shell out the big bucks for Britax.

 

[GatorGal]

I realize Britax car seats are expensive, but I'm a firm believer in "you get what you pay for". Britax does extensive crash testing, above and beyond what's required by our federal government's standards. Many of their seats now have side impact protection as well as other features that you just can't find on less expensive seats. Britax also has a buy back program where they buy back seats that are involved in accidents, I'm not aware of any other manufacturer of car seats that offers this. I tried other brands but ended up regretting it and eventually switched to Britax.

The fisher price seats that are now available are manufactured by Britax and have many of the same features (although I'm not sure about the accident buy back option) so they may be a more affordable option for you.

HTH

 

[lady9]

Get the Regent by Britax. It was the best "bang for our bucks!" Yes, they do buy back if in an accident which we were 4 weeks ago. I was in the hospital 4 days, DH 2 days, and DD (3 1/2) spent a wonderful week at Nana's after walking way with a scratch above her eyebrow! Side note, we drive a Pilot so it is not a tiny car and were hit on my side, and shoved into a car making a turn so the driver's side was crushed, too. DD was in the middle position, and we were all wearing sealtbelts. The Pilot was not totaled but it looks bad. The Regent is on back order until March or so but that is exactly what we are getting again.

 

[american_mommy]

My children just all grew out of their carseats. It took me a few months and got a seat here and there but we did buy all Britax. I got a Decathlon for my 5 yr old, because we are expecting #4 and she can pass it down to that one, a Marathon for my 40 lb 3 yr old and a Regent for my 7 yr old. They all love their new seats and even though my dh hates spending the money but he knows they are the best. I am really happy with our choices. The REgent was the last one we bought and even though it was the Blue Bouquet my ds even liked trying it out! A 3 yr old is nowhere near ready to be in a booster seat. I don't even let my 5 yr old sit it one and the 7 yr old only sits in one when she is going places with friends.
The Regent would be a good seat for you because it lasts so long and for bigger kids it is great seat. Sometimes I wish I had gotten one for my ds instead of the MA but he had his heart set on the cow seat and I know it will last him awhile too.
Good luck deciding!
Tammy

 

[molly2004]

Sounds like we'll be getting the Regent. It is the only one I feel good about despite the cost. People have said there are problems with the straps getting all twisty. Is it THAT bad? I just wish it had "wings" to support their heads while sleeping. The cost will also mean we'd have to cancel WDW Christmas 2007. Oh, well, there's always 2008!

 

[jodifla]

Sounds like we'll be getting the Regent. It is the only one I feel good about despite the cost. People have said there are problems with the straps getting all twisty. Is it THAT bad? I just wish it had "wings" to support their heads while sleeping. The cost will also mean we'd have to cancel WDW Christmas 2007. Oh, well, there's always 2008!

The cost of car seats means you'll have to cancel your Disney trips! Holy smokes!


You don't think that's taking it a bit far?

 

[jessica52877]

The cost of car seats means you'll have to cancel your Disney trips! Holy smokes!


You don't think that's taking it a bit far?

I can totally see this happening! I think you said for 4 too! Right? That is alot of money.

I bought a britax boulevard two months ago for my almost 4 year old, but unfortunately it doesn't fit in our car at all. he is about 4 inches from the ceiling and a HUGE driver distraction so it has never even been used.

I thought it out long and hard, but if you really think about it, it isn't even $1 a day and that is only if you were to keep it for a year. Right now we still have our fisher price, but I will be getting something else as soon as I figure out what to do with this one!

 

[KristiKelly]

I bought the Britax Marathon for #3.

I was sent an e-mail a few weeks ago and I'm going to paste the link here. You may have seen it already and be prepared . It makes me want to go out and buy a new seat for my DD turning 7, she's 55 lbs and would hate, hate, hate to be put back into a "carseat" but...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ

 

[jodifla]

I bought the Britax Marathon for #3.

I was sent an e-mail a few weeks ago and I'm going to paste the link here. You may have seen it already and be prepared . It makes me want to go out and buy a new seat for my DD turning 7, she's 55 lbs and would hate, hate, hate to be put back into a "carseat" but...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ

Oh, no, not this again. It was the seatbelt that was defective, not the booster seat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please.

 

[WantToGoNow]

Oh, no, not this again. It was the seatbelt that was defective, not the booster seat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please.

Whether it was the seatbelt or the booster doesn't matter -- the child is still dead. If he were in a 5-point harness anchored to the car he wouldn't have been ejected and probably would still be alive.

 

[jodifla]

Whether it was the seatbelt or the booster doesn't matter -- the child is still dead. If he were in a 5-point harness anchored to the car he wouldn't have been ejected and probably would still be alive.

Unless the anchor failed. ANd if it was a 10 year old, then what would have happened if the seatbelt failed?

There is nothing wrong with the booster seat that was used, as was proven by the other child in the same car and in the same accident.

My car doesn't have a tether or an anchor system, so it would be useless.

To me, the point is to make sure the seatbelt doesn't fail -- that's the core of the issue. Not to go out and buy overly expensive car seats.