OT: Carseat Shopping

[*Wish*Upon*A*Star*]

Sorry, this is totally OT, but I figured I'd check with you guys...

DH and I are shopping for a convertible carseat for DS and so far, we really like the Britax Decathlon... heard nothing but great things about it. So far, I've found the Decathlon at http://www.travelingtikes.com for $239.99 (free shipping/no tax) -- this is the least expensive we've found. Has anyone ordered from them before? How was your experience with them? We'd prefer to get the carseat ASAP as we leave for WDW in twelve days! I may just pay for expedited shipping... we'll see.

Also, does anyone have any comments on the Britax Decathlon? Do you like it? Hate it? Neutral? Is there another carseat you like better?

Thanks in advance!

 

[all4fun]

I have no experience w/that website but we have the Britax Boulevard and love it, mainly because of the True Side Impact Protection and the infinitely adjustable harness (no rethreading). It's the same height & weight limits and the MA and DC seats.

From what I've heard the DC is a great seat for newborns but the adjustable crotch at it's farthest point out is about the same as on the MA/BV seats and the infant body pillows may not be needed for an older child as well. Just some food for thought. Depending on how big your dc is, you might do just as well buying the MA. The other main difference between the DC and MA/BV is it has a push button adjuster for tightening the harness whereas the MA/BV have the typical pull-tab style. This is one feature (I hear) that a lot of people like better. This of course is all info I've gleaned from other car safety sites, not personally, so take it fwiw. hth!

Cheryl
p.s. I've gotten lots of good info from babycenters "Car Safety Tips" board (click here) in case you want to check it out!

 

[Jenn Lynn]

I don't have a Decathlon, but a Marathon for DS. Before that DD was in a Roundabout. We love the Marathon.

I have to say that I prefer the pull tab to the button. The Roundabout has a button and after a couple of years it started to stick.

 

[grlpwrd]

My 10mo dd has a Britax Boulevard, not a Decathlon. We chose the Boulevard because of the side impact protection "wings" on the side of each head area and it's good for up to 65 lbs. The Decathlon is similar except it doesn't have the side impact protection. I have also read the same thing about the Decathlon that all4fun posted.

We also got our almost 3yo son a Britax Marathon because our old Britax Roundabout expired recently. (For those reading about carseats I also want to add that Fisher Price has an agreement with Britax who makes the Fisher Price Safe Voyage and Safe Voyage Deluxe seats which are comparable yet cheaper than the Roundabout and Marathon.)

If you really want to talk carseats you also might want to check out the boards at www.windsorpeak.com and www.car-seat.org .

GL!

 

[*Wish*Upon*A*Star*]

Thanks for all of your help!

Now, I'm leaning towards the Boulevard, but I'm just not sure... Guess a trip to BRU is in our immediate future! LOL

Thanks again

 

[3littleHalls]

We are huge fans of Britax and think the money is always well spent. We have purchased Roundabout, Marathon, Husky, and Parkways. I think the idea of a convertible is a good investment. I would go with the carseat that offers what you feel is most important be it safety, comfort, price, or installation. In my opinion, I don't think that my kids would be 65lbs and riding in a 5 point carseat. My 6 1/2yr old is 45lbs and she is in the Parway. Best wishes with your purchase. I have checked out a couple of the opinions boards before buying for pros and cons.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Big Britax fans here. We have 3 of them. Unfortunately our oldest DS (will be 4 this week!) has recently outgrew his and the Parkway is too narrow for him as he has wide shoulders so we got a Graco TurboBooster. I would always reccomend a Britax. They are great!

 

[all4fun]

In my opinion, I don't think that my kids would be 65lbs and riding in a 5 point carseat. My 6 1/2yr old is 45lbs and she is in the Parway.

I doubt my ds will be either. He just turned three and is barely 30lbs. On his current growth curve he'll probably be at least 5 before he hits 40lbs so I'm hoping that his growth will be in his legs for the most part so that he can stay in a harness until he's at least that heavy! We did have him in a Cosco A/O 3-in-1 originally and he outgrew that by height by the time he was 34months. He wasn't even the minimum weight to move him into bpb mode at that time, even if we wanted to (which we did not). Even though the Britax seats are spendy, I was glad there was a seat that was big enough to accomodate my little string bean in a harness for a while longer!

 

[*Wish*Upon*A*Star*]

We're just back from BRU - we bought the Decathlon! LOL

DH was leaning more towards the Boulevard, but I was concerned that DS wouldn't be happy with it because he wouldn't be able to look around, side to side. So we ended up with the Decathlon - we used a 10% off coupon so it was $256.50 - close to what we could have gotten it for online, and we feel a little better about going back to BRU should we have any problems, rather than trying to contact an online store...

So thanks again for all of your help!