I tried searching...doesn't work. Please help with carseats!

jkm2002

First off, I tried searching on the boards and it wasn't working.  Don't know if I am doing that wrong

 Anyway, we are needing to buy a new convertible carseat (dd is 3).  We finally are getting another car and so need a seat for that one.  We currently have a Britax Boulevard which I have been extremely happy with, but it is so expensive.  I haven't done carseat research in 2 years so don't know what the best ones are anymore.  Any recommendations?  I saw the Britax Advocate but that one is probably out of my price range.  My parents have the Graco Nautilus and I think that one is ok.  For the price would probably get the Marathon instead.  Thanks for the help!

penguingrrl

Have you looked into the britax frontier?  Like the nautilus it will convert to a high back booster and a backless booster and has a high weight and height limit in the harness, so it truly is the last seat you'll ever need to buy.  I wouldn't buy a seat that doesn't convert to a booster for a 3 y/o since in a few years you'll have to buy yet another seat anyway. 

KrisBriMcBunny

I have the Blvd too and honestly I would go for the Marathon or the Nautilus.   The Blvd straps dont go as high as the Marathon because of those wings.

I'm hoping the Blvd would hold out until she is at least 5 but I dont see that happening so we might get the Nautilus or if she is 40lbs just go for the high back booster but I rather keep her in a 5pt harness if I can.

jettagurl

I was going to recommend the Nautilus, but I see you have experience with that.  At 3 yrs old, I wouldn't get one that doesn't convert to a booster. So, The Nautilus, Britax Frontier, and I think there's an Evenflo that does as well. 

We have two Nautilus' and are very happy with them. They are our primary seats for our 2 & 4 yr olds and I have zero complaints.

 

hopefulmom

Happy with the Nautilus but the crotch strap is a bit short I think.  Not much adjustment there.  Most people don't find this to be a problem though...not sure why it is for my DS.  It just seems really tight.  Course I could take the protective flap off from it I suppose.  lol

darlene'smommy

I would get the Nuatilus over the Marathon because the Nautilius has a higher harness.  I would also get the Nautilus over the Frontier because its much easier to install the graco also goes to a no back booster after the high back unlike the britax so you wont have to buy a no back when you need it.  Im a tech and have installed both and prefer the Graco.  The just came out with the Frontier 85 which may be eaiser to install but I dont know.  I have yet to see it. 

darlene'smommy

penguingrrl:

Have you looked into the britax frontier?  Like the nautilus it will convert to a high back booster and a backless booster and has a high weight and height limit in the harness, so it truly is the last seat you'll ever need to buy.  I wouldn't buy a seat that doesn't convert to a booster for a 3 y/o since in a few years you'll have to buy yet another seat anyway. 

 

The frontier is only a high back booster it does not turn in to a no back like the graco does.

penguingrrl

Thanks!  I didn't realize that! 

darlene'smommy

penguingrrl:

Thanks!  I didn't realize that! 

 

Yeah I dont think most do because the Graco and Britax are the same seats besides that part and small changes like the Graco has a taller harness but the Britax has a taller high back booster (the harness thing may have changed since they put out the 85 I really have not read up on it yet).

Angela814

How tall is she? I'd either go with the Britax Frontier 85 which has a top harness height of 20" or the Graco Nautilus, which has a top harness height of 17-18". We have the Nautilus. DD is getting close to needing the top harness now at about 43". A no back booster is really cheap, so I wouldn't worry about whether or not the Frontier converts to one later as long as it converts to a high back booster.