CTBride - car seat question

Two*True

IIRC, you have a Graco Nautilus 3-n-1, right?  And if so, do you still like it?

We only have one carseat right now but I need to buy another to use a) in K's car and b) for traveling.  The convertible we have is too large to travel with - as in it literally doesn't fit in any of the travel cases on the market.  I think the 3n1 will fit in the back seat of a jeep and looks as though it will be easy to lug back and forth to California.

How easy is it to install?  I only ask since we'll likely have different rental cars each time we visit home.

TIA!

ctbride08

its very easy to install and i like the seat, but holy hell its the heaviest carseat in the world.  definitely not a good choice for travel.

2brides

Butting in...

We have 2 of them and it isn't my favorite seat (and we've had a lot of seats in this house.) I feel like the seat is narrow in the shoulders - perhaps it is just that the other seats we are using right now are Marathons which are really big.) And I agree that they are really really really heavy seat (perhaps heavier than the Marathons (which I have now traveled with twice (alone) since I don't trust them in boosters yet.

I know you mentioned the Sceneras. We had 2 of those and used them for travel until the kids grew out of them (40lb max) around 4.5y. They install easier with a seatbelt then LATCH, but they are super light and the kids never complained about them. I thought it was the perfect travel seat (good safety ratings, easy to install, lightweight, and lasted a long time.)

Two*True

Hmmm....well I saw it was 25lbs but I've traveled with so much gear I didn't think it would be a big deal.  Back to the drawing board....and the scenera isn't totally off the table at this point.

The 3n1 appealed to me because we won't use it often but we'll be able to use it for a long time - meaning steps 2 and 3.  I hate to think of buying a convertible for both cars then a booster for both cars when in all likelyhood the second carseat will only be used a few times a year.  Buying all steps at once seemed cost effective but maybe this isn't the seat to do that.

2brides

Two*True:

I hate to think of buying a convertible for both cars then a booster for both cars when in all likelyhood the second carseat will only be used a few times a year.  Buying all steps at once seemed cost effective but maybe this isn't the seat to do that.

 

Nautilus = $138 (Amazon)

Scenera = $39 (walmart)

Graco Turbo (high back booster/backless combo) = $45 (walmart)

So if you got the Scenera and the Turbo you will still come out cheaper (and save $55!) Plus the Nautilus is front facing only (is LO still rear facing?)

Two*True

2brides:

Two*True:

I hate to think of buying a convertible for both cars then a booster for both cars when in all likelyhood the second carseat will only be used a few times a year.  Buying all steps at once seemed cost effective but maybe this isn't the seat to do that.

 

Nautilus = $138 (Amazon)

Scenera = $39 (walmart)

Graco Turbo (high back booster/backless combo) = $45 (walmart)

So if you got the Scenera and the Turbo you will still come out cheaper (and save $55!) Plus the Nautilus is front facing only (is LO still rear facing?)

lol! I love that you've done the math for me. :-)

Yes, DD is RFing in my car.  However in the jeep, while RFing is possible it would be a huge PITA (and don't anyone jump in here about safety being worth a PITA, I'm not in the mood).  When she was in the SnugRide we used to put her in through the rear door/truck of the jeep because getting the carrier past the folded forward front seat was near impossible while maintaining any sort of balance (god I need more upper body strength).  Okay totally more info than you needed, my point is RFing for the handful of times she might be in the jeep isn't a top priority.

2brides

Dude, I am not judging. My kids were FF around 15-18m.

MommieBear

Two - thanks for starting this thread. I need to think quickly upon this since Little Bear and I will be going to California to visit family as well just before Xmas. I hate the idea of taking our car seat because it is a pia to put in my car which I rather leave in. So I might make Grandma buy one or should I grab a new one before we leave? Eek!

thiswillbe

2brides:

Two*True:

I hate to think of buying a convertible for both cars then a booster for both cars when in all likelyhood the second carseat will only be used a few times a year.  Buying all steps at once seemed cost effective but maybe this isn't the seat to do that.

 

Nautilus = $138 (Amazon)

Scenera = $39 (walmart)

Graco Turbo (high back booster/backless combo) = $45 (walmart)

So if you got the Scenera and the Turbo you will still come out cheaper (and save $55!) Plus the Nautilus is front facing only (is LO still rear facing?)

::butting in as well::

$39 for the Scenera?! Ugh, I wish I'd explored the buy-and-take-with option more before our Thanksgiving trip-- we spent $24 PER DAY to rent 2 car seats for use in our rental car. The kids only used them 3 times in the 5 days we were there (to and from the airport, and one trip to the store).

Thanks for the thread, Two!

2brides

MommieBear:

Two - thanks for starting this thread. I need to think quickly upon this since Little Bear and I will be going to California to visit family as well just before Xmas. I hate the idea of taking our car seat because it is a pia to put in my car which I rather leave in. So I might make Grandma buy one or should I grab a new one before we leave? Eek!

If g-ma is going to pick you up and take you to the airport (and this will always be the case) I would have the car seat shipped to g-ma and you can install it when she picks you up. While it isn't a big deal to schlep your own car seat to the airport (they will check it for free) it is nice not to have to worry about it. We always have to bring ours since we don't all fit in our parents car and we have to rent a car.

2brides

thiswillbe:

[we spent $24 PER DAY to rent 2 car seats for use in our rental car. The kids only used them 3 times in the 5 days we were there (to and from the airport, and one trip to the store).

Ouch.

kendylann

We have a Scenara for M's car and travel (and we travel a LOT) and LOVE it. It is super-light and compact. The Scenara + the gogoKidz roller-thingie = my #1 travel must-have!! We used that combo to get to, from and around the UK this summer and I could not have done without it. Guess we'll have to get two more of each now. LOL!