anyone have the Britax Frontier 85?

bh2720

We only have one carseat for Warner and with the new baby, I'm thinking it would be nice to have another one for him in the other car. I like the idea of this seat because it converts to a regular booster for (much) further down the road. Also, the base looks a little more compact, so (I think?) it will be easier for him to climb in and out of by himself and give us a little more room in the backseat. Has anyone found this to be true? Any other big pros or cons to it?

BRU is having 20% off online today and the seat, which is normally almost $300 is only $225 with free shipping. I'm trying to decide whether or not to pull the trigger on it. 

amh_navyblue

I don't have any experience with the Britax, but have you seen the Graco Nautilus 3 in 1?  Cheaper (got ours a month or so ago online for $140) and lasts through 100 lbs, has 5 point harness, then converts to backless booster.  We've had DD#1 in it in since she was a little over 2 y.o. and we just bought 2 more when we got the second car this fall and DD#2 will be 2 this week.

jenndreier

We had the britax frontier 85 and the graco nautilus because I couldn't decide which one I wanted.  I began to hate the britax so much.  We got it a while ago, so maybe some of the flaws that I experienced have been improved.  The straps were really hard to adjust, and the seat cover thing did not stay in place so it was hard to access the button you have to push to adjust the straps.  Since the seat cover was coming up so much the padding underneath ripped out. 

Does the newer model convert to a booster, meaning the back pops off, or just meaning the straps come out and you run the car seatbelt through the seat as a booster?  For the graco, the back actually pops off so it becomes a booster.  For our frontier, the back was not removable, you just used it with car seatbelt and not the carseat straps.

I found myself thinking of excuses to drive the car that had the graco in it, I was hating the britax so much.  THE MINUTE E 's shoulders got too high for the straps that seat went in the trash.  Even though it was not expired, there was no way anyone else could have used it with the padding missing/fallen out from the bottom of the seat.  She is still using the graco as a 5 point harness and we're having no problems with that seat.

So, again, maybe we just got a lemon or they have addressed some of these issues.  Good luck deciding.  Jenn

 

jess08200

I have the GRACO Nautilus as well and like it.  I bought it when I started to hate my Britax and switched DS from RF to FF.

I like that it converts to a backless booster so this is the last seat we will buy.

NowDNAtoo

We have the Britax Frontier 85 for N and it's been wonderful.  It's so easy for him to climb in and out of and he finds it very comfy.  I don't have any issues with the straps or the release button like the previous poster mentioned.  He'll stay in this for a long time to come.  I say go for it.

Hey Jellisy

If you are going the Graco Nautilus route and you aren't opposed to mint green and brown - Target has them on 50% off clearance for $95.  They still have a few at the Target on 50 at 7 Corners.  I just came from there at lunch today and bought them for DD.

flamencogal

We have the Britax Frontier 85 and love it.  We've had no problems at all.  If you read some of the reviews online they talk about having some trouble with installation but if you follow the directions exactly (there is even a youtube video on it!) we get a snug fit every time.

We tried the Nautilus and there was no way it was going to work for us.  The biggest complaint with boys especially is that the crotch buckle is too snug and not adjustable.  We took DS1 to the store with us to have him sit in both.  I said not a word about the crotch strap to DH or DS1 and within 1 min of being strapped into the Nautilus he complained of the crotch buckle being too tight. He fits great in the Frontier.  After having it for a few weeks we went ahead and bought a second one for the other car.

I will say that the button to loosen the straps is not as convenient as the Roundabout but not really a problem. 

vtkgirl77

I haven't looked at the Frontier but based on my research, I'm also planning to get the Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 for when we put DD#1 forward facing. It got excellent reviews and the price is reasonable. The only downside that people said is that the crotch strap can sometimes be tight because of the spacing between the strap and the back of the seat (especially a concern for boys). So, if you do end up considering it, I would either check the size for Warner at the store or make sure you can return the car seat if needed.

Gigs2000

We have both the Frontier and the Nautilus (one in each car).

I bought the Nautilus first because of all the good reviews, but it's not a good fit for DS.  He can too easily unbuckle himself, which he loves to do and PP is right about the crotch being a little snug.  If he's not sitting "just right" I have an awful time trying to get him into it comfortably. 

So instead of buying a second Nautilus, I bought the Frontier and am much happier with it.  He cannot undo the straps, and I also have an easier time adjusting them.   Plus, we do not have the crotch problem.