Frontier or Nautilus?

npeacock · February 2010

Who wants to weigh in on which seat they think is better and why?

I am leaning toward the Frontier because I've had such good luck with my Roundabout, and DH hated using our old Graco seat (don't remember which one that is now...).

amiamish · February 2010

I've never used a Frontier, but we have the Nautilus and we love it. DS loves the built in cup/snack holder and the little cubbies on the inside of his chair (he's starting to store things in there).

the only complaint I'd have is that the crotch buckle usually falls under DS and we have to fish it out. If we have that extra padding there with the piece around the strap it will generally stay forward. However, this would not keep us from buying another one.

Angela814 · February 2010

Is the top harness height the same?

We have been happy with our Nautilus. Our two convertible seats were Britax (Roundabout and Marathon). DD had outgrown the Roundabout by 2.5 years which is when we bought the Nautlius. I think installation is easier on the Britax seats, but actually harnessing DD is fine in both. We don't move the seat often, so it's not a big deal.

MrsStubbs · February 2010

I just got the frontier and only because DH hates to install the graco ones that our mothers have, he just can't get them tight enough.

josie402 · February 2010

I've never used the Frontier, but DS has the Nautilus and we really like it. He always seems comfortable and has plenty of room to grow into it.

AnnapolisLari · February 2010

I think people have said that the Nautilus is preferable because it has a higher top harness height.

4Speedy · February 2010

We just moved DD from A Britax Blvd. to a Graco Nautilus last week. She would still fit in the Blvd but we needed to move DS into that seat so she "graduated" to the Nautilus. We chose the Nautilus because for the money, it was the best deal in my opinion. It is as safe as the Frontier, the size limits are about the same and it was a lot cheaper.

but having the Graco and the Britax side by side, I can see why the Britax is more expensive. My DH changes company cars frequently so we move the carseats around a lot. The Britax is really that much easier to install quickly.

Also, my understanding is that the Frontier is being "upgraded" this spring so that it can be used as a 5 pt harness until the child is much taller than the current model. We only got one Nautilus right now because we needed it right away--we are holding out to replace the other convertible seat until the new Frontier is out because, in my opinion, the longer use as a 5 pt harness will outweight the cost savings over the Nautilus.

So, I guess to boil it down, the Nautilus is a great seat if you need it immediately and you keep it mostly in one car. If you move it around, then the Britax might be easier for you. And if you can wait a few more months, then I would say the new Frontier would definitely be worth the extra cost.

GrowingFamily · February 2010

We have the Nautilus for DD#2 & love it!! Absoultely no complaints. That is one solid seat! We are a Graco family- all 3 of our youngest are in Graco car/ booster seats currently. DS#2 is in the My Ride 65 & I love that as well!

FWIW, installing the Nautilus was much easier than MANY of the seats I have installed. VERY user-friendly.

hmd · February 2010

Hmm. We bought the Nautilus and returned it because DH didn't like it. We plan to buy the Frontier, but we haven't yet. Hopefully, we will like it better. I am a big fan of Britax.

amiamish · February 2010

hmd:
Hmm. We bought the Nautilus and returned it because DH didn't like it. We plan to buy the Frontier, but we haven't yet. Hopefully, we will like it better. I am a big fan of Britax.

what did he not like about it?

hmd · February 2010

amiamish:

hmd:
Hmm. We bought the Nautilus and returned it because DH didn't like it. We plan to buy the Frontier, but we haven't yet. Hopefully, we will like it better. I am a big fan of Britax.

what did he not like about it?

Well, he loved the cupholders. : ) But he thought the plastic was too flimsy, and I think there was something about the straps. I can't remember now. I don't know if the Frontier will be any better in regard to these issues. I hope so. The plastic frame of our Boulevard seems much heavier duty.

goodheartedmommy · February 2010

The nauti has slightly higher top harness slots (like a quarter of an inch). For the price, up until now, I didn't see the need to buy a frontier. That said, as of March 29, the frontier will have 20 inch top harness slots instead of the 18 that the current one and the nauti have--so I will be buying a new frontier. DS is VERY tall, though, and about to outgrow the nauti by height, so it's a necessity for us. I think most kids are okay with the 18 inch harness height.

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