give me the convertable car seat basics

vsalt31 · November 2012

DS is getting pretty heavy in his infant carrier, I'm thinking it may be time to get converable car seats. Besides being giant looking, what are the basics?
What should look for?
What features do you like/not like?
What brands are highly rated?

Any info is appreciated.

thank you!

vsalt31 · November 2012

And, whats up with the huge difference in price points (ranging from $115-$300)?

gimmietimmies · November 2012

I had a long reply and had iPad failure. Let's hope TB doesn't eat this. Look for a seat that has higher rear facing limits both weight and height, fits your vehicle, and suitable for your ds' growth/height (is he long/short torso, on the tall side or not).

Features I like are taller shells and harnesses, seats that are easy to buckle, and fabric that wipes down easily. I don't like 3 in 1 seats in general, they are usually outgrown in height for both harness and boosters at the same time (and all but 1 are very short shelled). Don't expect to be able to use the booster mode on those seats. The high weight for booster mode is irrelevant if your child is too tall for that seat.

Highly rated? That's kind of a loaded question. Seats all have to pass the same federal standards, and can only publish pass/fail results. Anything else is really an unsubstantiated claim. There are popular seats and best sellers, but that's not really helpful to you.

Oh, and the big difference between $100 seats and $300 seats is often that the $300 seat has a longer expiry, higher rear facing limits (height and weight), and taller shells for overall longevity (and premium padding along with steel reinforcing in some cases). That's true in most, but not all seats.

I like for ease of use or longevity the Graco MyRide, Diono Radian RXT (don't count on using as a booster though), Safety 1st Complete Air, Clek Foonf, and heard good things about the ProRide. SCB (a tech on here) has one of the new Graco convertibles that is supposed to be the highest limit seat out there, but has had harness issues, so not sure I'd go there yet (size4Me, I think).

Just okay is Britax for me. Love the seat, hate the short shell. They wouldn't work for my dds, they'd have outgrown them around age 3. I won't spend $300+ on such a short use seat.

Dislike for me is the Evenflo convertibles (like the boosters). Downright loathe is the Cosco/Safety 1st/Eddie Bauer (Dorel) Alpha Omega 3-in-1 seat. It will never be used in booster mode, it's outgrown quicky, the straps twist on themselves (a problem that has been ongoing for 10 yrs), with the base on they take up more room rearfacing than the tall shelled seats, are extremely difficult to install correctly, I could go on.

Honorable mention is the Cosco Scenera, a good inexpensive backup seat, but will be outgrown quickly and the rear facing limits are too low for some.

lancyjo · November 2012

Well, I think that gimmietimmies pretty much has this one covered.

I have a Britax Boulevard 70-G3 though, and love it. Maybe I'll encounter the shell height issue, but the taller seats simply would not fit RF in my vehicle.

After you narrow down the options to a few that you really want, I suggest going to a store and trying the seats in your car to see how they fit.

SuperCuteBenz · November 2012

gimmietimmies:
I had a long reply and had iPad failure. Let's hope TB doesn't eat this. Look for a seat that has higher rear facing limits both weight and height, fits your vehicle, and suitable for your ds' growth/height (is he long/short torso, on the tall side or not).

Features I like are taller shells and harnesses, seats that are easy to buckle, and fabric that wipes down easily. I don't like 3 in 1 seats in general, they are usually outgrown in height for both harness and boosters at the same time (and all but 1 are very short shelled). Don't expect to be able to use the booster mode on those seats. The high weight for booster mode is irrelevant if your child is too tall for that seat.

Highly rated? That's kind of a loaded question. Seats all have to pass the same federal standards, and can only publish pass/fail results. Anything else is really an unsubstantiated claim. There are popular seats and best sellers, but that's not really helpful to you.

Oh, and the big difference between $100 seats and $300 seats is often that the $300 seat has a longer expiry, higher rear facing limits (height and weight), and taller shells for overall longevity (and premium padding along with steel reinforcing in some cases). That's true in most, but not all seats.

I like for ease of use or longevity the Graco MyRide, Diono Radian RXT (don't count on using as a booster though), Safety 1st Complete Air, Clek Foonf, and heard good things about the ProRide. SCB (a tech on here) has one of the new Graco convertibles that is supposed to be the highest limit seat out there, but has had harness issues, so not sure I'd go there yet (size4Me, I think).

Just okay is Britax for me. Love the seat, hate the short shell. They wouldn't work for my dds, they'd have outgrown them around age 3. I won't spend $300+ on such a short use seat.

Dislike for me is the Evenflo convertibles (like the boosters). Downright loathe is the Cosco/Safety 1st/Eddie Bauer (Dorel) Alpha Omega 3-in-1 seat. It will never be used in booster mode, it's outgrown quicky, the straps twist on themselves (a problem that has been ongoing for 10 yrs), with the base on they take up more room rearfacing than the tall shelled seats, are extremely difficult to install correctly, I could go on.

Honorable mention is the Cosco Scenera, a good inexpensive backup seat, but will be outgrown quickly and the rear facing limits are too low for some.

Ditto all of this, and I am SCB. Wink

I am on my 3rd Graco My Size 70/Size 4 Me 70 (same seat, different name) because of harness issues. I have been talking with Graco for the last 1.5 months in regards to these issues, and but about all I can reveal is that they are working on the issue.

These are seats that I would look into......

Safety 1st Guide 65

Evenflo Triumph/Evenflo Momentum

Safety 1st Complete Air, Safety 1st On Side Air

Graco My Ride 65/70

Maxi Cosi Pria 70

Diono Radians

First Years True Fit

** I might be forgetting one. The Graco MS70 and S4M70 will be an AMAZING seat once the kinks are fixed.

nicole0066 · November 2012

We have a Britax Boulevard and are very happy with it. It is easy to install and adjust. We still have the infant seat in my H's car and I am not sure which convertable we will get when she needs one in his car. My LO has a short torso and is pretty petite all around so Britax should fit her well for a long time. I will probably look at all our options when we need a second convertable, even though I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Britax.

Angela814 · November 2012

SuperCuteBenz:
I am on my 3rd Graco My Size 70/Size 4 Me 70 same seat, different name because of harness issues. I have been talking with Graco for the last 1.5 months in regards to these issues, and but about all I can reveal is that they are working on the issue.These are seats that I would look into......Safety 1st Guide 65Evenflo Triumph/Evenflo MomentumSafety 1st Complete Air, Safety 1st On Side AirGraco My Ride 65/70Maxi Cosi Pria 70Diono RadiansFirst Years True Fit I might be forgetting one. The Graco MS70 and S4M70 will be an AMAZING seat once the kinks are fixed.nbsp;

I've been meaning to page you to see how your conference call with Graco went. I need this seat, so hopefully the kinks will be worked out soon. Have they just been replacing the seat for you?

Right now DD2 rides primarily in a First Years True Fit. If the rfing weight limit wasn't so low 35 lbs, it would be almost perfect. The other issue with it was that DD1 outgrew it by height before she turned 5, but there are few convertible seats that have a taller harness height. I think it's a great seat for average sized kids.

The Radian is also a great long lasting seat. DD1 fit in it harnessed past 5 years. Rfing I think she would have made it close to 3 years.

I also agree with everything gimmie said. Basically you want a seat with a tall shell, multiple harness slots so you get a better fit, and a higher rfing weight limit.

shootingstars00 · November 2012

We have the evenflo triumph although an older version. We got it because consumer reports recommends it and I read good things about it on TB. I have read it is wider than other seats but we haven't had any problems. DD is very comfortable in it and the price is great.

SuperCuteBenz · November 2012

Angela814:
SuperCuteBenz:
I am on my 3rd Graco My Size 70/Size 4 Me 70 same seat, different name because of harness issues. I have been talking with Graco for the last 1.5 months in regards to these issues, and but about all I can reveal is that they are working on the issue.These are seats that I would look into......Safety 1st Guide 65Evenflo Triumph/Evenflo MomentumSafety 1st Complete Air, Safety 1st On Side AirGraco My Ride 65/70Maxi Cosi Pria 70Diono RadiansFirst Years True Fit I might be forgetting one. The Graco MS70 and S4M70 will be an AMAZING seat once the kinks are fixed.nbsp;
I've been meaning to page you to see how your conference call with Graco went. I need this seat, so hopefully the kinks will be worked out soon. Have they just been replacing the seat for you? Right now DD2 rides primarily in a First Years True Fit. If the rfing weight limit wasn't so low 35 lbs, it would be almost perfect. The other issue with it was that DD1 outgrew it by height before she turned 5, but there are few convertible seats that have a taller harness height. I think it's a great seat for average sized kids. The Radian is also a great long lasting seat. DD1 fit in it harnessed past 5 years. Rfing I think she would have made it close to 3 years. I also agree with everything gimmie said. Basically you want a seat with a tall shell, multiple harness slots so you get a better fit, and a higher rfing weight limit.

Yes, they have been replacing it. My 2nd seat had harness issues and an adjuster issue, so its sitting in my garage waiting to go back. My 3rd seat currently has the harness issue as well, but I have been using it, and just never loosening the harness.

I have basically talked to Graco at least 1-2x a week for the last 4-5 weeks or so. I can't say much due to our agreement, but I will say they are working on the issue. Hopefully, it will be resolved soon. Wink

gimmietimmies · November 2012

SuperCuteBenz:
Angela814:
SuperCuteBenz:
I am on my 3rd Graco My Size 70/Size 4 Me 70 same seat, different name because of harness issues. I have been talking with Graco for the last 1.5 months in regards to these issues, and but about all I can reveal is that they are working on the issue.These are seats that I would look into......Safety 1st Guide 65Evenflo Triumph/Evenflo MomentumSafety 1st Complete Air, Safety 1st On Side AirGraco My Ride 65/70Maxi Cosi Pria 70Diono RadiansFirst Years True Fit I might be forgetting one. The Graco MS70 and S4M70 will be an AMAZING seat once the kinks are fixed.nbsp;
I've been meaning to page you to see how your conference call with Graco went. I need this seat, so hopefully the kinks will be worked out soon. Have they just been replacing the seat for you? Right now DD2 rides primarily in a First Years True Fit. If the rfing weight limit wasn't so low 35 lbs, it would be almost perfect. The other issue with it was that DD1 outgrew it by height before she turned 5, but there are few convertible seats that have a taller harness height. I think it's a great seat for average sized kids. The Radian is also a great long lasting seat. DD1 fit in it harnessed past 5 years. Rfing I think she would have made it close to 3 years. I also agree with everything gimmie said. Basically you want a seat with a tall shell, multiple harness slots so you get a better fit, and a higher rfing weight limit.
Yes, they have been replacing it. My 2nd seat had harness issues and an adjuster issue, so its sitting in my garage waiting to go back. My 3rd seat currently has the harness issue as well, but I have been using it, and just never loosening the harness.
I have basically talked to Graco at least 1-2x a week for the last 4-5 weeks or so. I can't say much due to our agreement, but I will say they are working on the issue. Hopefully, it will be resolved soon.

Hoping so too! If they get this seat sorted out, I'm hoping to see it soon here. Our options are limited. And a giant wtf do I do once S outgrows rf in her Radian...Le sigh. Can't complain, car seats fifteen years ago were trickier.

new2011mommy · November 2012

I had an Eddie Bauer and hated it. To change the height on the straps, you have to take the seat out of the car and rethread them. I also did not feel like it was secure. The straps tangled all the time. I bought a Britex marathon and love it. The straps never tangle. You pull this piece up on the top of the seat to quickly adjust the straps. It feels much more secure and DS looks more comfortable.

MrsNole · November 2012

Has your LO grown out of their infant seat? I wouldn't get her a new seat unless she has grown out of it. I know you said your LO is getting too heavy in their seat, so just leave the seat in the car. You don't have to carry it anymore.

PPers gave good advice about convertibles though so do your research and take your time finding a good seat for your car! GL!

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