which convertible car seat and why?

daniella2727 · February 2014

need to purchase one soon for my almost 1 year old and looking at which choices.

I have a Britax for my 2.5 year old and it isn't my favorite - although safety comes first and it is up there in rank.

But it is difficult to figure out how to put the material on/off to clean and the adjustable head rest is a pain in the butt to move up and down. Also the Styrofoampiece around her head cracked! I do understand that every year small features like this change and advance. My feature feature is that it clicks so you know that you tightened it enough.

As we are about to purchase #2 would love some insight.

FmrAFBrat · February 2014

My best advice is to look at seats in person-see how well they adjust, fit your child, and your lifestyle. I'd also make sure your seat RFs to 40lbs and 40inches. FWIW even though I like the seat we have for ODS, YDSs situation is a little different so we'll more than likely do a different seat for him. One of the things I really like about my current seat is it is easy to take apart and clean, as well as adjust-so those are things I am looking for in our next seat, as well as a great recline feature since we don't have that and YDS will need that (he has breathing issues and needs the ability to be reclined more). The Chicco Nextfit is what we are looking at. I have a budget ($200),so I'm waiting to get one on sale since our Target was out of them with the sale. Other seats I've been looking at are the Graco MySize, and the Safety 1st Advance Air (although the current version is huge). Target, Amazon, & BBB have had the best prices so far.

hollygb22 · February 2014

We have the Britax Advocate. I'm not a fan. It's huge and bulky and the straps drive me crazy! They are always twisted, difficult to get on top of her shoulders and I hate the rubbery safety cells on them near the chest clip. Their customer service was terrible to deal with in regards to a recall on the straps as well. It took about 3 months for them to get us the replacement part with so many calls, emails, etc.

When we went to buy a second for my husband's car, I just didn't want to do another Britax. We narrowed it down to the Evenflo Symphony and Graco My Ride. We ultimately went withthe Evenflo because I believe the weight limit was higher and it has the capability to turn into a booster as well. It's not the seat I use daily but my husband has said it's so much easier to get her in and out of vs the Britax.

headgear03 · February 2014

Not one seat is safer then the next . When they test seats its a pass or fail . Britax has an amazing marketing campaign but thats all that is . A expensive seat passes all the same tests as a cheap one and our government does not rank seats from safest to least safest . Now the safest seat is one that fits your child and car the best and is used properly . For the longest rear facing options look into the Graco size 4 me / my size/ headwise ( same seat just sold at different places with different fabric)this is the longest rear facing option right now . Next is the Chicco next fit , Diono radians ,and first years true fit. Warning Britax seats have short shells and are out grown rear facing and forward facing early and us not recommended for kids whose height is above the 30% . If you want more help with seats i suggest joining the carseats for the littles page on facebook. The site is full of very knowledgeable car seat technicians who can help you find the right seat that fits your child , car and budget the best.

LittleApple · February 2014

::headdesk: There are NO safety ratings.

kmc84 · February 2014

headgear03 said:
Not one seat is safer then the next . When they test seats its a pass or fail . Britax has an amazing marketing campaign but thats all that is . A expensive seat passes all the same tests as a cheap one and our government does not rank seats from safest to least safest . Now the safest seat is one that fits your child and car the best and is used properly . For the longest rear facing options look into the Graco size 4 me / my size/ headwise ( same seat just sold at different places with different fabric)this is the longest rear facing option right now . Next is the Chicco next fit , Diono radians ,and first years true fit. Warning Britax seats have short shells and are out grown rear facing and forward facing early and us not recommended for kids whose height is above the 30% . If you want more help with seats i suggest joining the carseats for the littles page on facebook. The site is full of very knowledgeable car seat technicians who can help you find the right seat that fits your child , car and budget the best.

EVERYTHING she just said!

FmrAFBrat · February 2014

Here's the chart with shell measurements:

https://carseatblog.com/23355/rear-facing-convertible-seats-measurements-height-limits-weight-limits/

ateach · February 2014

I can only advise based on my experience in my specific car. We got a diono Radian rxt first. We have a 2007 rav4. This thing took up a huge amount of space front to back. We could have eventually gotten the angle adjuster but decided to just get a different seat. My husband said to get whatever seat took up the least space front to back no matter what haha. We ended up with the combi coccoro. A good seat and very compact. She still has lots of room to grow at almost 14 months. I think it will last until at least 2 (I hope). We may get another rear facing to go longer at that point, but we will see. If she outgrows the combi before 2, we definitely will. At least we will have has a nice seat recline until then! I am thinking about chicco nextfit or peg perego if we need to get another.

MrsLele · February 2014

We love our Marathon, but my daughter is petite. Every family has different needs.

SunAndRain · February 2014

Not loving the ricaro pro ride which we chose for DH's car because it sits so high off the seat. Makes it difficult to get dd in to the seat. That aside it adjusts easily, is co.for table for dd and just looks cool

DH likes the ricaro better than the Britain in my car because he says the straps are a pain in the butt to adjust.

cdseno · February 2014

My son is big for his age. He is not quite 2 and wears 3T already. We started with a Britax Roundabout but he outgrew it in height so we got a Chicco Nextfit and I love it! After I bought it, I took it to be inspected by our Safe Kids inspectors and they were raving about how much they love the seat too! But like everyone else is saying, you have to find the seat that works best for you and your situation.

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