My parents want to buy a carseat for my son to use when he rides with them, and have asked me what they should get. He is 3 years, 2 months and weighs 42 pounds. I would like to keep him in the 5 point harness until at least 4, but I hate for them to have to buy a booster in a few months as well. Also, this seat will probably be moved in and outof their car alot, and I want something easy to install so it is done right every time :) What seat would you recommend? I'm hoping there is something that maybe converts to a booster later. Thanks ladies!
We have both the Nautalis and the Britax Frontier and I have to say hands down the Frontier is WAY better. I love it. So much easier to use than the Nautalis. I hate that I have to dig under my kids to reach the buckle.
For a cheaper seat that is light and not used daily, I would reommend the Graco Nautilus.
That's what we have in G-ma's car. :)
Britax! It is the best..... You should try the Marathon (up to 65lbs) but the Frontier (up to 85lbs) is what I would get because you can take the straps out and use it as a booster. I know its pricey, but google it and see what type of deals you can get. Oh and they are super easy to install.... HTH!
The Nautilus is great as it has the five point harness. I have the Turbo Booster which does not have the 5 point harness but has the headrest and converts to a seat booster. The Nautilis is anywhere from $140 to 190 depending where you go and the Turbo is $50- $75.
Both are great and will last until your little one doesn't need a car seat anymore.
The seat you're looking for is called a "Combination" seat - a forward facing seat with 5 point harness that can be removed when the harness height or weight limit is reached so the seat can be used as a belt positioning booster. The ones most frequently recommended by certified child-passenger safety technicians for ease of use, high harness height/weight limits, and ability to position the seat belt properly in booster mode, are (in alphabetical order - information copied from : http://carseatblog.com/carseatblogcoms-recommended-car-se...:
Combination Seats
Britax Frontier 85
Features: 5-point harness from 2 years AND 25-85 lbs.; bpb to 120 lbs.; front harness adjuster; no-rethread harness height adjuster; 3 buckle positions; 2-piece chest clip; integrated cup holders; arm rests; smooth harness adjuster
Drawbacks: must remove screw in head restraint before using it as a bpb
Our comments: Britax has improved just about everything in this seat over its older sibling, the regular Frontier, including the covers! Kudos to Britax for being leaders in the industry and putting an age limit and reasonable lower weight limit on the seat to keep babes in arms from going straight from an infant seat to this forward-facing seat. Darren reviewed it here and listed all the differences between the new FR85 and the older version. http://carseatblog.com/5751/britax-frontier-85-review-its...
Evenflo Maestro
Features: 5-point harness from 20-50 lbs.; bpb to 100 lbs.; EPS foam; 2-piece chest clip; front harness adjuster; 2 crotch strap positions; cup holders; arm rests
Drawbacks: harness appears narrow at child’s neck; seatback is short, non-adjustable headrest
Our comments: It’s a great seat for the money! Kecia reviewed it in her Combo Seat as a Booster series. http://carseatblog.com/5923/evenflo-maestro-as-booster-re... The Maestro was recalled, so make sure yours has the repair if it was involved in the recall batch.
Graco Nautilus
Features: 5-point harness from 20-65 lbs.; bpb to 100 lbs.; converts to a backless booster (40-100 lbs.); 3-position recline; cup holder built into right armrest; storage areas in each armrest; EPS foam
Drawbacks: As a booster - belt fit can be hit or miss.
Our comments: The Nautilus has 2 lifespans. When used with the harness or as a highback booster, the lifespan is 6 years. When used as a backless booster, the lifespan is 9 years. Overall, a well-made seat that is easy to install and easy to use correctly. The Elite version has adjustable headwings and lockoffs.
Sunshine Radian, 5 point harness rated to 65lbs and is truely a great car seat. I think you might need to rethink your booster seat at age 4. The safest place for him to be is in a 5 point harness until he has out grown it, normally they height for out growing it is 53" if not a little taller than that.
Sunshine even has one rated to 80 lbs.
http://www.skjp.com/en-US/product/97556/165XX/_/Radian65S...
Buy Buy Baby in Plano sells this brand.
I am waiting for my Britax Frontier to arrive!!! I'm soooo exvited because I can keep him in the 5-point harness forever! Well 85 lbs but that is an amazing range. And then in the boster till 100lbs. I think this would be best for the money. I also got mine off ebay brand new for $200 which is really good!
Ditto Megan and Ollie - I love our Britax Frontier. I feel much better knowing my daughters will be safe especially with all the crazy drivers out there.. no offense intended =)
the Safeguard GO Booster. Its the only Booster that has a 5-point harness up to 6 yrs and 60 lbs. and is safety rated by the Nation Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
