carseat (booster) question

Ok, I'm looking for something smaller for our vehicle (so I can hopefully fit my 3 and my 2 daycare kids in the van this spring/summer). I'm looking for highback boosters that have a 5 pt harness but convert to be used with the seatbelt. Do these exist? Oh, we currently have 3 Britax Marathons in the van and the only seat that I have "open" is the seat with the built-in 5 pt. But, if I get smaller carseats, I can fit another one in there so I can take them all 5 to the park or whatever once the weather gets warmer.

 

hey,
if you haven't already, go to www.car-seat.org - they are great resource and always answer quickly.

 

I don't know if the kind of seat you want exists or not - but I have heard and read that the Radian 65 is a very narrow seat and works well when you have to put 3 across on a bench seat.

Don't know if that helps or not...

Good luck on your search!

 

I was looking at the side-by-side comparison booklet at Target recently, and do remember seeing that there was one (or more?) 5 pt. harness seats that convert to boosters. I'm sorry I don't know the name, but the next time you're in there, check it out.

 

Our Graco Nautilus seats convert from extended 5pt to belt-positioner to backless booster... but they aren't small. I compared against the Apex 65 which is similar but not steel-reinforced and I don't think it's any smaller. The Radian is known for being the narrow seat on the market but it does not convert.

 

I have a Radian 65 and it's narrow. But it doesn't turn into a booster, however it does last very long because the top slots are high (way higher than Marathon) and even my 95% 4 1/2 yo won't hit 65lbs until age 6-7 (IF she stays on the 95% for weight, she's dropping, but still 95% for height). I was able to fit 2 Marathons + 1 Radian in one row without many issues (only with 2 rf Marathons side by side it was a little hard).

 

From what I've looked at at TRU and stuff, they do have what I'm looking for, but you either spend $250/seat (which I didn't really want to do) or you get one that $120 and under and it gets horrible reviews. UGH! I'll have to do more looking.

I do'nt really want to get the Radians b/c they don't convert to a booster and my girls are really tall anyway, their heads are just now right at the top of the Marathon and on the top slots. Heck, Reagan is 1/2 head taller than the girl I babysit that's 6 months OLDER than her...lol!

 

We bought one from Walmart. I think it was around $80. No, it isn't a Britax, but the reviews on it were pretty good. My only complaint is that the 5 pt harness became too short in the crotch area by the time she was 4 1/2. She always complained it was too tight!