toddler car seat question

hi ladies....

I am wrapping up our babies registries and we still need to add our 2 toddler car seats on it....(we already have snap and go for starting and infant car seats...)

we checked out some over the weekend and we've got highly recommandation for the BRITAX Boulevard, it is a specific one that you won't have to take out the whole seat when babies grow, you can just adjust it there with knobs. apparently not many have that?
here the link for it:
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2404141

some reviews say that the strap between baby's legs is to tight? I wonder how some people can say how terrible that is and that others love it that much and don't have any problems....aaargh!

I was wondering if anybody has it and is happy and how important it is to have that function....I also don't know to what else to pay attention to in picking, reviews are always so different as it's always personal choices too.

any other suggestions?

we did make our decision on the stroller, we are going with the Combi Twin Savvy LX in Plumb...we tried it out over the weekend, how light it is, folding, etc., it's great, here the link to it:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?p...duct_skn=854438

thanks as always!
alexa

 

I love Britax seats, we have Marathons. The top slots are high as the weight limit and I don't want to think about boosters until age 5 or 6 (and my children are all well above average). The internal harnass adjuster is new and a great feature! I love the seats, well worth the money. Please note that car seats expire (Britax 6 years) after the Date of Manufacturing (DOM) printed on the seat. So if you put them on your registery, you'll get them way earlier than you actually need them, so by the time you start using them, they may only have 5 years of life left, instead of 6. So that's definitely something to keep in mind. Other than that, you cannot go wrong with Britax. Easy to install, top ratings, comfortable. If you have the money and you want a good, long lasting seat which is comfortable and easy to install ... get them, they're so worth it! Never had any issues with the straps. Just keep in mind they're bulky and big seats, but because they're big they'll last longer!

HTH.

 

I have the Britax Decathlons and love them. The extra cushioning was great when they were still really little since we moved them into the convertable seats at about 9 months. Also if you are concerned about the buckle between their legs the Decathlons is adjustable and I have never had a problem with their legs getting pinched.

 

QUOTE(AliPaige717 @ Oct 17 2007, 12:34 PM) [snapback]455017[/snapback]
I have the Britax Decathlons and love them. The extra cushioning was great when they were still really little since we moved them into the convertable seats at about 9 months. Also if you are concerned about the buckle between their legs the Decathlons is adjustable and I have never had a problem with their legs getting pinched.


hi franca & michelle...

thanks for you replies! I compared the ones you have, Decathlon and Marathon, with the newer Boulevard, the Boulevard has an added side impact protection, as far as I can see....good tip on the lifetime of them! I check with hubby if he wants to get them now or wait....

did you ladies travel with those seats, in airplanes? does that work? we go back to my home country Switzerland every other year, so we'll have to bring them with us.

alexa

 

Alexa,

We're Dutch, so yes, I've taken them several times. I have the travel bags from Right Start (with wheels) but they also have the caddy which kind of works as a stroller when you put the car seat one (that would be recommended, but I already had one seat + one bag for my first).

http://www.rightstart.com/global/store/pro...ccessories.html

I guess it depends on whether you want to check the seats (if you don't buy seat on the airplane) ... then a bag would be better. But if you buy seats for the kids (you'll have to after age 2) then the Gogo's may be better. However, my oldest has travelled in a regular airline seat since age 18 months or so (I know it's not the safest way, but it's more convenient). She has done 7 transatlantics so far.

 

I have the Britax Boulevard for my daughter and am heartbroken that it will not fit in the car with the two infant seats! I love it and so does my daughter. Britax makes THE BEST seats ever!!! They are expensive but worth it since they are the safest on the market. The Boulevard was the first seat made to address the risk of side impact and since it is a European carseat it leagally (according to thier laws) has to be crash tested at 65 MPH not 35 MPH like here in the US... For me saftey is above all the most important factor in choosing a carseat. I have spent hours choosing the safest possible seats for my daughter and now the twins, and without question would reccommend any Britax product! Not to mention, you can keep your kids in a 5 point restraint longer with the britax since the Boulevard goes up to 65 pounds and they also make another larger seat that goes to 80 or 85 lbs!

 

Stephanie,

Look into the Radian65 or 80 for your oldest. It's a very narrow seat. I am able to fit it forward facing next to 2 RF Marathons. My oldest is about the same age (3 1/2 in November), 95% for everything. The weight limit of the Radian is the same, 65 or 80lbs and it has even higher top slots (not as high as the Britax Regent but that one is huge and forward facing only). We're really happy with the seat since it enables us to keep our oldest harnassed much longer even with 3 across.

HTH.

 

Britax is wonderful and I plan on getting that brand! But, you may want to consider not registering for them yet. They could come out with a better product or make changes in it by the time you will need it (unless you are using the Britax for infants??).

 

QUOTE(Sofiesmom @ Oct 17 2007, 08:10 PM) [snapback]455442[/snapback]
Stephanie,

Look into the Radian65 or 80 for your oldest. It's a very narrow seat. I am able to fit it forward facing next to 2 RF Marathons. My oldest is about the same age (3 1/2 in November), 95% for everything. The weight limit of the Radian is the same, 65 or 80lbs and it has even higher top slots (not as high as the Britax Regent but that one is huge and forward facing only). We're really happy with the seat since it enables us to keep our oldest harnassed much longer even with 3 across.

HTH.


Thanks! I will check that one out! I have seen it on line, but not in person. My daughter is also big for her age. She is 3 1/2 and she weighs 35 lbs and is 42" tall so she has outgrown most of the convertable seats out there, although still fits in her lovely Britax. Though I will say she had a Britax Roundabout in my parents car and she is too tall for that one! Anyway, thanks for the info!

 

QUOTE(Stephanie1074 @ Oct 18 2007, 03:22 AM) [snapback]455768[/snapback]
Thanks! I will check that one out! I have seen it on line, but not in person. My daughter is also big for her age. She is 3 1/2 and she weighs 35 lbs and is 42" tall so she has outgrown most of the convertable seats out there, although still fits in her lovely Britax. Though I will say she had a Britax Roundabout in my parents car and she is too tall for that one! Anyway, thanks for the info!

No problem. Sofie was 39lbs and 40 1/2 inches at age 3 ... so yes, she was using the top slots in the Marathon and about to outgrow it (long torso). I drive a Volvo XC90 and it fits. Or you could get 2 Radians ... one for your oldest and one for one of the twins in combination with the Britax. That could even save more space. They do have install issues in certain brands, but mine is fine! Definitely check it out.

 

QUOTE(alexafaeh @ Oct 17 2007, 06:38 PM) [snapback]455285[/snapback]
hi franca & michelle...

thanks for you replies! I compared the ones you have, Decathlon and Marathon, with the newer Boulevard, the Boulevard has an added side impact protection, as far as I can see....good tip on the lifetime of them! I check with hubby if he wants to get them now or wait....

did you ladies travel with those seats, in airplanes? does that work? we go back to my home country Switzerland every other year, so we'll have to bring them with us.

alexa


I have traveled with our seats. The first time the girls were about 9 months and we went to florida. I took the seats on the plane and put them in rear facing. Alexandra slept in hers most of the trip and Paige wanted nothing to do with hers. At about 21 months I went out to Seattle, a 6 hour flight for us. Again I took the car seats, this time installed them forward facing and they wanted nothing to do with them. the girls ended up sleeping in mine and my moms arms for the majority of the flight and the car seats almost got stuck in the plane. I had a terrible time getting the planes seatbelts to release.

Since you will be traveling I too have the bag from Right Start for the car seats. It is great and protects them well if you plan on checking them as baggage. I will be going to Seattle again early next year and will probably check the seats but still buy seats for the girls anyway. I have also seen this: http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/produc...ategoryId=86211 I saw someone in the airport with it on their marathon seat and it is a great idea. I spoke with them and they loved it.

ETA: I thought the Right Start link that a pp added was for the bag to check the car seat in, turns out it is for the same think I posted a link to above. So here is the link for the bag that I have so that I can check it: http://www.rightstart.com/global/store/pro...ccessories.html