Which car seat should I get?

[allimaree]

I'm actually in the market for 2--although I won't need one of them for a little while.

My 3yo DD needs a forward facing, possible transition to a booster seat. She is currently in a forward-facing shield car seat that I hate. But, the price has to be good enough to convince my DH that we should buy a new one. My 4mo DS will at some point need a rear facing convertible to forward facing seat. We are planning on having one more kid, so I would like to be able to pass the car seats down.

Here are some of the better deals I have found:

Recaro Signo (http://www.albeebaby.com/recaro-signo-convertible-car-seat-midnight-desert.html) $159.99 (what is the difference between this and the como?)

Britax Roundabout 50 (http://carseats.babycatalog.com/infant-to-toddler-convertible-car-seats/roundabout-50/E9LA650.html) $169.99

The First Years True Fit (http://www.amazon.com/First-Years-True-Convertible-Cappuccino/dp/B000YBM2V0/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1251143658&sr=8-18) $146.18 (how is this brand?)

Britax Boulevard (http://www.albeebaby.com/britax-boulevard-convertible-car-seat-2007-meghan.html) $189.99 (very girly--not great for passing down)

Britax Marathon (http://www.albeebaby.com/britax-marathon-convertible-car-seat-in-ashley-floral.html) $179.99 (also very girly--what is the difference between the boulevard and the marathon?)

Maxi Cosi Priori (http://www.albeebaby.com/maxi-cosi-priori-convertible-car-seat-penguin.html) $139.99 (how is this brand?)

Obviously, I would like to spend as little as possible (hello-o! I'm on PYP...:)) but I want one that is going to be safe, easy to use, easy to clean and last well. Too much to ask? Anyone know of any great deals on Britax that aren't too girly?

[momtonathanandtwins]

The main difference between the Como G2 and Signo G2 is the headrest adjustment and the latch system.

The Como G2 has 5 headrest and harness positions which can be adjusted by rethreading the harness where as the Signo G2 has an infinite adjustable headrest without rethreading. Both Convertibles come with latch mini connectors but only the Signo G2 has an additional latch bar which makes the switch from rear- to forward facing easier.


I know this is referencing the new G2, but I think it's the same for the older ones too. Also, the Como's head cushions can be removed, but the Signo's are fixed.

I'll be back with more info on the other seats.

[momtonathanandtwins]

Of the two, the Roundabout50 will last him longer rearfacing and forward facing than the Boulevard.

However, there are seats that will last longer than that, including the Graco My Ride 65, the Safety First Complete Air, the Sunshine Kids' Radians 65, 80 and XT, and the First Years True Fit.

The Boulevard has a 65 pound forward facing limit and about 16.5" top slots, maybe a hair lower. It has black LATCH bars, infant padding, an infinitely adjustable headrest, wings, and lockoffs.

The RA50 has a 50 pound forward facing limit and about 17" top slots. No black LATCH bars, no infant padding, rethread harness, no wings, and no lockoffs.

the boulevard is the marathon only with the side impact protection. So b/w those two, the blvd seems to offer better protection even though we can't call it "safer".

The true fit also has deep sides naturally, so seems to also have very good side impact protection, although you can't directly compare. It also has higher top slots and a taller shell than the blvd so you can use it for FF longer and also can RF longer. It also has 1 year longer lifespan than the blvd.

The BV is marketed as having True Side Impact Protection, the Marathon is marketed as having Side Impact Protection. Whether the BV is safer is something we just don't know. We do however know that your child's best line of defense in a side impact collision is to be rear facing... regardless of what seat they're in. (meaning, having the BV with TSIP headwings does not make it a safER seat in terms of going ff early).



That said, if you have a smaller child you may not need the 35lb rf limit to get you to an appropriate age for ff. Most of us suggest an age 2 minimum to go ff... some of us prefer to rf for even longer, and it's then that the 35lb rf limit makes a huge difference.


The differences in the TF and the MA/BV are certainly there, but like someone mentioned above, it's like comparing apples to oranges. The TF has a few features that I wish my MA's had... the BV has a few features that the TF also has... the TF excels in things like rf leg room, taller seat shell, and taller top harness slots for when baby is ff. The BV and MA have a harness adjuster that is more easily accessed for rf... but the TF is more comfy for older kids when it comes to rf (this is a bit of a subjective statement, but in theory having more leg room is more comfy)...

[Karin]

Amazon has a Britax Decathlon for $206.29 with free shipping - regular price $294.99. I have this seat for both of my boys and really like it. Rear facing: 5 to 35 pounds. Forward facing: At least 1 year old and 20 to 65 pounds

Britax Decathlon (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EFQX0C?tag=getprionl-20)

[momtonathanandtwins]

They both have a tall shell, but the Recaro has very little leg room rear facing, sits very high, doesn't offer a lot of internal shoulder room. Normally the Signo is $290 to the True Fit's $150-$190. The TF has a seven year lifespan, built in lockoffs, lots of rear facing leg room, sits low. Both have the nice LATCH connectors, great weight limits, tall shells, high top slots. I don't know of any kids who have made it to the Signo's highest setting because their shoulders are out of the seat first, or they complain about the lack of leg support.



If price is an issue I'd get the The First Years True Fit. Cross Maxi Cosi Priori off your list if you have kids who are tall or big. Otherwise any of the others you listed are a good seat.

[allimaree]

Thanks Norah! You're the best! :hooray I'm still soaking in all your information....I may be back with more questions. :)

[rvickers]

We have the True Fit (and paid about $50 more than that price). I love it. It is kind of a annoying because it is heavy and big, so switching it between cars can be a pain.

I love that the buckle can be adjusted - you know, right at the crotch (sorry, can't remember what that is called.) I do wish it was infinitely adjustable at the shoulders like some other seats, but otherwise it is great.

I also have a big kid (he is 17 months, 3 ft tall, and almost 30 pounds), and it works well for us.

This one works both rear-facing and forward facing, which I love as well.

[luckystars]

Amazon has a Britax Decathlon for $206.29 with free shipping - regular price $294.99. I have this seat for both of my boys and really like it. Rear facing: 5 to 35 pounds. Forward facing: At least 1 year old and 20 to 65 pounds

Britax Decathlon (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EFQX0C?tag=getprionl-20)
This doesn't say qualifies for free shipping. Does that mean it's out of stock at amazon or does the other company offer free shipping?

[Karin]

Hmm... make sure you are looking at it for sale through Amazon. When I click the link I posted it takes me right to the one for sale through Amazon which shows: Price: $206.29 & eligible for free shipping with Amazon Prime

[Karin]

If you don't see Amazon in the main window, look on the right under more buying choices for Amazon.

[allimaree]

Hmm... make sure you are looking at it for sale through Amazon. When I click the link I posted it takes me right to the one for sale through Amazon which shows: Price: $206.29 & eligible for free shipping with Amazon Prime
Thanks Karin!! When I click on the link, it takes me to the one sold by Baby Age for 202.16. But if I click on "10 new" from 197.99, I can see the one sold by Amazon for 206.29. Thanks Karin!

What is the difference between the Decathalon and the Marathon? Just the extra padding?

We have the True Fit (and paid about $50 more than that price). I love it. It is kind of a annoying because it is heavy and big, so switching it between cars can be a pain.

I love that the buckle can be adjusted - you know, right at the crotch (sorry, can't remember what that is called.) I do wish it was infinitely adjustable at the shoulders like some other seats, but otherwise it is great.

I also have a big kid (he is 17 months, 3 ft tall, and almost 30 pounds), and it works well for us.

This one works both rear-facing and forward facing, which I love as well.

Thanks, rvickers! It is good to hear a personal experience with that car seat. It certainly looked huge on the video on Amazon. Do you find that it is hard to tighten the straps when it is rear-facing? How does it fit in your car? I drive a Subarban, but we have bucket seats in the second row so his seat is right behind the driver's seat. Right now my DH can barely get his seat back far enough to drive when the carrier car seat is in. I worry whether this big car seat would fit.

I think I am leaning toward the true fit or the marathon/boulevard/decathalon. I may do one of each. Norah, if price wasn't an issue (between the ones listed), which would you do? I don't think I will keep my baby RF for much longer than 2 years or my DD FF for much longer than age 5. At which point I will pass my DD's car seat down to my DS and his car seat to a new baby (assuming there is one). My kids are pretty average in size. At my DS's 4 mo checkup, he was 50% in everything! Thanks so much for your help!

[Karin]

What is the difference between the Decathalon and the Marathon? Just the extra padding?
I think the Marathon does not have the 3 position buckle strap that the Decathlon has - this is the strap between the legs. This was a big seller for me because my older kids seemed to grow out of their seats because of that strap. (I think their long torsos have something to do with it? Who knows!)

ETA:
Found this online:
For a little bit more than the Marathon, $285, parents can get the Britax Decathlon. The Decathlon is quite similar to the Marathon except that it has infant and toddler pillows, omits the LATCH bar, has 3 crotch pad positions, and has a push button harness adjust rather than a lift lever. The infant body pillow may make this seat more desirable to parents who are looking to skip the use of an infant car seat carrier. The pillows may allow for a better fit for a smaller infant.

Amazon has a Britax Decathlon for $206.29 with free shipping - regular price $294.99. I have this seat for both of my boys and really like it. Rear facing: 5 to 35 pounds. Forward facing: At least 1 year old and 20 to 65 pounds

Britax Decathlon (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EFQX0C?tag=getprionl-20)

[rvickers]

The True Fit is really big. We have a Honda Accord and a Toyota Tacoma. When is rear-facing, there really wasn't much room for the person sitting in front. It is better now that I have him forward facing (I know, I know, he is under 2), but it still makes for a tight fit. DH drives with the seat all the way back because he is so tall, and there is no way the car seat would fit behind him, even forward facing. It is also wide. It is a hard to have his seat and 2 other people in the backseat in either car.

With a bucket seat, I think you would be okay as far as width, but since it is so deep, I don't know. I want to say that it was almost deeper than our baby carrier, but I can't remember exactly (ds grew out of his at 7 months).

The part that made it so hard to fit rear-facing was after they are over 22 pounds, you have to put on the top headrest on it. That thing sticks out the most, especially with the angle you are supposed to put the seat at.

I can't remember if Babies R Us lets you test out the car seats in your car. Target also carries the True Fit, so you might see if they would let you also. Costco.com used to have them too, though it is a bit more expensive. I almost bought from them to be able to return it if it didn't work out. I bought mine at Target because I needed it asap. I have the Casino color.

About the straps - it can be a little difficult to tighten rear-facing. But if you aren't planning on moving it often, you should be okay. I also had to use a towel (or pool noodle) to get it in the right position. I also liked that it has a top tether if you are going to use it forward facing.

If you do go with that one, the instructions aren't the greatest. I think I fiddled with trying to figure out how to put in for over an hour before I realized that you have to take off the cover and adjust the straps before you even start.

I guess I should also mention that I never did have an expert look at it, so hopefully I wasn't putting it in all wrong!

Good luck! The main reasons I went with the True Fit were that it looked safe and cushy and had awesome ratings. It was also cheaper than a Britax. I also really like that you could adjust the crotch strap for bigger babies/kids.

If you have any other questions, let me know!

[allimaree]

The Decathlon is quite similar to the Marathon except that it...omits the LATCH bar....
Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

[Karin]

On the Decathlon the latch straps go through the frame of the carseat. I haven't looked at a Marathon in person but it seems there is an exterior bar that the latch straps go through. I wondered the same thing when I saw that today so I compared pics. My guess (absolute guess) is that it would be better to have the strap go through the frame.

[rvickers]

The True Fit is $99 + $5 shipping on kids.woot.com today. Looks like it is that tan one, but that is an awesome deal!!

[momtonathanandtwins]

I think I am leaning toward the true fit or the marathon/boulevard/decathalon. I may do one of each. Norah, if price wasn't an issue (between the ones listed), which would you do? I don't think I will keep my baby RF for much longer than 2 years or my DD FF for much longer than age 5. At which point I will pass my DD's car seat down to my DS and his car seat to a new baby (assuming there is one). My kids are pretty average in size. At my DS's 4 mo checkup, he was 50% in everything! Thanks so much for your help!
If money was no object I'd get one of the Britax's. I just really like the seats and they are so easy to install. They are very comfy for kids, my oldest would complain when my sister used any seat but our britax. I only have personal experience with the marathon and I loved it. Bonus the company has been easy to work with when I needed something but customer service can always change quickly so I don't know how they are at this moment.

[allimaree]

Aw, shucks. I had decided not to get the true fit (so big, not sure if it would fit rear facing, maybe harder to install) but today I can get it for $99 + $5 shipping here (http://kids.woot.com/) . I was going to spend twice that on a Britax, I just hadn't made myself do it yet. I would love to get 2 matching and I could get 2 true fit for the price of one britax. But I don't want to later wish I had just gotten the britax! What do I do?? (Somewhat rhetorical--I'm not actually expecting any of you to make my decision for me. :))

[allimaree]

Well, I did it. I bought 2 True Fit car seats. When I looked up the product dimensions and compared it to the Boulevard, it is actually smaller. I called around and couldn't find a store locally to actually be able to see the True Fit in real life, so I'm crossing my fingers. I'm so excited about the deal I got, though!! Thanks, PYP!

[hebishop]

We bought the Recaro Como for my DD 3 y.o. she didn't like it. I think it was too deep. We ended up passing it down to my baby instead. She does like it. She is a very small 9 mth old and is just fitting it. My DD liked her Roundabout better. (It had expired). I think the Recaro Signo is the newer version of the como. Someone can correct me if that is wrong though.

Let us know what you like! When you do move her to a booster I like the Compass. They fold in half for carrying. My kids love them.

My SIL likes the Sunshine Carseats at Walmart.com they are narrower/slimmer and take up less room.





I'm actually in the market for 2--although I won't need one of them for a little while.

My 3yo DD needs a forward facing, possible transition to a booster seat. She is currently in a forward-facing shield car seat that I hate. But, the price has to be good enough to convince my DH that we should buy a new one. My 4mo DS will at some point need a rear facing convertible to forward facing seat. We are planning on having one more kid, so I would like to be able to pass the car seats down.

Here are some of the better deals I have found:

Recaro Signo (http://www.albeebaby.com/recaro-signo-convertible-car-seat-midnight-desert.html) $159.99 (what is the difference between this and the como?)

Britax Roundabout 50 (http://carseats.babycatalog.com/infant-to-toddler-convertible-car-seats/roundabout-50/E9LA650.html) $169.99

The First Years True Fit (http://www.amazon.com/First-Years-True-Convertible-Cappuccino/dp/B000YBM2V0/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1251143658&sr=8-18) $146.18 (how is this brand?)

Britax Boulevard (http://www.albeebaby.com/britax-boulevard-convertible-car-seat-2007-meghan.html) $189.99 (very girly--not great for passing down)

Britax Marathon (http://www.albeebaby.com/britax-marathon-convertible-car-seat-in-ashley-floral.html) $179.99 (also very girly--what is the difference between the boulevard and the marathon?)

Maxi Cosi Priori (http://www.albeebaby.com/maxi-cosi-priori-convertible-car-seat-penguin.html) $139.99 (how is this brand?)

Obviously, I would like to spend as little as possible (hello-o! I'm on PYP...:)) but I want one that is going to be safe, easy to use, easy to clean and last well. Too much to ask? Anyone know of any great deals on Britax that aren't too girly?

[Salequeen84]

We're in the market now for a new carseat for our 8 month old and so many of the points brought up here I had never thought of!

We have a 4 dr Pontiac Grand AM and DH has to put the seat all the way back to sit in the front and now I'm worried about what we can get so both Daddy and baby fit at the same time! We need to spend around $150-- Anyone have recommendations?? help...

[Salequeen84]

Does anyone have experience with the Combi Cocorro? It's narrow but I'm mainly worried about how far out it'll stick out in the rear facing position.

[Rose5]

If you want to stay around $150 I would look at the graco myride 65. It stays rear facing up to 40 pounds and harnesses to 65 pounds. I think its one of the safest you can get for the price. I have one for my 10 month old and love it. If you trade in your old one at babiesrus right now it brings it down to about $127 and then tax.