SIP in MA vs. BV Foward Facing...

[arly1983]

Lately I have been watching alot of crash tests. I have been trying to decide between a Como and a BV for DD...

I found a picture of Jackson in a BV. He was sitting the way he normally sits in the MA and BV and his head was completely out of the wings. If we were to be in a side impact at the specific second, I doubt they would have done him little, if any, good. I would hazard a guess that the MA would preform just as good as a BV in a side impact with the child's head out of the wings (for us is about 90% of the time)

Also including a pic of him in the Como and he always sits like this in the Como because of how the seat is reclined, it is most comfortable with his head resting on the back of the seat. So maybe a Como/Signo would be better in terms of SIP.( I know that this would all be largely conjecture:rolleyes:)

Anyway, I was wondering if any of the techs (or others) had thoughts on this.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s1/arly1983/Picture420.jpg

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s1/arly1983/Picture403.jpg

[LuvBug03]

what is the distance between the como's sidewalls and the BV's headwings?
is the captains chair located directly beside the door? where the seat is almost touching it?

they look like they might be the same distance apart and if he isnt directly next to something he could hit his head on I wouldnt worry so much about if it was added wings or just deep walls,

It also looks like the como might be more comfortable on his legs since they are bending right at the edge.


I also think that vans are more protected in side impacts, firstly because they put you up higher than a car, the secondly because the seats arent usually *right* next to the door/window. In my corolla if you sit outboard your shoulder will touch the door and it sits low... so not good for a side impact.

[arly1983]

what is the distance between the como's sidewalls and the BV's headwings?
is the captains chair located directly beside the door? where the seat is almost touching it?.

Como: 11.5 ins just *inside* sidewalls
BV: 10 ins just *inside* wings

The capt's chair is located directly beside the door but a good 6 ins away.

[steph]

His head does look more contained in the como but I don't know if I would want that seat for rear facing. If it's that big it may start to be a bother everytime you put DD in the car:twocents:.

Personally I would go with the BV for rear facing. Can you just give her Jackson's BV and get another Como for him?

[arly1983]

His head does look more contained in the como but I don't know if I would want that seat for rear facing. If it's that big it may start to be a bother everytime you put DD in the car:twocents:.

Personally I would go with the BV for rear facing. Can you just give her Jackson's BV and get another Como for him?

Thats extactly what I am trying to decide...

my problem is that she already has a 12.5 in torso at 13 months old and I am wondering if a como would last her longer.

Top slots wise, I get 18.75 for the Como and 16.75 for the BV..

[steph]

What about the 34 inch rule (for the como) I keep hearing, as that been figured out?

You can look at Ryan in his BV, his torso is around 13 inches (I can't get an exact measurement right now - he is cooperating!!).

ETA: he does have a little bit of a big head so that will make a difference too!!!

[arly1983]

We have been using DS's Como RFing just to get a feel for it and so far, I don't hate it (without the headwings) and I actually have a little more leg room for the front passenger.....Gosh, this is such a hard decision.

[southpawboston]

His head does look more contained in the como but I don't know if I would want that seat for rear facing. If it's that big it may start to be a bother everytime you put DD in the car:twocents:.


that's what i'm worried about. i'm test fitting a como and BV tomorrow in my mazda.

[southpawboston]

We have been using DS's Como RFing just to get a feel for it and so far, I don't hate it (without the headwings) and I actually have a little more leg room for the front passenger.....Gosh, this is such a hard decision.

more leg room compared with a BV in the same place??? hmm... front legroom can be a definite problem in my car with carseats installed.

[arly1983]

more leg room compared with a BV in the same place??? hmm... front legroom can be a definite problem in my car with carseats installed.

This is a Como and on the under side of it you can see the light grey shell of the marathon. THe shell is flush at where the headrest is "fatest". Because the Como sits higher, the headrest puzzles well with the shell, giving about an inch or so more legroom

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s1/arly1983/Picture406.jpg


Its tiny, but see what I mean about the widest part of the headrest
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s1/arly1983/Picture328.jpg

[CPS_obsessed_EMT]

I know its really hard to tell online, but I just was noticing that it *appears* that the straps are not very tight..
Maybe if you tightened up the straps a little, it will pull him back enough into the seat so that he can't stick his head out?
I know with my daughter, she couldn't stick her head outside the wings like that even if she tried real hard (but I've also had tech friends of mine tell me to loosen up my straps a little before she turns blue :o )

Forgive me if you've got 'em really tight, looks can be deceiving.

Also, IIRC, the BLVD can be in the recline mode forward facing for children less than 33lbs (don't know how much he weighs), would that help?

[arly1983]

I know its really hard to tell online, but I just was noticing that it *appears* that the straps are not very tight..
Maybe if you tightened up the straps a little, it will pull him back enough into the seat so that he can't stick his head out?
I know with my daughter, she couldn't stick her head outside the wings like that even if she tried real hard (but I've also had tech friends of mine tell me to loosen up my straps a little before she turns blue :o )

Forgive me if you've got 'em really tight, looks can be deceiving.

Also, IIRC, the BLVD can be in the recline mode forward facing for children less than 33lbs (don't know how much he weighs), would that help?

Thanks for you advise: They are very tight. I, too, have been accused of cutting off airways. He is a big boy with a big head (34 lbs, 40 ins) so no FFing recline for him...That is just how he rides in this seat...no idea why.

[CPS_obsessed_EMT]

sorry, I realized 2 things after I posted:

1. If he were less than 33lbs you'd probably have him rfing
2. He probably has a much bigger head than my DD, since she's younger :doh:

Forgive me about the straps question, its so hard to tell from a picture, and its better to be safe than sorry..
I often catch myself on this board thinking "omg! those straps look so loose!" but then I realize "um, wait, this is a carseat board, of coarse the straps are tight :rolleyes:

[arly1983]

Melissa, no problem, really, you just mentioned the most obvious solution.

Your LO looks so cute in her BV, by the way, love the face she is making.

[arly1983]

Ok, BV from the sale got here and it is gorgeous!!!! Park Avenue is now my favorite Britax cover (and much more plush than the Brownstone and Shannoh covers I had before) This is how she looks in the BV and has about 4.75 ins of torso growth. Currantly we are using the Como in my van and....

Gost darn it, I can't decide between the two....

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s1/arly1983/Picture421.jpg

[steph]

She looks great!! Personally I would keep the BV. I love the Park Avenue, the online pics just don't do it justice.

[CPS_obsessed_EMT]

Your LO looks so cute in her BV, by the way, love the face she is making.

aw, thanks! :love:
Its one of my fav pics

[ZephyrBlue]

We had the Park Avenue BV, too, before we sold it to buy the Como. I love that cover!! Are you finding it difficult to get her in/out of the Como RF?

[arly1983]

We had the Park Avenue BV, too, before we sold it to buy the Como. I love that cover!! Are you finding it difficult to get her in/out of the Como RF?

It takes practice (and no headwings which I am being assured are not required) I can see how it could become very hard with a larger child(no way I could do it with 2.5 yr old DS) or smaller door opening(like some 4-door cars). I just don't know.

This is like one of those decisions that I wish I could see the future. You know, I am going to have to live with this dicision for a looooong time, I don't want to regret it.

[CPS_obsessed_EMT]

Lately I have been watching alot of crash tests.


What crash tests? Would you mind sharing the links please?

[arly1983]

What crash tests? Would you mind sharing the links please?

Borrowed from Tiffany's website... http://www.freewebs.com/sacredjourne...oolpreteen.htm

I was looking at how the wings helped in these mostly (and hoping my kids could stay in a 5-point for a loooong time) http://www.which.co.uk/reports_and_campaigns/cars/reports/safety_and_security/car_safety/Child%20seats/Child_seats_esential_guide_574_74191_9.jsp


Thats all I can find off the top of my head....I know there was one that I was really impressed with that SPB and Jools were discussing...

[LuvBug03]

Id say if you like the fit of the BV then just use it. You can always sell it and buy her a bigger seat ;)

[ZephyrBlue]

It was wicked hard to get my 2.5yo DS in/out of the Como when we had it installed in my Grand Caravan, but I bet it's easier w/an infant.

So you're getting the "strongly suggested" answer for the head bolster while using the bottom 2 slots? I'm still waiting on an email from Paul Breyer- was supposed to be earlier this week :(

[arly1983]

So you're getting the "strongly suggested" answer for the head bolster while using the bottom 2 slots? I'm still waiting on an email from Paul Breyer- was supposed to be earlier this week :(

I got back a nice email telling me that the directions were correct: that is was strongly suggested. Then I called back yesterday and they said that the instructions were under "revision" so....we shall see....

[CPS_obsessed_EMT]

Borrowed from Tiffany's website... http://www.freewebs.com/sacredjourne...oolpreteen.htm

I was looking at how the wings helped in these mostly (and hoping my kids could stay in a 5-point for a loooong time) http://www.which.co.uk/reports_and_campaigns/cars/reports/safety_and_security/car_safety/Child%20seats/Child_seats_esential_guide_574_74191_9.jsp


Thats all I can find off the top of my head....I know there was one that I was really impressed with that SPB and Jools were discussing...

Ok, I've seen the "Which" one. The first link you posted got truncated. Would you mind pulling up the link in a browser, and coping the address from the browser and posting it? If its too much trouble, no problem :) I have been to Tiffany's site looking for the crash test videos before (the past few days actually) but all I can find are 3 videos- one with a baby on the lap, the one of the taxi driver who falls asleep, and the one of the disfigured woman.

[jdchic3]

Is the Park Avenue starting to come with grey harness straps instead of tan?

[CPS_obsessed_EMT]

I was noticing that too-- the one that my friend bought recently (the past few months) still has the tan straps....I like it better with the tan straps

[steph]

Is the Park Avenue starting to come with grey harness straps instead of tan?

I bought mine about 1 year ago and it has grey straps, I don't know how it would look with tan.

[jdchic3]

What site did you order your new one from?

[arly1983]

What site did you order your new one from?

baby universe

[CPS_obsessed_EMT]

Actually, I just looked back in my photobucket, and it does have the gray straps after all.
I don't know why I was picturing tan straps in my head..maybe because the same friend also has a Shannon and those straps are tan? :doh

[Jeanum]

Our Park Ave. Blvd. also has gray straps, with a Dec. '05 DOM. I'm guessing you probably saw Britax's stock photos showing the Park Ave. cover with tan straps, when it really ships with gray ones. :)