Looking for a new FF/booster combo

[Unregistered]

We currently have an Evenflo Generation for my 5 yo - which I bought a couple years ago for the higher weight limit (47lbs). He is still harnessed and hopefully will be for some time as he's only just over 40lbs right now.

My 2yo will be moving out of her Titan to make room for her baby sister soon and I was planning to buy another Generations, but it seems like they don't have them anymore. It looks like the Traditions Plus is a similar seat...I've never used a mid-harness adjuster, though. We love the side adjusters on the Generations - makes it so easy for us to adjust his harness as needed.

What would be the best seat to get for her - I want it harnessed to the higher weight limit and to be used as a booster as well. I can't convince my husband to get a Britax due to the cost, so those are out. :( Is it the Safety 1st Apex that's a good seat (I think I was reading about one of the Safety 1st seats here...)

Thank you!

[CDNTech]

The Generations can be found at Sears. It is also called the Bolero at Walmart and is a slightly less padded version.

The Apex is also a decent seat, but you need to be aware that it requires vehicle head support behind it... which means you need to be able to install it with a head rest behind it.

[horseymom]

My dd is in the gererations and we got it at sears. I have still seen them in the catalog. I love the seat it's self but I personally HATE the adjustment LOL!

[gwc1023]

The Generations can be found at Sears.

It's still there? I know it's not online anymore and that's how we usually order. I'll have to see if I can get my hands on a catalog to order it from.

Our only other non-infant carseat that we've had is the Titan, which has the tightening/loosening strap that you pull between their legs, which is virtually useless as far as I'm concerned. It *sort of* works for us if the kid is not in the carseat, which isn't that helpful since you can't know how much to adjust it by then! So in comparison to that, I love the Generations adjuster! :)

Dawn (that was me asking the original question)
5yo in FF Evenflo Generations
2.5yo just turned FF in Evenflo Titan
6mo in Graco Snugride

[spcamno]

There are only 3 car seats in Canada approved to be use with 5 point harness (Not adult seat belts) upto 65 pounds.


This is the Radian premier (retails around $250).

This one has some unique features such as this car seat if foldable so you can carry on the plane or travelling, for those who fly a lot this is an exc choice.

http://ca.skjp.com/products/skjp_radian_premier.php


This is the Apex 65 from Safety 1st and its the cheapest (retails around $180) But to install this seat is a little tricky, you need to have head rest on your seat in order to support the back of this car seat (I'm sure now almost every cars has head rest).
http://www.safety1st.com/product/detail.asp?ID=2672




This is the Britax Marathon this is the most expensive one (Around $299) but they are the child car seats maker for Mercedes , BMW and Porsche. Although the above automaker brand their child car seat under their own name and they are all made by Britax.

http://www.childrensfurnituregallery.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=255

[canadianmom2three]

The plain Radian is also approved for use up to 65lbs, and is not just great for flying, it's a great all round seat, that just happens to fold for travelling (a feature I have yet to use:whistle:) Steel frame construction, rf tether, high harness slots...BUT doesn't convert to a booster.

Of our 65lb harnessed seats, only the (Safety first) apex that you mentioned will convert to a booster for use past the 65lbs or the top slots. It is a fine seat, aside from requiring headrests to support. The best seat is one that is installed correctly and used correctly...not the most $$ one!

Is your 5yo short enough in stature to continue to get much use of the generations? I had my 4yo in it and he was right at the top slots, and would have needed it in booster mode soon, as it doesn't allow use of the internal harness once the shoulders pass the top slots....

[gwc1023]

Is your 5yo short enough in stature to continue to get much use of the generations? I had my 4yo in it and he was right at the top slots, and would have needed it in booster mode soon, as it doesn't allow use of the internal harness once the shoulders pass the top slots....

You know, I hadn't even thought to check! :rolleyes: He is a little on the short side, but has definitely shot up recently, so I will check on that. Maybe I should pass the Generations on to little sis and get him an Apex?

[hipmaman]

You know, I hadn't even thought to check! :rolleyes: He is a little on the short side, but has definitely shot up recently, so I will check on that. Maybe I should pass the Generations on to little sis and get him an Apex?

The other thing about the Apex is that it is wide. If you are trying to do 3 seats in a row, that might be challenging.

[gwc1023]

I checked DS in his Generations, and his shoulders are indeed right at the level of the top shoulder slots (thank you canadianmom2three for reminding me of that!). So I think we'll put DD (2.5) in that and the new seat will go to DS.

We have an '01 Dodge Caravan, so we wouldn't be trying to put three across anywhere. I don't think the width would be an issue.

Also - on the Sears website it says the Apex only goes to 48lbs harnessed. Have they just not updated it or is this there more than one model?

[canadianmom2three]

Transport Canada only fairly recently allowed seats in Canada to harnes to 65lbs. It is possible that they are still selling the old 48lb limit seats, or maybe they just haven't updated their descriptions. You would need to check on the actual seat to make sure it is one of the 65lb limit ones...I know that some posters have seen them at BRU, but not sure about sears...I should take a walk down the car seat aisle next time I'm there...they did have my fav. booster on clearance a while back, maybe it will be cheap enough now for me to justify buying a second one:whistle:

[snowbird25ca]

So far as I know Sears still has only the 48lb Apex in stock. I haven't checked in store recently though.