View Full Version : Pics: lots of boosters, big 6 year old
scatterbunny
02-16-2008, 11:27 PM
We tried out six different boosters today. :D My first post will be full-length photos of my dd in each booster, second post will be photos showing her height growing room in each booster (showing how much space between her shoulder and the shoulderbelt guide on the tallest setting), third post will be photos showing the seat depth/leg support of each booster.
My daughter is 6 years and 8 months old (in three more days), stands 50.5 inches tall and as of today weighs 59 pounds:
Compass B510
Recaro Vivo
Britax Parkway
Britax Monarch
Graco AirBooster
Graco TurboBooster
Recaro Start
Photos, in the order listed above:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/scatterbunny/February%202008/1.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/scatterbunny/February%202008/2.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/scatterbunny/February%202008/3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/scatterbunny/February%202008/4.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/scatterbunny/February%202008/5.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/scatterbunny/February%202008/6.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/scatterbunny/Booster%20Comparisons/Recaro%20Start/Recarostartinthecar.jpg
scatterbunny
02-16-2008, 11:30 PM
Same order as above...
Compass B510
Recaro Vivo
Britax Parkway
Britax Monarch
Graco AirBooster
Graco TurboBooster
Recaro Start
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/scatterbunny/February%202008/7.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/scatterbunny/February%202008/8.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/scatterbunny/February%202008/9.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/scatterbunny/February%202008/10.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/scatterbunny/February%202008/11.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/scatterbunny/February%202008/12.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/scatterbunny/Booster%20Comparisons/Recaro%20Start/RecaroStart018.jpg
scatterbunny
02-16-2008, 11:32 PM
Again, same order, but I didn't get one of the B510's seat depth.
Recaro Vivo
Britax Parkway
Britax Monarch
Graco AirBooster
Graco TurboBooster
Recaro Start
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/scatterbunny/February%202008/13.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/scatterbunny/February%202008/14.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/scatterbunny/February%202008/15.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/scatterbunny/February%202008/16.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/scatterbunny/February%202008/17.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/scatterbunny/Booster%20Comparisons/Recaro%20Start/recarostartinthecarseatdepth.jpg
NZ Child Restraints
02-16-2008, 11:33 PM
Recaro Vivo
Britax Monarch
Look like the best fit, though with not much r2g.
scatterbunny
02-16-2008, 11:39 PM
Recaro Vivo
Britax Monarch
Look like the best fit, though with not much r2g.
She actually has LOADS of height growing room in the Vivo, at least as much as in the Parkway (those are the two tallest boosters), but the Vivo is the shortest in the seat depth BY FAR. Usually she complains about that, but this time she didn't. She actually claimed to love the Vivo, she kept caressing the headwings. :p
I do like the way the Vivo and Monarch position the lapbelt nice and low and flat, and I love the Vivo's wings, but I can't get over the short seat depth.
And I'm SUPER SUPER disappointed in the lack of height room in the AirBooster. :( We both ADORE that seat, for the comfort and seat depth. It's the deepest booster by far. But not much height growing room.
mcomommy
02-16-2008, 11:40 PM
Awesome! Thanks for doing that, it is really neat to be able to see them all compared, I really like the Vivo fit the best I think, the Monarch being a close second.
NZ Child Restraints
02-16-2008, 11:42 PM
wow, the vivo is short - i replied before i saw those.
H loves her stamp doesn't she? Cute! :D
seamonkeys
02-16-2008, 11:44 PM
Yeah, I was going to comment that the Vivo looked the worst because of seat depth!! From the full-length photo it looked like she was going to slide right off the front! :)
She actually has LOADS of height growing room in the Vivo, at least as much as in the Parkway (those are the two tallest boosters), but the Vivo is the shortest in the seat depth BY FAR. Usually she complains about that, but this time she didn't. She actually claimed to love the Vivo, she kept caressing the headwings. :p
I do like the way the Vivo and Monarch position the lapbelt nice and low and flat, and I love the Vivo's wings, but I can't get over the short seat depth.
And I'm SUPER SUPER disappointed in the lack of height room in the AirBooster. :( We both ADORE that seat, for the comfort and seat depth. It's the deepest booster by far. But not much height growing room.
scatterbunny
02-16-2008, 11:51 PM
wow, the vivo is short - i replied before i saw those.
H loves her stamp doesn't she? Cute! :D
She loves her kitty stamp and insisted on showing it off. :p
The Vivo is short DEPTH-wise, but very tall HEIGHT-wise. I wish it were deeper, I would be completely sold on it.
scatterbunny
02-17-2008, 12:59 AM
Sigh. The more I look at these pics, the more upset I get at how darn big my 6yo is. :( She'll be too big for some highbacks within the year, and too big for even the taller highbacks by 7-8, I'm sure. :(
I tried her in the Regent, too (no pics, though), and she's only got about an inch. She had a growth spurt in the past couple of months, about an inch, and it must have all been mostly torso. I had to raise up her boosters a few weeks ago.
Compass-Depth and belt over the hips.
Parkway-Depth, high slot and belt over hips. But it looks confining on the arms.
TB-Looks comfy, armrests.
scatterbunny
02-17-2008, 01:26 AM
Compass-Depth and belt over the hips.
Parkway-Depth, high slot and belt over hips. But it looks confining on the arms.
TB-Looks comfy, armrests.
The funny thing is, we used to have a Parkway and we got rid of it because dd always complained that it hurt her legs. :( The way it slopes at the front seems to let her legs slope at an angle that's uncomfortable for her. The B510 measures about the same, depthwise, as the Parkway, but the B510's seat doesn't slope down so much and she says it's more comfortable for her legs.
Also, the only seat she mentioned feeling squished in was the Vivo, but that's the seat she raved about the most. :rolleyes: She loved the wings on the Parkway, though; the only thing she complained about was the unsupportive seat and that it was tippy.
And she hates the Turbo. It's the least supportive for her legs. Other than that, it's fine: a good width for her, the armrests are high enough to be somewhat useful. But comfort for her legs is a huge factor for her, and if she isn't comfortable, she doesn't sit right!
Gypsy
02-17-2008, 01:53 AM
Sigh. The more I look at these pics, the more upset I get at how darn big my 6yo is. :( She'll be too big for some highbacks within the year, and too big for even the taller highbacks by 7-8, I'm sure. :(
I tried her in the Regent, too (no pics, though), and she's only got about an inch. She had a growth spurt in the past couple of months, about an inch, and it must have all been mostly torso. I had to raise up her boosters a few weeks ago.
Jenny, I am with you. My dd turned 7 in December and I tried her in my friends Husky today and she has about .5 inch-1 inch of grow room left. She is tall just like your dd. I hate how limited we are for safety at this point.
Gypsy
02-17-2008, 01:53 AM
FWIW I have very high hopes for the Monterey.
I think when I hit booster I'm gonna be using this.
http://www.safetyangel.com/products.pl?f=product&p=1
Just seems like it will accomadate all my needs.
YOur dd is only 6? Wow, she is big and looks big in those boosters. She does look squished in the Vivo and the only one that LOOKS comfy on the legs is the Monarch.
NZ Child Restraints
02-17-2008, 02:02 AM
I think when I hit booster I'm gonna be using this.
http://www.safetyangel.com/products.pl?f=product&p=1
Just seems like it will accomadate all my needs.
I wouldn't based on the minimal side impact protection and the features are too basic, compaired to what will be out next - they only get better.
We have the same sort of seat here, as you quote above and they are 2 piece polystyrene. Too risky for my liking.
Of course, if it meets your needs (your child's too) then that's great that you have found what you're after.
Wellll I do have about 4-5 years, lol. I liked that booster because of the extra extended harness. I see the booster is two pieces, think I would use the bottom one alone if had too. Do you plan on one of these or are/can you wait until the Frontier or Montery come out. But if I had to choose right now I would choose the one my dd is most comfy in. I would ask her which two are comfy then choose the one you think is safer.
mimieliza
02-17-2008, 02:38 AM
I have a silly question - I'm years and years away from boosters, so I don't know how this works. What happens when she is too tall for the belt guides on a HBB? Do you just use the low back booster at that point until she passes the five-step test to be in a seat belt?
She frustrating! We are dealing with the same thing with Tyler. I sure hope the Monterey is decent!
katiesmommy
02-17-2008, 03:30 AM
Does the Monarch seem shorter then the Parkway?
lovemytwosweeties
02-17-2008, 08:24 AM
Thanks so much for doing and posting this booster comparison! My DD is not that old or big yet but it's so great to see them all side by side with the same kid in them for comparison. Awesome!
CandCfam
02-17-2008, 09:53 AM
I have a silly question - I'm years and years away from boosters, so I don't know how this works. What happens when she is too tall for the belt guides on a HBB? Do you just use the low back booster at that point until she passes the five-step test to be in a seat belt?
Yes
And wow, the Vivo seat is SUPER short.
Stretchy Glue
02-17-2008, 10:07 AM
My dd turns 6 in 3 weeks, and is about 1 inch shorter than Jenny's. We've had similar sized dd's for as long as I can remember.
Jenny, thanks for posting those. I think dd's torso must be a tad taller because in November she outgrew that stupid Turbo. I think your H has longer legs that my H because mine has less room in the Husky, and her legs are much more comfortable. Here she is in November in the Turbo
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/JLMcSpadden/car%20seat/100_0513.jpg
Out of curiousity, what are you going to do when she outgrows the hbb? DD has already had to go to backless turbos in the extra cars. It is very nice to have photos of how your dd fits in all these booster for reference.
musicmaj
02-17-2008, 10:13 AM
Wow Jenny, H sure has grown. These pics are very, very helpful to me. M's torso is only a little shorter than H's although she is only about 48 inches tall. She has about 2 inches growth room in an air booster, not installed. I am assuming she would have less room with it installed in a car. She has 2 inches in her evenflo confidence with it installed in our van and great support for her legs. She has about 1 inch in the fpbooster and also great support for her legs. At the next growth spurt she will be done with that seat. I am going to have to get her a parkway to replace it and it makes me nervous since the seat depth is so shallow. I wish the air was taller because I would buy it in an instant.
zactayaus
02-17-2008, 10:14 AM
Does any one have or tried out the Jane Indy booster seat? If so do you know what the seat depth is like on that?
mcomommy
02-17-2008, 10:50 AM
According to this thread (pics are gone but comments still there) the seat depth is comparable to the parkway
http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=34412
Amaris
02-17-2008, 10:57 AM
Thanks for those pics! Ds1 is about 52 inches with a long torso. He used to be all legs but his last growth spurt was all torso. He is dead even or just above the top slots in the regent, depending on how he sits in it. We bought the airbooster because of the depth of the seat. It was the only one he found comfortable for his legs. I guess we probably have 6 months to a year before he outgrows it unless he has another big growth spurt before then. Hopefully by that time someone around here will have the monarch so I can try it out!
Synchro246
02-17-2008, 11:06 AM
How does your Recaro Start compare to the Vivo?
scatterbunny
02-17-2008, 11:35 AM
Does the Monarch seem shorter then the Parkway?
Yes, the Monarch is shorter than the Parkway. :( I wish I would have remembered that dh had a tape measure in his pocket specifically for seat measurement purposes, but I forgot.
It's disappointing that the Monarch is shorter, heightwise, because it's more supportive for longer legs. Bigger kids could fit in it longer than the Parkway if it adjusted taller. And the wings on the Monarch are really fabulous. It wasn't tippy like the Parkway can be, either.
I think dd's torso must be a tad taller because in November she outgrew that stupid Turbo. I think your H has longer legs that my H because mine has less room in the Husky, and her legs are much more comfortable.
I think you're right. My H will be too tall for the Turbo and Air with her next torso growth spurt, I'm sure. It makes me so sad I really wanted an Air for the seat depth...it's 17 inches deep, compared to 13-14 for the others!
Out of curiousity, what are you going to do when she outgrows the hbb? DD has already had to go to backless turbos in the extra cars.
I'll keep buying taller highbacks until she doesn't fit in them anymore. I'm already kicking myself for selling the Parkway, now that I re-examine the comparison pics of the height growing room in each seat. :rolleyes: She can DEAL with uncomfy legs if it means giving her some side impact protection. :p No, really I'd just pile some blankets or something on the floor so she'll have a footrest. Tacky, I'm sure the school pick-up/drop-off attendants will think we're odd, but oh well.
Why don't manufacturers realize that all kids are built differently, and if they're making boosters up to 80 and 100 pounds, they need to design them so they'll actually be comfortable for bigger, older kids.
But after she outgrows seats like the Parkway (or Monterey, if we get one of those; no LATCH so I'm not sure I want it yet) she'll have to go backless. She has used a backless Britax Starriser (same as backless Fisher Price Safe Voyage booster) and loved it, it's really deep and supportive for her legs. I hardly ever let her use it, though, because of the lack of side impact protection. I feel bad enough for moving her out of the Husky into boosters full-time, I can't demote her safety further and put her in a backless just yet! :o
I am going to have to get her a parkway to replace it and it makes me nervous since the seat depth is so shallow. I wish the air was taller because I would buy it in an instant.
I feel the same way. We sold our Parkway last summer but I'm now regretting it simply because it's so tall. I want the Air so badly, but I can't justify the cost (more than a Parkway, now) when she'd have so little growing room. Of course it does become a backless, so we'd have that...but I will not be ready to move her to a backless when she's too tall for the Air's highback mode.
Does any one have or tried out the Jane Indy booster seat? If so do you know what the seat depth is like on that?
I haven't found a retailer within 2 hours of me that carries it, or we would have tried it, too.
How does your Recaro Start compare to the Vivo?
You know, I've never actually measured the Start, or taken photos of H in it with it adjusted to the highest setting. I'll have to do that soon! We're leaving in about an hour go see family and do a KDMF install (with Judi!), won't be home until tomorrow evening, won't have internet while I'm gone, so I'll try to take pics of the Start tommorow night or Tuesday and add them to this thread. H has started refusing to ride in the Start, though, because of the shoulderbelt lockoff ( :rolleyes: one of my favorite features of the seat).
scatterbunny
02-17-2008, 11:41 AM
Do you plan on one of these or are/can you wait until the Frontier or Montery come out. But if I had to choose right now I would choose the one my dd is most comfy in. I would ask her which two are comfy then choose the one you think is safer.
The Ride Ryte booster is very short, so we'd probably have to use it backless. It doesn't look terribly deep, does it?
EZOn has approved the 86Y harness to be used with any booster, so I'd go that route if I needed to, but honestly, I'd only do it to deal with lapbelt-only spots. We're considering an 86Y/highback booster set-up for the center of dh's single cab 1993 Ford F150. It's a lapbelt-only, lowback seat (so, glass right behind her head). We haven't gone anywhere as a family in the truck since she outgrew the Fisher Price Futura a few months ago, but especially during winter or camping it would be nice to use the truck as a family. I'm sure a Parkway plus 86Y would work well in that spot.
I have a silly question - I'm years and years away from boosters, so I don't know how this works. What happens when she is too tall for the belt guides on a HBB? Do you just use the low back booster at that point until she passes the five-step test to be in a seat belt?
Yes, after she's too tall for the highback booster belt guides we move to a backless. :( No side impact protection, then. A newer vehicle with side airbags will be a *must* for me when she finally does outgrow the tallest highback booster.
Many of us are convinced on the benefits of using a booster (highback if it fits, otherwise a backless) even if the five step test is passed, because of the risk of submarining. Julie posted some great crash test videos awhile back about this, and we discussed the issue a bit.
ZephyrBlue
02-17-2008, 11:43 AM
or Monterey, if we get one of those; no LATCH so I'm not sure I want it yet
Not sure if this is a mis-print, but Russ confirmed via email w/me that the Monterey will have LATCH :thumbsup:
Jeanum
02-17-2008, 11:47 AM
I think Scattebunny meant her vehicle doesn't have lower LATCH anchors, not that the Monterey won't have LATCH capability. :)
Thanks for the great booster comparison pictures. It's very helpful for booster shoppers. :thumbsup:
scatterbunny
02-17-2008, 11:51 AM
I think Scattebunny meant her vehicle doesn't have lower LATCH anchors, not that the Monterey won't have LATCH capability. :)
Thanks for the great booster comparison pictures. It's very helpful for booster shoppers. :thumbsup:
:thumbsup: Yes, that's exactly what I meant. :p I missed lower anchors by only a year. :( Dh is getting frusrated that I want a vehicle with full LATCH capabilities now, we've only had my van since April. :whistle:
ajweeks
02-17-2008, 11:53 AM
What is the benefit of a HB booster besides side impact protection for an older child, 6+ and 50+ lbs.? If you have side airbags and an older child, is a HB necessary if they still fit in one?
scatterbunny
02-17-2008, 11:56 AM
What is the benefit of a HB booster besides side impact protection for an older child, 6+ and 50+ lbs.? If you have side airbags and an older child, is a HB necessary if they still fit in one?
Side impact protection and sleep support are the two main issues for me. On road trips dd will still fall asleep in the car and the highback will help keep her in proper position (she's slept on long trips in both the Parkway and Recaro Start and stayed perfectly in position). Our vehicle doesn't have side airbags either, so I want the highback as long as possible.
IF I had a vehicle with side airbags and good crash test scores (because some with SAB don't have good crash scores even with the SAB) and my child did not fall asleep in the car, I'd probably be okay with a backless at this point in time.
amyg530
02-17-2008, 12:23 PM
Jenny, thanks for posting the pictures. which of those 6 would you pick, money being no object? also, have you put H in a MA lately? i'm currious how far over the top slot she is.
ETA: money being no object but its the only seat you can buy
katiesmommy
02-17-2008, 08:30 PM
Yes, the Monarch is shorter than the Parkway. :( I wish I would have remembered that dh had a tape measure in his pocket specifically for seat measurement purposes, but I forgot.
Well crap. I'm trying to help my mom figure out boosters for my siblings. J is almost out of the turbo, and K is in a start but she's almost at the weight limit and is too tall for the turbo. Ugh. Best bet may be to try to find a $25 parkway while waiting for the Monterey.
azgirl71
02-17-2008, 08:58 PM
Thanks for sharing. Looks like she has a lot of room in the Britax boosters and the compass.
papooses
02-18-2008, 10:14 AM
All hail the queen of boosters :happy-wavehello:
This was really helpful, Jenny! :2thumbsup:
I also have high hopes for the Monterey, but I wonder if you could tell me how sturdy the Vivo *feels* in comparison to the Compass B510? (you might remember the issue I faced with my housemate: warped Dorel Juvenile seats :eek: >>> Parkway vs. B510 replacement ... B510 *feels* sturdier than the Parkway)
scatterbunny
02-18-2008, 10:06 PM
Jenny, thanks for posting the pictures. which of those 6 would you pick, money being no object?
That's such a tough question. :( I'm not entirely happy with any of the options. They all have pros and cons. If I buy any highback booster she's got to have growing room, so the Vivo and Parkway stand out for that. And I really want something with deep wings, so that knocks out the Turbo (which I wouldn't buy anyway due to shorter seating area) and the Air.
I suppose I'm leaning toward the Vivo because it's very sturdy and solid-feeling, it doesn't tip when she climbs into it, it's got the deep wings and focusing on how the belts sit on her body, I think I like the Vivo best. The only real downfall for us is the very short seat depth, but maybe I can get used to a rolled-up sleeping bag or comforter at her feet for a footrest. :rolleyes:
I sort of just want to go with another Parkway, because it's narrow, pretty easy to buckle, very tall with great wings, BUT I keep remembering H complaining about the seat depth last summer, and how, if she didn't scoot/wedge herself back into the seat she'd sit farther forward than normal (at the hips) and the belt would ride up and she'd have even less leg room. It was tippy climbing in and out. But it really did seem to fit her well. I just like the Vivo better, except for the shorter seat.
also, have you put H in a MA lately? i'm currious how far over the top slot she is.
I was at Target today and sat her in an Evenflo Triumph Advance, but not a Marathon. She was at least an inch over the EFTA's top harness position. She wouldn't let me place the straps over her shoulders, so I just adjusted them as high as they would go, sat her in it and tried to judge how far over her shoulders were. I think she's more like 1.5 inches over the MA's top slots, though. She's been over those since 4 years, 9 months old (so, almost a full two years).
I also have high hopes for the Monterey, but I wonder if you could tell me how sturdy the Vivo *feels* in comparison to the Compass B510?
The Vivo felt very sturdy, at least as sturdy as the B510. The wings were fabulous. I felt like the Vivo positioned the belts the best out of all of the boosters. It didn't tip when she climbed in and out. It wasn't hard for her to buckle at all. It adjusted taller than any other booster, aside from the Parkway (they seem about the same for height to me). It's just so darn short in the seat. :mad: But since it doesn't slope down like the Parkway, it seemed more comfortable. H didn't complain. And a soft, improvised footrest isn't a huge deal. I just wish I could find the perfect booster for us, and it just doesn't exist right now.
Gypsy
02-18-2008, 10:39 PM
Jenny, do you *need* to buy now, or can you wait to see what the Monterey offers?
scatterbunny
02-18-2008, 10:44 PM
Jenny, do you *need* to buy now, or can you wait to see what the Monterey offers?
No, I don't need to buy one now, I suppose. I just hate having her ride in the B510 on road trips, I want something with deeper wings, and she has started fighting me on riding in the Start and Bodyguard. :( She loved the Vivo, though. She also said she loved the Parkway, despite my reminder of how she complained about it last summer. :confused:
Eventually I will need a taller booster, when she's too tall for the B510, but the Monterey will be out in the meantime. However, I'm a little worried about heavier boosters that don't secure to the vehicle in some way, and I don't have lower anchors in my van, only tether anchors, so I'm not sure I'll even want the Monterey unless I get a newer vehicle.
Momto3Divaz
02-19-2008, 07:57 AM
:thumbsup: the pics are GREAT! I was looking for comparisons! I really despise my TB! Im getting a Parkway as soon as I get my PP funds on friday from the swap section :love: but thats just going to be for traveling.... I just love how we were able to see her tattoo in all the pics :D
musicmaj
02-19-2008, 08:04 AM
Jenny,
Do you think the Vivo was much wider than the parkway? I can't tell from the pictures.
papooses
02-19-2008, 09:57 AM
The Vivo felt very sturdy, at least as sturdy as the B510. The wings were fabulous. I felt like the Vivo positioned the belts the best out of all of the boosters. It didn't tip when she climbed in and out. It wasn't hard for her to buckle at all. It adjusted taller than any other booster, aside from the Parkway (they seem about the same for height to me). It's just so darn short in the seat. :mad: But since it doesn't slope down like the Parkway, it seemed more comfortable. H didn't complain. And a soft, improvised footrest isn't a huge deal. I just wish I could find the perfect booster for us, and it just doesn't exist right now.
Maybe, like my DD, your kiddo's feet might rest on the floor anyway (soon, if not yet already) in certain seating positions to make that a nonissue before long? We can hope! :)
daycaremom2002
02-19-2008, 10:40 AM
Thanks for the pics of the boosters. I have been wondering which ones would work for the most kids in my van. I have an evenflo big kid that I hate. Anyhow, I tried to give you rep and it said I need to spread the love. I will try to remember to come back and give you rep for this post.(even though I don't have many points to offer yet. ;) ) Thanks for all your hard work.
monzogary
02-19-2008, 11:00 AM
Great comparison shots! Thanks.
I really need to take my kids to BRU to try out tons of seats again once the weather warms up. I miss doing big seat try outs!
scatterbunny
02-19-2008, 11:40 AM
Im getting a Parkway as soon as I get my PP funds on friday from the swap section :love: but thats just going to be for traveling.... I just love how we were able to see her tattoo in all the pics :D
I'm liking the Parkway again these days. I was hating it last summer when dd always complained about the seat depth, and I didn't like how it was tippy, and sometimes when she unbuckled and threw the belt off herself it would fall behind the seat and come out of the belt guide, then when she'd get in to buckle up next time she couldn't reach the belt easily and couldn't get it threaded through the belt guide again without twisting it. :rolleyes:
I'm not sure I'd choose the PW for a travel seat, though. How will you be traveling? It doesn't fold or come apart, so it's kind of bulky to fly with. I'd choose something like the Compass B510 (because it folds flat) or Graco TurboBooster instead (it comes apart so you can lay both pieces flat and pack in a suitcase). If your child is long-legged, maybe the Graco AirBooster (it comes apart like the Turbo, but is much deeper in the seat).
Jenny,
Do you think the Vivo was much wider than the parkway? I can't tell from the pictures.
You know, I really wish I had remembered dh had the tape measure. :( Just looking at the pics, they seem about the same width, but it's hard to tell. With the weather getting better I'm sure I'll be making the trip over the mountain to this store again in the near future, but maybe you can start a thread asking for owners of both the PW and Vivo to measure? I really do like the Vivo better than the PW, aside from the shorter seat depth. It's probably harder to buckle in a three-across, but dd didn't find it harder to buckle overall, with no other seats next to it.
Maybe, like my DD, your kiddo's feet might rest on the floor anyway (soon, if not yet already) in certain seating positions to make that a nonissue before long? We can hope! :)
Maybe! I don't think her feet will touch in the captain's chair, but possibly in the third row. Just not sure if I want her back there. :p I can also fold a captain's chair in front of her when she's in the third row, and she can use that as a footrest.
indigoblossom
02-19-2008, 12:04 PM
thanks for posting this!
like others, we're years away from a booster but i still appreciate being able to see the fit comparison for several of the ones currently on the market.
Stretchy Glue
02-19-2008, 12:04 PM
So far dd hasn't complained about her legs, but I can see it happening. Your H has longer legs, that's for sure. I think I'm going to try to rig up the pool noodle leg rest for her some how. I've seen it done quite well for ff convertibles, using the rf belt path.
I think I'm sticking with the PW because dd loves it and I tested this weekend and she still has about 3 inches of torso. Granted, she grew that last year so it could be next year, but still. Man I hate how fast she grows.
thing1andt2
02-19-2008, 07:42 PM
What a great review!
How heavy was the Vivo? I have the Parkway for DH's car and am looking for a seat for Grandma's. DH just wants to get 2 more parkways b/c they are so light and easy to use. I of course need to see what else is out there.
scatterbunny
02-19-2008, 07:55 PM
Hmmm, I was in such a hurry and was just grabbing boosters and throwing them into the test seat that I didn't think about how much they weighed. I'm not sure about the Vivo's weight, sorry! :(
diaperjoys
02-20-2008, 02:38 PM
What great pictures, thank you! What is the torso height of your daughter? I'm trying to figure out booster options for a 7yo with a 19.5" torso. Is that taller or shorter than your daughter?
Thanks a bunch!
scatterbunny
02-20-2008, 02:59 PM
What great pictures, thank you! What is the torso height of your daughter? I'm trying to figure out booster options for a 7yo with a 19.5" torso. Is that taller or shorter than your daughter?
Thanks a bunch!
Hi! :) I replied to your other thread, but I just measured my daughter's torso sitting up straight against the wall and she's only a smidge under 19 inches. However, measurements like this aren't exact. The best way to test is to test-fit boosters. If you can find out how the 7yo fits in, say, a TurboBooster then you can compare it to how my daughter fits the TurboBooster and the various other boosters.
Measuring sitting height like that isn't perfectly accurate because a child doesn't sit in a child restraint the same way they sit against a flat wall. My daughter still has a smidge of room in the Graco Nautilus harness, with top slots of 18.5 inches. So I think she sits in most seats in such a way that she has about an 18 inch torso, even though when measured against a wall she's almost got a 19 inch torso.
firemomof3
04-16-2008, 04:58 PM
One last question:
For a narrow booster which do you think that the Graco Air booster or Britax Parkway would provide better leg support?
tjham
09-30-2008, 02:17 AM
bump
scatterbunny
09-30-2008, 10:10 AM
One last question:
For a narrow booster which do you think that the Graco Air booster or Britax Parkway would provide better leg support?
Wow, sorry I missed this way back when. :o
The Air definitely provides better leg support, but I haven't ever tried it in a three-across, so I'm not sure how narrow it is. The Parkway works three-across in my Focus with other narrower boosters (FPSV, not on narrowest setting, and I think the Turbo, but probably not with two Turbos, but don't quote me on that :p ).
vBulletin® v3.8.4, Copyright ©2000-2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.