Options for Carseats for Dh's car

[Pepse]

We live in Canada and he loves the Ricoro Car Seats which are not for sale in Canada. I personally am getting a Marathon or Blvd for my truck and want to compose a list of recommended seats and maybe something along the lines of a Ricoro Seat.

Our dd is 9 months and 23lbs (chunky monkey). She is currently in her Graco Safeset and this is great for now but we will need a new seat for September when i return to work and then a second seat when she hits 30lbs and 32inches or when my arms give out from carrying all of her weight lol)

We are looking for a seat to fit in a 2004 Honda Civic - 4dr Si and a 1998 Mustang GT (will only be ffing in the mustang when dd reaches ff status as no rearfacing seat will fit into the Mustang and still allow use to use the passanger seat)

Also does anyone have the stats on the Blvd and the Tru Fit like there is posted for the other seats such as THS, 5-point , recline, lbs, UAS etc??


This is what i have so far for him


Roundabout - This one only goes up to 40lbs and then will have to buy another 5 point harness booster. $249

http://www.britaxusa.com/products/product_detail.aspx?ID=10

THS: 15.5"
Fits Infants to Toddlers from 5 to 30 pounds and forward facing for children at least one year old from 20 to 40 pounds.
Patented versa-tether secures seat
Four built in lock offs for easy installation
Five point harness system with 3 shoulder heights
Features LATCH system attachment


Marathon - Goes up to 65lbs and then can go in a cheaper booster with a seat beat until 80lbs. $299
http://www.britaxusa.com/products/product_detail.aspx?ID=5

THS: 17"
For children 5 to 30 pounds and now forward facing for children up to 65 pounds.
The Marathon is a Convertible Child Seat with LATCH that can be used rear facing for children 5 to 30 pounds and forward facing for children up to 65 pounds.
Versa-Tether is patented by Britax, for the most security in both forward and rear facing installations.
The Patented "Floating" HUGS System is designed to better distribute webbing loads to reduce head movement and minimize the chance for webbing edge loading on the child's neck in the case of an impact. In addition, it is designed to reduce the chance of improper positioning of the chest clip.
Built in Lock-Offs, both forward facing and rear facing, are designed for easy reach and operation when using traditional belt routing.


Evenflo Triumph Advance ($150):

http://www.evenflo.com/flashvideo/triumphadvance.html

THS: 17"
5-point
front-adjust harness with Infinite Slider adjustment. Easy-to-use Tension Right and Buckle Right harness adjustment.
3-position recline.
Removable, washable seat pad.
Flip-out cup holder.
Rear-facing for infants 5-30 lbs
forward-facing for toddlers 20-47 lbs.
Universal Anchorage system.

Radian - $199 but is a little upright and harder to install than the Britax Seats.
http://www.elitecarseats.com/Sunshine-Kids-Radian.pro

THS: 18"
Radian's patented steel frame means no bulky plastic structure. Compared to other car seats, Radian offers more shoulder room, more leg support
Birth to 65 lbs in 5-point harness
Rear-facing and front-facing
5 shoulder harness positions
3 buckle positions
EPS safety foam for side-impact
protection
Steel alloy frame
V-shaped top tether
Folds flat


Brand new seats coming in June


Britax Blvd - is the upgrade from teh Marathon which i think will eventually replace the Marathon.

http://www.britaxusa.com/products/product_detail.aspx?ID=1



Tru Fit Goes up to 65lbs -$199

http://www.toysrus.ca/product/index.jsp?productId=2857165&kw=tru%20fit&origkw=tru%20fit&parentPage=search&f=Taxonomy/TRUSCA/2567270




Radian - $199 but is a little upright and harder to install than the Britax Seats.
http://www.elitecarseats.com/Sunshine-Kids-Radian.pro

THS: 18"
Radian's patented steel frame means no bulky plastic structure. Compared to other car seats, Radian offers more shoulder room, more leg support
Birth to 65 lbs in 5-point harness
Rear-facing and front-facing
5 shoulder harness positions
3 buckle positions
EPS safety foam for side-impact
protection
Steel alloy frame
V-shaped top tether
Folds flat

[CDNTech]

For the Civic, pretty much any of your suggestions would work.

For the Mustang... Both Britax seats will fit RFing and the EFTA will most likely fit RFing as well. Don't let the lack of space turn you off of keeping her as safe as possible. :)

Once babies have good head control, they can go as upright as 30 degrees for rear facing. It is more comfortable for them and safer for them.

Here's a Marathon in a 2007 Mazda Speed3... it's got about the same (if not less) backseat space as the Mustang (my mom used to own one ;)). It's installed at about a 35 degree angle and my 6'3" hubby has just enough leg room in the front passenger seat...
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/185/429825159_572f08ed10.jpg?v=0

ETA: The only one I'd take off the list is the Roundabout... it's only got one extra inch of space over the SafeSeat you already own. Since you can install all of the other seats more upright (with the exception of the Tru Fit... Compass/First Years is currently saying it *must* be installed at 45 degrees), they should all work well.

I might skip the Boulevard as well... it's top harness position isn't quite as high as the Marathon and the side impact protection wings have been known to push more than a few children's heads forward. This one is definitely a try out with your child before you buy.

The Radian is too long front to back for your Mustang... it should work fine in your Civic and makes an awesome airplane travel seat if you fly at all.

So... I'd probably concentrate on Marathon, EFTA, Radian for your Civic and Marathon, EFTA for your Mustang.

In terms of top slot height/position... tallest to shortest go in the following order
Radian/ TruFit (I think it's comparable to the Radian, but haven't seen one in real life yet)
EFTA
Marathon
Boulevard
Roundabout

[Pepse]

Thanks for your suggestions. We tried the MA in the Mustang and it will not fit to allow the passanger to sit in the front. I should have clarified that we want only one seat for the Civic and the Mustang. The mustang is only drivien in the summer and the Civic the other times of the years.

We do fly alot but like i said, we want only one seat for the Civic and Mustang and my truck will have a MA in it.

[CDNTech]

Gotcha! :)

Well, if the Mustang is only driven in summer, then baby will be closer to two years old by the time she is riding in it... not as big of a deal. ;) It's still safer to have her rearfacing, so I'd aim for that as long as possible, but if she stays on her current growth curve she'll hit 30lbs right around that time anyway and need to go FFing due to weight regardless.

Since you fly, I'd eliminate the EFTA... there is some confusion on whether it can actually be allowed to be used on an airplane.

Which leaves you with the Radian or Marathon. I personally like the Radian over the Marathon. It has taller top slots (almost 2" extra of growing room), more shoulder room for older kids, more leg room rear facing (not a safety issue, but a nice convenience/comfort issue for some kids), super easy install forward facing on an airplane, really easy to install with LATCH.

You'll want to try a FFing install in your Mustang before deciding (or you can use the Marathon from your truck for in the Mustang), since FFing seatbelt installs can be tricky with the Radian. Use these tricks to help you... http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=28939

Don't get me wrong, the Marathon is super nice too... I just have tall kids and my first outgrew the Marathon at 4.5 years old (still fits in the Radian)... my second just turned 3 and just moved up to the top slots, so he'll probably outgrow it around 5.

ETA: You could also add the Tru Fit back into the running, since you won't need to use it RFing in the Mustang. Just keep in mind that it *must* be at a 45 degree angle when rear facing. It also can NOT be tethered rear facing, whereas both the Radian and Marathon allow you to tether rear facing (beneficial in side impact collisions).

[BW1426]

I vote for the Marathon or Radian. The Radian can be tricky to install without LATCH so that could be part of your decision making process. The Marathon is a breeze to install.

[CDNTech]

Also just wanted to note that I don't think the Blvd will replace the Marathon. They both have been around for awhile in the States... we are just finally getting another option up here. Also, the Blvd still has some kinks to it (not as high of top harness position, head wings push child's head forward causing slumping while sleeping)... both seats have their advantages/disadvantages and will suit different people/needs. :)

[snowbird25ca]

Since you fly, I'd eliminate the EFTA... there is some confusion on whether it can actually be allowed to be used on an airplane.


TC has an investigation open about the sticker issue, but the manual clearly states that it's approved for use in aircraft and since it has to pass that testing in order to meet CMVSS 213 standards, I would just have the manual there if flying with it. Evenflo is going to have to do something about that sticker. I'm not sure what yet, but the seat is approved for airline travel and it's ultimately the manual that is proof of that with CMVSS seats.

So I wouldn't eliminate it completely because of that seeing as it is certified and the manual clearly says so. It's just that dumb sticker that has potential to cause problems, although nobody has posted about having had problems thus far. ;)

[CDNTech]

TC has an investigation open about the sticker issue, but the manual clearly states that it's approved for use in aircraft and since it has to pass that testing in order to meet CMVSS 213 standards, I would just have the manual there if flying with it. Evenflo is going to have to do something about that sticker. I'm not sure what yet, but the seat is approved for airline travel and it's ultimately the manual that is proof of that with CMVSS seats.

So I wouldn't eliminate it completely because of that seeing as it is certified and the manual clearly says so. It's just that dumb sticker that has potential to cause problems, although nobody has posted about having had problems thus far. ;)

Good to know... although I'd still probably eliminate it due to flying. :o It's big, awkward and heavy to carry/haul through an airport and wide once you are trying to install it on the plane. It's just not the most airline friendly seat. :o

I've also seen at least two separate posts where people were not allowed to use their EFTA on an airplane. :(

[Pepse]

@@aidensmom and snowbird - We do plan on keepng her rfing as long as possible. I will have the MA so we can use that for flying so i will keep the EFTA on the list. We would likely be taking my truck (guess i should clarify my truck = Ford Explorer) to the airport because of all the luggage and stroller so we would have the MA anyways.

I didn't realize that the Radian had taller top slots

We have a local place that allows use to try the seats in the vechile before we buy and they have both the MA and the Radian so we can try them out to see what is the best fit. I am just worried about the Radian RFing in the Civic since I am normally the passenger and find with teh Safe seat, the passenger seat is ok to sit in but not comfortable for longer than an hour. Great to know about the Tru Fit.

Great to know about the BLVD, i was thinking on it for my truck but like the Patterns better of the MA lol and was having a hard time deciding between the two. :)

[snowbird25ca]

@@aidensmom and snowbird - We do plan on keepng her rfing as long as possible. I will have the MA so we can use that for flying so i will keep the EFTA on the list. We would likely be taking my truck (guess i should clarify my truck = Ford Explorer) to the airport because of all the luggage and stroller so we would have the MA anyways.

I didn't realize that the Radian had taller top slots

We have a local place that allows use to try the seats in the vechile before we buy and they have both the MA and the Radian so we can try them out to see what is the best fit. I am just worried about the Radian RFing in the Civic since I am normally the passenger and find with teh Safe seat, the passenger seat is ok to sit in but not comfortable for longer than an hour. Great to know about the Tru Fit.

Grea to know about the BLVD, i was thinking on it for my truck but like the Patterns better of the MA lol and was having a hard time deciding between the two. :)

You know the True Fit might still be an option if you have room to rf with a radian. The boot on the Radian makes it harder to get more upright installs in a lot of vehicles, and front to back even at a 45* angle I suspect that the True Fit will take up less room than the Radian because the headrest seems to go somewhat up and not just continue out at the same angle as the rest of the seat. I wouldn't completely cross it off your list without trying it anyways.

This is also just a prediction, but I expect that they'll allow a more upright install when using the headrest with older kids in the relatively near future. I haven't seen the CDN manual, but the US manual is pretty clear that the 45* angle is necessary for safety because of a newborns airway. I don't think they've taken into account that older kids don't have that problem, and so weren't thinking of that when the message got passed down that 45* was mandatory at all times. But even so, with a child that could benefit from that extra 5lbs of rf'ing weight, I wouldn't cross it off just yet until you tried it in your vehicle.

The BLVD headwings really seem to be a mixed bag because lots of kids love them, but some kids hate them. Definitely a try it out before you buy it thing, but if your dd didn't mind the headwings, I'd go with a BLVD over a MA since the price difference is so little. With a tall child you'll end up needing another seat with higher harness slots anyways, so I'm not sure that .5" of lost harness height would be a huge deal. Especially if you'll have another child to pass the seat down to at some point. There's only going to be a $20 difference, and I think that if it doesn't cause your dd to be uncomfortable it's definitely worth upgrading from the MA to the BLVD for such a small price difference.