MA or Blvd

[horseymom]

why would you buy one or the other?

[KelliBella]

My little one hated the wings. We had to trade our Blvd for the MA, which he LOVES. I was hoping to get something other than the MA since my oldest had been in his for years (and I was a little bored with it), but it is just such a all-around good seat. My decision was also influenced by the fact that we have side curtain airbags in our van, so I wasn't as concerned about side impact collisions. :twocents:

[horseymom]

I'm all ready to order a MA this week (they are on sale) but now once again I'm confused. would the Blvd be better choice?? my truck has no sie impact protection

[valleyfam]

I've used the BV both ff and rf with 2 different kids and never had any problems with the wings. I love it and liked the extra side impact protection because of the large windows on my van. I really think it's just personal preference. You'll probably like either one. Here's my number one difference. I really don't like rethreading straps to move them up or down and with the harness adjuster on the BV I don't have too. That was enough for me but that's just a personal preference. Good Luck!

[An Aurora]

Where will the kiddo be (outboard or center)?

[Jeanum]

Britax does state that the Blvd. has true side impact protection (TSIP) due to the headwings but unfortunately couldn't/wouldn't quantify numerically how it translates into added side impact protection during our recent online chat here with reps. from Britax. The Marathon technically does have some side impact protection by virtue of having a 5-point harness, and the EPS foam lining technically is an added measure of peace of mind.

FWIW, I'm a fan and owner of both seats. :) My DD1 was fine in two crashes involving side impacts/side swiping while riding FF in a MA (replaced with another MA each time). On the other hand, the MA will fit longer heightwise compared to the Blvd. due to the MA's taller top shoulder harness position as we discovered by having DD1 try the Blvd. at the time we purchased the first one for her little sister. DD1 was already too tall for the Blvd. shortly after her 4th birthday, but she still fit heightwise in a MA until she was around 4.5 years old. That said, when the Blvd. was on sale and priced comparably to a MA when we were in need of a convertible seat for DD2, we bought her a Blvd., and ultimately bought a second one during a subsequent Britax sale here in the U.S. because I've grown super leery of side impacts after our crashes, despite having side curtain airbags in all of our vehicles since 2002.

Hope this helps you out some.

[horseymom]

thanks for the imput. the seat will be outboard. how much lower are the slots?

[Jeanum]

I don't recall the exact difference off the top of my head for the MA and Blvd's top shoulder harness slot/position. Half an inch or a tick more, perhaps? :scratcheshead:

[broken4u05]

I have and i am useing both the MA and BV. I have no real love for one over the other. I do like not having to uninstall the BV to change the harness hight but if i didnt have it i would be ok. Both seats are great. I love them both

[QuassEE]

I had a Wizard (pre-BV) and although the headwings weren't a problem, it was more difficult to get the cover off to clean... Other than that, I really liked it about the same as the MA. If I drove a smaller vehicle, lower to the ground and therefore likely closer to a point of impact with a larger vehicle I might be tempted to go for the extra SIP in an outboard position...Otherwise, it's all about the same to me.

-Nicole.

[Mara1973]

Also, since you are in Canada, only the Marathon is available here currently, that that makes the decision even easier. :)

If you are looking to get one right away, the Blvd is not yet available here.

Mara :)

[snowbird25ca]

Also, since you are in Canada, only the Marathon is available here currently, that that makes the decision even easier. :)

If you are looking to get one right away, the Blvd is not yet available here.

Mara :)

It's @ 2 months away from what I know. It's passed approval and Britax was working on the manuals as of the chat a couple weeks ago and then the seats would be shipping. So I expect they'll be here within the next 2 mos - probably about a month later than the original estimate of late June. :thumbsup:

eta: I don't think the MA sale price is temporary, I expect it'll stay lower with the BLVD arriving soon. If you can wait a few more months, I'd suggest waiting just to see what comes of the height & weight discussions Britax is having with TC. If it ends up with different limits than the MA, that would be worth waiting for.

[valleyfam]

I have and i am useing both the MA and BV. I have no real love for one over the other. I do like not having to uninstall the BV to change the harness hight but if i didnt have it i would be ok. Both seats are great. I love them both

I think you mean you have to remove the MA to adjust not the BV correct? I don't remove my BV to adjust ff or rf.