What would you change about your Britax seat, if you could?

[tjham]

I LOVE my Britax seats. I have two Marathons and two FPSVD seats.

(I can't comment much on the FP covers because I switched immediately to MA covers so I won't address that issue.)

But if I could magically change something, I would make the bases removable, like the Alpha Omega seats.
(Believe me, that's the only thing I would "copy" from them.)
I would love to have a lower profile on my Britax seats now that my grandkids are older.
They sit up so high it's ridiculous, yet they still fit fine.
I bought 2 Radians for my son's truck because he couldn't stand the way the Britax seats sit up so high.

So please, Britax, think about this!

My other least favorite thing, they have changed already! :thumbsup:
It was the first buckle tongue not clicking when inserted.
I've heard the newer ones now click on both sides. Way to go, Britax!

[TerisBoys]

If I could change anything about Britax seats...

I'd find a way to do away with the HUGS. As it is, I cannot even consider a HWH Britax for Ryan - the HUGS pads drive him batty (goes with the whole 'chestclip chokes me' thing).

[scatterbunny]

I love my Regent, but I wish Britax would figure out a way to do away with the recline bar. I also despise the belt path of that seat when it's installed with the short belt path, and the seat itself is a bit too wide (just a couple inches). If there's no conceivable way to make it narrower, or do away with the recline bar, then they should just make the Frontier with taller top slots. :p

As for the Britax convertibles, I agree with the suggestion that the bases need to be removeable/optional, the HUGS need to go, and I also think the lockoffs should be optional; you should be able to remove them and use the seat with a locking clip if you choose (if the lockoffs are causing you problems or not working right).

[mom23boys]

I would have the straps on the regent be exactly like the ones on the Blvd. as they did not ever twist. I would have also added the audible click after each side was inserted in the buckle to the regent line. The regents still don't have the double clicks.

I have to agree with PP and say that the Frontier would have been better with a harness at least as tall as the regents. The bases should be removable also.

With all of that said, I still love my Britax seats.

[christineka]

I don't have one and can't even consider one due to their width. I want a thin car seat so I can fit 6 kids in an 8 seater minivan.

[Starlight]

I want more cotton cover options, and maybe an organic one, even!

[pastrygirl]

I would want the RF lockoffs to actually work and not pop open all the time.

[remken]

Not having to use the chest clip.

[TechnoGranola]

I agree on getting rid of the base. The shape it is, is best for flat seats and many modern vehicles have contoured seats on the seat bottom which makes the base dig into the seat funny.
even when the straps are tight on the Marathon, they look loose. I wish the harness looked tight when it was.
the Marathon is kind of a pain to tighten RF (haven't tried it FF)
I preface this with not knowing the exact purpose of the HUGS, but geez they are a pain. It's just one more thing to have to slide into position because I find they move when she's not in the seat or while buckling
the 2 click buckle has been addressed, woohoo! I hate the one click buckle!
the belly pad is a VERY nice feature, but it's yet another thing to fiddle with as it has a tendency to want to fall under the child so you always have to be aware of that and hold it in place or pull it out from under the kids' butt. If they could make it attach in such a way so that it didn't fall out of place, this would be one less step to check while buckling!
Speaking from a Canadian's point of view....I want the RF limits to be 35 pounds and I want them to get rid of the ridiculous 32" max RF height limit (and hopefully this is being addressed before the release of the Boulevard!).

[mommy2env]

Having the marathon adjust easily when rearfacing. :mad:

Make the shannon cover for the marathon and regent, we have seen one floating around ;).

Oh, and drop the price. :duck:

[An Aurora]

I love my MA and RA, but I will say that I wish they had stuck with the old style lockoffs and top tether adjuster!

Having the base be removable would be nice too, since it takes up SO much room.

[mominabigtruck]

I want pretty boy covers for all of the seats. They finally started making pretty covers for the blvd and regent but they're only girly.

And rfing lock offs that actually worked would be great too.

Infant inserts that are interchangeable on all their seats, not just the blvd and dc

[tl01]

Redo the Blvd so that the headrest is integrated like the Signo's so it doesn't push DS's head forward. We also need cuter boy covers!! Keep the harness straps though! I love how they don't twist!

[chickabiddy]

Lower bottom strap slots and higher top strap slots on the big convertibles.

[lilysmomma]

I would also do away with the bases on the convertibles. It's the only thing I don't like about our Marathons. I haven't ever dealt with the Regent so I can't say anything about that one.

[ginny4]

i think it depends on your frame of reference i LOVE my regent. tho i could really use th eHUGS to disappear. just not fond of those things.

the FPSVD is nto the easiest to tighten RF. not so bad FF but it's harder RF for me. i always pulled from the back on other seats & well you can't reach the back with that darn black cover thing. the cover isn't so great but that's ok it is my 2nd-ary seat

[cpsaddict]

Having used both the big convertibles and the RA, I would definately find SOME way to use the RA adjuster on all of the convertibles. The bases don't bother me and I have never found a car I couldn't get a Marathon in. My car is tall enough that the bases are not a big deal. I can see how having the option to remove it would be nice. Higher harness slots and a lower bottom slot with an infant insert. The HUGS are terrible and need to go. Cuter boy covers! I wholeheartedly agree with cotton covers! I love the feel of soft cotton, so why wouldn't a child? The rearfacing lockoffs. Well, I am not sure much can be done with them. It's the nature of the beast. Although, the old Fisher Price Safe Embrace has some nice ones. Overall, the Marathon is still my favorite convertible. It feels so nice and sturdy to me. I like my Radian, but I love the Marathon. I have no worries about deciding on a convertible for my future children. It will be Britax.

[2mykids]

-I would love a huge assortment of covers for the BLVD (like the marathon has) but that will come with time. Anyone have a Megan cover for sale?? LOL
- I have to say that while I dislike HUGS, if I ever feel like turning DD FF before she hits the limits, needing to put the HUGS on will stop me dead in my tracks!
-I am not a big fan of the ratcheting harness.
-I would like to be able to install my blvd RF without it in recline mode.

But there is no question in my mind that I would buy this seat again in a HEARTBEAT. No question. :love:

[scatterbunny]

I don't have an issue with the Britax convertible bases from an installation/small vehicle/lack of space standpoint, it's more about what's easy for the child to climb into on her own. My dd hated her AO on the base, it was too difficult to climb in and out of. :p She loved it without the base. It seemed more like part of the vehicle seat. In many cases a carseat seating area that sits lower on the vehicle seat allows the vehicle seat to provide some leg support, instead of the child's legs dangling in midair. That was the case with the Fisher Price Futura.

From the installation standpoint, I actually like the big Britax bases. IME, forward-of-the-bight and/or long buckle stalks are notoriously difficult to work with, especially with seats that have very low belt paths, or belt paths set very far back in the seat shell, closer to the vehicle seat. The big Britax bases tend to work well with these difficult belts.

[emars002]

I agree with them needing to use an integrated SIP on the boulevard - it does stick out some - it bothers my FF more than my RF. And of course more covers!

[Melizerd]

More boy covers. That's it. I haven't had the rear lock off problem, I don't have a problem adjusting it rear facing, and I like the high profile (and haven't we seen some stuff that high profile is actually slightly better anyhow?)

My 18 month old can almost crawl in himself already with it rear facing.

[Mommy2Marcus]

Get rid of the HUGS! I HATE those darn things! Make it easier to adjust while RF!
Also prettier, cooler boy covers!

I personally agree with Mel on liking the higher profile of the seat, as does my son! He is also able to climb into the seat without any issues & has been able to for about a month now I think. He can also climb out of it...after I unbuckle him of course!

[tumblebug]

Oh, and drop the price. :duck:

Like that's going to happen with our crashing economy! :ROTFLMAO:

[henrietta]

That it's a da** Decathlon!!!! (-:

Other than that, most of the same things everyone else said--including that I'd love it if it were a lower profile seat, so I could stop breaking my back to lift ds into it or he could climb in it on his own BUT that it installs so darn well in everything b/c of the base!

And I'd like it if all of the Britax came w/cupholders/storage for stuff on the sides AND were just a little bit deeper (like our EFTA).

henrietta

[Simplysomething]

Does my FPSVD count? I guess so, and what I'd change goes with the the full Britax seats it's built from.

I'd make them WAY less wide. It's no problem in my car, since I cannot actually put a seat next to the FPSVD (center belt doesn't work), but in other vehicles, the width of the seat is a huge PITA.

(And uh, I'd shoot whoever thought a black car-seat cover was a good idea, and then I'd smack myself for purchasing a seat that came with one. [The FP Sport is black... As grubby as the red one gets, at least it doesn't bake ds2!])

If I could change anything about actual Britax seats...I'd change the price. ;)

[lynsgirl]

Well, first I'd like the Regent issues to magically disappear and go back to the way they were :whistle:.

Second - and this almost made "first" - is that I'd like them to switch back to the "old" style of FF lockoffs on their convertibles. I cannot tell you how much I hate the new lockoffs. I used the newer one ONCE for a long-distance trip this past winter and it was installed like that for less than 3 weeks. My belt was definitely affected and while it's "gone back" to normal pretty much, I can still point out the spot where it was in the lockoff. That bugs me. A lot. I had no issues whatsoever with the old lockoffs and I can't imagine that this has made the seats easier for the average parent to install like they claim. Bah.

I'd like them to change the tether adjustors back to the kind they have on the LATCH straps, instead of the tilt-lock adjusters, but that's just me being picky lol. I'd also like the tether straps to match the harness like they used to, but ah well. Can't have everything.

I'd like a longer expiration, if only a year longer. Not so much for me, but for other people I know who think it's totally "silly" to get rid of a "perfectly good seat." My best friend comes to mind. . . :whistle:

[Kashi]

Shrink them ! Make them thin enough to fit 3-across in a small car.

[joolsplus3]

Shrink them ! Make them thin enough to fit 3-across in a small car.
They're pretty close to doing that... not three Marathons facing the same direction, maybe, lol... http://picasaweb.google.com/joolstag/Frontier/photo#5208143249079073154 (I wish they'd invent the 'Three-Across' line, wouldn't that be cool? A mix and match of convertibles and boosters that puzzled together perfectly!)

My wish? Make a higher weight rearfacing seat. Seriously. 48 pounds. :love:

Thicker straps on the Frontier.

NO RECLINE BAR.

All harness adjusters like the Roundabout.

All Lockoffs like the Chicco or Safeseats.

[mom2many1972]

1)I hate the recline bar on the Regent
2)I wish the Regent was not so wide.
2)I wish the seat covers were more breathable
4)cuter boy covers.
5))I wish that rather than a long and short belt path for the Regent, that you just install it one way (preferably the short bath since some seat belts are not long enough to do the long belt path).
6)Hate the hugs
7)I wish the strap covers still Velcros on like the old ones.
8)Higher RF weight limit (like 40+ pounds)
9)Removable base
But all in all I LOVE my Britax and would never own another brand of car seat

[mamabear]

Bring back the Zebra cover for the Marathon!!


-Wider/flat-er bases (you should see what the MA did to my car!!)

-and maybe some thicker webbing on the Frontier harness so the buckle tongues don't flip around.........


BTW...I don't mind the HUGS!!!

[PixieEMT]

:yeahthat:

[brightredmtn]

I would love love love a canopy like the Orbit toddler seat has, actually I think Australian Britax convertible seats have canopies too the US wants them too!

On the topic of the Orbit toddler seat, I want Britax to do that. Make a convertible seat that works on a removable base and can fit into a stroller frame for traveling. I'm very close to buying that system but I'd prefer one from Britax with the great company history and lower price.

I also really liked the idea of an organic cotton cover. That would be awesome!

[BookMama]

I love my Britax seats, but if I could change one thing about them, it would be the harness adjuster. I've had a Decathlon, Marathon, and Regent, and every one has been hard to tighten. Give every Britax seat the "smooth as butter" harness adjuster that the Roundabout has! Please!

[cowgirlsmommy]

At least 45 lb rf weight limit
No recline bar on the Regent
Higher harness slots than even the Regent has. Maybe 25"?
I think Britax should have a frequent buyer program and do something like a buy 3 seats, get one free.:p

[mysweetwe]

Definitely lower slots on the convertibles- that shouldn't even take any engineering I wouldn't think, just some big scissors :whistle:

Regent "issues". Blah.

Higher rf limit on convertibles, higher slots on the Frontier.

Dh wants lockoffs on the Regent and Frontier. He says if you're paying that much for a seat, it should have lockoffs, LOL.

[safeinthecar]

Yeah. What everybody else wants. All of it.



And a lower price tag!

[Morganthe]

I only have a Regent and a Parkway --which has been discontinued, so complaints are nigh on useless. ;)

Regent --
Installation on either LBP or SBP depending on car, without the whole child weight _____ lbs issue. :rolleyes:

Get rid of the stupid recline bar or at least provide a good reason for its existence.

Longer shoulder pads to fit a larger seat, not the same size as their others :p . They're useless. Dd HATES them. They always pinch her.

Slant the harness slots slightly, remove the chest clip and the HUGS. It will be a safe seat.

Fill in much of the open space on the harness slots. It will make it easier to determine when a child's harness really needs to be raised and perhaps add another slot! :D

Parkway -- would have been perfect if the base had extended -- support kids when their legs grow.

[a_js]

Give all of them the push-button, like butter smooth Roundabout harness adjuster.

Get rid of the recline bar on the regent :mad:

The Frontier would be better if the short belt path weren't basically in the back of the seat, and weren't so narrow. We can't use the long belt path, not enough seatbelt.

Bring back the old (red) lock-offs! The black ones stink.

[sunnymw]

Lower and higher harness adjustability for the BLVD, so I can use one for my newborn too. Make it go from 2-100lbs... LOL

And a cheaper price for SURE.

Otherwise I've had no issues... I have leather seats and it has been just fine, EXCEPT the part where I didn't CLEAN the seat first and had some crumb-compression which led to rubbing of the leather :( So... wipe your seat bottoms and vehicle seats clean before installing!! LOL.

[happyfrog]

can't think of anything. i have denim roundabouts and adore them. well, i'm down to one denim roundabout. the other one was in a car accident this week so it's a goner. .. .

but i'm salvaging the seat cover from it! (if insurance company ultimately doesn't want the seats themselves).

bettyann