My Frontier Opinions

[QuassEE]

...thus far, my opinion of the Frontier really isn't that high.

I bought two Frontiers, one in pink and one in red. I'm going to be using the US covers on my Canadian seats, once they arrive. Meanwhile, I can at least play around with the Frontier and local Vancouverites are welcome to test the Frontier out in their vehicles...especially with local stores requiring 100% payment for pre-orders.

So I installed the Frontier in my van for a trip in Washington today...The shell felt flimsy and cheap compared to the Marathon and Roundabout, but I suppose it makes sense as it's a totally different shell design.. The short belt path was fine in my Odyssey, but the LATCH strap adjusters more or less get stuck on the shell while tightening. It's not so bad tightening through the beltpath. I didn't try LBP, but I will probably do that this week :)

I HATE the tether. The tether comes out a good 2" under the top of my vehicle seat. This makes it near impossible to get the tether fully tight--whereas my Marathons are always SOLID.

The worst part? The splitter plate, where the child needed the harness adjusted to, gets CAUGHT on the seat shell! I had to completely uninstall the seat, loosen it off by putting my hand through the back, and then reinstall, put the child in, tighten, and LEAVE IT ALONE. I'm rather irritated about this. The adjuster does not BUDGE when trying to release some slack. I'm thinking this might be a flawed or catching on something. I'll have to look at it more closely in the house.

The cupholders feel like a cheap afterthought.. Flimsy and awkward. I remember that from Lifesavers.

I know our US counterparts have done their reviews, but if there's anything anyone wants to know or wants opinions on, just let me know. I also welcome anyone in the Lower Mainland who is considering a pre-order to come and try the seat out in their vehicle. I'm in Delta.

-Nicole.

[horseymom]

interesting... how did you get your hands on one in Canada already?

[QuassEE]

I didn't. They're American. Pink and red are not being released in Canada, but those are the covers that my kids wanted.. Now my son wants pink, so I might be ordering a pink one for him.. We're going to swap the covers on to Canadian Frontiers once they arrive. Covers are not available for the Frontier, and probably won't be as long as they're having trouble meeting demand on the seats.

These seats aren't for use in Canada, but that doesn't stop me from playing around with one for now! At least I won't have any surprises if I end up doing a check on a Frontier.

-Nicole.

[horseymom]

oh, if we get one we are going to need a pink one. I hope somone wants to sell one

[QuassEE]

The current theory is that my son's favourite colour can't possibly still be pink by the time he's 8 or 9... Hopefully someone will want to trade me covers when that day comes.

-Nicole.

[Neatfreak]

Out of curiosity, do you get to write-off seats bought for research or professional purposes on your income taxes?

[QuassEE]

Only if you generate an income to write off against ;) How many carseat techs do you know who're rolling in dough as a result of their chosen field?

-Nicole.

[canadiangie]

Okay, humour me here...

You have two US Frontiers with red and pink covers.

Then when the CDN Frontiers are available you're going to buy two of them.

Then switch the covers? And sell the US seats on swap or something??

If so, that's brilliant. :thumbsup:

[QuassEE]

Well, when you know you've got your last babies..you do silly things like this :) So, yes!! If my order can be changed, I'll get pink instead of red so it'll be a pink for both my girl and my boy, to boot. :) Shame I don't really like the seat much ;)

-N.

[Neatfreak]

Only if you generate an income to write off against ;) How many carseat techs do you know who're rolling in dough as a result of their chosen field?

-Nicole.

But it would be a nice perk, no?

[horseymom]

do you think this seat will fit well in a 96 explorer? behind the passanger ? please tell me yes! LOL

[QuassEE]

I'm not sure--I have a Tribute (Ford Escape) but the seating is pretty different from the Explorer. I'd be confident that it would fit in any LATCH-equipped vehicles, but more iffy on seatbelt installs.. Although the LBP helps, people have found...

-Nicole.

[Debn31]

We don't have latch in our current vehicle...what does LBP stand for? I've managed to figure out most of the acronyms but what's this one?

If I can figure out a way to swing it $ wise, we're going to at least try the Frontier.

I'd also like to try the Nautilus.
I sure wish they were available to try NOW...so much simpler!!!

I also realized that we *could* return a True Fit if needed, once we can actually try a Frontier (assuming it fits AND gives him some extra room) that would help.
I also remembered that my son goes for a tonsillectomy next week (poor guy!)...so hopefully we can avoid any puking in the car :eek:

The BIG thing is he's safe (er) in a 5 pt for right now.

Will be checking out Babies R Us this weekend....I think I've now heard that you have to pay upfront for a special order? If that's the case, we may have to wait. Because I can't return the True Fit without knowing the Frontier will fit/give him more room (no point otherwise).

Guess we'll have to play it by ear and see what happens. Still will check out BRU this weekend though, just to see what they say. I know there's at least one other place though, that will be carrying them in my city. So if they actually have a couple in stock, maybe she'll let me play with it a bit (see if Joseph actually has more room etc).

P.S. Everyone around me (except hubby and my mom) now thinks I'm nuts re: the car seat safety issue. :p

[April]

Nicole, You are a GENIUS! If it had more "room" on my VISA, I'd do the exact same thing. And I may still if I stumble upon some kind of a financial windfall.

I definitely want to come try your Frontier in my Durango. Maybe we can figure out a date/time next week? I'm going to reply to your pm about the chest clip in a minute, so let me know when works for you and I'll be there.

If I can get it to work in my Durango (no UAS, its a 2000), I'll see if I can come up with a bunch of money, and when the CDN Frontiers get here, I'll get one in grey or beige and order a red one from the states at the same time. Then switch the covers and that way I can sell the US one and it will still have a decent DOM (hopefully). What a fantastic idea.

I was just thinking this morning that when the Frontier came to TRU here, I was going to ask you if you could come with me to try one out in the parking lot. Cause I've never done a LBP install and I wouldn't want to give up on the Frontier without having you try. So this works out GREAT!

[mamoomorgan]

Is there a chain store in the U.S. that sells them? We're driving down for the day and I'd love to try out the fit in my car (2002 sequoia toyota) before ordering one.

Maybe Target? BRU?

Thanks,

[QuassEE]

Right Start has them. I only go to the Target in Bellingham, which does not have the Frontier. Babies R Us has them. You should call ahead to the stores you'll be near to make sure they have one in stock that you can look at, though :)

LBP = Long belt path



-Nicole.

[Debn31]

Thanks, Nicole :)

[AnnD]

I have a question ...

do you think two frontiers will go side-by side in the third row of a Sienna using seat belts. You don't have a Sienna so a bit of a guess - could you put two Frontiers - one outboard, and one middle - in the third row of the Odysssey? [I should add - my tethers are middle and outboard so the seats have to go there.]

Without latch (which gave me a few extra inches) - I am wondering whether I can get two seats side-by-side using seat belts. (Still working on keeping the 2 and 4 year old apart way off in the back row).

OK - I guess another question

You are still keeping your Frontiers even though you don't really like them - why? Or, another way - what would you rather buy (and that is available soonish) in Canada for harnessing the 'later-in-life' kiddos.

Finally one last question

- is the frontier as similar height/bulkiness as the Radian (i.e. no where near as 'high' as the MA or Roundabout?). I am really enjoying the Radian because it is so low profiled compared to the MA.

[QuassEE]

I actually had a Sienna before my Odyssey. It was a 2005, and I believe you said yours is a 2004?? Regardless, same body.. Yes, I think two Frontiers would fit side-by-side in the back row with the outboard seat installed first, and pushed to the furthest outward point in the beltpath and then the centre seat installed. You could also put a Frontier outboard and off-centre with LATCH. You can also put both outboard, because as we established previously that off-side TA for your off-side LATCH also serves both the centre and driver's outboard seating positions.

I'm keeping Frontiers because I have quite an assortment of seats and I like the variety. I also am very impressed with the height of the Frontier in booster mode, and until the Monterey gets here it's probably the best option for a HBB for a larger/older child.

The Frontier definitely has a lower profile when sitting flush to the car's seat as compared to the MA. It's not as low profile as my Regent, overall, and not as low profile as the Radian (because of it's design, the leg area bumps up a little) ... the shoulder area of the Frontier is massive compared to any of the seats I've mentioned thus far here :) The Radian is a basketball player and the Frontier is a football player.

What other seats would I consider? Combinations? Really the Nautilus is the only real competition. But honestly, considering how inexpensive a dedicated booster is down the road, convertibles are a really good option as well. If someone has a taller child, I'd recommend the Radian.. if someone has a bulkier child, likely the True Fit.. I suppose it just depends what fits the child and the vehicle best. There are too many variables for me to say I would blanket recommend one seat over others.

Considering the Frontier's install issues and that it doesn't seem to be as high quality as it's Britax siblings, I might end up recommending the Nautilus more than I'd initially anticipated. It seems like a good option for kids coming out of their "40lb" Cosco seats. A lot of people have 3-in-1s here, although I rarely see them at checks! I have played with the Nautilus already, and I was impressed. Factor in the pricetag and it's becoming even more appealing.

-Nicole.

[AnnD]

You can also put both outboard, because as we established previously that off-side TA for your off-side LATCH also serves both the centre and driver's outboard seating positions.


I thought we had established I couldn't outboard the other seat because the tether hook wasn't to be used with an outboard seat (something to do with the angle). Maybe the '05 Sienna's tether was more centred - in the '04, it would be likely close to a 45 degree angle which I thought would be too much.

Did I misunderstand - that would solve all my dilemnas. I thought I had to pair up in the back row.

I am disappointed the Frontier won't latch above 40lbs. - I need the seats for 2 40lbs+ kiddos. The price isn't sufficiently different between a Radian and then a good booster so it still makes sense I think but wish it would latch higher (better spacing in third row with latch as compared to seat belt).

[horseymom]

here's another question for you. How is the crotch strap length in the Frontier? I know my dd's is getting snug in her Generations seat

[QuassEE]

Because the Frontier has multiple threaded positions for the crotchstrap, it's perfect..even for cloth diapers and my big-bottomed girlie.

-Nicole.

[horseymom]

Thanks!