Britax Blvd and Multi-Tech side by side

[laccaycol]

Ok i was cleaning out my van so decided to get pics of them side by side:) Not a huge difference the MT is lower than the blvd and wider in the shoulders than the blvd but narrower in the leg area. the first pic is with both headrests all the way up. Going to take another pic with the MT not in recline since the blvd isnt in recline mode

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh255/cleria7th/BlvdandMT009.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh255/cleria7th/BlvdandMT011.jpg

Ok here are the ones with the MT not reclined

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh255/cleria7th/MTandBlvd002.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh255/cleria7th/MTandBlvd003.jpg

[Jennifer mom to my 7]

Hey, could I ask how tall the seatback is on the multitech? And how tall to the tallest one could rf in it? Wondering since I have long torsoed kids and would like to know how much longer I could have reasonably gotten with it;)
Thanks

[brittany741]

These are so helpful- thank you!

Would you say that one has more height room rear-facing?

We decided to get another BV because we couldn't justify the $500 right now.

[Maedze]

Very nice! Huh, despite what was said in the other thread, the MT is no bigger than the BV :confused:


I think I've about decided I am ordering one in a few weeks. Sigh.

[finn]

I just got adventuredad to send me one of these, I cant wait for it to arrive :)

The multi tech does look bigger than the Blvd as it sits lower to the ground :)

[zeo2ski]

Thanks for the side by side. I suppose the MT allows the head to be over the shell...I was wondering if you went by the US 1" rule if the headwings would count or the shell? I really don't know anything about the MT, so I have a few questions for those of you who have/may be getting one.

Is this a convertible? I thought it was RFing only, but maybe not.

How does it install with a seat belt? Those lock offs look like they are sitting right on the floor, but could be camera angle.

Curious about the actual height too. Even though it sits lower it doesn't look that much taller than the BLVD--is it any taller than the RN or TF? (on the inside)

And what age child did you all decide to get one for? Had they outgrown by height or weight on American seats? Would you add a Britax chest clip or just use it without?

Has anyone had a child outgrow this (by height) before 4 years old?

And...if your child made it to almost 3 years old in a US seat would you consider getting a MT to continue RFing? I'd feel a lot better at age 3 than I would age 2, but right now my DS is 2.5 and I'm scared to death to turn him.

[Lara]

Is this a convertible? I thought it was RFing only, but maybe not.

And what age child did you all decide to get one for? Had they outgrown by height or weight on American seats? Would you add a Britax chest clip or just use it without?

And...if your child made it to almost 3 years old in a US seat would you consider getting a MT to continue RFing? I'd feel a lot better at age 3 than I would age 2, but right now my DS is 2.5 and I'm scared to death to turn him.

I have a two way, not a MT, but I can answer some of your questions.

Its a convertible, rf to 55 lbs, ff to 55, booster to 55.

I got my TW for dd when she was 3. I wouldn't have imported one under normal circumstances, but i had a friend going to Sweden who offered so...

No chest clip, especially on the MT. You couldn't use the shoulder pads if you did, and those are required. The TW...you could probably get away with it. But honestly, having a chest clip-less seat is AWESOME. I love it :love:

[finn]

just a note the multi tech is harnessed to 18kg which i think is 40lbs forward facing, not 55lbs. It is a booster from 40lbs to 55lbs :)

[cowgirlsmommy]

I will definitely be buying a multi tech for our next child if they end up growing like our daughter did. She had outgrown rear facing at 18 months old because of weight.

[Lara]

just a note the multi tech is harnessed to 18kg which i think is 40lbs forward facing, not 55lbs. It is a booster from 40lbs to 55lbs :)

Ah, I stand corrected. I looked at a picture in their manual that must imply booster use to 55 lbs, didn't read the whole thing (although, I could have sworn it was 40, and thats what i originally typed! so yeah, I was confused when I saw that in the manual :p)

[zeo2ski]

Thanks. I found a post explaining the MT pretty well. Don't know why I thought it was only RFing, so I wondered what those red belt guides were.
That post showed the installation pretty well too.

I could totally justify the cost of the Two Way, the MT would be pushing it but I'd do it if I had a kid under 2 needing one. I've thought about it though and I'd be afraid to "get caught" by the county since we'll be doing foster care soon and would hate to be breaking the law regarding a child...even though it's for a very good purpose, the county has too much power. Although we'll see what happens the first time I have to put my guy FFing--I might break down and contact AD.

[delgirrrl]

Thanks for the side by side. I suppose the MT allows the head to be over the shell...I was wondering if you went by the US 1" rule if the headwings would count or the shell? I really don't know anything about the MT, so I have a few questions for those of you who have/may be getting one.

Is this a convertible? I thought it was RFing only, but maybe not.

How does it install with a seat belt? Those lock offs look like they are sitting right on the floor, but could be camera angle.

Curious about the actual height too. Even though it sits lower it doesn't look that much taller than the BLVD--is it any taller than the RN or TF? (on the inside)

And what age child did you all decide to get one for? Had they outgrown by height or weight on American seats? Would you add a Britax chest clip or just use it without?

Has anyone had a child outgrow this (by height) before 4 years old?

And...if your child made it to almost 3 years old in a US seat would you consider getting a MT to continue RFing? I'd feel a lot better at age 3 than I would age 2, but right now my DS is 2.5 and I'm scared to death to turn him.

I too have both a Boulevard and a Multi-Tech (and a Frontier). The MT is a much taller seat than the boulevard, but as it sits right on the vehicle seat, it 'starts' much lower, if you get my drift, so despite having a much bigger capacity, it actually takes up less room.

I can't imagine a child outgrowing the MT RF before 4 years. My son is huge, (over 40 inches and 44 lbs) and very long torsoed with stumpy legs (aww, sounds terrible - he's beautiful!!:love: ) he still has plenty of room in the current height slot, and one more to go.

It installs easily with a seatbelt. Yes, those are lock-offs... trust me, it does work, although if you have long stalks you will need to twist them.

Personally, yes, I'd consider getting one to keep your 2.5yr old RF - but hey, that's all personal choice, but what I can tell you is that I believe most kids could get to 5 RF in this seat.

No chest clip! If you actually see one you'll realise it's not needed, the strap configuration is much different than the US seats.

Good luck - if you want any more info, please ask :)

[Adventuredad]

Seat shell of the Multi Tech is 24.5 inches. That is inside bottom of seat to top of seat if that makes any sense. I think the MT is quite a bit taller than BV since it sits very low.

It would be very unusual for a child to outgrow the seat before age 4.

No chest clip is actually a safety feature...... ECE R44 requires one point release so no chest clip. One can add one layer if desired.

There is an English manual here (http://britax.se/pdffiler/Multi-tech2008ny.pdf)

[ketchupqueen]

I have a very very unusual child... What's the seat with the TALLEST shell? If she outgrows the Radian RF by height or weight before 2 (concievable) I think I'll be importing one...

[Jennifer mom to my 7]

I too have both a Boulevard and a Multi-Tech (and a Frontier). The MT is a much taller seat than the boulevard, but as it sits right on the vehicle seat, it 'starts' much lower, if you get my drift, so despite having a much bigger capacity, it actually takes up less room.

I can't imagine a child outgrowing the MT RF before 4 years. My son is huge, (over 40 inches and 44 lbs) and very long torsoed with stumpy legs (aww, sounds terrible - he's beautiful!!:love: ) he still has plenty of room in the current height slot, and one more to go.


:)

What is his torso height? My 3 year old is 41 inches, 40 pounds, and has close to a 17 inch torso. So, this is why Ketchup and I are wondering;) She was close to being at the 1 inch rule of the decathlon when she outgrew it by weight at 32.5 pounds at 25 months.

edited to add that 24.5 inches is the same height as the nautilus on its lowest setting (bottom of back of seat to the very top of the headrest in the lowest setting). Which puts my 3.25 year old a little less of an inch below that spot. Hmm, she might just grow out of a MT before 4.

[zeo2ski]

Why does this topic have to come up right now while I'm between seats????!!! Stop making my THINK!

So I saw an older post and the Two Way can be shipped for 400 USD? See, that's so comprable to a $300 seat...

My 2.5 year old is currently at 32 lbs, after a 4 lb growth spurt over the past couple months, but he seems to have leveled off and I'm hoping he'll stay put for a while. He also shot up in height, so I just had to order the Radian XT to fix the height problem in the BLVD. I guess I just need to see how long he will actually last before 35 lbs, but I'm guessing close to 3 years. I always thought I'd be comfortable at 3, but right now, I'm so NOT comfortable even for one or two trips to town. So about how long would it take to get one here if I ordered one in a few months?

Obviously the MT would be my first choice, but with the price difference, why don't more people opt for the TWE? I prefer headwings for sure, but this seat would only be used RFing for me (just keep passing it down) so the wings aren't that significant of a difference, right?

[mykidsmylife]

OMG we do have that seat in Germany. I saw it at Baby Waltz and had no clue it was a rf/ff seat..... To think I could have bought it and used my VAT form and brought it into the states with no issues. Dang it all...... Maybe next time I take a military hop. ;)

[delgirrrl]

What is his torso height? My 3 year old is 41 inches, 40 pounds, and has close to a 17 inch torso. So, this is why Ketchup and I are wondering;) She was close to being at the 1 inch rule of the decathlon when she outgrew it by weight at 32.5 pounds at 25 months.

.

Sorry for the delay, had to get him to sit still for a measure up! Seated torso height to shoulder is "at least" 15.5 inches... (OK, so I had difficulties getting him to sit straight and still!)

IMHO (and don't hold me to this!!) if your daughter has an extra 1.5 inches in the torso than my lad, I think she'd still be able to RF in the MT on the last slot.

[ketchupqueen]

Thanks for that... My 9 1/2 month old daughter has a torso the same size as your son. :eek:

[Adventuredad]

I have a very very unusual child... What's the seat with the TALLEST shell? If she outgrows the Radian RF by height or weight before 2 (concievable) I think I'll be importing one...

Multi Tech is the seat with the tallest shell. Seat shell, from bottom inside seat to top of seat shell is 24.5 inches That's closely followed by Britax Two-Way which is around 24 inches. Also keep in mind that the "1 inch rule" doesn't apply. With US seats there must be 1 inch of space between top of head and top of seat shell. Swedish seats are outgrown when tip of ears peaks above top of seat shell. That means about a 1/3 of the head is above the top of seat shell. Seats are tested this way and it's safe. This does make quite a bit of difference in how long a child can sit rear facing.

Harness is supposed to be at or above shoulders but this is also a little bit "flexible". I've confirmed this with Britax after questions by users. Lets say harness is at your daughters shoulders but there is still space avaialble height wise. It would then be alright to keep using the seat even if harness went a little below shoulders. It would not be alright to use a harness which is 5 inches below shoulder if you know what I mean. Even if there was a tiny disadvantage to having the harness just below shoulders, the advantages of still being rear facing would outweigh this by a large margin. am I making any sense..?:whistle:

My 5 year old son is quite tall, 95th percentile, and could still sit in a MT without problems. His torso is around 17 inches. Most other Swedish seats are 22.5 inches in height which is often enough to keep a 45 inch child rear facing.

And Ketchupqueen, stop feeding your daughter steroids:whistle::D

[delgirrrl]

Thanks for that... My 9 1/2 month old daughter has a torso the same size as your son. :eek:

Wow, that's pretty spectacular! As well as checking out carseats, you might want to look into future sporting careers :)

IMHO for a child that age, based only on logic, I'd definitely agree with adventuredad's rationale that even if the straps were below the shoulders RF would be a safer option than FF:twocents:.

[steph]

And what age child did you all decide to get one for? Had they outgrown by height or weight on American seats? Would you add a Britax chest clip or just use it without?

Has anyone had a child outgrow this (by height) before 4 years old?

And...if your child made it to almost 3 years old in a US seat would you consider getting a MT to continue RFing? I'd feel a lot better at age 3 than I would age 2, but right now my DS is 2.5 and I'm scared to death to turn him.

I just got the Two-Way about a month ago and turned Ryan back rear facing. He hit 35 pounds at 28 months and had been FF in a MA since then.
So now at 34 months and 37ish pounds he is back rear facing in his Two-way!! And it's really nice not having a chest clip (I thought it would bug me but I actually like it better).

ETA: that's him in his Two-way in my signature.

[steph]

Harness is supposed to be at or above shoulders but this is also a little bit "flexible". I've confirmed this with Britax after questions by users. Lets say harness is at your daughters shoulders but there is still space avaialble height wise. It would then be alright to keep using the seat even if harness went a little below shoulders. It would not be alright to use a harness which is 5 inches below shoulder if you know what I mean. Even if there was a tiny disadvantage to having the harness just below shoulders, the advantages of still being rear facing would outweigh this by a large margin. am I making any sense..?:whistle:


I was gonna ask about the harness. Ryan seems to be right at (or a little below the second to top slots depending on how much he slouchs), should I move them up? The next slot is so high that according to the manual it shouldn't be like that?

Sorry to hijack the thread:o

[ketchupqueen]

Multi Tech is the seat with the tallest shell. Seat shell, from bottom inside seat to top of seat shell is 24.5 inches That's closely followed by Britax Two-Way which is around 24 inches. Also keep in mind that the "1 inch rule" doesn't apply. With US seats there must be 1 inch of space between top of head and top of seat shell. Swedish seats are outgrown when tip of ears peaks above top of seat shell. That means about a 1/3 of the head is above the top of seat shell. Seats are tested this way and it's safe. This does make quite a bit of difference in how long a child can sit rear facing.

Harness is supposed to be at or above shoulders but this is also a little bit "flexible". I've confirmed this with Britax after questions by users. Lets say harness is at your daughters shoulders but there is still space avaialble height wise. It would then be alright to keep using the seat even if harness went a little below shoulders. It would not be alright to use a harness which is 5 inches below shoulder if you know what I mean. Even if there was a tiny disadvantage to having the harness just below shoulders, the advantages of still being rear facing would outweigh this by a large margin. am I making any sense..?:whistle:

My 5 year old son is quite tall, 95th percentile, and could still sit in a MT without problems. His torso is around 17 inches. Most other Swedish seats are 22.5 inches in height which is often enough to keep a 45 inch child rear facing.

And Ketchupqueen, stop feeding your daughter steroids:whistle::D

Thanks for the info! I will definitely keep it in mind. She is starting to slow down in growth a LITTLE and also grow some legs (she just hit 29.5 lbs.-- only baby I have ever seen get sick and GAIN weight, she gained a lb. in 2 days because she got a virus and nursed for 48 hours straight.)

Wow, that's pretty spectacular! As well as checking out carseats, you might want to look into future sporting careers :)

IMHO for a child that age, based only on logic, I'd definitely agree with adventuredad's rationale that even if the straps were below the shoulders RF would be a safer option than FF:twocents:.

Thanks! I have no intention of FF her before 2 at the bare minimum if it means I have to have a seat imported from the MOON. ;) The problem is that her torso is half her height, literally. She's tall-- off the charts actually-- and heavy (not for her height, she's 50th %tile in weight-for-length, but she's off the charts compared to other kids HER AGE) but she is mostly torso, just now starting to slow down in torso growth compared to legs. When she was born she was 20.5 inches long-- and had a 10 inch torso. :eek: She's actually taken some physical milestones slower because her torso is so long she has to gain a lot more muscle strength than most kids to be able to sit up, crawl, stand, etc. in order to support it!

[G8r4evr]

I love the look/features of the Multi-Tech. Im guessing it's illegal to have one shipped to the US?

[ketchupqueen]

Not illegal to have it shipped; just illegal to use it in the car for a child (in most states-- there may be a few where the wording actually leaves that open to interpretation, from what I understand), or to sell it. :whistle:

[zeo2ski]

I just got the Two-Way about a month ago and turned Ryan back rear facing. He hit 35 pounds at 28 months and had been FF in a MA since then.
So now at 34 months and 37ish pounds he is back rear facing in his Two-way!! And it's really nice not having a chest clip (I thought it would bug me but I actually like it better).

ETA: that's him in his Two-way in my signature.
You know, I saw the Two-way in your siggy yesterday and thought about asking you at what age you got it for Ryan--I figured it would have been closer to 2 years since he's such a big guy, but you're saying you bought the two way at 33 months? Just curious because I've been very concerned lately about my 30 mos old approaching 35 lbs and thinking I'm just being crazy to want to import for a child who will be over 2.5, probably close to 3 years old. But it makes me want to cry when I look at him and imagine he'd have to FF. Your thoughts on this?

Thanks for the info! I will definitely keep it in mind. She is starting to slow down in growth a LITTLE and also grow some legs (she just hit 29.5 lbs.-- only baby I have ever seen get sick and GAIN weight, she gained a lb. in 2 days because she got a virus and nursed for 48 hours straight.)



Hehe, ketchup, my 10 mos old is just over HALF yours' weight! And has a half inch longer torso now than yours did as a newborn...of course he also fits in some NB diapers still too. It's crazy how extremely differently kids can grow! (which is why we should get to have 55 lb seats here too)

[ketchupqueen]

Yeah, even mine have all been different. My older two were much skinnier the first year, chunked up the second, then started thinning out again... My oldest was about 33 lbs. at 2 years old but now at almost 5 she's only gained about 4 lbs., though she has grown at least half a foot, a little more probably. LOL! They really all do grow differently!

[steph]

You know, I saw the Two-way in your siggy yesterday and thought about asking you at what age you got it for Ryan--I figured it would have been closer to 2 years since he's such a big guy, but you're saying you bought the two way at 33 months? Just curious because I've been very concerned lately about my 30 mos old approaching 35 lbs and thinking I'm just being crazy to want to import for a child who will be over 2.5, probably close to 3 years old. But it makes me want to cry when I look at him and imagine he'd have to FF. Your thoughts on this?



Yeah he reached 35 pounds at 28 months so I turned him FF. I didn't have the option of the Two way at that point since I didn't know anyone to help me get one. Once I had the chance to get the Two Way I did, so he went back rear facing at 33 months.

Now in his Dad's car and Grandma's car he rides FF but he is mostly in my car. I definately don't think your crazy for wanting to import a seat. Rear facing is safer even at 3!

[zeo2ski]

I definately don't think your crazy for wanting to import a seat. Rear facing is safer even at 3!

See I was very back and forth about this, then when DH said we should just get one when he gets to 35 (or close) I was all over it, but I found a thread arguing the fact that there are no studies showing HOW much safer a 3 year old (or over 2 for that matter) would be RFing. Even if it was miniscule, the cost would be worth it to us, but the legal risk takes more consideration. Especially since we will soon be doing foster care. Right now I'm so unsure about the whole thing! I'm just hoping he doesn't gain any weight for a year or so...hehe. Well at least soon it will be summer and he'll loose a 1/2 to 1 pound of clothing, right?

[steph]

Well, I'm not sure how foster care works but would they even know that was a Swedish seat? Unless your well versed in carseats, most people have no clue.

[ketchupqueen]

They might notice the no chest clip.

[zeo2ski]

That's exactly what DH and I say too. But IF anyone ever looked in the third row of my deeply-tinted-window suburban, the fact that a 2-3+ year old is RFing at all will draw attention around here, ya know? I really don't see that being a problem, but it's an extra risk.

[Adventuredad]

A small chest clip can be added if desired. Steph, I would wait with moving to the next slot. Sounds like it's to high right now......

I'm in the same situation with my daughter and her Britax Hi-Way (rf only to 5 lbs). I could moved to the next slot but it seems too high