Really Really torn between Nautilus and Frontier, going INSANE!

[marciemp]

We are replacing all 3 of our seats due to an accident.

Replacing a Frontier, and 2 Dorel comfort booster/car-seats. Kids stats are in my siggy

We went today to buy 3 Reese Nautilus, had totally decided. When we got there they had a lot of new seats (new in Calgary). The Britax and Radians were the only ones we could see closely and touch (the Nautilus was on the top shelf and no one could get it down). I had tried the kids in Nautilus last week so I know they are OK in it, but not being able to compare side by side made it hard.

Well the Frontier was available in pink, that really threw me for a loop (and the Radian XL in pink got my DD's all excited too but I want cup holders).

The plan was to get 3 Reese Nautilus and then order pink covers and have them sent to me from my uncle who lives in Colorado.

I did not like my DD's Frontier at all, but the one at the store, it looks like they changed all of the things that bothered me about it. The seat fabric, where their bum would go was black and grey plush, and the pink mesh was on the seat back, so we wouldn't need to worry about the mesh fraying like dd's did. The straps were thicker, the buckle tongs were all plastic (no fraying harness). It was just so much better than dd's Frontier (which was purchased the first week the Frontier came out in Calgary). And it was PINK! No having to order new covers, wait for them, uninstall and put them on. I am also concerned about how light pink the Mariposa Nautilus is on the bum area (winter in Calgary and all).

But the Nautilus had the nice cup holders and cubby holes that the kids really liked, and in my rational mind I know they should be equally safe. And we could get pink covers so the girls would be happy

The store was closing and in a rush we bought 3 Nautilus but now I am wondering if it was the right decision? Am I going to like the quality of the seats as much as the Frontier? It was so hard because they couldn't be put side by side to compare, and the sales lady was soooo biased to the Britax seat. She actaully said "it is not that Graco seats are not as good but well, they aren't".

I am not a dummy, but being raised in the materialistic times like my generation I can't decide if the reason I am wavering is because of the "more expensive seat must be better" thing, the "ooh I have 3 Britax Frontiers" thing or more real reasons like are they better, safer, more durable, longer lasting? I know I sound so shallow but there are a lot of people who buy things for the way they look (status wise) and I can't really tell where my mind is going with this, and why I feel unsure of our purchase. Why are the Frontiers more expensive?

Price is not an issue as far as how much we are willing to spend because insurance will be covering a good portion and the twins would have needed new seats in a year or so anyway. I am also not concerned about install issues, I had no problem getting the Frontier installed rock solid in the van, and I have never had a problem installing any seats in there good and tight.

So someone help me before I go insane, and take my hubby with me (I am going on and on to him all day)! Really why are the Frontiers more expensive, why are Britax seats considered the Cadillac of carseats, and am I being shallow or are these realistic concerns? What would we like better, what would work better? AHHHHHH!:eek:

[QuassEE]

Naw--you did the right thing. The Frontier is like the Edsel of Britax, changes or otherwise. That more or less puts it below the Nautilus in my books. Don't let pretty looks sway you.

-Nicole.

[canadiangie]

Hi,

I think it's horrendous that any salesperson would make such a statement. :thumbsdown: If you'd pm me and tell me where you bought your seats I'd sure love to know. :whistle:

Your decision to get Nautili is sound IMO. I wouldn't think twice about it actually. I would take the covers to an embroidery place and have some pink butterflies put on your dd's seats (or whatever), and do the same in something boyish for your ds.

In terms of which is safer, you know what we're all going to tell you... ALL seats are safe IF used and installed correctly.

[ketchupqueen]

Most people seem to find that the Nautilus is an easier install than the Frontier. And you like the cupholders. And you'll have extra covers, for the same-ish (less? Don't know your outlay here when all is said and done) money. I'd choose a Nauti over a Frontier in a heartbeat. :) So I'd give your decision a chance before you have buyer's remorse!

[bubbaray]

My only hesitation would be the crotch strap placement. However, we too chose the Nautilus over the Frontier....

:thumbsup:

[HONEYhas3]

Im in the same boat.

I was SURE i was getting a Frontier.

Then I was getting a Nauti.

Now im back to getting a Frontier.

I really have NO IDEA what were getting.

[marciemp]

I am thinking we will keep the Nautilus. I know my kids were HUGE fans of the cup holders and cubbies. I did have a concern about the crotch strap placement, so we will make sure of the fit, but my kids are pretty tiny for the most part and all out of diapers. My dd1 is skinny miss, and my son is skinny as well. DD2 has a little more meat on her bones but is tiny (looks a year younger than her twin brother based on overall body size).

It really does make it hard when a salesperson says something like that (that Graco's are no good) and the fact that they had over 10 Britax on the first and second shelves, along with the Sunshine kids, and then the Graco was on the very top, like 10 feet up, so we could not see it at all. I had looked at it at TRU and tried it out which was why we went to get it (wanted to get it at the baby boutique because they carry the Reese pattern and they have a discount with the local twins club).

Anyway just to ease my mind we are going to TRU today to look at them SIDE by SIDE. I know which ones the kids are going to choose (cubbies all the way!). I just want to double check the fit, the crotch strap, the cupholders...since we didn't take ours out of the box yet.

Thanks for the help, you have eased my mind a lot.

[canadiangie]

I am thinking we will keep the Nautilus. I know my kids were HUGE fans of the cup holders and cubbies. I did have a concern about the crotch strap placement, so we will make sure of the fit, but my kids are pretty tiny for the most part and all out of diapers. My dd1 is skinny miss, and my son is skinny as well. DD2 has a little more meat on her bones but is tiny (looks a year younger than her twin brother based on overall body size).

It really does make it hard when a salesperson says something like that (that Graco's are no good) and the fact that they had over 10 Britax on the first and second shelves, along with the Sunshine kids, and then the Graco was on the very top, like 10 feet up, so we could not see it at all. I had looked at it at TRU and tried it out which was why we went to get it (wanted to get it at the baby boutique because they carry the Reese pattern and they have a discount with the local twins club).

Anyway just to ease my mind we are going to TRU today to look at them SIDE by SIDE. I know which ones the kids are going to choose (cubbies all the way!). I just want to double check the fit, the crotch strap, the cupholders...since we didn't take ours out of the box yet.

Thanks for the help, you have eased my mind a lot.

Based on that description of the store shelves I believe I know what boutique you were at.

[marciemp]

Yeah it probably is the only kids boutique in Calgary with shelves that go to the ceiling with car-seats on them. Makes no sense to me, that they can't be reached to try out. But that is probably why they put the cheaper seats up there!

[marciemp]

Now I am having a huge problem with the Nautilus. Every time my kids go to put the straps on they are twisted like 3 times. I am used to just having to do a quick check to make sure everything is right, and am very worried about having to do 4 kids straps up every time we go anywhere. The straps on the Frontier are so thick this didn't happen with it very often, but the Nautilus has such thin straps. Store we bought them from won't exchange them.

Has anyone else had this problem with the straps?

[marciemp]

Just wanted to post an update for anyone who is researching these 2 car-seats. The Nautilus' are working out great now. The kids seem comfy in them, and now that they are experienced with them, they are all doing great with getting the straps on and not having twisting problems. All 3 of my kids can now get in their seats and do up the straps, I just wait by them and watch to make sure they are doing it right. They are all very good about getting me to check them for twists and that the chest clip is at the right spot. This is am improvement because before the Nautilus' only 2 of my kids could get in by themselves. They can for the most part get out of the seats as well, which is nice, and they are big enough to understand that they only get out when we are parked. It is a bit difficult to undo sometimes but we are figuring that out. They all love their cup holders and cubbies.

We will be ordering girly covers from the US for my 2 girls soon and having them sent to family in the US. We bought Lightning McQueen and star iron on decals for my little man's seat so he can have a nice seat too!

[trinity991]

Glad it's going well with the Nauti's. I had a really hard time deciding between those 2 seats too. In the end I went with the Nauti. We got a second vehicle and we're going to get another Nauti for it.