Introduction
There's nothing like an updated product to save time writing a full review. Find the old review, update the details and presto, new review! The original Frontier was a pretty good combination booster. In fact, I've been using one daily for over a year and a half. So why the new Frontier? Basically, Britax took the old one, improved the maximum height and weight limits and then went on and addressed all the issues they heard about from customer feedback, like in this thread. Plus, they did it in just over a year and a half. Very impressive!
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Britax-Frontier-Combination-Booster-Seat/dp/B0038W0JIK/"]Amazon.com: Britax Frontier 85 Combination Booster Car Seat, Pink Sky: Baby[/ame]
So, the Frontier is no more. It has been replaced with the Britax Frontier 85. In addition, the Regent will be phased out, too. The Frontier 85 is a "Harness-2Booster" or combination (combo) forward-facing child restraint and belt-positioning booster seat. Using the harness forward-facing, it is for children over 2 years, weight from 25 to 85 pounds and from 30 to 57 inches tall. As a booster, it is rated for children starting at a minimum of 40 pounds and 42 to 65 inches tall. In booster mode, there is now a 120 pound weight limit. This is not the same product with higher numbers attached to it. It is revised and improved in many ways.
Summary of Improvements and Changes
Honestly, this is a very nice list of improvements. Almost every important facet of the weight and height limits was increased. Almost every minor quibble with the original design was updated and appears to be improved. Overall, this really is a prime example of a company listening to consumers and making a good product even better!
Conclusion
Unless it is simply too big or too expensive for consideration, the Britax Frontier 85 is a superb choice if your “baby” is already a big girl or boy! Kids under 2 years old or under 25 pounds should really be kept rear-facing for safety. After that, the Frontier 85 really is the last seat your child will ever need and is almost unmatched for fitting big kids in either the harness or booster.
Kudos to Britax for keeping the price the same as the original Frontier! It should begin shipping in the next month or so and hopefully appear on shelves early in the second quarter. You can preorder the Frontier at $279 [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Britax-Frontier-Combination-Booster-Seat/dp/B0038W0JHG/"]Amazon.com: Britax Frontier 85 Combination Booster Car Seat, Red Rock: Baby[/ame] . That is somewhat expensive up front, but is very reasonable when you consider the benefits and lifetime. Like any type of product, you pay more for premium features and the Frontier 85 is a class leader in many regards. With a 9-year expiration and improved weight and height limits, there's a lot of value for the price, plus it's made in the USA!
Look for a full review with photos at www.CarseatBlog.com coming this week!
There's nothing like an updated product to save time writing a full review. Find the old review, update the details and presto, new review! The original Frontier was a pretty good combination booster. In fact, I've been using one daily for over a year and a half. So why the new Frontier? Basically, Britax took the old one, improved the maximum height and weight limits and then went on and addressed all the issues they heard about from customer feedback, like in this thread. Plus, they did it in just over a year and a half. Very impressive!
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Britax-Frontier-Combination-Booster-Seat/dp/B0038W0JIK/"]Amazon.com: Britax Frontier 85 Combination Booster Car Seat, Pink Sky: Baby[/ame]
So, the Frontier is no more. It has been replaced with the Britax Frontier 85. In addition, the Regent will be phased out, too. The Frontier 85 is a "Harness-2Booster" or combination (combo) forward-facing child restraint and belt-positioning booster seat. Using the harness forward-facing, it is for children over 2 years, weight from 25 to 85 pounds and from 30 to 57 inches tall. As a booster, it is rated for children starting at a minimum of 40 pounds and 42 to 65 inches tall. In booster mode, there is now a 120 pound weight limit. This is not the same product with higher numbers attached to it. It is revised and improved in many ways.
Summary of Improvements and Changes
- Harness weight limit increased from 80 to 85 pounds
- Top harness setting increased almost 2", from 18.25" to about 20" seated height.
- Standing harness height limit increased from 53" to 57" (Britax numbers)
- Standing booster height limit increased from 60" to 65" (Britax numbers)
- Seated booster shoulder height limit increased from 21.5" to 24.5" (Britax numbers)
- Booster weight limit is now 120 pounds (was not listed for the original model)
- Lap belt guides updated and now seamlessly join the armrest section with no gap in between
- Armrests have a sturdier, shorter, fixed design
- Cupholders are now integrated into the front of the base, rather than extending from the side
- Harness height adjuster is revised and significantly reinforced compared to the previous one
- There are now 10 harness height positions, up from 8 in the original
- Harness strap material is a little less flexible and may help resist folding
- Harness splitter plate is now a single slot design
- Chest clip now has a graphic showing correct position instead of a Britax logo
- The main shell of the Frontier 85 is about two inches taller than before. Width and depth are roughly the same overall, but there are minor variations in the contour. (No cover compatibility, sorry!). According to my scale, it weighs over 2 pounds less than before.
- The slots for routing the lap belt for harness mode installation are revised. The position is similar to the original Frontier, but the contours are more angled and open. Perhaps this may help resolve issues for those who had trouble with installations in certain vehicles, especially with the short belt path and LATCH
- LATCH attachments appear to be the same, but now have prominent SafeGuard branding. Unfortunately, there is now only a LATCH adjuster on one side. The original Frontier had adjusters on both sides, perhaps making installation a bit easier in some cases.
- The strap to adjust the fit of the harness is narrower, along with a narrower adjuster mechanism from IMMI that is a "push type" instead of a "lift type". There is also a small groove on the bottom of the base for the strap, presumably to reduce the chance that friction against the vehicle seat cushion could make it harder to pull.
- Crotch buckle slots have been revised slightly (5.5", 7" and 8.5" according to Britax). They seem quite similar to the old one in actual use. The buckle also seems a hair easier to rethread and lock into place underneath the base than before.
- There are now 4 booster height settings, down from 6. Also, the actual maximum booster height is slightly lower than the original, despite the increased limits. I am told this is, in part, because the original Frontier actually adjusted much higher than the specifications indicated for booster mode.
- For booster use, you may purchase an optional "Secure Guard" clip accessory, similar (but not identical) to the one in the Britax Parkway SG booster. (Under $20 MSRP).
- The cover I received is the same Red Rock pattern as my original. It is quite similar but has minor variations. The "mesh" material is back, and I know some of us owners had issues from snags and wear. On the plus side, the mesh material does not extend nearly as far down the thigh so this should help from a durability standpoint based on my experience.
- While the Frontier 85 will launch only with updated versions of the same fashions, I'm told there may be new fashions for later, but nothing is definite right now.
- The bottom of the shell has a few less rough edges due to the redesign of the cupholders and may be a bit friendlier to leather vehicle seats than before. There are small rubber grips that may help reduce sliding.
- The recline block now "snaps" securely into place in both positions.
- The back of the shell has a small threaded hole to store the screw you remove when converting to booster use.
- The bungee cord for the manual has been replaced by a pocket behind the cover
- Revised attachment points for the fabric cover
- Revised plastic belt shield cover
Honestly, this is a very nice list of improvements. Almost every important facet of the weight and height limits was increased. Almost every minor quibble with the original design was updated and appears to be improved. Overall, this really is a prime example of a company listening to consumers and making a good product even better!
Conclusion
Unless it is simply too big or too expensive for consideration, the Britax Frontier 85 is a superb choice if your “baby” is already a big girl or boy! Kids under 2 years old or under 25 pounds should really be kept rear-facing for safety. After that, the Frontier 85 really is the last seat your child will ever need and is almost unmatched for fitting big kids in either the harness or booster.
Kudos to Britax for keeping the price the same as the original Frontier! It should begin shipping in the next month or so and hopefully appear on shelves early in the second quarter. You can preorder the Frontier at $279 [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Britax-Frontier-Combination-Booster-Seat/dp/B0038W0JHG/"]Amazon.com: Britax Frontier 85 Combination Booster Car Seat, Red Rock: Baby[/ame] . That is somewhat expensive up front, but is very reasonable when you consider the benefits and lifetime. Like any type of product, you pay more for premium features and the Frontier 85 is a class leader in many regards. With a 9-year expiration and improved weight and height limits, there's a lot of value for the price, plus it's made in the USA!
Look for a full review with photos at www.CarseatBlog.com coming this week!