Britax Marathon - Confused! Many questions...

K

Kris

Guest
Britax Marathon - Confused! Many questions...

We've just had our first experience using this carseat - please bear with all the questions!

My husband, who is a pretty smart DIY kind of guy, installed this car seat today and we used it for the first time. We're beginning to wonder whether this was a good purchase. Is anybody else frustrated with this seat?

The floating gray things on the harness, which are not pictured or mentioned in the instruction manual, push up into our infant's face/neck area when we tighten the harness. This seems very uncomfortable. The harness is looser on one side than the other, so one side is tight, the other somewhat looser. Overall we can't seem to get it as tight as it was in his Graco infant carseat. While it feels tight over his shoulder, it feels a bit loose over his chest (we can get fingers underneath easily). Is that normal?

The other thing we're wondering about is that our 6-month-old son's feet are already almost touching the backseat. He's probably going to grow several more inches before he hits 30 pounds. I can't see him fitting in this seat rear-facing that long.

Also, the harness adjuster strap is very hard to use - my husband was having difficulty tightening the straps, and he wonders if I'll be able to do it. He really wanted to get the Cosco Alpha-Omega, but I thought the Britax seat would be the safest. Now I'm wondering if we made the right choice. Our son was in tears before we could even get the harness tight (those floating things were pushing into his cheeks).

It just seems uncomfortable and difficult to use. If we keep it, we'll definitely find a local tech to check our installation. Any thoughts from other Marathon users?
 
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Molly Jake and Edie

Guest
Re: Britax Marathon - Confused! Many questions...

I've never posted here before - but I just had to respond and let you know I feel your pain! <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"> I have been frustrated to tears several times with this seat.

We purchased the Marathon for ds who is 8.5 months, approx. 17 pounds and 27". He also hates the HUGS (gray rubber things.) I find it very frustrating that these are not mentioned in the manual. I have called Britax twice about these and received conflicting advice. I have been told that they must be used FF, but you can take them off RF. I have been told by a different rep that they must be left on, period. Also, apparently the seats being made now have comfort pads to put over the HUGS that might help. (But my seat didn't come with them - and I don't know that I can convince my dh that spending even more $ on this seat is a good thing!)

We also find the harness adjuster difficult to use. My SIL was watching me put ds in his seat this week and said "OMG - what are you doing to him!" because I was having to pull so hard on the strap to try to get him in tight enough. Also, the velcro on the straps is a problem because it prevents the straps from being tight enough over the legs. (Britax told me not to pull the velcro through the buckles - but I have read conflicting info on that, too).

We are trying to install the seat RF with a lap-shoulder belt. Although the manual gives the impression that you can use either lock-off, 2 different people at Britax have told me that we must use the lockoff closest to the seat belt buckle. To get that lock-off closed, we must twist the buckle stalk as much as it will twist - I'm still not sure if this is OK to do. We have tried this so many times that we have broken the lock-off (won't click closed) - so Britax is sending us a new one.

We went to a car seat check, and they made errors in installing both of our seats (Marathon and Roundabout) - they were very negative about Britax seats. I wish I could find a tech in my area who had experience with installing Britax seats, but I don't know how to do that. Britax is sending me a supposedly revised manual for the Marathon - maybe that will help clear some things up. Every day my dh comes home from work and asks how many times I have called Britax during the day! I like this seat and I really want to keep it, but I may have to trade it in for another Roundabout if we can't get these issues resolved.

Molly
 
C

Caviller

Guest
Re: Britax Marathon - Confused! Many questions...

Hello,

Unfortunately, I have not yet seen a production version of the Marathon, and cannot help you with the seat specific issues. Many of these issues are subject to a lot of rumour right now, and it is unlikely to get a definite answer when even the Britax representatives appear to be giving variable advice.

As for the straps, they should be tight at the shoulders. Generally we say that there should be little slack in the harness. Others like to say that only one finger should fit under the harness easily, or that you shouldn't be able to pinch an inch of harness strap away from them at the shoulders. Yours may be OK, though I couldn't say for sure since I cant see it in person:)

Rear-facing is safest ( www.car-safety.org/rearface.html ). Being able to touch or kick the back seat is not a safety issue, only a comfort issue. Even if they have to bend their legs, that is OK. Obviously, if they have to scrunch so much that their knees are in their face, it may be time to turn front facing as long as they are over the one year/20 pound minimum. We had to turn our 2 year/28 pound daughter front facing in our station wagon becuase she was extremely uncomfortable and would not tolerate it. She is still rear-facing in our minivan where the seats can recline and give a lot more legroom.

I will try to find an answer for you on your other issues if I can, but I doubt I will be able to get anything more definitive than what a Britax representative would tell you.

Darren
 
C

Caviller

Guest
Molly-

Many technicians are not familiar with Britax seats, the lockoffs and rear-facing tethers. You have a better chance if you can schedule an appointment with an instructor, or in some states a senior checker. They are more likely to have much more experience and attend annual updates.

On the Roundabout, you may use either lockoff according to my manual, but I don't know if they have changed this for the Marathon. Sorry:-(

Darren
 
J

Julie

Guest
Marathon

I just bought one of these, too. It's a little much to get used to at first, but in the long run, you will like it much more than the alpha omega. Yes, you CAN take off the HUGS rearfacing...in fact, I took off the hugs, the shoulderpads, and the belly pad, and it is much easier to deal with now. Legs touching the seatback is absolutely NOT a problem. here's a picture of my dd in this seat pages.ivillage.com/joolsplus2/ she loves it. Yes, the manual states that you should use the lockoffs closest to the buckle, but personally, i just pulled my seatbelt all the way out and let it tighten without using the lockoffs at all. I also love the rearfacing tether, which really adds a lot of stability. oh, just to note, the rearfacing limit on this seat is 33 pounds.
 
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DaveCS

Guest
Re: Britax Marathon - Confused! Many questions...

I guess I'll put in my two cents worth. We have two of these seats. We purchased them in mid September, so we have been using them for about a month. One is installed with the lap and shoulder belt and the other with LATCH. Both seats are rear facing as I assume yours is.

The hugs kits (the gray things that push into your sons cheeks) were included in a separate package with both seats. The instructions say: "When you install this restraint forward-facing, please install the enclosed HUGS pads on the harness. The pads may also be installed rear-facing." If you are having problems I would take them off. The instructions do not say that they are required rear facing.

One of our seats has a seat belt adjuster that is hard to use, the other one is darn near impossible to pull through the catch. I've worked the seat belts back and forth many times from different angles. They are sticking as they go through the slots in the shell, just below your sons shoulders. I have removed the plastic part that covers up the belts on the back of the impossible seat so I can pull the harness through from the back before I start pulling on the tensioning strap. Pulling this way will also allows me to get the tension the same on both sides. This seems to work quite well, although I'm not happy that the seat doesn't function as designed. We also have two Britax Freeway Pluses. These seats have seat belts that are smooth and somewhat slippery, just like normal seat belts. The Marathon has belts that are like two sided 80 grit sand paper, more like a set of 5 point racing harnesses for a race car. I believe that it is these belts that cause the sticking problem. I'm hoping that Britax figures this out and issues new belts for the seat.

The installation of the seat with lap and shoulder belt, rear-facing, is a bit of a trick. I said some things my kids sould not hear while installing the seat this way. The instructions say that you may use either belt lock-off or you may use both. I used both since I did not trust the way the belts went through the lock-off next to the buckle. The angle of these lock-offs seems to indicate that Britax expects the belts to be anchored about 4 or 5 feet behind the seat. When the belts need to go up to the seat at more than about 60 degrees (as mine did), the lock-off is difficult to use. The seat belt wanted to roll over in the lock-off. The installation requires two people. One to hold down the seat, and a very strong pair of hands to manipulate the seat belt and close the lock-off. Closing the lock-of seems to require all the hand strength one can muster.

The versa tether works really well, and can be anchored in one of two positions. I'm sure you've read about the tether installation.

In spite of the problems, we are keeping these seats. They fit our son better than any other seat we have tried. It seems to be well constructed and I believe that it is a very safe seat, maybe even safer than those from other manufacturers. I like the way they work, despite the sticking seat belts.

I guess that was two dollars worth.

Dave
 
C

Caviller

Guest
Please Contact Britax Directly on these issues

I have not yet been able to get an official repsonse, so the best answer to any of these questions is to contact Britax at 704-409-1700.

Darren
 

MyLittleTyke

Senior Community Member
Hi,

I recently purchased a Marathon for my son who is 20 months old. He is rearfacing and is 24lbs and 33 inches. Please know that it is okay to have your son's feet touching the back of the seat. That is not a safety hazard. While it may look uncomfortable to us, please remember that kids are built different than adults. They are much more flexible and do not find that uncomfortable. My son's feet touch the back of the seat also and he never complains. Using the tether may help pull back the seat giving your son a little more leg room.

I will agree with you that the harness is more difficult to tighten than the other Britax models. Maybe this will help a little. Firstly, leave the chest clip and the HUGS down low and pull the straps tight. Then move them up to position and pull them tight again. Lastly, buckle the chest clip and position the HUGS and give it one last tug. That should help make it a little more comfortable for you son. I pull the HUGS down on my sons seat so it sits flush agains the chest clip - getting it off his necks some.

I HTH some. Please do see a tech before making any decisions on this seat. I was VERY frustrated with this seat when I first got it. It's been about one month now. I have gotten used to it and am happy with it.

Sara
 

MyLittleTyke

Senior Community Member
Re: Britax Marathon - Confused! Many questions...

Hi,

You can cut off the toes on infant socks and put those on the harness straps (infant socks ONLY). I think the "comfort pads" should be called "annoying pads." I personally wouldn't waste my money on them. The socks allow for a tighter fit and do the job just as well.

Sara
 
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Thia327

Guest
I just want to add my 2 cents about the Marathon - I think it's getting a bad rap. I think I may like it better than the Roundabout

About a year ago we purchased a Roundabout for our daughter she was 4 months old and had outgrown her infant seat. I loved the carseat (we used it in a 2000 S-10 pickup, 2000 Malibu, 2001 Buick Century, 2000 Silhouette 2003 Impala and an airplane) never had a problem putting it in anything.

I wanted to get another carseat instead of using 1 for 2 cars. I didn't want to get another Roundabout since my daugher is now 23 lbs and 31 1/2 inches. I wanted something we could use a little longer. I looked at the Marathon and when I started reading the reviews I was a little worried - I don't use my carseat everyday - maybe 3 or 4 times a week.

I wanted to see the carseat in person - so last Sunday we went to BRU to get it out. (The BRU has a bench seat in the store that you can put the display model on to see how your child fits - of course you need to make sure it still fits in your car) The Marathon seemed like a Roundabout but a little bigger. I tried the harness (no child) - worked fine, we put our daughter in and she fit good - so we purchased the seat.

My husband put the seat in my car (2003 Impala ) using the LATCH- He said if you put enough slack on the strap that it was simple enough to put in.

We put our daughter in with the grey things were a little annoying I had to push them up to close the harness. The harness I felt was easier to use than the Roundabout ( I liked the puzzle clip ). Since the puzzle clip is gone there's nothing to hold the 2 pieces together since it won't clip unless both are in so that can be a little annoying.

The seat is made to protect your child and yes it takes longer to buckle them in than with other seats but what's 30 seconds for your childs safety.
 

UlrikeDG

Admin - CPS Technician Emeritus
If it were just an extra 30 seconds, I'd agree with you. Some of these harness adjusters are virtually impossible to use. If you can't get the harness tight enough, it won't protect your child. THAT is my issue with it. I highly recommend that anyone who is considering the Marathon try it before you buy or buy it from a store with a good return policy. When it works properly, I think it's a great seat.
 
T

Thia327

Guest
I was only trying to point out that I wasn't having a problem with the carseat.

I had read the reviews here and it seemed as though a lot of people were having trouble with the carseat. It made me wonder it it was worth the $250 it cost. I just wanted to add another view that for some people it may be easier to use.
 

SafeDad

CPSDarren - Admin
Staff member
I have a few comments now-

I am borrowing a Marathon to get some experience with it. So far, I like it. Here are some comments I made-

The LATCH installation was great. The two strap system seemed much nicer than the single strap versions I have used on other rear-facing convertibles. I had a rock solid installation in a few minutes, much less time than using the seatbelt for my Roundabout rear-facing. It was also notably easier than my Cosco Triad rear-facing, which never was "rock-solid" using LATCH though it was acceptable.

So far, the adjuster is very smooth. While it does seem to take slightly more strength to pull than my Roundabout, it is about the same as various other models I've used with the same type of adjuster. I haven't had any problem getting the adjuster tight with one pull, but again I've only made a few trips so far.

I do like that my daughter has a lot more head room to remain rear-facing. On the other hand, possibly because of the design of the base, I find that she actually has an inch or two less legroom than with a rear-facing Roundabout in the same vehicle.

I happen to like the new buckles better than the old puzzle style:) I even ordered a replacement harness for our Roundabout to get the new type. While I didn't mind the puzzle buckle, relatives always had trouble getting our kids into them.

Overall, I agree that it is a very good model for those who want extended height and weight limits for a convertible seat. I also agree that (with ANY carseat) it is a very good idea to try a model before you buy it. There are always incompatibilities, problems and personal issues with any product. The best solution is to try a model first, and to get a very good return policy just in case, especially if you buy online.
 
U

Unregistered

Guest
I have the Marathon for my 6 month old. I love it. My husband had no problems installing it and my child seems quite comfortable. I understand the difficulty in using the first couple of times. The grey rubber pieces go on the chest area. The Hugs are supposed to go above the rubber pieces.

My son is very big for his age 21 lbs. and 30" I still have him rear facing with no problems. Give the Marathon a chance. It really is very safe and once you get used to it it's rather easy.
 

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