Is Britax truly the best? Money no object?

[NeedMoreCowbell]

Long time reader, first time poster.

In our home, money truly is an object, but not when it concerns the safety of my DD, a 10 month old, 17lb, 28" wonder. She's currently in a graco snug 'n ride but is at the height limit so it's time to move to a nice tank of a carseat asap.

I've read these forums for hours but am at a loss as to which seat to get. Britax's site calls the Boulevard its flagship seat, but then I saw a couple threads saying more of you prefer the Marathon.

Here's the facts: I'll pay any amount for the best seat I can get; I'll throw it on a credit card and hope for the best. I also need two, since we're a pretty hectic 2 car family.

I have a Mazda 6 sports sedan.
DW has a civic, but it's tiny and unsafe and we'll be getting her a Nissan Rogue (just came out, it's a crossover/small suv type thing).

Can anyone point me in the right direction? Am I at least correct in assuming Britax is the way to go? I just want to keep my little girl safe...

Thank you very much for any opinions.

 

[wendytthomas]

Britax is no more safe than any other carseat out there. Every seat is as safe as another provided you use it correctly. A loosely installed $300 Britax is a lot less safe than a perfectly installed $40 Scenera.

When looking for the convertible seat after an infant seat you want to look for longevity and cost effectiveness, then from there decide what you like best. So either the aforementioned $40 seat that RFs to 35 pounds but only FFs to 40 pounds with low top slots or a more expensive seat with higher weight limits and taller top slots.

There are many seats now with high top slots and high weight limits. The Evenflo Triumph Advance ($130-$150) has a 35 pound RFing weight limit and 50 pounds forward with 17" top slots. The Fisher Price Safe Voyage Deluxe ($130-$180), based on the Britax Marathon and made by Britax under the FP name. Doesn't have a lot of the bells and whistles, but it has a 33 pound RFing limit, 55 pounds forward, 17" top slots. The Sunshine Kids Radian ($180), 33 pounds RFing, 65 pounds forward, 18" top slots, designed by a former Britax engineer. The three big Britaxes, the Marathon/Decathalon/Boulevard with their 33 pound RFing limit, 65 pounds forward, 17" top slots, between $220-$300. The new Britax Advocate, 35 pounds RFing, 65 pounds forward, 17" top slots, similar to the Boulevard except for the Seat Logix, $400. The Recaro Como/Signo, 35 pounds RFing, 70 pounds forward, 19" top slots. The Como is $250, the Signo (released shortly) will be $290.

So as you can see there are many seats that will last you years that have high RFing weight limits, high FFing weight limits, tall top slots, and fit a variety of budgets.

What you get when you buy a Britax, what the money goes toward, is ease of installation and use, and comfort. The seats are very easy to install in most vehicles, they are easy to use. They tether RFing (the only other seat to tether RFing is the Sunshine Kids Radian). They have built in lockoffs so you won't need a locking clip, the harness doesn't twist and it's easy to tighten and loosen. The Boulevard and Advocate have an adjustable headrest to make it easy to switch between kids or adjust the height of the harness, plus the wings offer side support.

HTH

Wendy

 

[brooklynsmommy]

^^^This was very well said!^^^ I was in the same situation where money was an issue. BUT, when it came to DD's safety, money was no object. I bought a Britax because of reputation, but ultimately because of the ease of use. We have an older car with seat belts that don't lock. These seats are in my opinion extremely easy to install. The straps that don't twist are a HUGE plus at well! Our daughter has always been very comfortable in this seat (marathon) and has never once complained. She falls asleep almost every time she is in it.

 

[katiebug]

:ROTFLMAO::ROTFLMAO::ROTFLMAO:
NeedmoreCowbell: thanks for the hilarious screen name. I started laughing outloud!

Anyhow, I can't say anything better than the 1st couple of posts, but here's my :twocents:
I've only owned 3 carseats - 2 of them I just got within the last month because DD just turned 1 & outgrew her infant seat. One of the new seats is a Britax Blvd. It is SOOOOOO easy to install. I've moved the seats back & forth between vehicles trying to decide which seat fits best in each car & which one is easier to get DD in & out of, etc. & the Blvd is super simple. The other one, not so much - it's not terrible but could be better. I wish they (Britax)offered more contemporary, less cutesy cover options but for install it can't be beat ( in my small amount of experience).

 

[NeedMoreCowbell]

Thank you so much for the replies, although I'm about as decided as I was before (maybe a little less?) Seriously, this was a helpful read.

Two quick questions - I've read a lot about "ease of installation" being important to many on this board. Once installed, I don't plan on ever moving the seats - do those that comment about installation move the seats regularly, hence the importance? I don't mind a one-time swear-fest as I get a seat installed propertly, so would I be correct in assuming ease of installation wouldn't really be that important a criteria for us?

Also, I see Britax covers being talked about - are they interchangeable? I'd love to get a girly car seat for our princess but with two more little ones planned I'd hate to possibly put a future prince in a pastel pink chair.

 

[wendytthomas]

Ease of installation is important, but some people find some seats easier than others, and in some cars easier than others.

If you're only going to install the seat once then yes, it's less important. But on the side of the road at 2 a.m., is it important then? Some seats are easier, not necessarily just the Britaxes, but other seats as well. Sometimes I've found that seats are hard in one car and easy in the other.

So not the most important thing, but something to think of. If you're not worried about installing it everywhere, then knock it down the list to less important.

As for the covers, the covers are interchangeable between the same model, but you can't put a Marathon cover on a Boulevard. The Marathon has the most covers, by far, but the other seats have several covers each. I don't think the Decathalon has a girly cover, though I may be wrong.

Wendy

 

[katiebug]

Britax sells cover sets - the Blvd are around $70. I got a gender neutral cover for DD but kind of regret that so I may spring for a girly cover later. I figure she'll be in the seat long enough that any subsequent kiddos will get their own convertible before she's out of hers. Plus I know if something new & exciting comes out I'll end up wanting to try that out - whatever it may be .

I had the same feeling you expressed about a one time install & not minding if it's irritating - but after installing 2 different seats side by side for a comparison it was hard not to appreciate the ease of the Britax. But you're right, ultimately it probably will stay in place for long periods of time.

FWIW, I have a Signo & I think it's pretty swell too. It's hard deciding. That's why I got one of each!

 

[purple826]

The PP's are right and I just wanted to throw in my 2cent too -

Money was an object for us too but I really wanted a MA - I bought a Fisher Price Safe Voyage Deluxe. Made by Britax, same shell as a Marathon. No: HUGS, RF tether, velcro, built-in lock offs. But - it harnesses to 55# and has 17.5" top slots. We really like the seat and so does my 14m/o RF DS

Albeebaby.com has it for $129 no tax, free shipping. Some are 2006 DOM but if you say something they will refund you $25. All said and done we paid $104 for our seat and I am extremely happy with that.

~nikki

 

[littleangelfire]

I think ease of use is a pretty big deal. My son rides in 2 different cars on a daily basis, so as long as he has 2 car seats, they shouldn't need to get moved much. Or so you'd think, I'd think...whatever. LOL Reality says though, that they really might get moved more often than that. Ever go on trips? You'll need to take it with you (if not your vehicle, that means taking it out and using it in someone else's or on the airplane). Ever have to take a car in to get worked on & leave it there? It'll have to come out. Ever have anyone else or a few anyone elses ride with you? Might have to move it to another position.

Stuff happens that dictates car seats get moved. Even when they don't need to be - like last week I took a couple extra passengers with me, and my aunt accidently pressed the wrong buckle and unhooked my son's Regent. Can't really just rebuckle it - not with superhuman strength! Had to unthread and rethread the seatbelt. Which would be seriously hard to do with a seat that's difficult to install. And remember that the harder it is to install, the more likely it is to be installed incorrectly! And it can be a massive difference in time and effort - I have previously spent up to 2 hours trying to get a car seat in correctly (ahem - it was a Cosco Summit Deluxe) , whereas even on first try the Britax Marathon took me under 5 minutes! And now that I've moved it a few times since we were down 1 car seat for a few months, I can put it in in 2. It's a big difference.

If I were planning more kids - I'd probably choose neutral covers, but if the kids were to be pretty close in age, that wouldn't be too important, as each child would end up having to have their own seat anyways, since an older one wouldn't outgrow it before a younger would need it.

And, I have a tiny 2 door Honda Civic coupe, I'd love to have a bigger car, however, in its class, it got very good safety ratings.

 

[mimieliza]

I find ease of installation a big deal as well. For me, it's the difference between getting a seat installed absolutely solid or just good enough. I found that out with infant seats. I started out with the snugride and we thought we had it in pretty well (got it inspected). But it was a second hand seat, so we got a Safeseat instead. It had built-in lockoffs. There is no comparison - the Safeseat installed in an instant, perfectly solid. It didn't shift or come loose. I just didn't have to think about it.

Convertible seats tend to be even trickier to install than infant seats. I knew I wanted a seat with extra side impact protection and built in lockoffs. The Britax Boulevard was the only with both of these options (well, except for the brand new Recaro Signo, but I didn't want a seat that hadn't been out on the market long enough to have all the bugs worked out). Anyway, that's how I ended up with a Britax. It just has features that other seats don't have.

 

[natysr]

Two quick questions - I've read a lot about "ease of installation" being important to many on this board. Once installed, I don't plan on ever moving the seats - do those that comment about installation move the seats regularly, hence the importance? I don't mind a one-time swear-fest as I get a seat installed propertly, so would I be correct in assuming ease of installation wouldn't really be that important a criteria for us?

If you plan to allow her to eat snacks in the car, you will be very happy about having ease on installation. You would be amazed at where cheerios can end up...

Also, we are on our 2nd Honda Civic. The first I totaled in a major accident by t-boning a full sized pick up truck at 65 mph. I had 2 broken feet, DH had some soarness in his chest. But DS was rearfacing in a Britax Roundabout and was completely uninjured. The safety ratings of the Civic are really not that bad for a small car.

 

[littleangelfire]

If you plan to allow her to eat snacks in the car, you will be very happy about having ease on installation. You would be amazed at where cheerios can end up...

Yet another VERY good reason - seats DO occasionally need to be taken out to clean the car seat and vehicle seat. And its not just food - little toys, stickers, lots of stuff gets stuck under there!

Also, we are on our 2nd Honda Civic. The first I totaled in a major accident by t-boning a full sized pick up truck at 65 mph. I had 2 broken feet, DH had some soarness in his chest. But DS was rearfacing in a Britax Roundabout and was completely uninjured. The safety ratings of the Civic are really not that bad for a small car.

Yes. Its awesome you're getting a new car - I haven't even heard of that one yet, so being a car freak I'm going to go look it up. But your Civic isn't unsafe, either.

 

[NeedMoreCowbell]

Thanks again to everyone for your kind replies, you've given me much to think about.

I didn't mean to make it sound like civics are unsafe - ours is, it's a much older model with no airbags and feels like we're driving a little tin can when on the highway. DW works downtown, and when you hit 70mph on the thruway in that car you feel like you're moments away from being vibrated into another dimension. The newer ones are definitely much safer.

 

[bethng]

Two quick questions - I've read a lot about "ease of installation" being important to many on this board. Once installed, I don't plan on ever moving the seats - do those that comment about installation move the seats regularly, hence the importance? I don't mind a one-time swear-fest as I get a seat installed propertly, so would I be correct in assuming ease of installation wouldn't really be that important a criteria for us?

.

I find that even though my decath is only in my van and usually just stays put, I do have to take it out to wash the cover (throw up, food, drink...etc... yes I let them snack in the car) and to clean under it. I hate my van being a pit so I am always taking it out to clean under it. Plus now and then I have kids friends with me so I move both seats to the way back so the girls can sit together. You uninstall your seat more often then you think you would.

 

[ZephyrBlue]

Before making any decisions, I would strongly recommend that you read this article, and the thread that was started awhile ago called Manufacturer Debate/Dilemma

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...ial,1,3472639.story?page=1&ctrack=1&cset=true

 

[southpawboston]

the way i see it, ease of installation is important so that the install has more of a chance of being correct, but it is ALSO equally important that kiddo fits in the seat well. kiddo shouldn't be uncomfortable in his seat. so for that reason alone, it's worth test-fitting kiddo in as many different seats as possible, to determine which seat not only has the best fit in your car along with ease of installation, but also fits your kiddo well and makes him comfortable.

 

[brightredmtn]

I thought my car seats would remain in the cars but we travel to see grandparents and then my car was stolen and then DH got hit and now his car is in the repair shop so I've popped our seats in and out of so many rentals I feel like that should count towards hours for tech training! We've carpooled several times with a friend and it was nice to have to opiton to just pop the seat in her car. I really like having the RF teather so that is the biggest reason why I've bought three Britax.

 

[daycaremom2002]

I agree with everyone else on the installation issue. I currently have 11 seats, I am using 8, and of the 3 convertibles, I prefer my Marathon. With that said, I am perfectly able to install the Graco Comfortsport in my van.

There are a few reasons I prefer my Marathon. It has a rearfacing tether. Not necessary, but I feel like the seat is more secure with it tethered rear facing. It will also last to a much longer height wise rear facing. I currently have a 31 pound 2yo who is a fraction of an inch from being to tall in the Graco forward facing, but she still fits with at least 4 inches above her head rear facing in the Marathon. She would have had to be turned forward facing by 15 months. She remains rearfacing when possible in the Marathon.

So, if you want a seat that will allow you to use it to its maximum potential, you will probably want a seat that has a higher weight harness, and a tall shell. Right now, I believe these are the Radian(65,80) the Britax(Marathon, Boulevard, Decathalon) and the Recaro(Como, soon the Signo)

Any of these seats that fit well in your vehicle and fit your child properly will work for a long time. So is Britax necessary? NO. Is it safer? Not necessarily. Is it easy to use, comfortable and allows for extended use without replacement? YES.

What I think it comes down to, is that you need to try seats in your vehicle and see which ones you can install correctly, which ones adjust properly when installed, and which one your child fits in properly.

 

[Jeanum]

Ditto to the previous replies. Just wanted to add, if your user name is any indication, you might want to check out the fun Cowmooflage cover on the Britax Marathon.

 

[jls~Kain~Drake]

I really don't have anything to offer as far as carseats go, I'm seriously clueless....but I'm cracking up over your username.