What American car seat would you recommend for my Godson?

Joddle

New member
So as we've established, Aus car seats have crappy limits :(

So I'm thinking about shipping a US car seat over for my Godson's parents to use in their car. I have a HiWay to ERF him in my car when the time comes. I don't know exact stats, but I'll try my best to describe him.
(and yes they are open to ERF).

10 months old on 9/1/11.
Tiny torso, all legs (9-12 months for onesies, newborn size in tops/singlets).
Veeeery skinny, last weight was under 7kg.

So what seat would best suit a baby with these stats? Thanks :)
 
ADS

Kat_Momof3

New member
about any would... I'd probably go with one that is on the easier side to install and use, though... so Safety 1st CA, Evenflo Triumph 65/Momentum 65, or Graco Myride.

Or, because I know Australia is big on top tethering all seats, the new Britax convertibles, they are easy to use and install, and you can top tether them in the typical Aussie way (over the top of the seat) or in the swedish way.
 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
I'd probably look at a My Ride first. It has a shorter shell and more leg support. So probably more comfortable for your godson.

Otherwise for a leggy child I'd look at the Radians, Safety 1st Complete Air, True Fit, and Triumph 65. Basically my normal five. But for him the My Ride may be ideal. It just has SO much leg room, and less at the head.

Wendy
 

jess71903

Ambassador
My first thought was the MyRide, too, not so much for the high weight limit, but because it is very easy to install and use, it fits in small spaces well, and they don't need the height of the other seats.
 

Joddle

New member
Thanks! I think I'll definately look into the MR and CA, because I just love everything about the CA :D

Do those 2 seats have top tethers? Or do they have to be retrofitted?
 

Joddle

New member
I was pretty sure I'd heard that, but when it was mentioned above about Britax having top tethers I started to doubt myself! Thanks :)
 

AmieRubyJonah

New member
Are his parents on board with this?

I only ask as I would strongly recommend parents should do ALOT of research before deciding to import an illegal seat.

Are they aware of the implications that could happen if caught? Fines and demerit point, if in an accident, insurance void and if child injured or worse - criminal negligence charges.

It took me months and months of research before I was confortable with importing and the consequences I may face. It's not a decision to be entered into lightly.

As you probably know, Australian seats have the highest testing standards in the world, including frontal (at higher forces) side, and rear impact, inverted (rollover) and genital testing. Top tethers also mandatory to limit head excursion.

The only US seat I personally felt comfortable with was the radian XTSL, as it has been tested at a higher force than even an Australian seat, aswell as side impact. Should they not have been through this testing, I would have felt more comfortable with turning my 12mth old FF, as side impact protection is of big importance to me.

I realise this will be an unpopular post, but there it is anyway. I wouldn't be buying an illegal seat for someone else without their full, 100% knowledge of the seat they're getting, and what may follow.
 

AmieRubyJonah

New member
Also, hes tiny. He would probably make it to 2 RF in an Aussie seat. In which case I would be more comfortable turning than going illegal. My DS was 11mths when he hit the Aussie limits, hence my decision.
 

Joddle

New member
Wow, a few replies since I've been on last.

The answers are yes to all of the above. They would buy the seat themselves, I just offered as a 1st birthday present. They NEED a seat anyway as the one he has expires in March.

The reason I came back to reply however, is I obviously had a brain fart when thinking about this because as Amyrubyjonah said, unless he has one hell of a growth spurt in the next year he will fit RF in an Aussie seat until 2yo, at which point they are happy to turn him FF. So instead I will be buying an Aussie seat for him with a 12kg RF limit. Probably a Babylove Prelude as it's quite cheap and has a tall shell, unlike the cheap IGC seats.

Just as a side note, they PERSONALLY think that RF (in the centre of a vehicle) outweighs any of the FF features a seat may have. I don't necessarily agree with this, but that's just them.

Thanks for the replies :)
 

flipper68

Senior Community Member
Thanks! I think I'll definately look into the MR and CA, because I just love everything about the CA :D

Do those 2 seats have top tethers? Or do they have to be retrofitted?


Just to clarify - all US seats have top tethers, but the seats discussed above tether FFing only.

AFAIK, Britax and SK Radian are the only two US mfgs that tether RFing.
 

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