Is there a real difference between GN and Fronteir?

B

bekah

New member

• Jun 2, 2011

• #1

I cannot decide on the $207 Fronteir or the $145 Nautilus. What are the pros and cons of each?

 

SAHDADDY

New member

• Jun 2, 2011

• #2

if you can swing the 207, i would get the frontier as it will last you longer, has higher top slots and longer lifespan

 

mlohry

New member

• Jun 2, 2011

• #3

I have never owned a FR, but I would go with that. Even if it's more money. The GN was great to keep my kids harnessed until 6.5 and 7, but it made a lousy booster for both of them. I passed ours onto a friend to use the last 3 years on the harness. The FR fits a lot more kids including mine in booster mode. It also gets super tall so you could use the high back for a very long time. That being said my peanut of a DD would never need a FR, that seat is really more useful for longer, bigger kids.

 

B

bekah

New member

• Jun 2, 2011

• #4

How long is it good for? I had no idea it had a longer usable lifespan.

My son is pretty small. At 5.5 he's still harnessed in an EFTA, only 38 lbs and 43 inches with a short torso. But my daughter, who would inherit it, is taller and heavier overall.

 

LISmama810

Admin - CPS Technician

• Jun 2, 2011

• #5

I would go (and have gone) with the Nautilus. Yes, the Frontier lasts longer but the Nautilus lasts "long enough," unless you have a very heavy or astronomically tall child.

 

SAHDADDY

New member

• Jun 2, 2011

• #6

bekah said:

How long is it good for? I had no idea it had a longer usable lifespan.

My son is pretty small. At 5.5 he's still harnessed in an EFTA, only 38 lbs and 43 inches with a short torso. But my daughter, who would inherit it, is taller and heavier overall.

Click to expand...

it has a 9year life span, on the whole seat
the GN is 6 years on harness and highback and 9years on the lbb

and with 3 kids that can use it i would pay for the extra 3 years of life as a harnessed seat

 

K

krystin_21a

New member

• Jun 2, 2011

• #7

I have tried both and would not go with the GN. For my son the GN was not a good fit because the crotch buckle came from way under his behind. He is on the small side so personally I don't see how it fits bigger kids any better. The Frontier had three spots verses two on the GN for the crotch buckle and was much more comfortable for him.

 

M

Momof3girls

New member

• Jun 2, 2011

• #8

I've never had a F85, but I wish I would have gotten one instead of the GN. I hate the head slump in that seat. I'd definitely go with the Frontier if you can swing the extra money.

 

H

hanners

New member

• Jun 2, 2011

• #9

There are great coupons for diapers.com. I just bought an F85 for around $170.

 

J

Jillybeans5

Active member

• Jun 2, 2011

• #10

I have had Nauti's and didn't have any issues with them, we liked them. I would choose one again, however, since you are looking at it for your oldest and you have 2 more to hand it down to I think it would be worth it to spend a little more initially so that it can last through all 3 kids.

 

M

meekey7197

New member

• Jun 2, 2011

• #11

We actually have and currently use both a GN and a FN85. I prefer the FN85 which is why it's in my car My DS prefers the GN only because it sits up slightly higher and he can see out the window BUT DS is a huge car sleeper, he falls asleep every.time we get in the car. He's been known to fall asleep on the way home from school and it's only 1/4 mile He sleeps SO well in the FN85, it will remain his primary seat for the foreseeable future. He can sleep in the GN, but his head slumps. FTR, he is 4 1/2, 41" and 35lbs. Hope that helps a little!

 

Ducky5306

New member

• Jun 2, 2011

• #12

I have both and like the frontier better.. my son isn't overly tall or heavy (40lbs, 41 ish inches) the GN Is fine but the frontier seems more comfy for him and easier to buckle/unbuckle for me (I hate the Graco crotch buckle for some reason) both install well in my car and both are breastly heavy to move! I like the no rethread harness on the frontier but don't love the "hugs"

So yeah I'm no real help

Sent from my HTC using Car-Seat.Org

 

B

bekah

New member

• Jun 2, 2011

• #13

hanners said:

There are great coupons for diapers.com. I just bought an F85 for around $170.

Click to expand...

where do I find said coupons?

 

B

bekah

New member

• Jun 2, 2011

• #14

hanners said:

There are great coupons for diapers.com. I just bought an F85 for around $170.

Click to expand...

where do I find said coupons?

 

all together ooky

New member

• Jun 2, 2011

• #15

I have both and right now the Frontier is sitting in my basement. For my skinny kid the Frontier was too wide in booster mode but the Nautilus fits great. In harness mode my daughter preferred the Frontier because of the large seating area (she could sit cross-legged). Gwen learned to buckle and tighten the GN by herself a year before she was able to do it right in the Frontier. Installation is easier with the GN. They're both good, just for different reasons.

 

scoutingbear

New member

• Jun 2, 2011

• #16

Um, one of each? We love both our seats. C finds his Frontier a little bit more comfortable and selected that one for a recent road trip. But, he has been riding in his GN for a couple years without a problem. He did not have head slump in the Frontier but the seat is tilted a little when installed in my car...may or may not have played a factor. He does have head slump in the GN but A never did.