glockchick
New member
Be warned! This is long and kinda rambly.
I love my FRs with a purple passion, but they're so big.
Caleb doesn't need the height. He's got a 14" torso at 4 years, 3 months old. I'll keep one for the middle of the suburban, but Kaleigh's in it now so I could just keep that one and a boy cover and by the time he outgrows the BLVD, she should be in a booster so he can use that FR. However, last time I tried, I couldn't get a good install with the FR there. I've done it before so I know it can be done, but it's a PITA. I think I need to flip the buckle.
I have a FR 85 in my car and one for my mom's right now. I'm having to keep him outboard in my civic to make room for other occasional riders. With the RN, I could keep him center and still have room on the sides. I'm not gonna move his seat center to outboard all the time because it's rare I have other riders. Usually when I have to pick up one of the younger kids from school when they're sick and stuff.
The RN installs well in both my civic and my mom's tahoe. I prefer the cup holders, smooth harness, and awesome fabrics of the FR, but I don't like having to get him around the armrests. He always ends up stepping on the seat to get in and that drives me nuts. Theoretically he could rear face until he's around 7 in a RN. In reality, he'd probably throw a fit and want to go back FFing and at 4+ I'm ok with FFing him.
I don't like the head wings on the RN. I had one and was constantly having to shove them up every time he got in the car. I could get an R120 or R100, but I really want him to have as much protection as possible in my itty bitty civic so I'm not sure I'd be comfortable without head wings.
Then there's the fact that I don't really trust Diono. With all their issues with super latch and duct tape and other random advice.... I think the seat is safe, but I don't approve of their CS at all. Not to mention all the after market products they sell like the mighty tite. It feels like it would be hypocritical to buy one of their seats when I don't approve of the company's behavior.
Britax has always had over the top CS with me. I've owned a LOT of Britax seats and have never had a problem calling them up and getting stuff solved.
So I guess it's do I give up seats I love for one I don't really care for because it fits my situation the best? WWYD?
(It doesn't help that I'm getting the car seat itch... Lol! )
I love my FRs with a purple passion, but they're so big.
Caleb doesn't need the height. He's got a 14" torso at 4 years, 3 months old. I'll keep one for the middle of the suburban, but Kaleigh's in it now so I could just keep that one and a boy cover and by the time he outgrows the BLVD, she should be in a booster so he can use that FR. However, last time I tried, I couldn't get a good install with the FR there. I've done it before so I know it can be done, but it's a PITA. I think I need to flip the buckle.
I have a FR 85 in my car and one for my mom's right now. I'm having to keep him outboard in my civic to make room for other occasional riders. With the RN, I could keep him center and still have room on the sides. I'm not gonna move his seat center to outboard all the time because it's rare I have other riders. Usually when I have to pick up one of the younger kids from school when they're sick and stuff.
The RN installs well in both my civic and my mom's tahoe. I prefer the cup holders, smooth harness, and awesome fabrics of the FR, but I don't like having to get him around the armrests. He always ends up stepping on the seat to get in and that drives me nuts. Theoretically he could rear face until he's around 7 in a RN. In reality, he'd probably throw a fit and want to go back FFing and at 4+ I'm ok with FFing him.
I don't like the head wings on the RN. I had one and was constantly having to shove them up every time he got in the car. I could get an R120 or R100, but I really want him to have as much protection as possible in my itty bitty civic so I'm not sure I'd be comfortable without head wings.
Then there's the fact that I don't really trust Diono. With all their issues with super latch and duct tape and other random advice.... I think the seat is safe, but I don't approve of their CS at all. Not to mention all the after market products they sell like the mighty tite. It feels like it would be hypocritical to buy one of their seats when I don't approve of the company's behavior.
Britax has always had over the top CS with me. I've owned a LOT of Britax seats and have never had a problem calling them up and getting stuff solved.
So I guess it's do I give up seats I love for one I don't really care for because it fits my situation the best? WWYD?
(It doesn't help that I'm getting the car seat itch... Lol! )