Why Can't Our Graco Nautilus' Have Lock Offs Like These?

StillThankful

New member

• Jun 29, 2012

• #1

This is just a regular Graco Nautilus 123 (not the elite version) with the lock offs.

Just wishing.......then I don't have to deal w/ locking clips.:thumbsdown:

I know we have them in the argos elite version, but heard that it's hard to adjust the harness. Graco discontinued the nautilus elite. as to why.

http://www.graconautilus.com/installation-video

 

Last edited: Jun 29, 2012

danivdp

New member

• Jun 30, 2012

• #2

Yeah, that would be nice. Locking clips are a PITA!!

 

StillThankful

New member

• Jun 30, 2012

• #3

danivdp said:

Yeah, that would be nice. Locking clips are a PITA!!

Click to expand...

Seeing that there is only a $20 difference between the Graco Argos and the Graco Argos Elite, one would think that it's not much of a cost to add the lock offs. Such a small cost for a huge benefit.

I just installed the FR85 using the long belt path in order to bypass having to use the locking clip. Goodness, that was a difficult install. :thumbsdown:

 

O

Oliver79

New member

• Jun 30, 2012

• #4

So on the FR 85 you don't need a locking clip if you use the long belt path?

 

joolsplus3

Admin - CPS Technician

• Jun 30, 2012

• #5

Oliver79 said:

So on the FR 85 you don't need a locking clip if you use the long belt path?

Click to expand...

Often the long belt path uses up ALL the belt, so there's no need for an extra pre-crash positioner (that's what lockoffs and locking clips and locking seatbelts do: they hold the seat in place prior to the crash. No spare belt=no pre-crash movement)

 

Patriot201

Car-Seat.org Ambassador

• Jun 30, 2012

• #6

I don't see any lock-offs on that seat in the video.

 

O

Oliver79

New member

• Jun 30, 2012

• #7

So it depends on the car. If all the belt is used no locking clip is necessary but if there is slack a clip Is necessary?

One more question... If I need to put a seat permanently in a car with. No tethers is a Frontier using long belt path, Nautilus or some other seat the best choice?

Thanks

 

joolsplus3

Admin - CPS Technician

• Jun 30, 2012

• #8

Oliver79 said:

So it depends on the car. If all the belt is used no locking clip is necessary but if there is slack a clip Is necessary?

One more question... If I need to put a seat permanently in a car with. No tethers is a Frontier using long belt path, Nautilus or some other seat the best choice?

Thanks

Click to expand...

I'd personally do the FR with long belt path, I like the shoulderbelt coming up over the front of the seat. Make sure the belt is long enough before buying, though, some belts are actually too short for the LBP.

 

O

Oliver79

New member

• Jun 30, 2012

• #9

Thanks. We actually already have a Frontier so I can try it before buying a second one.

 

StillThankful

New member

• Jun 30, 2012

• #10

Patriot201 said:

I don't see any lock-offs on that seat in the video.

Click to expand...

You are right! That's weird. They were on there last night. Here is the GN to which I was referring: Graco Nautilus 123. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c44--LA6B_s"]GRACO NAUTILUS Grupo 1/2/3 WWW.BAYON.ES - YouTube[/ame]

Also, here is a facebook page on the seat. It's called Graco Nautilus group 123 asking for parents who will test the car seat. I'm wondering if the GNE will come back out with these style lock offs.????

https://www.facebook.com/notes/graco-baby/test-the-graco-nautilus-elite-car-seat/340154372717726

 

bbartlettnfld

New member

• Jun 30, 2012

• #11

The lock offs are in the 1/2/3 one to work in place of the North American top tether. They would be nice to have but would be a surplus feature as we have a top tether.

 

joolsplus3

Admin - CPS Technician

• Jun 30, 2012

• #12

Yeah, that lockoff is super duper mega cool. Seriously love it. Obvious, easy to see and reach and use... wow. (Given the low rate of top tether usage in the US because straps are unmarked black things that you have to climb all over an SUV or van to reach, I'd rather this than a top tether....of course, our test requires a lap-only belt, I'm sure that's a problem for testing).
What's with the different standards the US video has versus the Spain video? Like, we have to work so much harder to get the seat installed so much tighter and crank down the harness to the no-pinch tightness. Just...odd.

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Jun 30, 2012

• #13

Well, we have a locking belt requirement and top tether requirement. More expensive version didn't sell as well. So it kind of makes sense it was discontinued here but is standard there (also, there the harnesses only goes to 40 lbs, not my kind of trade-off. )

 

StillThankful

New member

• Jun 30, 2012

• #14

ketchupqueen said:

Well, we have a locking belt requirement ... )

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Unfortunately, my car falls under the pre-locking belt requirement--94 Honda Accord :thumbsdown: That's why I'd love a GNE right about now. Speaking of which, does anyone have one? LOL!

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Jun 30, 2012

• #15

Well yeah, but my point was that more and more pre-locking belts are aging out of circulation, and no more are being made.

 

joolsplus3

Admin - CPS Technician

• Jun 30, 2012

• #16

Whoo, high price for a discontinued (isn't it?) seat... http://comfortfirst.com/p-143097-graco-elite-nautilus-3-in-1-car-seat-monti.aspx

 

StillThankful

New member

• Jun 30, 2012

• #17

joolsplus3 said:

Whoo, high price for a discontinued (isn't it?) seat... http://comfortfirst.com/p-143097-graco-elite-nautilus-3-in-1-car-seat-monti.aspx

Click to expand...

Yep. Disappointed at the price. I see the Argos Elite for sale but heard that the Argos' harness was hard to adjust. I'm wondering if it was the shape of the person's vehicle seat that was the problem or if the back of the argos different from the back of nautilus which causes the harness to have more contact with the the vehicle seat.

 

Brianna

New member

• Jun 30, 2012

• #18

I posted about having problems tightening the Argos harness but it only happened that one time. It's been fine since then.

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