So here is what I'm wondering. I recently stumbled across the IIHS "best bets, good bets, not recommended" booster seat list. I noticed they do not have one for convertible seats (or infant seats). Now, I know you guys are not the IIHS obviously, but in your educated opinions, what convertibles currently on the US market would fall into your "not recommended" category? Not necessarily that they are unsafe, but that are uncomfortable, not user friendly, outgrown exceptionally quickly, fit many kids poorly, etc.
Let's limit your list to 3 seats. Go!
Hi and welcome to the forums at car-seat.org!
The IIHS list is helpful when it comes to boosters because it is representing seatbelt fit. While there is still variance in vehicles and seatbelts, there are more things in common than there are when it comes to different types of restraints.
For example: A seat may fit well in 98% of vehicles, it may fit 98% of 3yr olds well, but may not fit a 6 month old well. How do you classify a seat if it is great for some kids and some vehicles but not perfect?
All seats have to meet the same minimum standards in order to be sold in the US, so all are considered equally safe.
Kids come in different sizes and builds, and parents move their kids from one stage to the next at different ages. We like to see kids rf'ing as long as possible - but maybe one seat makes a better choice for a ff'ing 3 yr old while another makes a better choice for a rf'ing 3yr old. It's impossible to contrast things like that and create best bets - and a seat being a good bet doesn't mean it's going to fit a given child/vehicle combo well because there are many more factors with harnessed seats than there are boosters.
You'll find around here that some seats are recommended more often than others, and that some seats are discouraged for various reasons. But while one person may strongly dislike a seat for one reason, somebody else may love it and recommend it to people all the time. The techs who are "in the trenches" working with seats and families on a regular basis, can all vouch for the variety of situations that simply wouldn't be able to be accounted for if the IIHS rating system for boosters was used for car seats.
When a booster ends up on the list of not being recommended, it's because it places the seatbelt in a dangerous spot on a child's body in most vehicles. When car seats end up on not recommended lists around forums, it's generally for reasons that are related to cost vs perceived value, ease of use, or length of use - and these don't necessarily reflect the safety of the seat if it fits the child properly and the parent installs and uses it correctly. There are some frequently recommended seats on the forum around here that are quite bad on the ease-of-use scale - but are well loved when used properly.
I guess I've gotten kind of long winded here, but bottom line is that while some seats may be recommended more often, even seats that aren't as well liked have their place, and there's really no way to standardize a seat rating the same way as giving "bets on belt fit" when it comes to boosters.
I hope you stick around the forum and get involved here. We love having new members and everyone here all shares a passion for child passenger safety which might ease some of the pressure off your hubby.