Question Why does Graco recommend top-tethering Nautilus in HBB mode, but no tether for Highback TurboBooster?

HappyMomToTwo · Jul 7, 2015

Hello,

My Graco Nautilus Safety Surround manual says to always use the top-tether, and it doesn't exclude situations when using the Nautilus as a high-back booster (HBB). So, based on that, I'm assuming that their testing has indicated that the Nautilus as a HBB is safer when top-tethered. If that's true, then does that mean that a top-tethered Nautilus in HBB mode is safer than a Graco HighBack TurboBooster, which does not even come with a top tether?

I ask only because my mom is debating whether to buy a Graco HighBack TurboBooster with Safety Surround or a Graco Nautilus with Safety Surround (to use only as a HBB) for my sister's son who's just about too big for a harnessed car seat. The Nautilus is a little more expensive, but she's willing to pay the extra money if it's safer in HBB mode than the TurboBooster.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Baylor · Jul 7, 2015

As a booster the Nautilus can be used with LATCH to hold the seat in.

Boosters alone don't have TT. Some do have LATCH but that is only lower latch connectors.

I would not buy a nautilus to use as booster only.

Qarin · Jul 7, 2015

How old is your nephew, what size, and what seat is he in now?

I, too, would not buy a Nautilus to use a booster only, and certainly not because it can be tethered; if she's interested in a booster with LATCH she might look at the Britax Parkway SGL.

HappyMomToTwo · Jul 7, 2015

Thanks for the replies!

He's 7, and he's a really tall/big kid (though I'm not sure how much he weighs). His current car seat in his mom's car is some sort of an Evenflo that has already been converted from a harnessed seat to a high-back belt-positioning booster.

If you guys don't recommend a Nautilus as a high-back belt-positioning booster, is there a different high-back belt-positioning booster you would recommend that my mom (his grandma) get for her car? She was looking at the Graco HighBack TurboBooster, but she could certainly get a different one.

Thanks again!

Baylor · Jul 7, 2015

I like ones that LATCH. That way they are always secured in the car. I don't love the graco boosters. I liked the probooster by recaro and the Diono hbb.

LISmama810 · Jul 7, 2015

I'm a big fan of the Graco Affix. It's basically a TurboBooster with LATCH. I also really like the Diono Monterey, although there were times I wasn't as happy with the belt fit from that as I was with the TurboBooster. A lot of it depends on the particular kid and car, though. I'd head to Babies R Us or something and try some out.

TechnoGranola · Jul 7, 2015

Being an actual harnessed car seat as well as a booster, the Nautilus is more substantial and much heavier than a Turbo Booster. I suspect this may have something to do with tethering being allowed/recommended in booster mode. Dedicated high back boosters are much lighter as they don't need to be designed to keep a harness from ripping out of a shell with a 65-80 kid in it; the seat belt is doing the work instead and the booster is just positioning it properly.

HappyMomToTwo · Jul 7, 2015

Thanks for all the great suggestions!!!

TechnoGranola, I noticed that your kids have used several boosters could be good options for my mom (e.g., Clek Oobr, Graco Nautilus, and Britax Parkway). Do you have a favorite of those...or others you've used?

TechnoGranola · Jul 10, 2015

HappyMomToTwo said:
Thanks for all the great suggestions!!!

TechnoGranola, I noticed that your kids have used several boosters could be good options for my mom (e.g., Clek Oobr, Graco Nautilus, and Britax Parkway). Do you have a favorite of those...or others you've used?

I've only got one kid in a booster right now and she uses all 3 of those. I like the Parkway for it's width and lightness. The Oobr I like for its substance in our smaller vehicle. The Oobr does have a shorter seat pan so I find kids look a bit weird in it like they are sliding out, except she says she isn't and says it's just as comfortable as her Parkway.

The Nautilus is just big in every direction and while it fits her decent as a booster, I know that not all kids have the same luck. I think the Parkway is likely the best for fitting kids generally.

Question Why does Graco recommend top-tethering Nautilus in HBB mode, but no tether for Highback TurboBooster?

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