Question about the NAUTILUS (and all other non-LATCH boosters) in booster mode

mamabear · Jan 12, 2008

So I'm all psyched to get a Nautilus (when DD outgrows her MA any day now) DH likes it and if we like it a lot we are going to get 2!!
BUT I have one reservation...something I guess I need explained to me (probably the reason I haven't used a booster yet).

I remember reading that the Nautilus weighs about 19lbs. If we cannot LATCH it (or other boosters) in to the car how is this safe in a crash?? I mean if you are driving along at a high speed and are in a head on collision, isn't the extra 19lbs of booster seat going to force your child's body MORE into the seat belt? How does this work?? I would think a booster LATCH'd in like part of the car would cut down the amount of extra weight slamming against your kid.

HELP??? I really need this explained to me before I feel comfortable buying a non-LATCH booster!

Thanks so much in advance!!!

tjham · Jan 12, 2008

No answer... but I totally agree with your reasoning and have thought so for a long time. I think they just don't want to test for it.

singingpond · Jan 13, 2008

I wonder about this issue too. There has been some previous discussion here with regard to the Sunshine Kids Monterey, an upcoming HBB which is meant to be attached with LATCH. It is also likely to be heavy, although perhaps not the 19 pounds of the Nautilus (!), and people have wondered if it will be considered safe to use the Monterey in vehicles that don't have LATCH. I thought there used to be an industry standard (apparently unenforced) that required unattached boosters to be under 9 pounds. The Nautilus weighs a LOT more than that.

I will probably be buying a Nautilus as a harnessed seat, but your post reminds me that I will have some qualms about using it as a booster down the road.... I wonder if anyone has come across any links/references to testing of heavier boosters? Presumably the manufacturers of combo seats (that convert to boosters) have to run tests on their products in booster mode??

At the very least, we need to remind ourselves to buckle these clunkers into the vehicle when they are unoccupied

.

Katrin

joolsplus3 · Jan 13, 2008

Thanks for retelling the story of this whole issue... I WISH we had answers to satisfy us

mamabear · Jan 13, 2008

joolsplus3 said:
Thanks for retelling the story of this whole issue... I WISH we had answers to satisfy us

So no one has any answers??

I was hoping one of the techs on here would know something from training.

I have to say that if I can't get a good answer about this then I probably won't be buying a Nautilus if I can't LATCH it in booster mode. DD will already be on the highest slots when we buy it and I will probably have to convert her to a booster in the next year. So if that's the case maybe I'm better off with buying her a Radian until she outgrows it and then A Monterey that I will have LATCH'd in.

I was hoping the Nautilus would solve having to spend over $300 in the next year but maybe not. I still just don't feel comfortable about such a heavy booster......

joolsplus3 · Jan 13, 2008

Yeah, we really don't have an answer at all. Europe has historically had very heavy boosters... Australia insists on boosters below 6 pounds...we are somewhere in the middle and there's no real life injury data about weight of boosters harming children (LATCHed *may* be better in side impacts...kids who have been in side crashes with other occupants in the back to limit their movement are typically less injured, LATCH would be like having a big sister sitting next to you).

Just my suspicion? Graco doesn't want to confuse the already perplexed public any more... They can't very well say 'Stop using LATCH when the seat is harnessed at 48 pounds, but then you can use it again from 30-100 pounds when the seat is used as a booster... ' People would be like, Huh?

mamabear · Jan 13, 2008

I emailed Graco and asked them:

Hi,
Thanks so much for coming up with a carseat that addresses the concerns of so many parents nowadays that wish to use a 5 point harness seat past 40lbs. With the 18" top slots many will be able to do so with children past the age of 6!I am considering buying two of the New Nautilus seats. However, Since my older child will no doubt be too large to use the harness in the next year, I am having major concerns about using the seat as a booster.
I was under the impression that booster seats should be under 9 lbs since they are not attached to the vehicle, and ride through the crash with your child. The Nautilus weighs 19 lbs! How is this safe?? I really would appreciate it if someone from Graco could explain to me how an extra 19lbs slamming into your child is OK? Why oh Why don't you guys allow this seat to be used in booster mode and LATCH? I know a lot of people who are having the same concerns as myself. I will go out on a limb and say that since it is not addressed that it will inhibit a lot of buyers, I may opt toward the Sunshine Kids Monterey for a booster instead.Is there anyone there who can attest to the crash test data for the Nautilus in booster mode and explain how it is as safe as a lighter weight booster, or a booster that can be used with LATCH?
If you allowed for the Nautilus to be LATCH installed in booster mode I think you would have the perfect seat!
Thanks in advance for your help,

Maybe we can ask Russ from SKJP also and see what he says about the Monterey being used without LATCH?
He seems to have been helpfull at replying to questions...

This is just going to bug me now until I find out more

Mommy090804 · Jan 15, 2008

Bumping up because I am very curious as well...:question:

seamonkeys · Jan 15, 2008

Mommy090804 said:
Bumping up because I am very curious as well...:question:

Me too! I was thinking the upcoming SK Monterey would be great for an extra kid riding with us and for future use for mine. I would want one for the 3rd row of my 2001 Odyssey, which I just realized doesn't have latch!! Maybe this is a good reason to trade in for a newer van!!!

All this talk has got me wondering too why the Britax Monarch is ok w/o latch when it's about the same weight.

Definitely thinking the latch would be better!

USmominOz · Jan 15, 2008

Our heavier weight booster seats here all have a top tether, I wonder why Graco won't let you use the top tether in booster mode? Would that help to keep it in place if you were in a accident?

We are not allowed to use latch here and most new cars do not have them.

Here is one of our boosters that require a top tether
http://www.choice.com.au/files/f126589.jpg

Mommy090804 · Jan 15, 2008

USmominOz said:
Our heavier weight booster seats here all have a top tether, I wonder why Graco won't let you use the top tether in booster mode? Would that help to keep it in place if you were in a accident?

Yes, our lightweight Canadian Graco UltraCargo (DOM JAN2007) allows top tether usage in booster mode, but does not allow the use of UAS/LATCH in booster mode. Not sure if it is the same in the US with the Cargos?

USmominOz · Jan 15, 2008

I was able to use the top tether w/ my 2 US cargos in booster mode.

Jeanum · Jan 15, 2008

Our U.S. Platinum CarGo manufactured in July or Aug. 2004 allows top tethering in booster mode. :thumbsup: I'm not certain if older/all DOM CarGos in the U.S. allow it, though. Another one of those cases where reading the manual would definitely apply.

chasingboys · Jan 15, 2008

It doesn't make sense to me why you can't use latch in booster mode. The latch is just holding the seat in the car, not the seat and child, you kwim?

I think they're saying no, so as to not confuse people as was mentioned before. I hope they respond to that email soon! I'll be interested to hear their answer.

DiaSmall · Jan 17, 2008

Bump up to see if Graco has responded....

lovemytwosweeties · Jan 17, 2008

I posted a similar question a couple of months ago - before the Nautilus. I was wondering about the same thing. The vehicle we need a booster first in does not have LATCH and has no top tether anchor (can't be retrofitted). We ended up getting a Parkway for now since it's light but I was really wanting the Monarch for the additional SIP b/c the vehicle is a soft top Wrangler. I'm very interested in the issue of a bigger/heavier booster with more features vs a lighter booster, especially in a non-LATCH or top tether situation.

mamabear · Jan 17, 2008

Still no answer from Graco:thumbsdown:

I'm almost 100% decided not to get this seat now.......

mamabear · Jan 24, 2008

Just an FYI in case anyone was interested in what Graco's response to my email was (see post# 7) well..........they still haven't responded:thumbsdown:

10 days and counting

snowbird25ca · Jan 25, 2008

Any chance your email didn't go through? Maybe try emailing from a different account?

mamabear · Jan 25, 2008

snowbird25ca said:
Any chance your email didn't go through? Maybe try emailing from a different account?

I gave my ph# too..............

Question about the NAUTILUS (and all other non-LATCH boosters) in booster mode

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