Marathon vs. Fisher Price?

mdsvc89 · Feb 16, 2008

We're not in need of a convertible yet -- DS is only 22lbs and still has a while to go in his SafeSeat 1 -- but I like to research early.

I understand the Fisher Price something... is basically a Marathon minus a few features. What are those features, and how critical do people find them?

I'll need a seat that has a high RF weight, and high harness height for FF. DS is 22lbs at 9.5 months (8 months adjusted) and if he grows anything like his big sister, he'll be tall, too.

Thanks!

-Michelle

azgirl71 · Feb 16, 2008

The FPVD is a downgraded version of the MA. It is still a great seat. ALhtough the only place that has it now is allbeebaby I belive as it has been discontinued and you may not be able to get parts if needed.

CandCfam · Feb 16, 2008

FWIW, the FPSVD is being discontinued, so seats that are available now are pretty much older DOMs, and getting replacement parts for them may become an issue.

The FPSVD cannot be tethered RF, it has no built-in lock offs, the FF weight limit is lower (not a big deal unless your child is a bit on the overweight side), and the covers are not as nice as a Britax.

If you are wanting a higher RF weight limit, I'd look at the EfTA. It RF to 35 lbs, FF to 50 and has 17" top slot position, same as the MA and FPSVD.

wendytthomas · Feb 16, 2008

The last seats made were in 9/2007, so if you're not going to be using it any time soon then you'll likely get a seat that's a year old already.

The Evenflo Triumph Advance has a taller shell and a higher RFing weight limit, and slightly taller top harness height for FFing as well. However, the FFing limit is 50 pounds rather than the 55 of the FPSVD and the 65 of the Marathon.

The Radian and the Recaros have high top slots and weight limits. The Radian RFs to 33 pounds and FFs to 65 pounds with 18" top slots, and the Recaros RF to 35 pounds and FF to 70 pounds with 19" top slots. So those can be on your radar as well.

Wendy

mdsvc89 · Feb 17, 2008

Thanks! This was very helpful.

I'm thinking we may get a Radian 65, because it folds, and that will be helpful for air travel (we do at least 2 trips a year, and will start doing more if/when we relocate) and then an evenflo advance for the other car, for the cost savings.

Grandma will get a scenera

Thanks!

Michelle

magoose · Feb 17, 2008

We got MA for the girls. One of them might need the higher weight limit as she is chunky and I also liked the cover options, couldn't resist. Our first choice the Radian Princess cover ofcourse did not work as I could not get a good install and I thought it would be a bear to take out and install in different situations. Anna

wendytthomas · Feb 17, 2008

mdsvc89 said:
Thanks! This was very helpful.

I'm thinking we may get a Radian 65, because it folds, and that will be helpful for air travel (we do at least 2 trips a year, and will start doing more if/when we relocate) and then an evenflo advance for the other car, for the cost savings.

Grandma will get a scenera

Thanks!

Michelle

A Radian will not fit rear facing on a plane. However, it's a GREAT forward facing travel seat. What you could for now is when you travel take the Scenera from Grandma's car. It's lightweight and installs easily. Then when baby goes FFing in 11 pounds you can then start taking the Radian with you. It's just too big front to back to fit on a plane RFing, and it has a removable foot that must be used RFing, and I'd be paranoid about losing that somewhere along the travels. Mine falls off as you move the seat around to install and uninstall it.

Wendy

Defrost · Feb 17, 2008

wendytthomas said:
and I'd be paranoid about losing that somewhere along the travels. Mine falls off as you move the seat around to install and uninstall it.

Wendy, that foot should NOT be falling off. Ours is always very well secured. Are you pushing the little metal notch to lock it in place?

wendytthomas · Feb 17, 2008

I shove it on as far as possible. But I only use it when I'm trying out seats, so I'm pulling the seat every which way constantly. I shove it into the bight and then pull it out, move it left and right.... If I was just leaving it installed it wouldn't be a problem in the least.

Wendy

Defrost · Feb 17, 2008

wendytthomas said:
I shove it on as far as possible. But I only use it when I'm trying out seats, so I'm pulling the seat every which way constantly. I shove it into the bight and then pull it out, move it left and right.... If I was just leaving it installed it wouldn't be a problem in the least.

Wendy

That's the only way I use my Radian RF, too, though, and I've never had it even budge. After you shove it in as far as possible, you know there's a little metal clip you push in that locks the foot onto the carseat?

wendytthomas · Feb 17, 2008

I don't think I do. The first one I had (DOM 10/05) didn't have that. The harness went around the outside of the foot and helped hold it on. So when I got the new one (DOM 3/07) I assumed they had just fixed that somehow but that I just didn't care enough about locking it on to get it tight enough. I'm looking at the manual now and I see the metal tab you're talking about. I've not used that before.

Almost three years I've been on this CPS boat, and I'm still learning stuff about the seats I've owned for years. LOL

Wendy

Defrost · Feb 17, 2008

wendytthomas said:
I don't think I do. The first one I had (DOM 10/05) didn't have that. The harness went around the outside of the foot and helped hold it on. So when I got the new one (DOM 3/07) I assumed they had just fixed that somehow but that I just didn't care enough about locking it on to get it tight enough. I'm looking at the manual now and I see the metal tab you're talking about. I've not used that before.

Almost three years I've been on this CPS boat, and I'm still learning stuff about the seats I've owned for years. LOL

Wendy

LOL! I figured it had to be something like that - I didn't realize it was a "new" feature and I was afraid maybe there something wrong with your seat.

azgirl71 · Feb 17, 2008

Debbie...My boot will slide off if I try to hard to get a upright install. It does not snap on well. DOM 3/07.

Defrost · Feb 17, 2008

azgirl71 said:
Debbie...My boot will slide off if I try to hard to get a upright install. It does not snap on well. DOM 3/07.

Didn't you say your metal clip lockie-thingy doesn't stay in place, though?

This would annoy the heck out of me. Mine is TIGHT when it's on, even before I lock it in with the metal thingy. I always have to pound it a couple times to get it off!

azgirl71 · Feb 17, 2008

Defrost said:
Didn't you say your metal clip lockie-thingy doesn't stay in place, though?

This would annoy the heck out of me. Mine is TIGHT when it's on, even before I lock it in with the metal thingy. I always have to pound it a couple times to get it off!

No it stays in place. It only mves if I sweeze it to adjust the FF recline. I will have ot play with it some more. I know when I was trying to get a more upright install in my truck if I got it to where I wanted it the boot would slip off. The seat was tight, but the boot was no longer attached.

Defrost · Feb 17, 2008

azgirl71 said:
No it stays in place. It only mves if I sweeze it to adjust the FF recline. I will have ot play with it some more. I know when I was trying to get a more upright install in my truck if I got it to where I wanted it the boot would slip off. The seat was tight, but the boot was no longer attached.

Wait, I'm confused. I thought you couldn't use the FF recline with the boot? And when you say you squeeze it, do you mean the bar right under the adjuster strap that moves the FF recline up & down? Because that's not the metal clip I'm talking about.

Sorry.

I hate not having the right name for things!

azgirl71 · Feb 17, 2008

Defrost said:
Wait, I'm confused. I thought you couldn't use the FF recline with the boot? And when you say you squeeze it, do you mean the bar right under the adjuster strap that moves the FF recline up & down? Because that's not the metal clip I'm talking about.

Sorry. I hate not having the right name for things!

You are correct you can't... I think we are both confused...LOL Yes, that is the bar. I am not sure what the metal thingy is you are talking about :scratcheshead:. My boot wil slide on and be secure, but will slip off when I am installing RF if I have it at a more upright angle. The bottom of my RN looks like this one. https://www.shopatron.com/product/part_number=16590/578.0.23853.0.0.0.0

Defrost · Feb 17, 2008

azgirl71 said:
You are correct you can't... I think we are both confused...LOL Yes, that is the bar. I am not sure what the metal thingy is you are talking about :scratcheshead:. My boot wil slide on and be secure, but will slip off when I am installing RF if I have it at a more upright angle. The bottom of my RN looks like this one. https://www.shopatron.com/product/part_number=16590/578.0.23853.0.0.0.0

Grabbing camera, BBIAF...

Defrost · Feb 17, 2008

To the OP - I'm sorry we're dragging your thread off-topic!

Here's my Radian boot. See the gold-colored metal clip midway across on the right? It's down now, in the putting on/taking off position.

Now it's up, in the locked position:

In the locked position, it slides into a notch on the base of the carseat, so unless it's sliding open, the boot *can't* come off, see? And if it is, you might be able to tighten it.

azgirl71 · Feb 17, 2008

Gottach

. Mine has that. I guess since I was just playing around I did not think to turn it

. I bet I can get a more upright install now. It is on my list of things to do this week!!

Thank you so much!

Marathon vs. Fisher Price?

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