Roundabout or Marathon?

Hi - My 6 1/2 mth old is outgrowing his infant seat so we are looking at convertibles. He is 18lbs and 26 inches right now. With the higher weight limit, MA will obviously last longer so seems like a logical choice. Is there a reason to go with the RA instead?

Thanks,

JR

I have an 8-month-old (born 6 weeks early, so adjusted age is 7 months) who is 18 lbs, and 28" long. I ended getting an MA for him, because I figured for $50 extra dollars, you get 25 extra pounds usage out of the MA. The RA is a little smaller and cheaper, so maybe if you couldn't afford the MA, or you drive a compact car, then the RA would work better for you.

Colleen

I agree...for the few extra bucks, if you can afford it..best to go ahead with the MA for the extra use you'd get out of it. That's a considerable weight difference ya know?

I'd suggest the RA if in a small car.

Right, if the MA will not fit (small car + large/tall adults), then the RA is a good choice, but for the $ I'd choose a Scenera over the RA It has a higher RF weight limit ... anyway, the MA would be my choice if it fits (because it has higher FF weight limits) & you can afford it -- or the Boulevard, actually, for it's added features

Ditto everyone else; also, I know people who have a Marathon in teeny cars, like the Chevy Cavalier (2 door!). For bigger babies (non-newborns) who have good head control you don't need the convertible reclined a full 45 degrees. AND it can be braced against the front seat(s), too.

I'd go for a Marathon, no question about it, unless you play with it in the store and prefer the Roundabout's push-button adjuster. If that's the case, consider the Decathlon. It has the push-button adjuster, three different crotch strap positions and infant padding (probably not essential for your baby), the rest is the same as the Marathon. The Boulevard is like the Marathon but with side impact protective wings and infant padding.

I went thru this same question 2 years ago when ds was going to outgrow his infant seat. We chose to go with the RA because of our situation. I was traveling just about every other month between Anchorage, AK and Seattle, WA, just ds and I, so every pound I had to haul thru the airport counted. Also, I had to install the seat in many different vehicles depending on who picked us up at the airport/etc. My family is tall (I'm the shortest of 5 kids and I'm almost 6' tall) so we always need the front seats back fairly far, not leaving much room in the back seat for a rearfacing seat. I don't regret getting the RA at all, but if I hadn't been in the situation I was in I probably would have gone with the MA because of the higher weight limits/taller shell.
For the new baby on the way we are passing the RA down and got ds a Regent, even though he's only 2, he's already quite tall and skinny, so I know he will get the full 6 years of use out of it. I'm trying to convince dh to let me get a Decathlon for the baby, but he's not buying it right now. Maybe by tax time next year he will let me get it, it just depends on how fast the baby grows out of the infant seat. Since the baby isn't due until October, we have a while to plan, lol!
So, that's the reason we went with the RA instead of the MA. I agree, if you have the money, go with the MA if it will fit properly in your vehicles.

FWIW, I've installed my MA RF in several very small vehicles and had no problems. And I'm not short - 5 ft 8".

Thanks all! I appreciate it.

JR

same situation

I'm in exactly the same situation with my 6 mo old but I have an almost 3 year old who is nearing the height limit of his RA. I am wishing I had bought the MA so that I can keep him in a 5 point longer without buying an interim seat prior to a booster. I do love the between the leg belt adjuster on the RA so if the MA doesn't have that I would go with one of their other seats that does. It gives peace of mind that EVERY time you put the child in the seat you know it is properly adjusted. Good luck.

The Marathon definitely does have a front harness adjuster (the kind located between the child's legs), but it is a lever adjuster instead of a push-button adjuster.