Newbie Looking for Back-Up Seat

Babynurse83 · Jul 25, 2008

I'm set on getting a Britax Marathon for our primary car (DH's) but having trouble narrowing down a carseat for use in my car. Someone pointed out the Graco Nautilus and I tested it out with my son (11months) at the store and thought it was perfect but now I see that it's only forward facing (or am I wrong?) and I want to ERF.

I know they're all approved but what would be the second best (up to 65lbs) next to the Marathon or Recaro but w/o the price? I didn't like the Evenflo Triumph. The harness knobs were difficult. I'm open to any suggestions. Thanks!

Judi · Jul 25, 2008

Don't get the Nautilus. You are right, he is too young. Have you looked at the Sunshine Kids Radian 65? Or maybe the Safety 1st Uptown, you can get it at Big Lots for $65.

firemomof3 · Jul 25, 2008

Yes, your correct that the Graco Nautilus is forward facing only & definitly not a good choice for an 11mo. old & good for you for planning on extended rear facing :thumbsup:
If you don't like the Evenflow Triumph Advance (EFTA) then my next recommendation would be the True Fit. Its rf to 35lbs. & ff to 65lbs. with 17" top harness slots. Its a great seat with an amazingly easy no thread harness. Its less expensive then the Britax @ around $180.
Or, you could get the Safety First Avenue which rf 35lbs. & ff 40lbs. but its only $75 so you could save up for something else later

You can find the avenue on sears website.
Good luck

scatterbunny · Jul 25, 2008

ITA with previous posters, the Radian and True Fit would be my next choices, behind a Marathon. The True Fit is actually my favorite.

I also despise the knobs on the EFTA.

But I think the True Fit is a really easy to use seat. I haven't had the pleasure of installing it yet, just playing with it in the store (with a 7mo baby), and I fell in love with it.

If you really want to save $$ for now, the Safety 1st Avenue ($75-$80 at Sears) is a wonderful choice. It only harnesses to 40 pounds, but it has really tall top slots for a 40 pound seat, and a 35 pound rear-facing weight limit, and energy-absorbing foam like all the higher-end seats, and decent padding.

Babynurse83 · Jul 25, 2008

Thanks for the quick responses. Didn't read them yet, just browsed through them. LOL funny, while I was waiting for my post to appear I looked online at Walmart and saw the Compass TrueFit and searched on here for it. I've added it to my list. I need to test it out somewhere in person though.

Babynurse83 · Jul 25, 2008

Judi said:
Don't get the Nautilus. You are right, he is too young. Have you looked at the Sunshine Kids Radian 65? Or maybe the Safety 1st Uptown, you can get it at Big Lots for $65.

I'll look into those. Thanks.

firemomof3 said:
Yes, your correct that the Graco Nautilus is forward facing only & definitly not a good choice for an 11mo. old & good for you for planning on extended rear facing :thumbsup:
If you don't like the Evenflow Triumph Advance (EFTA) then my next recommendation would be the True Fit. Its rf to 35lbs. & ff to 65lbs. with 17" top harness slots. Its a great seat with an amazingly easy no thread harness. Its less expensive then the Britax @ around $180.
Or, you could get the Safety First Avenue which rf 35lbs. & ff 40lbs. but its only $75 so you could save up for something else later You can find the avenue on sears website.
Good luck

I've searched and read other posts wondering about the top harness straps. Is 17" normal length or is it longer than other seats would be? Oh and I was scratching my head wondering what EFTA was until now lol.

scatterbunny said:
ITA with previous posters, the Radian and True Fit would be my next choices, behind a Marathon. The True Fit is actually my favorite. I also despise the knobs on the EFTA. But I think the True Fit is a really easy to use seat. I haven't had the pleasure of installing it yet, just playing with it in the store (with a 7mo baby), and I fell in love with it.

If you really want to save $$ for now, the Safety 1st Avenue ($75-$80 at Sears) is a wonderful choice. It only harnesses to 40 pounds, but it has really tall top slots for a 40 pound seat, and a 35 pound rear-facing weight limit, and energy-absorbing foam like all the higher-end seats, and decent padding.

The inlaws are getting him a seat for his birthday. We were going to go get the Marathon yesterday but something came up. I have a p/t job now plus DH gave me some spending money and he really needs to move onto another seat. He's a small boy so I'd love something long lasting and not have to buy another one later.

Newbie Looking for Back-Up Seat

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