Which seat should I get?

NotJUSTamom · Dec 16, 2008

Having six kids, most people think I have a million car seats just sitting around (which, ok 15 car seats IS a bit much

haha!) But, each seat has a purpose.. I need a car seat for Mackenzie (she is in pre-school 3 days a week and goes home with her friend twice a week after school to give mommy a break!!

) I need a seat for her that is 1. safe 2. best for travel (easy install) but, 3. I simply do not have the $ to spend on another Radian, plus they are one heck of an install and don't even work in all cars. I have never had any expierence with a marathon ( I heard they were an easy install but, again the $$$!!!So what seat to buy that is reasonably priced for her? The mother who is taking her twice a week is actually good with car seats. She has her 4yo in a Apex 65 and it's a good install so I trust her with knowing how to use the car seat correctly.. Oh, and this seat will stay in her friends car until the end of the year or if it need s to be take out ever. Oh, and this might help LOL Mac is 38.5in and 33.5 lbs! Fianlly gained 1/2lb!!

abckidsmom · Dec 16, 2008

I would get a nautilus, unless you wanted something less expensive or rear-facing.

Unregistered · Dec 16, 2008

I would get her a booster seat..At her age and height she should be ok in one. Or if you are one of those parents who harness longer, then maybe a Graco seat.

NotJUSTamom · Dec 16, 2008

Thanks, I have two of them actually and they are in use in other cars. I was looking for possibly something cheeper..I know that sounds TERRBILE but we are on a tight budget!!

scatterbunny · Dec 16, 2008

3.5yo and 33 pounds? I wouldn't stress about not being able to afford a Nautilus, then, and you could go with something like a Graco CarGo or Evenflo Generations or Evenflo Chase. These have reasonably tall top slots and 40# harnessed weight limits. They convert to boosters, too, but the fit is questionable for many kids in these combo seats used as boosters. Still, they're cheaper than the Nautilus, and have tall enough top slots to harness most kids to 40 pounds. Your child is old enough that she'll probably make it to 4.5-5 in the harness, which is okay to move to a booster, as long as she is mature enough to sit properly at all times.

If your vehicle has tall seatbacks and/or headrests, you could also consider the Cosco/Safety 1st Apex. It harnesses to 65#, but has shorter top slots than the Nautilus, so it won't last as long heightwise. It requires vehicle head support at least to the tips of the child's ears, though, and it's a super-wide seat.

Blondie87 · Dec 16, 2008

Unregistered said:
I would get her a booster seat..At her age and height she should be ok in one. Or if you are one of those parents who harness longer, then maybe a Graco seat.

Definately not a booster. It is not safe for a 3-4 year old to be in a booster.

I would say a Nautilus too.. lol. I can't see you getting too much cheaper than that. Plus they are sooo easy to install, which you know because you have 2.

You can always get one online to make it a lil cheaper than in the store. I don't have any other ideas...

Maedze · Dec 16, 2008

Unregistered said:
I would get her a booster seat..At her age and height she should be ok in one. Or if you are one of those parents who harness longer, then maybe a Graco seat.

Actually Mackensie is only 3 and 33 lbs which means she isn't even close to the bare minimums for a booster.

OP if you think the mom is good with the Apex65, why not get another one for your dd?

Maedze · Dec 16, 2008

http://www.albeebaby.com/safety-1st-apex-65-booster-car-seat-22530fsm.html

Here is one for only 90 !!!

joolsplus3 · Dec 16, 2008

Maedze said:
Actually Mackensie is only 3 and 33 lbs which means she isn't even close to the bare minimums for a booster.

You know that most boosters have minimums of 30 pounds/38 inches or 1 year and 30 pounds, right? (though a few are now 40 pounds, and some are 33) Technically she's plenty big for a booster. I'm not saying I condone it, but I think we do need to at least be truthful while we educate. :twocents:

NotJUSTamom · Dec 16, 2008

joolsplus3 said:
You know that most boosters have minimums of 30 pounds/38 inches or 1 year and 30 pounds, right? (though a few are now 40 pounds, and some are 33) Technically she's plenty big for a booster. I'm not saying I condone it, but I think we do need to at least be truthful while we educate. :twocents:

You can put a baby in a booster at one year and 30lbs? I thought it was 3 yrs??

mum2two · Dec 16, 2008

I have an Apex, it's the seat that rarely gets used, not a huge fan, for the difference in price I'd go for a Nautilus if you can swing it.

NotJUSTamom · Dec 16, 2008

Maedze said:
Actually Mackensie is only 3 and 33 lbs which means she isn't even close to the bare minimums for a booster.

OP if you think the mom is good with the Apex65, why not get another one for your dd?

I guess I never thought about that (children drain me of brain cells

) LOL..that is a good option!

emandbri · Dec 16, 2008

I would get a cargo. I wouldn't use it as a booster but since you have other kids to hand it down to you won't ever need to. I would get it over an evenflo since it has energy absorbing foam. If she was heavier I would get a nautilus but at 33 lbs she will fit a long time in a cargo.

There are manufacturers minimum guidelines on when a child can use a booster and there is this board's minimum guidelines. Until manufatures see the light they are not the same.

emandbri · Dec 16, 2008

NotJUSTamom said:
You can put a baby in a booster at one year and 30lbs? I thought it was 3 yrs??

britax, evenflo, and cosco all say a child has to be one to use a booster. Yes, they are CRAZY!

NotJUSTamom · Dec 16, 2008

mum2two said:
I have an Apex, it's the seat that rarely gets used, not a huge fan, for the difference in price I'd go for a Nautilus if you can swing it.

I am going to try and convience DH for another Nauti..but we are super crunched for money rightnow and the apex is a decent option for what it is going to be used for.I honeslty don't trust that seat for a larger child (50lbs and up) it just doesn't look strong enough..but I could be really wrong..however for Mac's size it's probably fine.

joolsplus3 · Dec 16, 2008

NotJUSTamom said:
I honeslty don't trust that seat for a larger child (50lbs and up) it just doesn't look strong enough..but I could be really wrong..however for Mac's size it's probably fine.

I wouldn't worry about it for even a heavier child, personally. I do have faith that Graco has taken the steps necessary to ensure the seat is safe to the full 65 pound weight limit or they would not have put it on the market.

How about an Evenflo Chase? $60, tall top slots, EPS foam....

Maedze · Dec 16, 2008

joolsplus3 said:
You know that most boosters have minimums of 30 pounds/38 inches or 1 year and 30 pounds, right? (though a few are now 40 pounds, and some are 33) Technically she's plenty big for a booster. I'm not saying I condone it, but I think we do need to at least be truthful while we educate. :twocents:

I wasn't trying to lie

We tell everyone bare minimum is 4 and 40 regardless of the manufacturer's claim right? 4 and 40 isn't even best practice, it's bare minimum i thought.

ketchupqueen · Dec 16, 2008

Avenue or Apex are my votes.

NannyMom · Dec 16, 2008

Maedze said:
I wasn't trying to lie

We tell everyone bare minimum is 4 and 40 regardless of the manufacturer's claim right? 4 and 40 isn't even best practice, it's bare minimum i thought.

Yes, to us 4 and 40 is bare minimum. But to the rest of the world bare minimum is whatever the manufacturer says

I think you and Jools we thinking of different 'bare minimums'

Maedze · Dec 16, 2008

Fair enough, but I don't think I should have been accused of being dishonest :twocents:

Which seat should I get?

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