The MR65 won’t work for us

The MR65 won’t work for us

I just left BRU with my little ones, and have decided that the MR just won’t work for us. I really had my hopes up, but it wasn't meant to be. Every family has different budgetary constraints, and different size/shape/age kids, so this is not so say that it won’t be perfect for others – but just not us.

I installed it rf on the BRU bench, and tried out both rf. I also peeled back the cover, looked at it naked, and upside down. Unfortunately I didn’t have my camera, but here are the comments:

DD, 3.5 yo, 34lb, 41” tall, 14.5” torso
She had about 1-2” above her head depending on how she sat – just about the same as the MA. She is tall and slender, and I don’t think would last more than 6 months rf, if that.

DS, 22 mo, 26lbs, 32”
He had several inches above his head, and would last at least until dd’s age.

Likes:

• High sides, and higher as they go up
• Simple design
• Made in USA
• Good leg room
• 40lb rf limit, (of course!)
• Lots of EPS foam lining

Dislikes:

• Lack of padding/comfort foam – cover has sewn in ¼” foam – there is no separate foam insert.
• Seat back isn’t tall enough
• Feels light weight & flimsy cover
• Strange and thin splitter plate
• Thin single strap (centered) ff tether with small metal part holding it onto the seat
• No rf tether
• Over reclined (although I didn't try it in my car)
• DD couldn’t cross legs due to the high sidewalls
• Hollow feeling, hard plastic buckle (same as GN). I absolutely can’t stand the MR/GN buckle. Every car I have ever ridden in, and every car seat I have ever used, have had a heavy, dense, rubbery-plastic buckle. The MR/GN buckle is a lighter weight, very hard, hollowish, plastic buckle. It doesn’t seem like it would hold up well overtime.
  

Overall:
The MR seems like it was modeled after a Britax MA style seat. I’m hoping that Britax quickly retaliates and comes out with a 40lb MA\BV\RA50. Specifically compared the MA, do I like the MR’s butterfly wing effect of the side walls around the child’s head. The back of the MR also curves forward a bit at the back of the head, compared to the MA, which may offer more head support. It looks like tall, slender kids would outgrow the MA & MR by height roughly around the same time, so it doesn’t offer us added rf time over Britax.

In our case, I’d rather have dd ff in the BV than rf in the MR for the next 6 months. Or, I'd also rather purchase a TWE import (at more than double the MR cost) than an MR (but am too chicken). Ideally, the RNXT would get tested for 40lbs rf – I that seat – that would be perfect!!