Britax Marathon vs. Pavilion?

[jic]

I have the opportunity because of a coupon to get two Pavilions for the price of two on-sale Marathons.

I have twins who are about to outgrow their infant seats (22 lb seats). One will be riding outboard in the the third row of our minivan while the other will be in an outboard captain's chair in the minivan (It's a Kia Sedona).

Is it the case that a Pavilion is really just a souped up Marathon?

Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[mylittlet]

How old are the twins? What's your rf goal? Britax seats are not highly recommended because they have shorter shells (make you have to ff sooner) and are pricey. They are nice seats though.

 

[jic]

They are 6 months old. When I say "about to outgrow" I mean one of them just hit 18 pounds and the other is 16 pounds, but we're getting tired of the infant seats.

My kids are average or below average for height and weight, including the twins. My 3 year old is only 28 pounds and 36 inches and could probably RF forever.

I had already decided I would get Marathons, but I had never seen the Pavilion before until this sale event. It seems like it just has some extra features and I just wanted to know if there was really a significant difference or if it's just better to stick with the Marathon?

I'll take recommendations for other seats, but after being one of the first people to buy a Complete Air and getting screwed by that whole angle thing, I feel like I want a brand I know people trust and is easy to use.

ET: Our primary RFing goal is 2 years and 30 lbs, but we did just turn our 3-year-old around even though he can still RF because he is in the CA and the angle issue was a problem. My guess is we'd like the twins to RF to the new recommended requirements and that any time after that is a bonus. I know that's not a popular opinion but I would say by age 3 they will be turned FFing if they have not outgrown the RFing limits of their seats.

Thanks!

 

[Kegracin]

The Pavilion is a BLVD with the CS feature if I remember right. So you would need to decide if you think you need the Click and Safe technology (I have never played with them but reviews say its does not always work) and true head wings.

Also I don't know that any one can tell you if the Pavilion any safer then the Marathon to me the biggest difference would be the true head wings.

 

[jic]

Thanks, I thought the head wings were the biggest difference and the other differences were just perks.

I guess I just have to decide if I want the perks. I'm not concerned about either one being safer since they are crash tested the same.

This shouldn't be this hard, right?

 

[Kegracin]

Does one have a cover you like better, that's always a good way to decide LOL.

 

[jic]

Ha, I just discovered that the discount coupon I have gets me the two Pavilions for less than 2 marathons. $200 each. Pretty sure I'll be getting these.

Wellllll... it only applies to one cover so both my kids are getting Blueprint... I do understand the love of Cowmooflage though and am sad that one isn't included...

 

[Phineasmama]

Blueprint is pretty though! I actually kind of like the head wings better on the BLVD type models than the new Marathons.

Plus you could always try and sell or trade for a different color of cover ?

 

[amelia222]

I know that you said you have decided on Britax seats, but one thing to consider is that installing them forward facing with the seatbelt can be quite difficult. I loved the Marathon for rearfacing but when my dd outgrew it I had to get another seat because the seatbelt install was that much of a pain forward facing.

 

[lovemy2kidstw]

I know that you said you have decided on Britax seats, but one thing to consider is that installing them forward facing with the seatbelt can be quite difficult. I loved the Marathon for rearfacing but when my dd outgrew it I had to get another seat because the seatbelt install was that much of a pain forward facing.

I haven't had any problems installing my MA70 FF with the seatbelt. I have installed it in a bunch of different vehicles.

 

[Phineasmama]

I haven't had any problems installing my MA70 FF with the seatbelt. I have installed it in a bunch of different vehicles.

I've never had a problem either