Question Narrow convertible seat for center seat of RX350

[Unregistered]

Looking for a narrow convertible seat for the center position in a Lexus RX350, to be installed next to a FF Britax boulevard. We need to be able to fit a passenger outboard for an upcoming roadtrip and the Roundabout we have doesn't seem to fit well as the center seat is narrow and sort of rounded. Is a radian our only choice? If so, is there a big difference between the R100 and R120 for average size kids? Hoping not to have to spend $200+.

Previously we were using a Snugride 30 baseless, but DD (8 months, 29 in, almost 19 lb) is not comfy in it now that she can sit-up well, and she is outgrowing it soon anyway.

Thanks!

 

[happiness-and-balance]

The Roundabout is very round at the edges. How long do you need this seat to last? You could get a Combi Coccoro for the 8 month old, it's slim and light. Its a very well-liked seat, but it only lasts most children to age 3.

Other options would be to get a Radian for baby, or get a slim forward facing combination seat (harness to booster) for the child who is in the FF Boulevard right now.

Honestly, the Radian is probably going to be the best bet in terms of creating space for the adjacent passenger. The R100 has a 40 lb rear facing weight limit and does not come with infant padding (which you likely wouldn't need) and the R120 has a 45 lb rear facing weight limit, and comes with the infant padding and more color choices.

How long do you plan to rear face your 8 month old? (The longer, the better Here is a short post on why: http://carseatblog.com/5168/why-rear-facing-is-better-your-rf-link-guide/ )

 

[Unregistered]

The Roundabout is very round at the edges. How long do you need this seat to last? You could get a Combi Coccoro for the 8 month old, it's slim and light. Its a very well-liked seat, but it only lasts most children to age 3.

Other options would be to get a Radian for baby, or get a slim forward facing combination seat (harness to booster) for the child who is in the FF Boulevard right now.

Honestly, the Radian is probably going to be the best bet in terms of creating space for the adjacent passenger. The R100 has a 40 lb rear facing weight limit and does not come with infant padding (which you likely wouldn't need) and the R120 has a 45 lb rear facing weight limit, and comes with the infant padding and more color choices.

How long do you plan to rear face your 8 month old? (The longer, the better Here is a short post on why: http://carseatblog.com/5168/why-rear-facing-is-better-your-rf-link-guide/ )

Thanks. I thought about the coccoro but it isn't any cheaper than the Radian. I'd like to RF the baby to at least 3, we got to just past t 2.5 with her older brother but it was really hard for me to load him in RF when I was pregnant with DD so we turned him around. He's 3 yr 8 mo now. He was a chunk as a baby but now is a skinny thing (32 lb and 39") so I expect that DD will not be huge either (I'm 5'5" and DH is 5'6" so no tall genes here!)

We have a securekid in our other car for DS so maybe I'll try that next to the Roundabout. My concern with that one is DS gets major head flop when he falls asleep in it and as we will be on a 4+ hour drive I want him to be comfy. So it seemed better to keep him n the Blvd (which he sleeps well in) and find something cheap and narrow for DD.

Are any of the evenflo convertibles particularly narrow?

 

[happiness-and-balance]

I wouldn't call any of the Evenflo's particularly narrow in comparison to a Radian, however you could look at the Graco MyRide. It's about $150 usually, and the base is actually narrower than the Radian, the only issue is that it flares out big time at the cup holders. It is an awesome ERF seat, super comfy and gives a fair amount of leg room. I would imagine you could fit the SecureKid next to it without an issue, I very, very much doubt it would fit next to the Boulevard.

There is also the Cosco Scenera, it is not very tall so you'll only get a few years out of it, but it could work in the centre next to the BLVD. It is about $45.

Another to look at is the Safety 1st Guide65 (also called the XRS 65). It is fairly narrow, about $120 and has good ERF capabilities.

It is really just trial and error a lot of times. Do you have a BuyBuyBaby or Babies R Us near by? They will let you try the seats out in your vehicle before you buy.

 

[thepote]

This thread might help. It's the Successful Three Across thread. Look on the later pages for more recent car seat selections, and see which seats fit next to each other in tight spaces.

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=33226