Spare seat for 2-year old on plane

[momto3princesses]

It’s been a LOOONG time since I’ve needed to think about travel seats. I need something for my 2-year old for a trip in November. Looking at the blog and Targets’s website, I think I’ve narrowed it down to the Graco Contender 65, Evenflo Sonus 65, or Evenflo Maestro Sport. I was thinking about getting the seat now because of the trade-in event. It would mostly be for traveling, but could possibly be used as a spare seat in grandma’s car periodically. I guess I’m leaning toward one of the convertible seats, since he’s currently RF. He’s a pretty tall kid - 35” and 35lbs, so he might not fit RF by November, but by then he’ll be nearly 3, so I suppose that’s ok, and also why I would consider the Maestro.

Any opinions about these three seats? I definitely want something easy to move around. Thanks!

 

[murphydog77]

It’s been a LOOONG time since I’ve needed to think about travel seats. I need something for my 2-year old for a trip in November. Looking at the blog and Targets’s website, I think I’ve narrowed it down to the Graco Contender 65, Evenflo Sonus 65, or Evenflo Maestro Sport. I was thinking about getting the seat now because of the trade-in event. It would mostly be for traveling, but could possibly be used as a spare seat in grandma’s car periodically. I guess I’m leaning toward one of the convertible seats, since he’s currently RF. He’s a pretty tall kid - 35” and 35lbs, so he might not fit RF by November, but by then he’ll be nearly 3, so I suppose that’s ok, and also why I would consider the Maestro.

Any opinions about these three seats? I definitely want something easy to move around. Thanks!

I think if you purchase now, you'll get miles of time left in a convertible. I'd lean toward the Contender for a few reasons. It has a height limit of 49" (head is 1" below the top of the adjustment handle) vs. the strict 40" rear-facing that the Sonus 65 has, it has a smidge more recline adjustment to it (range in angle indicator) vs. the line Evenflo uses, and it has a closed belt path for use forward-facing on an airplane. A closed belt path means your child won't feel the buckle in their back on a plane.

The Maestro Sport is a nice seat, but I think he's probably a couple 1 year-18 mos. too young for it.

 

[MelodyoftheForest]

I second Heather. I regret not getting a contender as a travel seat! It will also last longer forward-facing as far as weight compared to the Maestro.

 

[momto3princesses]

Well, I didn’t get this feedback until the after I bought the Sonus 65 and I finally tried it today and I think he’s already too tall for it RF. Somehow I missed the 1” rule on this one when I was researching, but his head is just about even with the top. It’s fine. It’s fine...

 

[momto3princesses]

May I spoke too soon. I guess he has a little room. I think I got this one because it has an extra inch FF.

 

[ketchupqueen]

He's definitely got over an inch.