Which combination booster (and why)

[our2girls]

Hi,
I have the following options for a combination booster for my 4.5 yr DD. She will be using the harness feature probably for another year before we look at booster mode, so it's important to me that it does a great job as a harnessed seat as well as a booster (she is currently in a Radian).

My choices are:
Evenflo Securekids
Graco Nautilus
Britax Evolva 1-2-3
Recaro Young Sport

What are general thoughts on these seats? I'd like to have one that will secure with Latch even when in booster mode, but I don't know much about the rules with this - is it safer for the child, or just a convenience thing.

Thanks

 

[mping]

Is she outgrowing the Radian or do you need to pass it down? Otherwise I'd just leave her in it. We love our Frontier. We don't have the new one with the easy install but it's still awesome.

 

[our2girls]

Thanks mping. She is fine in the Radian but we need to put a seat in my husbands car as he is doing school drop off after Christmas. I love the Radian but I don't want to get another one and then have to upgrade to a booster in 12-18months time, I'd rather pay the money for a good combination booster now. I live in New Zealand and as far as I know the Frontier is not available, which is a shame as it seems to get lots of positive reaction on here.

 

[MommyShannon]

I really like the nautilus as a first booster for my kids. That can vary by car/child, but I've had good luck with 2 kids.

 

[our2girls]

Thanks for that. I've since found out the Nautilus I can get here is the European version which doesn't have Latch, which really makes me think twice about it. I know that once in booster mode the seatbelt is meant to secure the child and the seat but what about when you have a light-weight child? I'll be lucky if DD hits 40pounds by the time she is 7 and maturity wise she will be well and truly ready for a booster before then. Is it common practice to keep a booster Latched in and then just use the belt for the child or does it vary from seat to seat? Does anyone know what the rules are for the Securekids seat in booster mode?

Thanks for the advice so far. I don't need the seat until February so I have time to do the research, but I want to make the right choice.

 

[MommyShannon]

Is she also on the shorter side? The nautilus (and it seems most combo seats) don't fit as well as boosters unless the child has almost outgrown it by height. I am not a tech but I do use ours as a booster without being LATCHed. I don't know how it compares to the European version.

 

[our2girls]

Hi,
Yes, she is very much on the shorter side She is a teeny thing really so I do need to choose a seat carefully. Is there one that is better suited to smaller kids? I've heard the Securekids is a good option?

Thanks again for the advice.

 

[nannykates]

The securekid is a good option. Its not as easy to use as a booster as the nautilus and the nautilus turns into a backless while the securekid does not. The securekid is more lightweight so if using it unlatched as a booster its less weight bouncing around in the seatbelt with your kiddo. I don't have any experience with the britax evolva.

 

[our2girls]

Thanks Nannykates. Can the Securekids be used in booster mode with the latch connected? I definitely think a lighter booster will be the way to go for DD but if it's acceptable to keep it latched I think that would also be an advantage.

 

[nannykates]

Yes securekids can use latch as a booster