Wizard vs. Boulevard/Decathalon

[mstarr]

Has anyone seen the new Boulevard/Decathalon vs the old Wizard? I have a Marathon and I'm pretty sure my son will outgrow it way before the 65 lb. limit. I'm concerned about the harness slots and the crotch strap--he's already at the highest slots and the crotch strap is pretty tight already. However, as far as I can tell, the Decathalon has the same harness slots even though it has the adjustable crotch strap. And the Boulevard seems to be more like the Wizard in that maybe they can get a little more height out of the harness (I've read here on other posts that some kids grow out of the Marathon before the Wizard) but is the crotch strap close like the Wizard or adjustable/more out like the Decathalon?

The Wizards are so cheap right now (well compared to the Decath/Boulevard) that if there isn't any real reason to get the newer versions, I'll just order the Wizard and hope he can use it a little longer than the Marathon.

Any help would be appreciated. This is a second seat for carpooling 2-3 times per week and my son is 3 years old and 40 lbs--all of his height is in his body.
The problem is there isn't a cheaper harnessed seat over 40 lbs...so I'm trying to make the best Britax decision I can. We'll probably use this seat down the road for my daughter who's in a Roundabout so we'll get longterm use out of it but I still don't want to spend more than necessary. We're already proud owners of two Roundabouts, one Marathon and one Husky. I'm like a Britax store!

 

[Victorious4]

The Decathalon is the comfier version of the Marathon & it has a different harness release (push button vs. a sort of lever) ... the Boulevard is replacing the Wizard. I have both the Wizard & Boulevard - the only difference is that the Boulevard has wider, less slanted wings & the additional comfort pad for infants (like the Decathalon).

I tested my step daughter out in the Wizard last year & she just barely fit, but had outgrown the Marathon in the store by height already (her shoudlers were past the top slots). I tested her in the Wizard again & in the Boulevard a couple months ago ... she had outgrown them both at 7 years old. She's more leggy than torso-tall. My torso-tall 40" 33# 3 y.o. has plenty of room left in them & she has no real preference ... I, however, liked the Wizard better for RF than FF - her head looked more comfortable with the Wizard RF than with the Boulevard, but now that she is FF the Boulevard is nicer because, while sleeping, her head has gotten "stuck" forward on the wings of the Wizard a couple times (nothing a quick step on the brake didn't fix, though, LOL) - her head always stays in a comfortable looking position in the Boulevard FF.

If you can hand the seat down & money is a factor, I'd go with the Wizard - but, you may want to give your kids the choice ... they might or might not be uncomfortable with the closer wings on the Wizard (although, the less negative the parent is about it, the less so they'll be, of course) But, then again, I can't say just how much more time you'll get in the Wizard/Boulevard vs. the Marathon - & the Decathalon seems like a pointless buy at this point for you ... maybe a few months? I have a hard time believing your son will actually NEED a new seat really really soon anyway - if his shoulders are not yet even with the top harness slots then he's got a while yet in his Marathon

BTW, it's nice to hear I'm not the only Britax "store" - I've got the Wizard, Boulevard, Husky, Starriser Comfy, Bodyguard & LapTop! Not all in the same vehicle, though ... that would be scary!!!