The Imperfect Community

Petulant Pixie · Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 10:35 am Post subject: Lookin' for a new car seat

I just can't believe it! After all that bullshit with the Evenflo Ellipsa and the damn little car seat not fitting in our minivan--she's just about outgrown the Graco snugride. It's for babies up to 26 inches. I just cannot believe it.

So, it seems we're going to soon be in the market for a convertible seat. We did get one free through Mike's work, but it's kinda crappy, so we planned on using it as a spare in Mike's car. Now, since my sweet pea seems to be growing on the taller end, I'm thinking long term. The Britax Behemoth models (Marathon or Husky) are the only ones that hold kids up to 49" in height? All the rest only go to 40"? I know some folks here have larger kids and have used Britax seats, I'm looking for some comments, I guess. Is the Britax the way to go???

honeybee · Queen of Imperfection Joined: 20 Dec 2002 Posts: 3163

Britax is definitely the way to go. You can't use a Husky -- that's forward facing only, used in leiu of a booster. Lizzie needs to be rearfacing until she is at *least* one year old AND weighs at least 30 pounds -- minimum.

Go with the Marathon -- rearfaces to 33 pounds and then forward facing to 65 pounds. It's worth its weight in gold. Wink

There are some newer Britax models that compare to the Marathon, like the Wizard and some others, but I'm not familiar with those.

The only non-Britax seat I'd give any consideration to is Evenflo Triumph. But it only goes to 40 pounds.

Petulant Pixie · Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 12:11 pm Post subject: Lookin' for a new car seat

Ah, OK. Thanks for the heads up with the Husky. I hadn't looked into it that far. Yeah, since she's only not even three months old, rear-facing is a must, lol. I just can't believe I'm in this situation, after Katie who was in her infant seat for like EVER! I really thought it would be similar with Liz!

honeybee · Queen of Imperfection Joined: 20 Dec 2002 Posts: 3163

Petulant Pixie · Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 1:10 pm Post subject: Lookin' for a new car seat

MainstreamMom · Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 1:12 pm Post subject: Lookin' for a new car seat

I have the Cosco Eddie Bauer one and it's been great for Jack and now Manda. It does convert into a booster but Manda is still in the car seat and I bought Jack a new booster so I'm not sure how easily it converts (came with an instructional video though). The only negative part is that I can't get the stupid cover off to wash! It is really nasty!

Edited to add this review I found online:
3. There are two features about this seat that I did not like -- both convenience items. The straps twist and tangle which is annoying, and the fabric cover is somewhat combersome to remove when needing to be washed. On my Britax the straps never tangle and the cover is very easy to remove. Again, not safety features at all...just convenience items.

4. A few things I like better about the Eddie Bauer: It sits lower to the seat than the Britax (nice in a Sedan or a car with less head room) and it is roomier than the Britax. Like another person noted, my 3 year old can cross his legs in this seat which is nice on long trips. With our Britax, he's pretty much stationary. Also, the cup holder and snack holder is GREAT on this model.