Very confused, need help on new seat

[southernmama47]

Hi all. My 3 year old DS is 30ish lbs and fairly tall (not sure exact measurements right now). He is currently FFing in an Evenflow Triumph Advanced. My 7.5 month old DD is probably getting close to 20lbs and is also tall. She is still in her Chicco Keyfit (the old 22lb version). It is almost time to move DD to a convertible but I'm not sure what to do. I'm thinking that I should move DD to DS's EFTA and get DS a new seat. That's where the confusion comes in. FYI, we currently drive a Hyundai Santa Fe (5 passenger SUV), but are planning on trading in for a mini-van in the next year or so.

What is the difference ultimately between convertible seats with high FFing weight limit and a combo booster like the Nautilus?
Should I buy a new convertible that has a 65 weight limit for DS and keep him in it to the weight limit, or should I get a combo booster that will last to 100lbs?
Grandma has an old carseat with the label peeled off. It makes me very extremely uncomfortable. I want to buy her new seats. The kids RARELY ride with her, as in 2-3 times a year, but it's enough for me to worry still when they do. I know that I could buy a Scenera for DD, but what about DS? What is an affordable seat that has a good weight limit range that isn't a booster?

Thanks so much! I feel so confused, any help is much appreciated!

[Ninetales]

I'm no expert but I'm pretty sure that from what I've read, a Nautilus is a perfectly fine seat for your 3-yr-old.  The weight limit may not be as high as some convertible seats, but the harness straps are higher.  Most kids outgrow convertible seats by height long before weight.  I don't think there are many kids who reach that limit and your son sounds pretty average for weight.  He can use the Nautilus's harness until he outgrows it and if he's ready for a booster by then, it makes a good one.

For Grandma's car, I think it's the Maestro that is brought up.  I think that one is a combo seat like the Nautilus, but is cheaper.  ~75$ or so?

[leighi123]

If you dont plan on RF your ds, and your EFTA isnt close to expiring, I would give your dd the EFTA and get the nautilus for your ds.  

What is the difference ultimately between convertible seats with high FFing weight limit and a combo booster like the Nautilus?

As far as safety, they are the same if used correctly.  But the nautilus will have a heigher strap height than the EFTA so it will last much longer.  Also it converts to a booster, so it will work for that once he outgrows the harness.  

Should I buy a new convertible that has a 65 weight limit for DS and keep him in it to the weight limit, or should I get a combo booster that will last to 100lbs?

I would not get a convertable for a forward facing only child, its pointless to have a seat that will rearface if you only want it for forward facing.  Plus with forward facing only seats you can choose one with taller top slots.  This is important esp with a taller kid!

Grandma has an old carseat with the label peeled off. It makes me very extremely uncomfortable. I want to buy her new seats. The kids RARELY ride with her, as in 2-3 times a year, but it's enough for me to worry still when they do. I know that I could buy a Scenera for DD, but what about DS? What is an affordable seat that has a good weight limit range that isn't a booster?

For 2-3 times a year, I wouldnt bother to buy seats for her car, just move the ones you have in your car or trade cars with her.   If you want back up seats though, the scenera and meastro would be good for inexpensive seats. 

[southernmama47]

What other combo booster seats are there other than the Nautilus and the Frontier85?

Should I buy DD a combo seat that will last longer than the EFTA did? Ours has a RFing weight limit of 35lbs.

[leighi123]

Originally Posted by southernmama47 

What other combo booster seats are there other than the Nautilus and the Frontier85?

Should I buy DD a combo seat that will last longer than the EFTA did? Ours has a RFing weight limit of 35lbs.

The evenflo meastro is another good combo seat: 

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4319493&CAWELAID=607716232

How long before your EFTA expires? Do you like it? 

You could put her in the EFTA for now, and spend the $ on getting a seat for your ds, and if you decide to get them, back up seats.  And then as she grows you could look into getting a seat with a heigher weight limit.   If she is also tall, I'd look at the radian or compleate air.  Myride RF to 40lbs but has a short shell so not as good for taller kids, the Truefit has a tall shell but only RF to 35lbs.   She will probably fit in the seat you have for quite a while so there is no rush or anything. 

If your EFTA has time before it expires and you like it, I would wait on getting another seat for her, just see how she grows and decide from there if you need something with a heigher limit/taller shell.  

My ds is super tiny but I bought him a radian XTSL, with the 45lb RF limit, he has about a foot of room above his head to grow.  He will be 3.5 in january, so I know its overkill, but I love the seat for travel so thats why I got it!   

[sunnymw]

I'd pass the EFTA down if it's not close to expiring and get your DS something like the Nautilus. 

If she gets close to 35lbs before you are ready to turn her, you can then invest in a HWRF seat, and there are plenty on the market.

The Scenera and Maestro are great back-up seats for grandma's car.