Options for "smaller" convertible seats?

[lalemma]

We're thinking of getting a different seat for our 20-pound 12-month-old: he's currently in an Evenflo Triumph (eta: he's rear-facing, obviously), which seems like a really, really big seat. The problem with that is that my husband and I are both pretty tall people and for the seat to be installed correctly, at the right angle and with enough space between the shell and the front seat, the person in the front seat practically winds up with their knees under their chin.

Are there any options for seats that aren't as "long", if that makes sense? That is, that take up less "legroom" in the backseat, when rear-facing? (I hope someone knows what I mean. Sorry to be vague.)

Important:

*shorter "lengthwise" axis

*reasonably easy to install

Not as important:

*cost

*width of the seat (no other kids in the back)

*height/weight limits (we'll cross that bridge when we come to it)

Are there any seats out there that might work, or are all convertible seats about the same length?

Also, the one thing we do really like about our current seat is that it has a knob-thingy to tighten the straps after you've already strapped the baby in, which makes it easy to get a snug fit on a squirmy small person. It's probably too much to ask, but that would be on our list of dream features. Thanks!

[an_aurora]

Your current seat should work just fine--just change the recline angle :)  The 45* angle is only necessary for newborns; once a baby gets adequate head control you can put the seat more upright.  That will give the front seat passengers much more room!  

[dormiles]

http://www.youtube.com/user/BabyOnTheGo

I have no idea if the shop that hosts this channel is good, have good stuff and prices so i will NOT recommend it, but the channel have lots of information, tutorials, reviews, etc. about the seats. I guess that watching through will help you decide what to choose.

[Farmer'sWife]

Originally Posted by an_aurora 

Your current seat should work just fine--just change the recline angle :)  The 45* angle is only necessary for newborns; once a baby gets adequate head control you can put the seat more upright.  That will give the front seat passengers much more room!  

Yep, if you like the seat, try to install more upright.  We have a couple of Triumph Advances and from my experience it takes up less front to back room than other seats I've tried.
 

[lalemma]

Originally Posted by Farmer'sWife 

Originally Posted by an_aurora 

Your current seat should work just fine--just change the recline angle :)  The 45* angle is only necessary for newborns; once a baby gets adequate head control you can put the seat more upright.  That will give the front seat passengers much more room!  

Yep, if you like the seat, try to install more upright.  We have a couple of Triumph Advances and from my experience it takes up less front to back room than other seats I've tried.
 

Huh - am I reading the manual wrong? The part that gave me the impression that I could only have it in full recline when rear-facing reads: "You MUST place child restraint in Full Recline (Position #1) for rear-facing use." (it's on page 14).

[Farmer'sWife]

Correct, you can only use the rear-facing recline position as stated in your manual and on the seat, but you can get a more upright install other ways.  When installing, try moving the seat out from the seatback a little while pushing down on the front of the seat and tightening the seatbelt or LATCH.  Great job reading the manual...lots of people don't! 

[an_aurora]

Yes, it has to be in mechanical recline mode, but it does not have to be at 45*.  IME the Triumphs install more upright very easily and offer the front seat passengers more room than most seats.  Here are my two Triumphs rear-facing: you can see how upright they are (and how much room is in between them and the front seat).

[redvlagrl]

We have an EFTA for DD and it is fine in our Mazda 3. Though she is FF now so it's a bit moot. We recently bought the new Britax Roundabout 55 for DS (RFing) and it is also fine behind DH who is 6'2" in our Mazda.

The EFTA looks bigger than it is because it is soooo wide. It's not a tall seat. in fact it is often recommended for those with smaller cars.

[sunnymw]

Yep, it's not too hard to install more upright. When we get it at 30-35 degrees, DH can move his seat ALL the way back AND recline it a little, with still room to spare.

[lalemma]

Aha - thanks, everyone! You're so informative. :)

I'll definitely try to install it more upright, and see if that helps.

[mamadelbosque]

Another vote for just trying to install it more upright - DS2 is in a triumph behind the drivers seat, with plenty of room to spare :) 

[purple2008]

The britax roundabout sounds exactly what you need. Having said that! I gotbthe roundabout when DD was 8 months so we could have more legroom. But you grow out of the RF sooner because it is smaller, so when that happens then you have to FF earlier than you would with a taller/ longer carseat! Or else buy another longer convertible and lose your legroom at that point.

[redvlagrl]

The new roundabouts have higher RF and FF limits

[sunnymw]

The new RAs do have higher limits, but remember that Britax convertibles are still very notorious for very little leg room. I think if you have a taller child, you're still much better off with the EFTA than a Britax convertible.