booster for 8yo in Mazda5 3rd row

[MJB]

My son (8 this month, 53", 59 lbs.) is outgrowing his FisherPrice Safe Voyage booster's back. From an online search it appears that the Turbo Booster is the same height as the FPSV?

I would be okay with him in a backless booster, but he's in the third row of my Mazda5 and the belt basically comes down from the ceiling and doesn't even touch his shoulder or chest without the back. Worst case scenario I could put him in the middle row and my 5yo in the back, but that would be a huge hassle with the carpool line at my 5yo's school. I don't want to spend a huge amount of money on a new booster right now either. Are there any good, affordable high-backs that are taller than the FPSV and Turbo Booster? Or does anyone have a tip on getting the belt to fit right in the 3rd row? 

[BathrobeGoddess]

We have a Vivo and t works but the shoulder belt twists like crazy. The Monterrey did not work for my son in the 3rd row. The belt fit in the 3rd row is really awful I agree...

[MJB]

I found this chart: https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AvfUm4x64h3AdEh6WWV0V1NVM05aS0ozMHZQT19nTVE&hl=en#gid=0

It shows the Cosco Pronto as the tallest booster.

A google search tells me that it has to have a headrest behind it, which it would. Is this an okay booster? It's a lot cheaper than a Vivo/Parkway/Monterey, that's for sure. 

[~Amy~]

What year is your 5?  

[MJB]

2009

[BathrobeGoddess]

Originally Posted by MJB 

I found this chart: https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AvfUm4x64h3AdEh6WWV0V1NVM05aS0ozMHZQT19nTVE&hl=en#gid=0

It shows the Cosco Pronto as the tallest booster.

A google search tells me that it has to have a headrest behind it, which it would. Is this an okay booster? It's a lot cheaper than a Vivo/Parkway/Monterey, that's for sure. 

The pronto is only 1/2 inch taller than the graco booster so won't really help much...same with the Vivo...I think your only option is either a Monterrey at 20 inches tall (which didn't work for us becasue my son is so small in the shoulders, it pulled the belt off his shoulder) a parkway at 18-19 or a backless with a belt adjusting strap...or of course moving your son to the middle...we even have the pushed back belts in the 2010 model and it still isn't in a safe place for my oldest imo...

Good luck!

[MJB]

Huh, the link I posted says the Pronto is 22.5, the Parkway and Monterey are 21.5, and the Turbobooster is 19.25. So you're saying none of those measurements are right?

Also it seems like some places say that the Graco Airbooster is taller than the Turbobooster but others say they're the same. Hmm. What about the Air Protect?

[MJB]

Okay, we went to the store and looked at a few seats. The Cosco Pronto was by far the tallest. We got the Safety 1st Boost Air Protect. He fits on the 3rd tallest setting so I think it should last a couple years. He said the Pronto was uncomfortable but it is very tall and cheap. He loves his new seat and the head wings seem really safe, they are the biggest I've ever seen. It seems pretty sturdy, and the back doesn't fall off of it when you carry it. At it's tallest height, the Boost Air is about 1" from the car ceiling so a taller booster wouldn't be useful. I'm hoping the belt will fit him once he outgrows it but if not, we'll stick his brother back there and let him move to the second row. 

Thought I'd update in case anyone else has the same problem!

[~Amy~]

Thanks for updating.  Glad you found something that fit well.  Could you check the booster's manual for something for me when you have a second?  Any Dorel boosters I've had experience with require that the vehicle's head restraint be raised to give support to the back of the booster to the level of the child's ears...is this one the same?  I haven't had the chance to see a Booster Air IRL yet.  TIA:)

[MJB]

I'll check for you tomorrow.

I think we're going to take it back and just switch the kids so he can be in a backless in the second row. It's difficult to see out the back window with a tall, huge winged booster back there. My 5 yo has become attached to the idea of inheriting a booster though so I think we might move him to a booster anyway. They can't let me get out of this without buying something!

[~Amy~]

Originally Posted by MJB 

I'll check for you tomorrow.

I think we're going to take it back and just switch the kids so he can be in a backless in the second row. It's difficult to see out the back window with a tall, huge winged booster back there. My 5 yo has become attached to the idea of inheriting a booster though so I think we might move him to a booster anyway. They can't let me get out of this without buying something!

LOL...yep, you don't get off that easy!  Thanks for checking on that for me.  I know what you mean about visibility.  I find an adult sitting in the third row seriously limits the visibility, which I don't care for, but anyway....I'm learning to use my side mirrors more effectively.

[chickabiddy]

The Safety1st Boost Air does require vehicle support.

[~Amy~]

Originally Posted by chickabiddy 

The Safety1st Boost Air does require vehicle support.

Thanks.