Least expensive forward facing only seat for occasional use? UPDATE Need help now! Please see... - Page 2

[chickabiddy]

The Maestro's harness is taller than that of the Complete Air.

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by mama2soren 

He'd be safest in the middle only if he has a high backed booster.  I used to have a 97 civic, and I remember that there is no headrest for the middle seat.  So, a HBB would be necessary if he was in the middle.  A booster can take up a bit more room than a car seat, because there has to be sufficient space to get the seat belt buckle in and out without much difficulty.  But, with two other narrow seats like the OP has, it could be possible to fit all 3 across.

Lol I was actually forgetting that 5 year olds are tall like that.
 

[SynEpona]

It may be a problem to leave the seat fully installed & just push the straps aside. I have a Maestro that my daycare kids use (they are 3 & 4, but about the same height & weight as eachother, w/in 1" & 3lbs).

I don't think you can leave the seat installed with the LATCH & top tether if you are using it as a booster -- I don't use mine as a booster, but you need to check the manual. If you have it installed with a seat belt, you'll have to fully uninstall it every time to use the seatbelt on the child. Pushing the straps to the side could cause them to harm the child in the event of an accident.

[dayiscoming2006]

Good points. Yes, latch and using the booster mode do not go together.(with this seat) I didn't think about latch as I have it installed with the belt at the moment. But, if you use it only with the belt it should be easy enough to un-install and reinstall fastening the belt. I wasn't suggesting putting the harness straps to the side. If you tighten them down as far as they go and set the five year old over them (so the straps are behind him/her, I can't imagine how they could do a thing to the kid in a crash, they'd be fastened down. I personally would do that. It'll be up to the OP to decide though. That's really the only option I see with the price range. If you extend your price range OP, then of course you could get something even easier to adjust and possibly for an even higher harness range. 
 

Originally Posted by SynEpona 

It may be a problem to leave the seat fully installed & just push the straps aside. I have a Maestro that my daycare kids use (they are 3 & 4, but about the same height & weight as eachother, w/in 1" & 3lbs).

I don't think you can leave the seat installed with the LATCH & top tether if you are using it as a booster -- I don't use mine as a booster, but you need to check the manual. If you have it installed with a seat belt, you'll have to fully uninstall it every time to use the seatbelt on the child. Pushing the straps to the side could cause them to harm the child in the event of an accident.

[ssh]

Some high backed booster work better with the top tether and latch. That way they don't become a dangerous projectile in an accident when empty. The latch holds the seat in place and the shoulder strap and seat belt hold the child. I know it's recommended for a Graco Nautilus, but it's not in the manual.

[Pumpkin_Pie]

I have a 98 Civic, so no Latch to worry about either way.  I tried him in the seat with the straps, and he fit just fine.  His torso is actually just a smidge taller than DS's.  I am not sure if DS has a tall torso, or he has a short one, but he is a good head taller than DS.  Maybe it is all in his legs?  Anyway, it fits him great, and we can use the straps for now, so I am just going to call it good for now and deal with the booster issue once he no longer fits in the straps or weighs more than 50 pounds.  I am pretty sure I will have a new car at that point though.

Thanks so much for all of your help mamas!  I knew that I could get some great advice here.  :)