Favorite convertible car seat? - Page 2

[gardenmommy]

Off to do more research on this.  
 

Originally Posted by mama2soren 

Top choices for convertible boosters would be the Graco Nautilus ($150-ish) and the Britax Frontier ($250-ish).  Both have nice tall harness slots that should fit your eldest until 6+ years of age, and both convert into quality boosters.  The top harness slot on the Nautilus is about an inch taller than the Radian, and the Britax is about 2 inches taller.  To me, that would make the most sense- to pass down the Radian and buy a new FF seat.  When DD is no longer RF, then pass down the FF seat and buy DS a dedicated booster ($50).

[KaliShanti]

And my fave booster is the Frontier 85. I have the SICT version for my 4.5 yr old and we all love it!!

[gardenmommy]

So, the Nautilus looks like a good seat.  I'm concerned, however, about the reviews it has gotten for it's tight crotch strap.  DS is 4, and he is already  almost 40 lbs. and 42 inches.  He's not a tiny guy, by any means.  The Frontier looks like it may be more difficult to install?  Which isn't a huge deal, I've been installing car seats for 13 years, and I've gotten pretty good at it.  If worse came to worst, I'd find a car seat safety workshop and get it installed for me.

Any of you guys have either of those seats, and can comment on those issues?

(BTW, mama2soren, thanks for the idea of getting DS a new seat and passing down the Radian.)

[gardenmommy]

I'm also looking at reviews for the Recaro harness to booster seats.  They all seem to get good reviews, and Amazon has them cheaper that the Frontier right now.  What you think about Recaros?

[Maedze]

The Nautilus is a good seat.   My son lasted in the Nautilus harnessed through 4 feet tall and about 50 pounds and never once complained about the crotch strap.   I have not found it to be difficult.   I think a number of the complaints may be 'parent perception' rather than actual problems.

The Recaro ProSport is an ok choice, although not my first choice.  You'll likely need to buy a backless booster after your child outgrows the booster portion.   The 90 lb limit on the harness is NOT realistic.  By height it will last around the same period as the 65 lb Nautilus.  It also has some installation quirks and several children have found it uncomfortable due to how the seatbelt lies in the beltpath.   If, however, you don't have a problem with the install and your child is not uncomfortable, it could be a good choice. 

[KaliShanti]

The reason we didn't get the Nautilus was because my son seemed to sit on the buckle and it was as forward as we could go.

I had no issues installing the Frontier in our Hyundai Elantra. It was easy! :)

[Maedze]

Glad to hear it!  Did you install with the seatbelt and use the top tether?

[korintherin]

What car do you have the SICT in? I'm thinking about getting one for DS and putting it outboard in a Honda civic... concerned about fit.

[AfricanQueen99]

Originally Posted by gardenmommy 

So, the Nautilus looks like a good seat.  I'm concerned, however, about the reviews it has gotten for it's tight crotch strap.  DS is 4, and he is already  almost 40 lbs. and 42 inches.  He's not a tiny guy, by any means.  The Frontier looks like it may be more difficult to install?  Which isn't a huge deal, I've been installing car seats for 13 years, and I've gotten pretty good at it.  If worse came to worst, I'd find a car seat safety workshop and get it installed for me.

Any of you guys have either of those seats, and can comment on those issues?

My 5.5 y/o daughter is 42 pounds and 42 inches and she has the Frontier in my car and the Nautilus in my mother's car.  Both are a freaking dream to install and we don't have tight crotch issues with either.
 

[gardenmommy]

Originally Posted by AfricanQueen99 

My 5.5 y/o daughter is 42 pounds and 42 inches and she has the Frontier in my car and the Nautilus in my mother's car.  Both are a freaking dream to install and we don't have tight crotch issues with either.
 

Thank you for this review!  I have decided to purchase the Frontier for my DS, I'm just waiting on the funds to come together.