Car Seat Primer: 4 yo, harness

[ELKMama]

Oh expert mommies: What would you suggest for our soon-to-be 4 yo? He is on the tall side and medium build. I'd love suggestions for your very favorite seat for this age and also your very-good-but-cheaper ideas.

Also, is there a good overview or introductory web site on the key things to consider? I have read some of the threads here and I am amazed by all that some of you know... I don't plan to become a true expert but I'm feeling a little lost about what to focus on.

Thanks!

[hottmama]

The Britax Regent is the best, it has the highest harness slots and goes up to 80 lbs. It's $270.
Aside from that, there's the Cosco Apex (65 lbs., must have headrests, $100), the Sunshine Kids Radian 65 (65 lbs., $175), the Safeguard Go (60 lbs., 180).
I have my 4 yr. old in a Britax Husky (same as the Regent) in my car, and an Apex in his dad's car. I like them both a lot. The Apex takes up a lot less space, meaning 3 seats can fit in a row, but the Husky feels a lot sturdier, and will last longer harnessed. The Apex converts to a high-back booster after they outgrow the harness, up to 100 lbs. I expect both seats to last until my son is big enough to not need a seat.

[ELKMama]

Thanks very much, Mandy. It is great to have a starting point and helpful that you put weights and prices in too. Thanks again.

[Lovenest]

I would say the Regent would be the BEST for your child.
We have the Sunshine Radian and we love it but if you have a taller child (mine is pretty small) it would be best to go for the Radian. But, if you have a average child and need more room in the car a Radian would work wonderful. Also make sure to see if the car seat and your car are compatible. It is so important to keep them harnessed as long as possible.
Hope the helps you.

P.S. PM me if you are having a hard time coming up with funds for your seat.

[KMK_Mama]

I would have gotten the Regent had it been able to fit in our car, but we need to fit 3 across. So, my almost 5yo is in a Safeguard Go, my almost 4yo is in a Radian and the baby is still in the Evenflo Triumph. I really like both seats. The Radian is a lot more sturdy than the Safeguard so we have the Safeguard in the middle. But the Safeguard doubles as a booster when they outgrow the harness at 60 pounds.

[AarenLisbeth]

My almost 4 DS is pretty tall, but a beanpole. . . I researched my but off to find the perfect seat. We have the Sunshine Radian 65. WE LOVE IT!! DS still has plenty of room to get taller. It went in easy and it is solid.

Pluses for us are it's trim width, lighter ( read moveable from car to car ) weight, foldability and of course the harness. The B. Regent was just TOO huge and bulky IMO. We have DS2 in the back in a britax companion and I really needed to be able to sit between them if need be. We moved to the radian from a B. Roundabout. We love Britax, but I would beware that once that Regent gets in there, it's probably staying there.

I have read that the Radian has been known to have car compatability issues. We have an older volvo wagon and a mercedes ML500 and it fits great in both.

Good Luck~

[ThreeBeans]

With a child that age, I would buy the Regent.

[Brayg]

My suggestion is the Radian for a couple of reasons. One being the obvious that it's a higher weight harness seat, but the big one is the price and that it's truly a multitasker. It can be used RF for an infant as well, whereas the Regent cannot. It's a sturdy, solid, well-made seat. We are very happy with it.

[alegna]

regent.

-Angela

[ELKMama]

Thanks everyone! It sounds like the Regent and the Radian are the ones for us to look at (check fit with our cars -- an old Toyota and a really old Honda, check fit with ds's body).

I really appreciate the tips. E