Convertible carseat

[Auspicious]

Which one?

I'm looking at the Britax Boulevard--anyone have a case for why a different one is better?

Thanks in advance!

[migirl]

Re: Convertible carseat

We have the Marathon. I really like it, but I don't have anything to compare it to since it's the only convertible car seat we've ever owned. It's easy to get the kiddo in/out, easy to install, and seems comfortable. My only complaint about it would be that if you're going to be doing a lot of traveling or moving the seat between cars, it's really frigging heavy. The seat pretty much just stays in my car, though, so it's not an issue for us.

Re: Convertible carseat

We have the Britax Roundabout and Decathlon which I think is the same size as the Marathon. We prefer the Roundabout because it is less bulky and easier to take on planes. We just got the Sunshine Kids Radian 80 combination seat which we also really like. It fits kids from 5-80 lbs and is not as bulky as Britax seats.

[Cumberland]

Re: Convertible carseat

I have the roundabout too. I have heard that the larger ones can be tough to fit in smaller cars, esp rear facing but I dont have actual experience with that.

[spotty_dog]

Re: Convertible carseat

You can get a lot of great information from certified car seat technicians at http://car-seat.org.

I *think* if I remember, the Boulevard is bigger and heavier than the Marathon, and has better side-impact protection. I have a Marathon and I love that Eddy is still rear-facing at just over two -- he has some five pounds and a couple of inches till he outgrows it and we switch him forward-facing for a further several inches and 25 lbs (though I'm getting a bit tired of origami-ing him into the seat to get the buckles clipped, LOL.)

Re: Convertible carseat

We have Boulevards for our twins. We started with them rear-facing, and we switched to forward-facing a couple months ago. They are big. I never take them out. When we had to switch things around in our van for the new baby, DH did all the switching, but I probably could have done it.

I think the kids are very comfortable in them, and if I remember right, they'll be able to use them until they're around 6 years old (if they're average weights/heights and don't want boosters before then). Also, the adjustments are easy to reach. You use a knob on the side to adjust the shoulder strap height, instead of having to take the carseat out and adjust from the back. Another selling point for us was that the Boulevard is supposed to be very safe (tested at 70 mph).

This is all from memory, from a guy at Babies R Us who obviously was happy to sell us their most expensive seat. So don't quote me on it. But we've been very happy with the Boulevards. Again, though, I never take those seats out. It would not have been a good seat for an infant, b/c it is so convenient to unclip the tiny Graco carseat from the car and take the whole thing in with me, without having to disturb a sleeping infant.

[Michele]

Re: Convertible carseat

I think we have the Boulevard for #2...and we are using it in Russ' car for Daegan right now. I think we were looking at the Marathon, but then it sounded like the Boulevard was the upgraded Marathon so we went with it. I really wanted to have Daegan rear facing longer, but Russ wouldn't let me buy yet another car seat since we had gotten the Regeant for Daegan before I found the Boulevard. I don't use it much since it's in Russ' car right now, but so far I like it. We have it front facing b/c Russ wants Daegan to be able to look out the window. I have to admit that Daegan far prefers to ride in Daddy's car than mine b/c he can see out the window....but I can imagine that it's not nearly as safe. Plan is to have the Snapper rear-facing 'til he outgrows it. The Britax seats are massive, but we really don't have limited space in our cars right now....maybe after 3 or 4.

[Deebs]

Re: Convertible carseat

I just ordered one for us (an extra, i guess?), my parents, and the in-laws. I'm assuming it's an error, but I got my order in.