Britax convertible seats

[wanda_anne]

I'm a new Mom getting ready to buy my first convertible carseat. I would really like to purchase a Britax but I'm afraid it will be to large for my car. Does anyone know if any of this brand will fit well in this type of car? Or can anyone recommend a really good convertible seat for this car? Thanks!

	Britax - Click for more info Britax International has been producing reliable child safety products for over 30 years. Not only does Britax have decades of experience creating car seats and other children's safety equipment, Britax has a long standing reputation as an industry leader and innovator. Britax International is headquartered in the United Kingdom, but Britax car seats are designed and manufactured at facilities in Germany, Austria, and the United States. In the summer of 2002, Britax strengthened their commitment to creating the safest car seats with the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art crash testing facility in North Carolina. Britax car seats have a reputation around the world for being some of the safest, most reliable, and best designed child safety seats ever made.

	Convertible Car Seats Convertible seats are for infants and toddlers. The seat can be used as a rear-facing seats for younger children, and switched to a forward-facing seat on the child's first birthday if the child weighs at least 20 pounds. However, experts recommend keeping the child in a rear-facing position until he or she outgrows the weight or height allowed by the safety seat.

[Papooses]

Oops, what is your vehicle year/make/model

Also, are you still pregnant? Or, what is baby's actual age/weight/height?

[wanda_anne]

Sorry about that. I drive a 2000 Chevy Cavalier. My son is currently 20lbs and 27inches, at 7 months old.

[Papooses]

I managed to fit my Britax Boulevard RF & FF in the center & outboard seats of the Pontiac Sunfire, which is basically the same as the Cavalier.... Another child passenger safety advocate I know has an Britax Marathons in each of the outboard positions of her Cavalier with her 1 & 3 year olds still RF -- the Fisher Price Safe Voyage Deluxe is based on the Marathon for less cost, if you can find it online without added shipping fee

Are you a single mom or is either parent very tall? If the front seat occupants have less than 10" between face & airbag deployment area (steering wheel or dashboard) then I would install it outboard so that the other adult can sit in the back: the back is safer for everyone anyway

	Forward Facing Car Seats A forward-facing car seat is one in which the child sits facing the front of the car. The seat should be installed in the back seat of your vehicle. Most forward-facing only seats are for children above 20 pounds.

	Britax - Click for more info Britax International has been producing reliable child safety products for over 30 years. Not only does Britax have decades of experience creating car seats and other children's safety equipment, Britax has a long standing reputation as an industry leader and innovator. Britax International is headquartered in the United Kingdom, but Britax car seats are designed and manufactured at facilities in Germany, Austria, and the United States. In the summer of 2002, Britax strengthened their commitment to creating the safest car seats with the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art crash testing facility in North Carolina. Britax car seats have a reputation around the world for being some of the safest, most reliable, and best designed child safety seats ever made.

	Rear Facing Car Seats A rear-facing seat is one in which the infant faces the back of the car. Always install a rear-facing seat in the back seat of your car. This is the safest position for an infant. NEVER place a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger airbags.

	Britax Marathon - Click for more info Increasing the time a child can safely stay in their convertible car seat is a big issue and Britax engineers have come through in a big way with the introduction of the Britax Marathon with LATCH. A LATCH Compatible Convertible Child Seat, the Britax Marathon can be used rear facing 5 to 33 pounds and forward facing from 20 to 65 pounds. Compare the numbers and you will see it is hard to find a seat with these weight limits that is safe and functional.

	Britax Boulevard - Click for more info It is all about the wings with the Britax Boulevard convertible car seat - head and torso safety wings help keep your child from harm in a side-impact crash. And this matters - side-impact crashes are the leading cause of death for 6 - 14 year-old children. Of course, the safety wings are only one of the many safety features that the Britax Boulevard offers: built-in lock-offs, 5-point harness with front adjuster, tangle-free webbing, a push button release LATCH system with Versa-Tether®, and a sculpted base, ensuring an easy installation with a secure fit.

[wanda_anne]

I know the Boulevard and Marathon have higher weight limits that the Roundabout. But when it comes to safety and comfort is there a very big difference between the three? As a first timer I want the best of both worlds, as does my husband.

Also, it sounds as though getting the seats to fit properly in my car shouldn't be a problem, but do they cause any issue with obstruction of rear view given the car seat heights? Lastly, my son likes being able to see out, is one of these seats going to allow for that more than the others?

Hopefully we can get to a BabiesRUs soon to test them a little, but I like to know as much as I possible can before I go shopping for things like this.

Thanks again.

	Britax Roundabout - Click for more info With the introduction of the new LATCH laws, Britax has improved even further upon their famously popular Roundabout Convertible Car Seat. This car seat has been praised by just about every consumer safety organization and mom and dad out there - and for good reason. It is easy to install, compatible in just about every car, super comfortable for baby, stylish and most importantly safe! Ask around and you will see that everyone raves about this car seat.

	Britax Marathon - Click for more info Increasing the time a child can safely stay in their convertible car seat is a big issue and Britax engineers have come through in a big way with the introduction of the Britax Marathon with LATCH. A LATCH Compatible Convertible Child Seat, the Britax Marathon can be used rear facing 5 to 33 pounds and forward facing from 20 to 65 pounds. Compare the numbers and you will see it is hard to find a seat with these weight limits that is safe and functional.

	Britax Boulevard - Click for more info It is all about the wings with the Britax Boulevard convertible car seat - head and torso safety wings help keep your child from harm in a side-impact crash. And this matters - side-impact crashes are the leading cause of death for 6 - 14 year-old children. Of course, the safety wings are only one of the many safety features that the Britax Boulevard offers: built-in lock-offs, 5-point harness with front adjuster, tangle-free webbing, a push button release LATCH system with Versa-Tether®, and a sculpted base, ensuring an easy installation with a secure fit.

[wanda_anne]

I have heard lots of good things about Britax carseats. Why is it that I never hear about the Decathalon? I noticed it has an adjustable crotch harness whereas the others do not. Any one have any info on how this one compares in safety and comfort? I'm wondering why the others do not adjust in that area and what the others stationary settings are? Does the Decathalon crotch strap set further out?

	Britax - Click for more info Britax International has been producing reliable child safety products for over 30 years. Not only does Britax have decades of experience creating car seats and other children's safety equipment, Britax has a long standing reputation as an industry leader and innovator. Britax International is headquartered in the United Kingdom, but Britax car seats are designed and manufactured at facilities in Germany, Austria, and the United States. In the summer of 2002, Britax strengthened their commitment to creating the safest car seats with the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art crash testing facility in North Carolina. Britax car seats have a reputation around the world for being some of the safest, most reliable, and best designed child safety seats ever made.

[Papooses]

I don't remember if the furthest position is farther than the Marathon or Bouelvard, but I've never known a child who really *needed* it ... except maybe if there's a medical problem (specific to the genitals or sensory in general) -- I was taught that it's safer for the buckle to be as low & close as possible.

The Decathalon has a more difficult push button harness release vs. the lever on the Marathon & Boulevard. Also, the Decathalon does not have the Rip Stitch tether which enhances Ride Down, reducing crash force upon the child.

Bouelvard is easier to adjust harness by height, but this may only be necessary if various kids will alternate using the same seat (daycare, etc.)

The Bouleard wings may be more difficult for some kids to see around, but mine didn't have any problems with it. You might have reduced visibility through the back windows, but a great Defensive Driving trick is to use your mirrors: adjust the passenger side such that you can just see the bumper while leaning toward the center of the vehicle / adjust the driver side so that you can just see the bumper while leaning against the door window. This may take some getting used to, but it greatly reduces blind spots!

	Britax Marathon - Click for more info Increasing the time a child can safely stay in their convertible car seat is a big issue and Britax engineers have come through in a big way with the introduction of the Britax Marathon with LATCH. A LATCH Compatible Convertible Child Seat, the Britax Marathon can be used rear facing 5 to 33 pounds and forward facing from 20 to 65 pounds. Compare the numbers and you will see it is hard to find a seat with these weight limits that is safe and functional.

	Britax Boulevard - Click for more info It is all about the wings with the Britax Boulevard convertible car seat - head and torso safety wings help keep your child from harm in a side-impact crash. And this matters - side-impact crashes are the leading cause of death for 6 - 14 year-old children. Of course, the safety wings are only one of the many safety features that the Britax Boulevard offers: built-in lock-offs, 5-point harness with front adjuster, tangle-free webbing, a push button release LATCH system with Versa-Tether®, and a sculpted base, ensuring an easy installation with a secure fit.

[eymyneskenazi]

Yes what is the difference between the Boulevard and Roundabout - in terms of safety and legroom/long lasting? IOnly the Roundabout was rated in Consumer Reports not the Boulevard with side impact protection). (Whoever answers me - please quote me sources of your information.) Thank you.

	Britax Roundabout - Click for more info With the introduction of the new LATCH laws, Britax has improved even further upon their famously popular Roundabout Convertible Car Seat. This car seat has been praised by just about every consumer safety organization and mom and dad out there - and for good reason. It is easy to install, compatible in just about every car, super comfortable for baby, stylish and most importantly safe! Ask around and you will see that everyone raves about this car seat.

	Britax Boulevard - Click for more info It is all about the wings with the Britax Boulevard convertible car seat - head and torso safety wings help keep your child from harm in a side-impact crash. And this matters - side-impact crashes are the leading cause of death for 6 - 14 year-old children. Of course, the safety wings are only one of the many safety features that the Britax Boulevard offers: built-in lock-offs, 5-point harness with front adjuster, tangle-free webbing, a push button release LATCH system with Versa-Tether®, and a sculpted base, ensuring an easy installation with a secure fit.