Comments for Raising Small Souls

Comment on Britax Marathon 70 Vs. Graco MyRide 65 by Ellen

Ellen — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:06:21 +0000

It should be ok with those 2 seats on the outboard seats of the car (not in the middle). You might want to get one for starters just to double check, but most people who have newer versions of the vehicle (not from the 90s) seem to have successfully installed it in those seats.
Good luck!

Comment on Britax Marathon 70 Vs. Graco MyRide 65 by Marsha Edgerton

Marsha Edgerton — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:33:15 +0000

Will the Britax Marathon 70 fit in correctly in the back seat of a 2011 Toyota Rav4? Actually, I’ll need to install 2. My daughter has twins and the Safety 1st Air 65′s we had purchased are too tall to install in the recommended RF reclining position.

Comment on Britax Marathon 65 Convertible Car Seat Reviews by Ellen

Ellen — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:41:59 +0000

In terms of safety, the Marathon 70 has the new safe cell technology which they say does make the seat safer. It’s very safe without it though, as well.
The 70 is more economic on space: it has a shorter shell, takes up less space from front to back (it installs more upright), and sits lower in the car.
The main advantage of the 70 is the harness adjuster — it’s quite improved from the one on the classic Marathon 65. There is no rethreading, and you have more options as to where the harness should be situated.
Is it worth the $70 difference? Only you can make that call.

I hope that helps!

Comment on Britax Marathon 65 Convertible Car Seat Reviews by Eva

Eva — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:26:13 +0000

Target has the Marathon 65 classic on sale and the lowest price difference between this old model to the newer Marathon 70 is about $70. I notice the Marathon 70 has a head cushion while the classic does not. What’s the difference between these 2? Any safety difference?

Comment on Britax Car Seats by Ellen

Ellen — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 02:24:47 +0000

This is highly individual to what you’re looking at.
Some of the pros of the Safety 1st Complete Air is that it suits a taller child better with higher shoulder slots, more leg room, and a taller shell. It’s a lot cheaper which is a big plus as well.

What specifically would you like information about?

Comment on Britax Boulevard Convertible Car Seat Review by Ellen

Ellen — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 02:21:53 +0000

I hope it’s not too late!

Both are extremely safe, and I think you’d be happy in that aspect with either. They should fit your child till around the same age (assuming you’re comparing both models that go up to 70 lbs — they say they fit children on average under 49″), but the Boulevard has an extra level of foam that might help in the comfort aspect.

Comment on Britax Car Seats by Arielle

Arielle — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:54:51 +0000

Is the Britax Boulevard better that the Safety 1st air?

Comment on Britax Boulevard Convertible Car Seat Review by Marika

Marika — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:28:22 +0000

I am anxiously awaiting your response as I need to purchase the car seat today. I’m utterly confused as to whether to go with blvd or marathon for my large 5 1/2 month old. Please please help, I very much appreciate your advice! Thank you kindly!

Comment on Britax Boulevard Convertible Car Seat Review by Marika

Marika — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:42:13 +0000

PS he HATES the car do while obviously safely is a key concern so is comfort as currently he cries in his Graco snug rider. Thank you!!

Comment on Britax Boulevard Convertible Car Seat Review by Marika

Marika — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:40:59 +0000

I’m trying to decide between the Boulevard and Marathon. My 5 1/2 month old is over 27 inches and 18 1/2 lbs. Which car seat is more comfortable and better for taller babies? I know they are both safe so am not concerned about safety. But do you think the Boulevard is MUCH safer? Thank you!

Comment on Convertible Car Seat Reviews by Ellen

Ellen — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:02:03 +0000

Hi,

What are your concerns with the Radian? That it’s too tall for your car or for your child? It shouldn’t be overwhelming for a baby your son’s size, if that’s your question.
I’m not convinced it’s worth it to buy a Roundabout and then ALSO a top quality FF seat; I think you can get a very good seat now that will work for RF and FF. The Radian is a great choice. Not only is it skinny at its base (which many car seats give as their width) — this is 13.5″, but it’s skinny all the way up, and its widest point is around 17″!! That’s even narrower than what you have now.

Comment on Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite Convertible Car Seat Reviews – A Comprehensive Review! by Ellen

Ellen — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:54:30 +0000

It’s attached on the left side of the car seat. It doesn’t jut out as its own entity, but is wedged into the plastic further to the back.

Comment on Convertible Car Seat Reviews by Cindy

Cindy — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:20:13 +0000

I’m starting to think about a new seat for my 7 month old (~23/24 lbs…he’s consistently 95 percentile weight & height). I’ll be installing the seat in a 2011 Odyssey, and I want to keep the baby in the middle of the 2nd row. My 6 yo (who is riding, happily, in a Graco Nautilus, which has been a great transition seat) likes to sit in the 3rd row, and I like for her to be able to exit the van on either side (which makes it easier for school drop-off). Therefore, I’m going to need something narrow to go in that middle seat so that both outboard seats can be slid forward for access to the 3rd row. My van’s 2 outboard seats will slide out to give me more room for car seat installation. His infant seat currently installed in that spot is a Snugride 32, and that works fine for accessing the 3rd row (and measures just shy of 19″ wide). Do you have any recommendations for a more narrow seat? I’ve read that a Radian is my best bet, but I wonder if that seat just won’t be too tall/big. I’m thinking/wondering about a Roundabout 55 for his rear-facing years, and once he’s ready to forward face, finding something else with side impact wings. I understand a MyRide 65 is out because that will just be too wide to fit in the middle. We also take long car trips (12 hrs & 16 hrs) to visit family, so comfort is high up on the list. Thanks!!

Comment on Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite Convertible Car Seat Reviews – A Comprehensive Review! by Amy

Amy — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:46:35 +0000

Where is the cup holder? Am I missing something?

Comment on Britax Marathon Vs. Sunshine Kids Radian by Melissa

Melissa — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:38:09 +0000

Oops… I should add that I was referring to the Radian, not the Marathon. I’ve never had any issues with tightening on the Marathon (and we’ve had 4 of them! lol)

Comment on Britax Marathon Vs. Sunshine Kids Radian by Melissa

Melissa — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:36:33 +0000

Tightening the strap can be a bit of a challenge in the RF position, where “pulling straight down” isn’t really possible. It’s certainly is/was not a deal breaker for me, but thought I’d point that out.

Comment on Evenflo Triumph Advance LX Convertible Car Seat Reviews by Ellen

Ellen — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:00:49 +0000

If you’ve only been using it a week, you might be able to return it to the store. It might also be worth it to tell Evenflo. The more complaints they get, the more they might take seriously that there is an issue to be fixed.
I’m sorry you had this issue; I hope the Britax serves as the throne your daughter deserves

Comment on Evenflo Triumph Advance LX Convertible Car Seat Reviews by angela

angela — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:12:17 +0000

I just wanted to say that I’ve gotten two of these seats. One for my son, who is now out of it and into a booster, and one for my daughter, who is 14 months old. My son got a huge bruise on his back from this seat, but I thought maybe it was just because he was being crazy in the car and rocking violently (he’s autistic). Nope! My daughter has been in this seat a week now and she too is forming a bruise in the exact same place. I called a friend of mine who I know to also use this seat, and she said her daughter ALSO got that bruise, but they just put a hot pad holder behind her to remedy it happening.

I just ordered a Britax for my daughter. Hope I have a lot more luck with that. As soon as I get it, I’m trashing the Evenflo. I wouldn’t want anyone else’s child to have that bruise, so I’m not even selling it. Going straight into the trash.
Just something to be aware of.

Comment on Britax Marathon 70 Convertible Car Seat Reviews by Ellen

Ellen — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:18:02 +0000

That’s exactly what you should tell her!

You want to make sure that there is no bulky coat that is between the child and the seat. The reasoning behind this is that during a collision the coat gets compressed, and this results in extra slack in the harness. The buckled straps need to remain tight at all times in order to restrain the child properly.
So how can you keep a child warm without compromising on safety?

You can get a lightweight coat, such as one made out of fleece or suede, that will keep her warm without the bulk. Use mittens or gloves and a hat as well, and she will feel quite toasty.

In order to figure out if a coat is too bulky, test the harness adjustment with and without the coat. Buckle the child in the seat with the coat and adjust the straps as you normally would. Without loosening them, have her come out and take off the coat. Buckle the child in again without tightening the straps. If there is more slack than 2 fingers’ worth under the harness by the shoulder bone, the coat is too bulky to be used with the harness.

If she has a bulky coat and you feel it’s the best way to keep her warm, you can remove it when you get to the car and put it on backwards on top of the straps after buckling.

Comment on Britax Marathon 70 Convertible Car Seat Reviews by Korissa

Korissa — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:54:39 +0000

I work at a baby boutique and a lady came in having a problem with her Britax Boulevard car seat. Her little girl is 5 years old and 36 pounds and very very tall. Being up north in Canada it’s very cold and the kids need to bundle up. She has the problem of, the car seat, pulled up to the tallest it can go, so it’ll fit her little girls height, isn’t big enough to fit the extra padding of the winter jacket and snow pants. Other than taking off the winter clothing, what should I tell her?

Comment on Britax Marathon 70 Convertible Car Seat Reviews by Sheryl

Sheryl — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:53:54 +0000

Ok thank you! I have captain’s chairs in my vehicle and he is rear-facing behind the driver’s seat. I have a mirror on the back of his seat that I can see in my rear-view mirror. But can’t see him over the tall/wide head safety wings on the My Ride. It’s going back because of this.
Thanks again!

Comment on Britax Marathon 70 Convertible Car Seat Reviews by Ellen

Ellen — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:41:20 +0000

Hi,

You ask good questions, but there is no one answer. It will depend on the model of car you have and how far back you sit from the wheel/your height, as well as the angle the car seat is installed. The best bet would be to go try it out in person as many stores allow you to test the seat in your car to see if it works.
I assume you’re putting your child FF in the middle seat? Or is he on the side? I am lucky in that my vehicle has 2 mirrors — one for rear-view for driving, and one which is more of a “bubble” to see what’s going on in the car; I honestly don’t remember the last time I tried watching my kids in the regular mirror!
Since the MyRide 65 has a very deep recline, it’s very possible you’ll have more luck with a more upright install in a Marathon.

Good luck!

Comment on Britax Marathon 70 Convertible Car Seat Reviews by Sheryl

Sheryl — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 01:27:20 +0000

Hi- 2 questions I hope you can answer. First, are you able to reach around the carseat from your drivers seat (with some stretching of course haha) and hand your child something in this newer model? Also, can you see your child when using a mirror on their seat? I have the Marathon 65 and had no problems with either of these things. I bought the My Ride 65 for my son and I can not reach him AT ALL to hand him his paci or anything! I can also NOT see him at all in the mirror due to the large “wings” as I call them, that protect the head. THey are SO tall and wide on the My Ride 65. I am taking it back tomorrow but don’t want the same issue with the Marathon 70, which is what I would like to buy.
Thanks for any input!!

Comment on Evenflo Triumph Advance LX Convertible Car Seat Reviews by Ellen

Ellen — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:42:00 +0000

While the Nautilus models are excellent seats, they are not convertible and cannot be used for an infant.
Very few seats will last all throughout childhood, and you will need at least 2 seats (convertible and booster, as the 3 in 1s really are not suited well for all sizes).
If you wanted, you could get an SR35 now and install it in your husband’s car without the base, but it sounds like you want a convertible from the beginning that will work well for babies and older childhood.
Did you see our review on the TrueFit? It will last your child till 35 lbs RF (unlike the SR35, it will last a LONG while for height) and then till 65 lbs harnessed FF. At that point, you can get a booster which is quite affordable. This will likely last longer than the Triumph if your child is not predisposed to being short as the shell height of the TF is considerably more.

Good luck in finding the right seat for you!

Comment on Evenflo Triumph Advance LX Convertible Car Seat Reviews by Janis

Janis — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:09:34 +0000

Thanks for the great information. I am thinking of going with the Evenflo Triumph 65 (the Advance isn’t available anymore here in Canada it seems), but am wondering about the Graco Nautilus Multi-stage car seat. Do you have any information on it?

I have recently switched my plans of purchasing the Graco Snugride 35 infant car seat and going straight to a convertible for my first child. The seat will be in my suv but be transferred to my husband’s F-150 every once in a while – we just don’t want to purchase 2 car seats even if it means a little extra time to secure it properly. We’re also not prepared to spend double the money on a Britax. Thanks!