xjohnkdoex

iTrader: (2)

hey, i'm in the market for a convertible car seat. my son is turning 5 months old soon, and he'll be shortly outgrowing the graco snugride that's in the back of the TSX.

i searched some threads and people listed the britax roundabout or marathon as solid choices, as well as the evenflo tribute.

i just had a few initial questions--

1. do these convertible seats in the latch position centered in the back and facing forward obstruct your vision through the rear winshield? since these seats are relatively tall, i was wondering if they'll partially block your vision when you're looking at the rearview mirror. i should probably just bust out the tape measurer one day and check the height.

2. owners of the britax roundabout--i was looking at the seat, and it looks nice and sturdy. but the foam padding seems a little meh. are your kids finding the seat comfortable?

thanks.

moda_way

We've had Graco seats and until they reach 1 yr old and 40 lbs, the must remain facing backwards, which I've always put the seats either behind me or the passenger. In these cases, who ever had the seat behind them got screwed on legroom. It isn't until they face forward that life gets good again not matter what seat they are in.

davidspalding

i had a Britax Roundabout, and went with the Paveway (no wait, that's a bomb), Pathway, or something when Lillian was big enough. I though the Roundabout was the bomb and had two, one for the minivan, one for the Jeep. Can't speak to the seat vision thing, but frankly, I would put the seat on the right side. Some feel center is safer, but I like the added protection forward that the front passenger seat affords.

A Britax will also hold value when you sell it off, which you will in a coupla years. It's the Acura (or Lexus, or Infiniti) of child safety seats.

xjohnkdoex

iTrader: (2)

right, right, i forgot it should be rear-facing. sorry, my brain is fried today.

interesting about the britax. i didn't know they held on to their value so well.

davidspalding

Rear-facing only for a time, then front-facing. Hence "convertible." You can download the Britax seats' manuals from their web site, btw.

on the son, btw.

davidspalding

FYI, CR liked the Roundabout, the Evenflo Triumph and Cosco Alpha (aka Omega Elite) about the same. The Marathon scored lower -- I'd avoid it. Pricey, but lower-rated. In the latest ratings, the Roundabout scored very good to excellent in all criteria, making it arguably worth the extra $. Sorry I just sold mine in January, or I'd've given you a great price. </soapbox>

xjohnkdoex

iTrader: (2)

lol. thanks. it's ok. the wife and her money-saving ways found the roundabout on sale. maybe like 30-40 bucks off, but it's something.

we may just end up getting that one. the general feedback from that, and the CR ratings seem to confirm what everyone says here too.