Im looking into the buying a convertible car seat. I need opinions on a good one.

Shanda - posted on 07/17/2009

I have the Eddie Bauer 3-in-1 from Target and could not HATE it more. I find it impossible to use correctly. Mine was later recalled and now I can't tighten it without taking it out of the car and tightening it from the back. It stinks. I dont' use it any more.



The ones that I would recommend that I've owned are the Britax Marathon (RF to 35 lbs and harnesses to 65 lbs) and the Evenflo Triumph (RF to I think 30 lbs and the newer one harnesses FF to 50 lbs.) I found the Evenflo Triumph the easiest to install and use correctly, and it fit GREAT in a small car, even RF. The only reason I replaced it with the Britax is that the Evenflo doesn't have the high harnessing weight or height that i wanted-- we were in an accident and had to get rid of the Evenflo but he was outgrowing it RF so I got a bigger seat. (He was 1 1/2.) The Britax has a lot of great features, including lock-offs which I love, but I don't find it to be AS easy to install or to snugly harness DS as I did with the Evenflo.

Marne - posted on 07/17/2009

We also have the Eddie Baeur car seat and love it. It goes to 45 pounds for the 5 point harness and can be used as a booster to 80 pounds. It's roomy enough for even my 7 year old to be comfortable.

Debi - posted on 07/17/2009

We have the Britax Bloulevard for my car and the Evenflo Symphony for my husband and nanny. I did a ton of research and these seemed to be the best!

Amy - posted on 07/17/2009

I have a great convertible...it's Eddie Bouer Elite (I can't spell worth a dang) I bought it at Target I have had it for over 2 yrs. We used it rear facing till my son met the requirements for FF. It converts from RF, FF, and booster.

Stephanie - posted on 07/17/2009

Convertible car seats go from 5lbs-40lbs. But some people get toddler seats (booster seats) confused to convertible car seats. Look on the target website and different seats that perk your interests and they give descriptions and also have reviews to help you decide on what you think is best. Your child is still light so will have to be faced towards the rear, but once they reach 30lbs they can face forward. Some are outragesouly priced but their are ones for under 100$ that are just as safe as the ones that are 300$. Most have ratings on them.Good luck, just do some research.

Kristie - posted on 07/17/2009

I just bought the Graco My Ride 65. It is the only car seat out right now that allows children to remain rear-facing up to 40 lbs. The AAP recommends children ride rear-facing at least to the age of 2 up to the age of 4. It has a ton of wonderful safety features and is also airplane approved. Also, something the Britax didn't have, the cover is removable so it can be washed. It's only $149 and worth every penny.

Nini - posted on 07/17/2009

Katie



i travle a lot and boy has this been helpful



http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...

Sarah - posted on 07/17/2009

Katie...

Britax seats tend to be some of the easiest to install as they tend to have a good LATCH system (though not every car you're in may have LATCH, of course). These are not the lightest seats though, so you'll be toting quite a bit around. For a lighter seat, you might look at a Scenera or Avenue...it won't last you as long, but it's cheap. I've heard differing views on how easy the install is though.

Whatever you decide to do, I would highly suggest that you go to a certified car seat technician in your area and spend some time having them teach you how to install the seat properly (using both the LATCH & both lap and shoulder seatbelts). Every time you uninstall and reinstall, there is the potential there to make a mistake...especially if you're rushing. So if you are going to go this route, make certain that anyone installing the seat is very comfortable doing so properly. If your LO is RF, you also may need to carry a piece of pool noodle or two with you can use it if necessary to get the proper install in whatever car you are using. Also, keep in mind that you may not be able to get a good install in every car...not every seat will fit in every car. You will probably 'mostly' be okay, but do remember that if you can't get a good install in any vehicle, you really need to find another way to get wherever you're going.

Sarah - posted on 07/17/2009

Are you in the US? The seats on the market that I'd look at right now are: Britax (Roundabout 50, Marathon, or Blvd), First Years True Fit, Evenflo Triumph Advance, Sunshine Kids Radian, or Graco MyRide65. There are benefits and drawbacks to each seat and you have to see what will fit in the vehicles you are using.

The MyRide65 and Radian both go to 40 lbs RF (which is good since the recommendation is to stay RF as long as possible). The Radian has a taller shell, so that'll actually last you longer both RF and FF (it is also the narrowest seat on the market right now, so if you're expecting to be in a position to need to put 3 across a back seat you'll almost definitely need a Radian or two). The TrueFit also has a nice tall shell. The Britax seats are very good and also can tether while RF (the only other seat that does that is the Radian). The Triumph Advance is a nice, middle of the road seat...but try before you buy to see if the adjuster knobs are okay with you (I personally hate them, but many people like them). Keep in mind that most kids outgrow most seats by height before they do by weight (unless we're talking about a Radian or True Fit or if your child is particularly short in the torso)...so look for good, high weight limits but don't let that be your only deciding factor.

If you are really on a budget...then I'd look at either the Cosco Scenera or a Safety First Avenue. Both are under $100. They both have lower weight limits and shorter shells, so will be outgrown much sooner. You'll almost definitely need another convertible seat later...but if cash is an issue now, it'll buy you another year at least.

Skip anything that says 3-in-1 or claims to be the "last seat you'll ever need." Kids really need to be harnessed until 5-6 years old to be safest. Those 3-in-1's will be outgrown (by harness height) far before your little one can safely use the belt positioning booster option. (I'm talking about models like the Alpha Omega Elite, Eddie Bauer seat, etc. here.) You're much better to get a good convertible that has a decently tall (or very tall) shell (like those I've recommended) for now. Use that until your LO outgrows it in several years and then buy a good booster like a Graco Nautilus or Britax Frontier. Your LO will be safer in the long run if you go this route. Do not let the arm rests and cup holders on those "last seat you'll ever need" models seduce you...if you are truly invested in "best practices" for safety, you'll end up trashing those and buying another expensive seat before it's over. (I'm a bit of a car seat fanatic and am actually doing my CPST certification course next week, so you'll have to excuse my strong opinions on the subject of car seat safety.)

Katie - posted on 07/17/2009

I have another question to add to this thread....Do any of you have any suggestions for a car seat that isn't a total pain in the butt to take in and out? We have decided not to drive for a little while, but often take taxi's and friends cars. Thanks.

Christina - posted on 07/17/2009

Oh a myride and truefit are also really good choices. I have heard tons of people say they LOVE the truefit.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp...
It rear faces to 35 lbs. and harnesses to 65 lbs to keep your chunky monkey safe!

Kelly - posted on 07/17/2009

I have one from wal-mart and it is rearfacing till i think 30 pounds and then forward facing up to 40 pounds.....i will have to buy another seat for him when he gets to 40 pounds, but the one that he is in now was only about $70, so when i get him a booster and its like $40, than thats not even that much.......just research and see what other parents have that you know.........

Nini - posted on 07/17/2009

if money is not tight then i would get this one http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...



if ur on a budget then this one is great



http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...



i have both and love and use themm alll the time

Christina - posted on 07/17/2009

We have a Britaz Marathon and it is a really good seat. So is Sunshine Kids Radian and that one is cheaper.

Kari - posted on 07/17/2009

we have the safety first with the fold down arm that can be turned in to a booster we had the same problem with our daughter she was 22lbs and 29inches at 6 months. we really like this carseat because it is two snaps and easy to get her out of when she is asleep. now that she is 16 mos and 34 3/4 ins it gives her something to rest her head on too

Deidre - posted on 07/17/2009

Does your infant carrier go to 30lbs? If so, you can just leave it in the car instead of carrying in and out all the time (since this is what you'll have to do when you get a new seat anyway). I started doing that with my daughter before I got her convertible carseat because it was just too much for me to carry (she was 20lbs at the time, her infant carrier went to 22lbs). I have the Evenflo Symphony carseat and I LOVE it. It can stay rear-facing until 35lbs and then switch to forward facing 20-40lbs and then becomes a booster up to 100lbs. I doubt I'll ever have to buy another carseat (or at least, not before the 5yrs of this one are up).

The carseat that April mentions that is decently cheap at walmart I believe is rear-facing also. Or at least, I know walmart sells a cheap rear/forward facing carseat that I've heard good things about. It doesn't have all the extras but you don't really need the extras anyway.

Cindy - posted on 07/17/2009

I just bought the 3/1 Graco and it is great. The cup holder is attached at the front so they can reach it! It was $239 at Sears and Toys are us!

Jade - posted on 07/17/2009

If you're not on a tight budget, i'd go with Britax! We had the same problem, our baby was ginormous and we had to switch her into a toddler carseat when she was 5 months...so we bought the Britax Boulevard after talking to some friends that had bought one, and we've have been so happy with it. I believe it is good up until 75 pounds, so we can keep her year facing until she reaches a year, and then turn it around to use as a forward facing carseat. But like i said, we dished out about $400 for it. We've also heard that the Britax Roundabout is a good choice too.

April - posted on 07/17/2009

Well, with what I have heard through many different sources is that a child cannot be front faced unless they are at least 20lbs AND a year old. I am looking as well as my child will be a year in November. I have been looking at Graco because I have a very limited budget. Walmart has one for a little over $60.