Don't know how to make a decision - need help

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   We bought the Britax Boulevard for our dd and I can't say I'm raving about it.  But that might possibly be b/c it's the only car seat we have had since the infant carseat so I have no comparison.  It is very big and heavy and I'm always frustrated with the straps that claim to be tangle free.  

Now my ds is needing to move out of the infant carseat and I just have no clue what to base my decision on with getting another seat.  We will be traveling on a long car ride and then we will be flying a lot this month so I'd like something that is comfy, not so bulky but has great safety standards (and meets airplane standards).  We were just going to order another Boulevard but I'm just not excited to do so.  I almost wonder if I should give ds the Britax and then get another one for dd (she's 27 months and 26 lbs).  and my ds is a chunk, almost 8 months and 20 lbs.  

I just can't seem to think straight when I sit down to figure this out.  What would you do or what would you get?  I've been reading some of the other threads but my head is just spinning.  Thanks so much in advance.

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
AimeeG Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List P'insightful Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Location: USA Points: 1774	Post Options Post Reply Quote AimeeG Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Don't know how to make a decision - need help Posted: 09 Jun 2008 at 10:10pm
	We bought the Britax Boulevard for our dd and I can't say I'm raving about it. But that might possibly be b/c it's the only car seat we have had since the infant carseat so I have no comparison. It is very big and heavy and I'm always frustrated with the straps that claim to be tangle free. Now my ds is needing to move out of the infant carseat and I just have no clue what to base my decision on with getting another seat. We will be traveling on a long car ride and then we will be flying a lot this month so I'd like something that is comfy, not so bulky but has great safety standards (and meets airplane standards). We were just going to order another Boulevard but I'm just not excited to do so. I almost wonder if I should give ds the Britax and then get another one for dd (she's 27 months and 26 lbs). and my ds is a chunk, almost 8 months and 20 lbs. I just can't seem to think straight when I sit down to figure this out. What would you do or what would you get? I've been reading some of the other threads but my head is just spinning. Thanks so much in advance.
	Aimee - SAHM to 3 beautiful blessings. n

AnnaB Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List P'invisible Joined: 19 Mar 2007 Location: Tennessee Points: 683	Post Options Post Reply Quote AnnaB Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Jun 2008 at 9:02am
	I don't really have advice because I'm going to be in the same boat a year from now. DD is in a Marathon and we have the infant seat for baby-on-the-way. I get frustrated with the straps on the Britax, too, but I kind of think that's just a carseat thing. Of course car seats are so important for safety, but they also really suck. We've also only ever used the Britax, and I think we might just be spoiled, you know? I wish there was some easier, yet still safe strap configuration than the 5-point harness. I remember one of my little brothers in a seat with a t-shaped thing that came over his head and clicked in between his legs. That was SOOOO easy, but I guess turned out to be unsafe. Anyway, no advice, but I'm curious to see what others suggest. Oh, and I think any recently manufactured seat will comply to FAA regulations for bringing on the plane.
	Mama to Eva 2007 and Katja 2008. Hoping for a new addition in 2012.

Bectoria Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Pincorporated Member Rating(27) Perennial Pinner 8 years 83 days Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Location: Disney Points: 33623	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bectoria Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Jun 2008 at 9:39am
	I'm not loving my Britax Regent (actually loathing would be a more accurate emotion). I thought it was just me, but maybe not. My favorite seat is the Triumph Advance, though it's pretty bulky, too. It's the easiest seat to install out of my four seats by far. I can literally have a rock tight install in under 2 minutes every time in both cars - either FF or RF. The regent takes 15+ minutes of wrestling to get a pretty good install. It's much less expensive than Britax, too. My dd1 is very very tall - sized out of her old Triumph 5 (pre Advance) when she was two. She's 3.5 now and has a very long torso - she fits in the Triumph Advance still. She only fits in a few other convertible seats to my knowledge (Regent, Apex 65, and I'd assume the Radian, but I've not tried it). She's 35 lbs, so solid, but not chunky - she's just a tall one. The triumph is very comfy, IMO - it LOOKS comfy and both girls love riding in it. I've never had a complaint in that seat. Complaints in the other seats, yes, but not the Triumph.
	Becky SAHM to DD1 (8), DD2 (6), and DD3 (2)

AimeeG Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List P'insightful Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Location: USA Points: 1774	Post Options Post Reply Quote AimeeG Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Jun 2008 at 4:33pm
	Becky, I just went and bought the Triumph Advance DLX!!! Woohoo! It's so cute. I hope I love it as much as I think I will. You're right, it's bulky and doesnt' have a good handle for hauling through the airport so that will be interesting. But, I like all the other features so hopefully it'll be great. DS seemed pretty happy in it when I tested it out in the store. Now I'm off to clean out my truck and install it! Wee! Thanks for the help ladies. Just getting focused helped me make a decision.
	Aimee - SAHM to 3 beautiful blessings. n

Bectoria Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Pincorporated Member Rating(27) Perennial Pinner 8 years 83 days Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Location: Disney Points: 33623	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bectoria Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Jun 2008 at 4:45pm
	I hope you love it, too!! I love mine.
	Becky SAHM to DD1 (8), DD2 (6), and DD3 (2)

baileysmom Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List P'integral Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Location: Memphis Points: 9554	Post Options Post Reply Quote baileysmom Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jun 2008 at 1:48pm
	I have the Triumph Advance too. Don't really have anything to compare it to, but I don't have any problems with it. Except to unlatch the part that goes across her chest, you have to push it "just right" or you will have to put it back together and try again. No big deal though.

momtobe Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List P'incredible Joined: 18 Jan 2004 Points: 3017	Post Options Post Reply Quote momtobe Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jun 2008 at 11:42am
	I wouldn't haul any of the heavy seats through an airport. For $40 you can grab a scenera that is much lighter and still meets all the safety standards. Actually, Kmart just had them on sale either this week or last for $35.