I read a post the other day about britax and ped perego car seats and they're right, they are super nice. I'm wondering if there are less expensive car seats that are equivalent in quality or close in quality? I am doing research for a new car seat. I bought my daughters at walmart, first child and I honestly didn't know they sold car seats outside of walmart and target... I look back and think wow I can' t believe I thought that lmao. Anyways, her car seat fits her EXCEPT the buckle is too short! It sit between her legs and is getting too tight... there is no adjustment for it (the straps are stretched out as far as they will go and she's average size for her age and the seat is rated for bigger than her!!) so I'm looking for a car seat that the middle buckle will be above her legs (I saw britax and ped perego would be, I think it's just the brand I bought). I'm switching with my parents for now (they have one too) but need to get another one.
What other good brands are out there?
Oooh Erica I just looked up the Graco Nautilus, nice! I like the cup holder and the black and red colors. It looked like a nice car seat.
My daughter is 28 months (2 yrs 4 months) so the car seats not rear-facing.
I loved my daughter's Graco Nautilus (sp?) so much I bought a second one for my son when the time came. It converts to a high back booster and then regular booster so its the last car seats we will own. Kids love them too-- cup holder and little "cubbies" for them to put snacks, toys whatever. They are also slim enough to fit on an airplane seat and not too bulky to move to Gma or Auntie's car.
Check out the carseatlady. I know she's on facebook and I think she has her own website too. You email her your car and info. about your child and she'll give you some great options. There are lots of great brands out there, and some stinkers. I'm personally partial to Britax, but really the best carseat for you is the one that fits best in your car and fits your child best. A lot depends on the age and size of your child, whether you are rear-facing or not, etc. I don't think the Nautilus rear-faces, and that is what is currently recommended up to age 2. A lot of people like and recommend the Radian XTSL too. Good luck!
My very tall 5 year old boy is in a Graco Nautilus. We LOVE it. I paid around $140 for it two years ago. He's still using the harness, but it also goes to both a high back and backless booster.
HTH
T.
I was also going to recommend the Graco Nautilus if you want a less expensive seat than a Britax. We have that seat and a Britax Frontier, which is the same style seat. Both are really good. Each seat has one main feature that makes it better than the other in some way:
The Graco is a lot easier to install.
The Britax armrests move up and down, making it easier to put our son in and out of the seat.
Both seats let them stay in a 5 point harness for a long time, then convert to a booster, so you won't have to buy another seat ever.
After doing a TON of research, I decided on the Graco Nautilus for my son. It was so easy to assemble and even easier to adjust. We got it right before he turned 3, and he was already too big for the smallest setting, so we had to move the headrest up & remove the support pillow. I wish we had gotten it sooner. He seems comfortable in it, and he loves the cup holder and "hidey holes" under the arm rests. Should be the last car seat we ever have to buy!
If you don't want to rear face her, then the Nautilus is a great choice. Our daughter will be 4 in April and is still rear facing, so its possible beyond 1yr and 20lbs. Its called Extended rear facing.
ANYWAY, a forward facing car seat is outgrown when one of three things happens; the child goes over the weight limit, the shoulders go over the top harness slot, or the tips of the ears become level with the top of the seat. The shoulders must be just at or below the harness slot for forward facing, if the shoulders go over the seat has been outgrown. Most kids will grow out of a seat in height long before weight. I'm just going to guess the seat she's in now is a Cosco Scenera? They ae usually outgrown in height around age 3.
The Nautilus is a great choice, she will be able to use the harness for many years and then use it as a booster seat.
We are a Britax family through and through. Both kids were in Marathons, then moved up to the Frontier.
But I believe that the Graco Nautilus frame is made by the same manufacturer as Britax. It is essentially the same seat, just the Britax has more cushioning and more durable accessory pieces and covers and your child can use the 5 pt harness in the Britax until 85lbs whereas in the Nautilus you can only use the 5pt harness until 65 lbs.
