Trying to choose convertible seat

[DMImakai]

Well, I've done my homework (I think) and am interested in the Britax car seats -- the trouble is, I can't decide between the Marathon and the Roundabout. We have a Camry and a Highlander. I know the Marathon is good for longer, because it has a higher weight limit (forward facing). My son is presently 6 months old and outgrowing his (Graco) infant seat any day now. He has a long frame and is 90% for growth at last check up.

So, I have two questions, is the Marathon worth the extra $$, and -- more importantly -- is the rear tether practical? From the installation instructions (which I studied while shopping for a Britax) -- it looks like the rear facing tether goes over the child's head. That sounds ridiculously impractical to me --- how do you get the child in and out of it? I am more than willing to have a rear-facing tether, but if it makes the seat impossible to use, that's no good.

Thoughts? TIA

Deirdre
Honolulu, Hawaii

	Forward Facing Car Seats A forward-facing car seat is one in which the child sits facing the front of the car. The seat should be installed in the back seat of your vehicle. Most forward-facing only seats are for children above 20 pounds.

	Britax - Click for more info Britax International has been producing reliable child safety products for over 30 years. Not only does Britax have decades of experience creating car seats and other children's safety equipment, Britax has a long standing reputation as an industry leader and innovator. Britax International is headquartered in the United Kingdom, but Britax car seats are designed and manufactured at facilities in Germany, Austria, and the United States. In the summer of 2002, Britax strengthened their commitment to creating the safest car seats with the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art crash testing facility in North Carolina. Britax car seats have a reputation around the world for being some of the safest, most reliable, and best designed child safety seats ever made.

	Rear Facing Car Seats A rear-facing seat is one in which the infant faces the back of the car. Always install a rear-facing seat in the back seat of your car. This is the safest position for an infant. NEVER place a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger airbags.

	Infant Car Seats Infant-only rear-facing seats are for babies up to about 22 to 30 pounds, depending on the specific car seat. You will need a new seat when your child gets bigger. Infant-only seats have handles that allow you to move the seat from the car to the house or other locations. Some have a base that you can leave installed in the car, so you can just click the car seat into place each time you use it.

	Britax Roundabout - Click for more info With the introduction of the new LATCH laws, Britax has improved even further upon their famously popular Roundabout Convertible Car Seat. This car seat has been praised by just about every consumer safety organization and mom and dad out there - and for good reason. It is easy to install, compatible in just about every car, super comfortable for baby, stylish and most importantly safe! Ask around and you will see that everyone raves about this car seat.

	Britax Marathon - Click for more info Increasing the time a child can safely stay in their convertible car seat is a big issue and Britax engineers have come through in a big way with the introduction of the Britax Marathon with LATCH. A LATCH Compatible Convertible Child Seat, the Britax Marathon can be used rear facing 5 to 33 pounds and forward facing from 20 to 65 pounds. Compare the numbers and you will see it is hard to find a seat with these weight limits that is safe and functional.

	Graco - Click for more info Graco is one of the world's best known and most trusted juvenile products companies. They started the entire juvenile products industry with an invention called the Graco Swyngomatic. Since then they have invented products that have changed the way that parents travel with their children such as the travel system, which has made it so parents can lock an infant car seat into a stroller easily, without waking their sleeping baby. Their Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat is pretty much synonymous with the term “infant car seat” because of its safety and design features coupled with its affordability. Today Graco continues designing and developing top-quality products that inspire parents and keeps children safe. Check out the new Infant Safe Seat Step 1 and Toddler Safe Seat Step 2 for proof of Graco’s continued commitment to child safety.

[Papooses]

Yes, IMO, the Marathon is worth the $ because it keeps kids safer longer: the Roundabout is quite expensive in comparison to other similar seats -- you're getting more long term safety for your $ from the Marathon, which brings the estimated cost per month of a Marathon down to less than the cost per month of a Roundabout.... I would only choose the Roundabout if the Marathon is too tall for your vehicle, which should not be the case with either of yours unless the adults are very tall

The RF tether as you described is called the Australian method & this is no longer recommended. Britax customer service now says not to use this method, as do NHTSA & SafeKids. The tether should be angled down & toward the front of the vehicle, using the Swedish method > Child Restraint Safety - Swedish Tethering

You can find your local CPSTs at the SafeKids technician finder

	Britax - Click for more info Britax International has been producing reliable child safety products for over 30 years. Not only does Britax have decades of experience creating car seats and other children's safety equipment, Britax has a long standing reputation as an industry leader and innovator. Britax International is headquartered in the United Kingdom, but Britax car seats are designed and manufactured at facilities in Germany, Austria, and the United States. In the summer of 2002, Britax strengthened their commitment to creating the safest car seats with the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art crash testing facility in North Carolina. Britax car seats have a reputation around the world for being some of the safest, most reliable, and best designed child safety seats ever made.

	Rear Facing Car Seats A rear-facing seat is one in which the infant faces the back of the car. Always install a rear-facing seat in the back seat of your car. This is the safest position for an infant. NEVER place a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger airbags.

	Britax Roundabout - Click for more info With the introduction of the new LATCH laws, Britax has improved even further upon their famously popular Roundabout Convertible Car Seat. This car seat has been praised by just about every consumer safety organization and mom and dad out there - and for good reason. It is easy to install, compatible in just about every car, super comfortable for baby, stylish and most importantly safe! Ask around and you will see that everyone raves about this car seat.

	Britax Marathon - Click for more info Increasing the time a child can safely stay in their convertible car seat is a big issue and Britax engineers have come through in a big way with the introduction of the Britax Marathon with LATCH. A LATCH Compatible Convertible Child Seat, the Britax Marathon can be used rear facing 5 to 33 pounds and forward facing from 20 to 65 pounds. Compare the numbers and you will see it is hard to find a seat with these weight limits that is safe and functional.

[DMImakai]

Thanks so much for your help! Are you concerned about the taller driver because you won't be able to push the seat back with the Marathon in the middle?

So, if the RF tether is attached as you describe, are you limited to the outboard seats? Or does it depend on what is available to attach it to in the car?

If the RF tether is only available on the passenger's side, would a center RF installation w/o tether be better, or passenger side RF installation w/ it?

Thanks!
DMI

	Rear Facing Car Seats A rear-facing seat is one in which the infant faces the back of the car. Always install a rear-facing seat in the back seat of your car. This is the safest position for an infant. NEVER place a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger airbags.

	Britax Marathon - Click for more info Increasing the time a child can safely stay in their convertible car seat is a big issue and Britax engineers have come through in a big way with the introduction of the Britax Marathon with LATCH. A LATCH Compatible Convertible Child Seat, the Britax Marathon can be used rear facing 5 to 33 pounds and forward facing from 20 to 65 pounds. Compare the numbers and you will see it is hard to find a seat with these weight limits that is safe and functional.

[Papooses]

Originally Posted by DMImakai

Are you concerned about the taller driver because you won't be able to push the seat back with the Marathon in the middle?

Well, it may just depend on the individual adult ... my dad is 5'10" & likes to sit very upright: he had enough room with a Marathon RF in the center of a Camry You can also brace Britax carseats against the front vehicle seatbacks (infants must have a full 45 degree recline angle, but toddlers/preschoolers can be more upright with a recline angle between 30-45 degrees). Also remember that the front seat occupants need at least 10-12 inches between the face & airbag deployment area.

So, if the RF tether is attached as you describe, are you limited to the outboard seats? Or does it depend on what is available to attach it to in the car?

Ideally, you should tether to the inner-most legs of the front seats. Whether the carseat is in the center or outboard, the tether will be at a slight angle, but that's fine.

If the RF tether is only available on the passenger's side, would a center RF installation w/o tether be better, or passenger side RF installation w/ it?

If you can install the carseat correctly as per both carseat + vehicle manuals in the center with less than 1" movement at the belt path, but untethered that would be better than a secure, tethered outboard installation. However, if you can tether outboard then you should also be able to tether from the center & also remember that a correct, secure installation outboard (even untethered) is safer than an incorrect or loose center install.

	Britax - Click for more info Britax International has been producing reliable child safety products for over 30 years. Not only does Britax have decades of experience creating car seats and other children's safety equipment, Britax has a long standing reputation as an industry leader and innovator. Britax International is headquartered in the United Kingdom, but Britax car seats are designed and manufactured at facilities in Germany, Austria, and the United States. In the summer of 2002, Britax strengthened their commitment to creating the safest car seats with the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art crash testing facility in North Carolina. Britax car seats have a reputation around the world for being some of the safest, most reliable, and best designed child safety seats ever made.

	Rear Facing Car Seats A rear-facing seat is one in which the infant faces the back of the car. Always install a rear-facing seat in the back seat of your car. This is the safest position for an infant. NEVER place a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger airbags.

	Britax Marathon - Click for more info Increasing the time a child can safely stay in their convertible car seat is a big issue and Britax engineers have come through in a big way with the introduction of the Britax Marathon with LATCH. A LATCH Compatible Convertible Child Seat, the Britax Marathon can be used rear facing 5 to 33 pounds and forward facing from 20 to 65 pounds. Compare the numbers and you will see it is hard to find a seat with these weight limits that is safe and functional.