Britax...Marathon vs. Boulevard

[Dreamt_Illusions]

I plan on getting either the Marathon or the Boulevard so long as they fit the cars I own.

I understand that the Boulevard has side impact protection and an infinite adjustable harness knob.

It seems to me that the Boulevard would provide more safety with the Side Impact Protection. I was at a children's store and the owner was recommending the Marathon over the Boulevard, mentioning that toddlers tend not to like the head support on the Boulevard. Considering that my 7 month old has only been in an infant "bucket" seat this wouldn't matter to him as he can't see out the side anyway.

My concern is safety. Even if the head support isn't an issue at the moment I would prefer this extra feature.

As for the knob to adjust the harness...is there any downside to this? I haven't seen it physically in person. Is this sturdy enough where the knob won't get loose and cause a problem? With the marathon you have the slots so I know the straps won't fall or slip into another position...it will stay where I need it.

Any suggestions in getting one over the other?

Thanks!

	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.

	Britax Boulevard - Click for more info It is all about the wings with the Britax Boulevard convertible car seat - head and torso safety wings help keep your child from harm in a side-impact crash. And this matters - side-impact crashes are the leading cause of death for 6 - 14 year-old children. Of course, the safety wings are only one of the many safety features that the Britax Boulevard offers: built-in lock-offs, 5-point harness with front adjuster, tangle-free webbing, a push button release LATCH system with Versa-Tether®, and a sculpted base, ensuring an easy installation with a secure fit.

[Papooses]

IME, kids who dislike the head wings have parents who discourage their appreciation of them -- kids with parents who "play up" the comfort of using the wings for sleeping, etc. generally love them (lots of kids call them their pillows) The only kids I know who really truly have a problem with them have diagnosed sensory issues....

We don't have side impact testing standards yet in the U.S. but Britax conforms to U.S. + European standards* & they do find that the Boulevard performs more safely than the Marathon. However, every correctly used 5 point harness is very safe in every crash type, especially using RF until the maximum limits. On that note, the fanciest carseat with the most safety features can prove useless if used incorrectly.

The one handed harness adjustment knob is designed to stay in place & this allows you to always fit it right at the shoulders (the rule being at or below when rear facing, at or above when forward facing). If it does not function properly then the defect should be reported & Britax will likely send you a replacement carseat.

* European standards alone are not necessarily better than U.S.: they're just different based on a different market of vehicles & carseat selection. Use of foreign carseats that do not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards is illegal & quite possibly very dangerous due to compatability for correct use.

	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.

	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.

	Britax Boulevard - Click for more info It is all about the wings with the Britax Boulevard convertible car seat - head and torso safety wings help keep your child from harm in a side-impact crash. And this matters - side-impact crashes are the leading cause of death for 6 - 14 year-old children. Of course, the safety wings are only one of the many safety features that the Britax Boulevard offers: built-in lock-offs, 5-point harness with front adjuster, tangle-free webbing, a push button release LATCH system with Versa-Tether®, and a sculpted base, ensuring an easy installation with a secure fit.

[oodieboodiemom]

I asked myself these very same questions a few weeks back and settled on the Boulevard b/c of the added side impact protection. We plan to move back east to the craziness of Washington DC traffic and I just feel better knowing there is additional protection for my little man, just in case. Boulevard and Marathon take up the same amount of space and I found I could get a Boulevard for the same price as a Marathon at albeebaby, so that made my decision there.

	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.

	Britax Boulevard - Click for more info It is all about the wings with the Britax Boulevard convertible car seat - head and torso safety wings help keep your child from harm in a side-impact crash. And this matters - side-impact crashes are the leading cause of death for 6 - 14 year-old children. Of course, the safety wings are only one of the many safety features that the Britax Boulevard offers: built-in lock-offs, 5-point harness with front adjuster, tangle-free webbing, a push button release LATCH system with Versa-Tether®, and a sculpted base, ensuring an easy installation with a secure fit.

[lovinwaves]

The Recaro Signo is another seat that offers "SIP wings"

	RECARO - Click for more info With over 100 years of company history and long standing experience in vehicle seat construction RECARO knows how to make long journeys a pleasure for the whole family. Materials, design and technical highlights ensure a pleasant journey for adults and children alike. RECARO uses its strength as the premier mobile seat manufacturer to engineer an innovative line of products for your children. No other manufacturer can apply experience from production vehicles, commercial vehicles, and race cars to design toward the comfort and safety of children.

	RECARO Signo - Click for more info The RECARO Signo car seat is the premier convertible child seat RECARO produces. With its 5-70 lbs weight capacity, adjustable harness, and forward or rear-facing convertibility, the deluxe RECARO Signo may be the only car seat you will ever need. The Signo offers the same basic features and specifications as the RECARO Como convertible, but adds a few features - such as double wall head support and infinite harness adjustment settings.

[Blessed2adopt2]

We didn't like the wings. My son was 3 at the time, and I had him 'test drive' all available seats. We went thru a few seats, then got the Britax Regent.

	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.

	Britax Regent - Click for more info The Britax Regent is the safe way to carry your older and larger passengers, all the way up to 80 lbs. Known as the "king of all car seats," the Britax Regent will accomodate your little king or queen for far longer than traditional car seats or booster seats. The Regent features a large roto-molded shell, comfy extra-thick comfort foam, washable covers, Patented Versa-Tether™, flexible buckle LATCH system, patented HUGS™ system, and tangle-free polyester 5-point harness.

[Dreamt_Illusions]

I ended up getting the Britax Marathon. I tried him in the boulevard but he didn't seem to fit it.

Here's a new question. I have the Marathon in our Subaru Forrester. I have it reclined as far as it will go. I went out with my son and my mother. He fell asleep as he always does but my mom noticed his head fell foward while asleep. It doesn't seem like it reclines as much as it should. Is this b/c of the forrester? I have to try it in the other cars we own.

	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.

	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.

	Britax Boulevard - Click for more info It is all about the wings with the Britax Boulevard convertible car seat - head and torso safety wings help keep your child from harm in a side-impact crash. And this matters - side-impact crashes are the leading cause of death for 6 - 14 year-old children. Of course, the safety wings are only one of the many safety features that the Britax Boulevard offers: built-in lock-offs, 5-point harness with front adjuster, tangle-free webbing, a push button release LATCH system with Versa-Tether®, and a sculpted base, ensuring an easy installation with a secure fit.

[Papooses]

A 7 month old without any special healthcare needs should be fine with a recline angle between 30-45 degrees: I know the flopping head looks uncomfortable, but it's not a safety concern.... So long the seat is used correctly as per both manuals & is not upright past 30 degrees or especially not reclined beyond 45 degrees, then kiddo should be very safe

[typeamom]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but how do you know when you have the right angle? We just installed our marathon, and it looks too upright, but I can't be sure what angle it really is! The manual says to use a towel or pool noodle to achieve the right angle if the full recline is not enough...

To answer to the original question - I was debating between the 2 carseats as well and ended up with the marathon because after testing out the 2 diff. seats in our car (thanks to babies r us loaning them out to the parking lot), we noticed our baby was always leaning forward, so we figured she'd be more comfortable in the marathon without the wings, and so far she does sit all the way back most of the time unless she's reaching for something.

	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]

Not a stupid question at all http://www.carseatsite.com/reclineangle.htm

We actually prefer to use 1-3 pool noodles (duct taped together if using more than 1) because they maintain their shape longer than a towel, which tends to compress easily

[Dreamt_Illusions]

Thanks, I am going to try using the tether, then I plan to bring it and have it checked out by someone that is certified.

Is the pool noodle thing safe? I'm hoping I can get the correct angle with the tether, but if not at least there is another option.