New Britax Diplomat

[helias]

I went to BRU this weekend to test out convertible carseats for my almost 1 year old son. I went in there thinking I was buying either the Britax Marathon or Britax Boulevard. My hubby was very turned off by how hard and big the wings on the Boulevard were but I liked the side impact protection. At the time they didn't have the Marathon in the store because they said it was on recall and waiting for a new one to come in. So the Boulevard was out or so my hubby decided. We then tried the Britax Diplomat which it seems is the same as the Boulevard just more compact and goes to 40lbs vs. 65lbs. We both seemed to really like it and our son seemed comfy. However, there are no reviews really out there because it is pretty new - anyone know anything about it? I would love to hear if you do or have one that you like better.

	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.

	Convertible Car Seats Convertible seats are for infants and toddlers. The seat can be used as a rear-facing seats for younger children, and switched to a forward-facing seat on the child's first birthday if the child weighs at least 20 pounds. However, experts recommend keeping the child in a rear-facing position until he or she outgrows the weight or height allowed by the safety 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.

	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.

	Britax Diplomat - Click for more info The Britax Diplomat convertible car seat is a smaller version of the Britax Boulevard. It offers the same general features and Side Impact Protection as the deluxe Britax Boulevard convertible seat, but with a lower max weight capacity, seat height, and seat width than the Boulevard. The Diplomat provides top notch Britax safety and comfort for your child, even in the back of a 'lil Mini Cooper.

[Papooses]

I personally wouldn't spend the $ on such low weight/height limits & I'm curious why the Diplomat is OK with him but not the Boulevard Kids usually really like the wings for sleeping support (many kids call them "pillows") & have no trouble seeing around them.... Also, kids are rarely ready to use a booster correctly for then entire length of every ride when they reach these lower harness limits: real live kids just aren't as compliant as crash test dummies They forget to sit still & lean or reach for things that interest them (increasing risk of severe/fatal injury) or they accidentally slump out of booster while sleeping -- the higher limits of the Boulevard ensure that you won't have to buy another high weight harness seat after the Diplomat when kiddo proves not to be ready for a booster quite yet once its harness outgrown.

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law.

	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.

	Britax Diplomat - Click for more info The Britax Diplomat convertible car seat is a smaller version of the Britax Boulevard. It offers the same general features and Side Impact Protection as the deluxe Britax Boulevard convertible seat, but with a lower max weight capacity, seat height, and seat width than the Boulevard. The Diplomat provides top notch Britax safety and comfort for your child, even in the back of a 'lil Mini Cooper.