Britax Boulevard questions

[raylis]

Hi all,

I'm so glad I found this forum!

DS (almost 1 year) is outgrowing his Chicco, and we are looking for a new carseat and stumbled upon the Britax Boulevard, which seems to be getting great reviews from the search I had done on google!

I had a look at the seat and it looked huge, although I wish the seat colour would be nicer :P

Anyway, I am looking for the following and am wondering if the seat will fit:-
1) 5 point harness as long as possible (Boulevard states max 65lbs, this does not include the 5 point harness? We have a Toyota Altis)
2) DS is about 19.8lbs - will it be ok to switch to forward facing?
3) Will it fit in the middle of the car, in the backseat?
4) Are there other models, or brands (GOOD ones of course!) which will be suitable, from 9kg onwards with the same requirements?
The Boulevard is REALLY pricey and DS is already going to be a year old so he doesn't really need a rear-facing carseat..?

THANK YOU!

	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 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.

	Chicco - Click for more info Chicco makes car seats that are tested for safety and comfort. Italian-made Chicco is sold the world over to discerning parents everywhere, mainly because they are thorough with their design but each children’s product they sell is simple to use and stylish. All of Chicco’s car seats have certain universal elements: they’re lightweight, they are easy to install or use, each have the extra perks like canopies or liquid levelers for added convenience. Take a look and you’ll find an up-and-coming competitor for some of the best car seats on the market.

	Forum Speak DD: Dear Daughter DS: Dear Son DH: Dear Husband DW: Dear Wife SO: Significant Other BF: Boyfriend GF: Girlfriend

[mommy2env]

1) Yes, that seat uses the harness up to 65lbs. But most kids outgrow seats by height and not weight.

2) No, your son is too small to forward face. It is recommended to rearface to the maximum limits of the seat. Which in your case would be 33lbs, if you decide to buy the Blvd. Children are much more likely to be badly injured or even killed forward facing. Please keep him rearfacing as long as possible.

3) I have no idea what your car looks like, but I am almost sure it will fit. You can go to a store like babiesrus and actually try the seat in your car.

4) I personally have the Britax Marathon. I love it, one thing about Britax is that their seats are soooo easy to install. But of course there are other seats like the Radian. It is the narrowest seat on the market. There is also the Evenflo Triumph Advance, it has the infinite adjust like the Blvd. High harness, and weight limit. Thats all I can come up with for now. If I think of anything else, I will edit.

Even though your son will be 1 yr old, he is still too little to forward face. Like I stated above, he is safer rearfacing. Much, much, safer. People think they must turn their kids at 1 yr and 20lbs. You dont have to. It is just the minimum requirement, but not best practice.

FYI, my dd is 16 months old 24lbs and is happily rearfacing in a Marathon.

There is no rush to turn your son. He is safer that way.

Im sure a tech will chime in soon
Happy shopping!

	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.

	Forum Speak DD: Dear Daughter DS: Dear Son DH: Dear Husband DW: Dear Wife SO: Significant Other BF: Boyfriend GF: Girlfriend

	Sunshine Kids Radian 80 or 65 - Click for more info If "the Sunshine Kid's Radian 80 convertible car seat is (probably) the only car seat you will ever need," the "probably" part of this statement comes into play when you directly compare the Radian 80 with the Britax Regent. While the Radian 80 has a very high weight capacity, the seat width is only 10" vs. the Regent's 14" seat. The Britax Regent may be a bit wider, but it is very bulky, is only forward facing, and does not fold like the Radian 80. Because the Radian 80 is so narrow, you can potentially put three of them side by side in the back seat. Three Regents side by side? Impossible.

[raylis]

Thanks for the response!

Ah.. okay. The current Chicco I have, DS can't wait to get out, and if I don't distract him enough sometimes, he'll fuss. I wonder if it's the seat or just him feeling restricted?

I am in a hot and humid climate, will the Britax material be unsuitable for that?

Okay, thanks for the advice on rearfacing as long as possible! I remember reading a long article about that, and how we should rearface our babies as long as possible too.. but that 20lbs + 1 year thingie is quite widely encouraged too.

Rearfacing means placing the seat behind the passenger seat, right?
Only when we forward face, do we place the seat in the middle of the back seat?

	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.

	Chicco - Click for more info Chicco makes car seats that are tested for safety and comfort. Italian-made Chicco is sold the world over to discerning parents everywhere, mainly because they are thorough with their design but each children’s product they sell is simple to use and stylish. All of Chicco’s car seats have certain universal elements: they’re lightweight, they are easy to install or use, each have the extra perks like canopies or liquid levelers for added convenience. Take a look and you’ll find an up-and-coming competitor for some of the best car seats on the market.

	Forum Speak DD: Dear Daughter DS: Dear Son DH: Dear Husband DW: Dear Wife SO: Significant Other BF: Boyfriend GF: Girlfriend

[mommy2env]

Your Welcome

Rear facing has nothing to do with where you install the seat. What it means is that the seat is facing the back. Just like your chicco does. So, you can install it in the middle or either of the two sides, as long as you get a good install.

Your son might need to be more upright. The baby carriers have to be at 45degree angle. That is so that small babies wont have their airflow cut off. But at the size your son is, he can be more upright. That alone, should help alot with him being fussy. Plus, the Blvd is on a base, so he might be able to see out the window better.

I hope that this has helped you, I am not a tech. But have learned alot in the past year. If you need more detailed information, you might want to visit Car Seat.Org - Carseat, Vehicle & Child Passenger Safety Forums that forum has more people logged on at a time. So your question's will be answered quicker. The majority of the people over there are Techs, so that alone will help you get more info.

	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 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.

	Chicco - Click for more info Chicco makes car seats that are tested for safety and comfort. Italian-made Chicco is sold the world over to discerning parents everywhere, mainly because they are thorough with their design but each children’s product they sell is simple to use and stylish. All of Chicco’s car seats have certain universal elements: they’re lightweight, they are easy to install or use, each have the extra perks like canopies or liquid levelers for added convenience. Take a look and you’ll find an up-and-coming competitor for some of the best car seats on the market.

[raylis]

Thank you again!

Hmm... looks like I am not going to get the Boulevard after all... not only is it extremely pricey, but perhaps the 29.5kg weight limit is not such a contributing factor after all..

I don't know if the Britax Roundabout is available here in my country, I will have to check it out.

Any idea if the maxi Cosi priori is a good alternative?
What about the Eddie Bauer Deluxe 3-in-1?

The Graco Comfortsport, is not so good?

	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 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 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.

	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.

	Graco ComfortSport - Click for more info The Graco ComfortSport is a well-priced convertible child car seat, with all the key features you'd expect, including a 5-point easy-to-adjust harness, a two-piece harness tie (chest and crotch), washable fabric, and a indicator that lets you know if you've installed the seat safely level. Various "soft goods" options are available in the different models, ranging from no extra soft goods (Prague) to the Metropolitan's detachable head support, harness covers, and toddler pillow.

[mommy2env]

What country are you from?

I believe the maxi-cosi and the comfort sport have low harness slots. That in turn would be outgrown sooner than your son will be ready for a booster. The Eddie Bauer 3 in 1 is not a good seat. It is also outgrown too soon. It is not good as a booster seat either.

I hear the roundabouts are good seats, but has a 40lb weight limit and shorter slots than the blvds. So if you buy it you would end up buying another seat in the future.

If price is the main issue, why dont you consider the Evenflo Triumph Advance, or even the Fisher Price Safe Voyage which by the way is manufactured by Britax for Fisher Price.

I really hope you visit Car Seat.Org - Carseat, Vehicle & Child Passenger Safety Forums like I said, there are alot of people on that site that would be willing to share their knowledge.

	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.

	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.

	Graco ComfortSport - Click for more info The Graco ComfortSport is a well-priced convertible child car seat, with all the key features you'd expect, including a 5-point easy-to-adjust harness, a two-piece harness tie (chest and crotch), washable fabric, and a indicator that lets you know if you've installed the seat safely level. Various "soft goods" options are available in the different models, ranging from no extra soft goods (Prague) to the Metropolitan's detachable head support, harness covers, and toddler pillow.

[crunchierthanthou]

I am a tech. The pp has given you some great information.

Is the Altis like the Corolla in North America? Where are you located? What is your budget?

The last three seats that you listed only have 40 lb harnessed weight limits (~18 kg) and relatively low top harness positions. They are almost always outgrown before the child is ready for a booster. The same goes for the Britax Roundabout. The 3-in-1 does convert to a