Car Seats

cyfan92

Well-Known Member
Sep 20, 2011
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Augusta National Golf Club
Mrs cyfan has been on my case about getting a convertible car seat. So I am soliciting feedback from both parents and grandparents on this one.

Our kiddo is about 21 lbs and growing out of the infant seat quickly. What brands do you use/like? After doing some research. I'm leaning towards a Britax Boulevard or Britax One4Life (helps that they are currently on sale). Thoughts?

Graco car seats have been shot down. She thinks they are a cheap brand so I guess I won't even consider those
 

cowgirl836

Well-Known Member
Sep 3, 2009
50,878
42,184
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Mrs cyfan has been on my case about getting a convertible car seat. So I am soliciting feedback from both parents and grandparents on this one.

Our kiddo is about 21 lbs and growing out of the infant seat quickly. What brands do you use/like? After doing some research. I'm leaning towards a Britax Boulevard or Britax One4Life (helps that they are currently on sale). Thoughts?

Graco car seats have been shot down. She thinks they are a cheap brand so I guess I won't even consider those

We have the Britax Boulevard in one car and the Marathon in the other. No complaints but I think there was news last fall about a lot of brands skimping on their testing? I'd need to dig it up because a lot of the big names were on the list.
 
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Cycl1

Well-Known Member
Mar 14, 2012
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North Liberty
All car seats have to meet the same safety regulations, so dont get too sucked into spending a crap load of money. One that actually fits in the vehicle and can be installed correctly is probably top priority. Some have multiple cup holders, and some have side pockets which can be nice for holding stuff above and beyond their sippy cup.
 

cyfan92

Well-Known Member
Sep 20, 2011
8,164
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113
Augusta National Golf Club
Graco 4Ever DLX 4 in 1 Car Seat is what we've used for multiple kids. If $270 is "cheap"....I don't want to know what passes the not "cheap" test.

We choose these because of multiple use flexibility, LATCH system attachment, and the wide range of height adjustment (my kids are tall).

I wanted to get the DLX and brought up the price being higher, in-line with "higher" end car seats. I was told no. SO rather than pushing back. I am moving on. Happy wife=happy life.

Most of my co-workers use the Graco DLX... It helps that Britax is being discounted right now
 
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mj4cy

Asst. Regional Manager
Staff member
Mar 28, 2006
31,745
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Iowa
We've had the easiest time with Britax. You get off brands and they suck to change around.
 
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CycloneErik

Well-Known Member
Jan 31, 2008
107,943
53,090
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Jamerica
rememberingdoria.wordpress.com
Mrs cyfan has been on my case about getting a convertible car seat. So I am soliciting feedback from both parents and grandparents on this one.

Our kiddo is about 21 lbs and growing out of the infant seat quickly. What brands do you use/like? After doing some research. I'm leaning towards a Britax Boulevard or Britax One4Life (helps that they are currently on sale). Thoughts?

Graco car seats have been shot down. She thinks they are a cheap brand so I guess I won't even consider those

I believe we did the Boulevard and it was fantastic. Comfortable, but allows room for the coats and winter clothing with ease, and the safety structure of it was excellent. If we were looking, we'd absolutely do that seat again.
 

cyclonesurveyor

Well-Known Member
Jan 26, 2009
1,296
263
83
Fort Collins, CO
Mrs cyfan has been on my case about getting a convertible car seat. So I am soliciting feedback from both parents and grandparents on this one.

Our kiddo is about 21 lbs and growing out of the infant seat quickly. What brands do you use/like? After doing some research. I'm leaning towards a Britax Boulevard or Britax One4Life (helps that they are currently on sale). Thoughts?

Graco car seats have been shot down. She thinks they are a cheap brand so I guess I won't even consider those

Haven't had kids in carseats for awhile but Graco was the **** for durability as long as you kept them clean after a kid would puke or poop in one......
 

cyfan92

Well-Known Member
Sep 20, 2011
8,164
13,014
113
Augusta National Golf Club
All car seats have to meet the same safety regulations, so dont get too sucked into spending a crap load of money. One that actually fits in the vehicle and can be installed correctly is probably top priority. Some have multiple cup holders, and some have side pockets which can be nice for holding stuff above and beyond their sippy cup.

Would you recommend a car seat with the built in, sturdier cup holder? Does it not matter?
 

motorcy90

Well-Known Member
Aug 12, 2018
4,139
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Iowa
Making sure it fits with you or the wife in front seat is a big thing. We have 2 different ones that I can't remember the brands. And one is an absolute monster in size that barely fits in either vehicle. We got it sight unseen from credit card rewards though. And works in my beater truck.
 

cyfan92

Well-Known Member
Sep 20, 2011
8,164
13,014
113
Augusta National Golf Club
Making sure it fits with you or the wife in front seat is a big thing. We have 2 different ones that I can't remember the brands. And one is an absolute monster in size that barely fits in either vehicle. We got it sight unseen from credit card rewards though. And works in my beater truck.

Should have no problems in our Odyssey. Probably should look to see if it will fit in my '16 Accord
 

VeloClone

Well-Known Member
Jan 19, 2010
47,888
38,341
113
Brooklyn Park, MN
I'm afraid we are too far away (youngest turned 13 this month) to be of any use in this conversation. They have changed so much. I remember when we thought it was the cats meow that we could get a stroller that the car seat carrier could clip into. The bases that buckled into your car so you could just clip the seat/carrier into the base were just coming out right after we bought ours.

I remember my Mom having something like this in her car. It was even blue, I think.

1614266263377.png

Uber safe!
 

Cycl1

Well-Known Member
Mar 14, 2012
8,506
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North Liberty
Would you recommend a car seat with the built in, sturdier cup holder? Does it not matter?
We like the built in cup holders. Nice for longer trips. Havent had any without built in, so cant speak on how good the attachment ones are.
 

Cycl1

Well-Known Member
Mar 14, 2012
8,506
1,890
113
37
North Liberty
Making sure it fits with you or the wife in front seat is a big thing. We have 2 different ones that I can't remember the brands. And one is an absolute monster in size that barely fits in either vehicle. We got it sight unseen from credit card rewards though. And works in my beater truck.
This is a great point. The car seat should not be touching the seat in front. My youngest is still rear facing and in my car the front passenger has a tight fit.
 

CloneJD

Well-Known Member
May 14, 2020
1,264
1,978
113
We cycled all of our kids out of the infant seat to the Graco 65 which is durable, easy to buckle and affordable. They stayed in that until they could do a slimmer, more upright 5 point booster.

1614267267897.png
 

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