Congratulations for taking the safest and most responsible route for your child!
Britax has the best, the Regent, although it's seems to be discontinuing this, but do an online search. If you can find one, it'll be much less than the original price! They are THE roomest and safest and easily goes up to 80 lbs, 8 years. The Britax Frontier is ok, if you have a small, skinny child. They are narrow and no way would work with my larger 5 year old! The arm rests are what part of the problem is. I'm curious on what Britax will put out after the Regent. I would look at every site that makes 5 pt harness seats and find the largest one for each brand, and then compare stats. Write down the measurements of:
shoulder to rump
rump to top of the head
seat area, front to back
height of each shoulder strap slot
seat width
Compare all areas of the seats and find the largest one to last as long as possible and have the most room as we don't know how our children grow until they've already outgrown their seats.
Once you've got your top 2 or 3 seats, then look at safety ratings through Consumer Reports and other reputible companies. Price should not be a factor when it comes to your child's safety. Ask for family and friends to pitch, give money for birthday, etc.
K. B
mom to 5 including triplets
(owner of 4 Britax Regents!)
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