I need to buy my son (turning 3)a booster seat for our car. I am looking at the ones that have the harness straps in it and can convert to just using the seat belt later. I was wondering if you could give me your opinions on which ones you like and don't like. There are so many to pick from. We have to move our daughter into his current car seat.
Thank you for all the advice. We bought our son the Graco Nautilus and he loves it. He helped get it set up and couldn't wait for the first ride in it.
I have the Britax Frontier for my son. It has a 5 point harness for right now but converts to a regular booster. Expensive, yes, but well worth the money when considering peace of mind in safety. He loves riding in it as well...another bonus!
I would look at the Britax Frontier. They have some of the best safety ratings and it has a 5 point harness and will convert to a booster up to a 100lbs.
Graco Nautilus.....I first bought 2 for my now 5yr old, but now he has one and my 19 month old uses the other!!!
Another vote for the Graco Nautilus. My four-year-old has been in one since she turned 3 and still has plenty of growing room. We also wanted a seat that had a high-weight harness limit but didn't want to spend $300 on one if there were equally safe options that were more affordable. The Nautilus can harness up to 65 pounds, then it can be used as a high back booster. You can sometimes find it for under $150 if you look online, some places even offer free shiping.
the britax regent is a 5 point harness to 80 pounds. it's so much better to stay in a 5 point harness. in accidents seatbelts can unlock and make booster seats useless. go to the website suggested below from another post and read about kyle. they have two types that they recommend.
We absolutely LOVE the Britax Frontier. I also wanted a 5 point harness booster seat and the place that I purchased it stated that laws may be changing soon to require a 5 point harness much longer than the current weight/height requirements. My 4 year old doesn't fight us using the 5 point harness and we feel that he is very secure. We got the red racer color and we call it his racing seat and he loves it. It is extremely easy to install, but a bit bulky. Good Luck with your choice.
I agree with the other posters, the Nautilus is a great seat. A 5 point harness is so much safer than just a booster, please keep that in mind when buying a booster.
http://www.kyledavidmiller.org/
Scroll down and watch the video on this website for more info.
I can't necessairly recomend a certain brand, but when you are looking, check the weight limits for it all, and the height. You want to make sure that he can use the 5 point harness straps for a while. then check for the weight limit on it for using it as just a booster. also, especially if he's tall, see if the back is adjustable to be taller. Cup holders are handy.
Also check for how easy it is to adjust the shoulder straps and how you can adjust the harness so that it fits him snuggly.
We have the Graco Nautilus and love it. My son is 2 1/2 and about 38" tall. He still have plenty of growing room in the seat and he LOVES to ride in it. It is very comfortable for long trips and have really good safety ratings. We got it online at Wal-Mart for $120.00 with $1 shipping. It is very easy to use and install. We also have the Britax Marathon (in another vehicle) and the Nautilus is actually easier to install. The Nautilus also changes to a belt positioning booster and the back comes off for a backless booster, unlike the Britax. The Nautilus is rated for upto 65 pounds in the 5 point harness. I am happy to recommend the Graco Nautilus.
Good luck and have fun shopping.
R.
If you want something that will last him until he no longer needs a car seat, then get the Graco Nautilus. It will harness him until 65lbs (my 7yr old still easily fits in this seat at 50lbs and 51'' tall), so he can use the harness in it for another 3yrs at least, then it becomes a high back booster to 100lbs, and eventually a no back booster.
A 5pt harness is always safer until your child is at the very minimum 4yrs old, but is safer until the child is 5/6yrs old. The Nautilus will be about $150, but it will harness him for another 3yrs at least, and then booster him until he is at least 8yrs old. this is the only harness/booster combo seat that is worth your money right now that will last him beyond 40lbs.... as those seats are generally outgrown before age 4 in height.
So yeah... the Graco Nautilus. Can pick it up at Wal Mart, Target, BAbies R Us, or online. Harness to 65lbs, booster to 100lbs.
