I am looking to buy a convertible car seat for my son, but our backseat does not have much room. The Britax Marathon is definitely too big, and that was our top choice. So, what seat would you recommend that is easy to install without LATCH that will fit into a smaller backseat? Thanks!
I ditto the Evenflo Triumph. I have a Honda Prelude, a little 2 door sports car with bucket back seat, no latch system. The evenflo fits perfectly snug.
I actually posted this question back in August 2006, so if you go to the "Requests and Responses" section, then the "Infants and Newborns" and then "Gear", you can find all of the responses I got...look for the 8/10/2006 posting date.
HI!
I like my Evenflo Generations. It has the best tightening system out there--I have a Graco ComfortSport as well and hated the strap tightening b/c I found it really hard to do. The Generation is only sold at babies R Us though!
I think it depends on how old your son is, how much he weighs, etc. The Radian 65 and Radian 80 are both convertible seats (20-65 and 20-80 lbs. respectively) that have a 5 point harness that can be used until they reach the maximum weight. This seat is skinnier than most convertible seats out there. I had bought one, but my son didn't like that the straps went into his neck, so I had to return it. He has a bigger neck, so the straps may or may not work for your child depending on his neck size. You can see the seat at Galt Toys at Northbrook Court mall if you want to see before you buy. The Triumph Advance is a nice seat, but I also bought that one and it is not skinnier than the Marathon. It is about the same width. It is taller and now goes to 50 lbs. with a 5 point harness, but is still wide like the Marathon. So, if your child is over 20 lbs. I would give the Radian a try.
We use the Evenflo Triumph, and have been pretty pleased so far...our car is older, so no Latch system.
Hi S., The Britax Roundabout is several inches smaller so it will fit facing backwards in a smaller car. We had the same problem with the Marathon, but the Roundabout fit perfectly.
I really like the Graco comfortsport I think it is. I don't think it's THAT big compared to others.
i like the marathon and the roundabout we have both
but in any case make sure that when the seat is installed rear facing that you can still reach the button that allows you to adjust the straps some seats when installed the button is too low and gets pushed against the seat
babies grow fast and you need to be able to adjust the straps
(wearing a coat or a t-shirt)
