Here is the 5 step check list:
http://www.carseat.org/Boosters/630.htm
In 2 minutes, learn why it is important for a child to fit correctly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqC1OvyLBf0
In 2 minutes, learn how to properly harness a forward facing child:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Iqa3Mke1Wo&feature=channel
Compare the difference between a regular booster and a 5pt harnessed seat:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pDnBO76RFM&feature=related
Kyle's parents speak out after his death:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ&feature=related
Meet the model:
DD (Dear Daughter) is 26 months old, 36 inches tall and weighs 29 pounds. She is currently rearfacing and will be until further notice, hopefully for several years. I encourage parents to look into the security of rearfacing past the bare minimums.
Here is a good video to get you started:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWKm7SenDHU
BUT, eventually, your child will outgrow the rearfacing height and/or weight limits. So here are some reviews from least expensive to most expensive.
Evenflo Chase
At $60, the Chase is the cheapest harnessed booster. Although it is the same size as the Nautilus, note that it only harnesses to 40lbs, which seems to be useless since many convertible seats now rearface to 40lbs. That is barely the booster limit.
Price: $60
Harness limit: 40 pounds
Belt limit: 100 pounds
Shell: 26 inches
Base width: 16
Widest part: 18
Highest slot: 16
Evenflo Maestro
attention: the Maestro has been recalled! In a crash, the harness can be compromised!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDrCbLcP8CE
The Maestro really surprised me. I measured the highest slot height at 18 inches. That is really going to help with a taller kid, but again, the harnessing height is low at 50lbs. I also don't understand the point of having a high harness height since the shell is an inch shorter than the Chase.
Specs:
Price: $80
Harness limit: 50 pounds
Belt limit: 100 pounds
Shell: 25 inches
Base width: 17
Widest part: 19
Highest slot: 18
Graco Nautilus
The Nautilus still rules the roost, at least for cheap booster-only seats available in the store. It's the same size as the Chase, but harnesses to 65lbs.
Specs:
Price: $160
Harness limit: 65 pounds
Belt limit: 100 pounds
Shell: 26 inches
Base width: 16
Widest part: 18
Highest slot: 16
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| Nautilus and Chase comparison. |
We didn't have a good selection of harnessed booster seats to review. But if you visit the Kyle Miller Foundation they have a review of higher-harnessing seats such as the Britax Frontier 85.
What I noticed is that if parents research convertible carseats first, they will end up with a convertible carseat that forward faces for a good amount of time. Then if needed, a harnessed seat can be purchased.
What are the lowest limits on these seats? I know of people who use them with 1 year olds......
ReplyDeleteI think most states laws are 3 years and 30lbs. Canadian law (or at least most provinces?) is 4 years and 40lbs.
ReplyDeleteThe American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says children should remain in their convertible carseat until they reach the maximum height and weight. For most children and most seats, this will be long past one year, or even 2 and 3 years.
So, in the harness mode, how are any of these seats different from a convertible 5 point harnessed seat?
ReplyDeleteFiguring that carseats can only be used 6 years, I'll give you the example of my kids:
ReplyDeleteI currently own the Evenflo Triumph Advance seats. They go up to 50 pounds forward facing (the new ones go higher. I have a 3-year-old who is forward facing and an 18-month old who is rear-facing, and another one on the way. I do have an infant seat which will work for about 5 months before my new baby outgrows it because my other two were out of the infant seats pretty quickly. But probably after that, I'll buy a booster with a harness for my oldest, use the oldest of the Evenflo seats as the spare in my mother's car (It was purchased in January 2008 so it still has some life in it).
I'll keep the oldest one harnessed until he reaches the weight limit, and my kids will keep passing the seats down.
I guess the harness option in the booster seat gives parents another option so that they are spending a little more money on a seat that will last longer. Also, I'd imagine that the boosters have higher harness heights to accommodate older children. Although you COULD put a tall 2-year-old in one of those seats, it probably wouldn't be the best option and would probably be a waste since the child would probably be moving from a convertible seat that would still fit them.