Forward Facing Car Seat

[burnt_toast]

We are up grading to a front facing car seat very soon. I just would like to know, what do you have, name and model. What do you like about it? And what you don’t?
Thanks

[kellya]

Currently we have a Britax Marathon (which is rearfacing/forward facing) and a Graco Platinum Cargo (which is forward facing and a booster - although we find the booster part to be useless) We much prefer the Britax - it was more money but the quality is a lot better (our Graco looks horrible - the fabric is literally shredding) Once our new baby is out of his infant seat we plan on moving him to the Britax and our older son to a Sunshine Radian (which is available at Canadian Tire) They are a new company to Canada but the seat has been getting pretty good reviews (although reportedly it can be a bit of a pain to install)

Kelly

[Rehan]

We had our 3 y/o in a Britax Marathon until recently, when it was time to get a new seat for the 1 y/o (because she was too heavy for the infant carrier). We considered getting another Marathon, but decided to get the Sunshine Kids Radian instead. So now the 1 y/o is in a rear-facing Marathon and the 3 y/o in a forward-facing Radian.

The Radian has a bunch of nice advantages, but the main drawback is that it can be a pain to install properly.

BTW, kids are safer in the rear-facing position, so parents shouldn't be too hasty to get them into a forward-facing seat. This (http://babyproducts.about.com/od/carseats/qt/rear_facing.htm) is a good article on the issue, and says:
A forward-facing car seat is safe after one year AND 20 pounds, but a rear-facing car seat is safer. According to NHTSA, a rear-facing car seat is 71 percent safer than no restraint at all, and a forward-facing car seat is 54 percent safer than no restraint at all. Keeping your baby rear-facing to the limit of the seat is the safest choice. You can check your car seat instruction book or the labels on the car seat sides to find the rear-facing weight and height limits.

[Gaffer]

Sunshine Radian (which is available at Canadian Tire) They are a new company to Canada but the seat has been getting pretty good reviews (although reportedly it can be a bit of a pain to install)Kelly

I bought the Sunshine Radian, and have nothing but good things to say about it. We are using it in the rear facing set up right now. I did not find it anymore difficult to install than our Peg Perego with the base. I will agree than the instructions are lengthy, and somewhat confusing at first. I think it will be easier to install in the forward facing set up.

When I was looking for car seats, I found it to be more sturdy than the Gracos etc that are around. The frame is made or metal, and the thing weights a ton, which I like.

The material is like a black and grey ultrasuede which is bullet proof and matches both my cars interiors. (Call me picky)

We were looking at the Britax Marathon when I bought this but found the Radian to be more sturdy and compact. The Brittax was huge compared to this one. Another nice feature is that it "folds" for airline travel, and it is one of the few seats that is approved for use on airplanes.

Another bonus was it was only about $200 dollars. Slightly more than the Gracos et al, and significantly chealer than the Brittax.

I like the quality of the Brittax, but I would put the Radian into the same catagory.

I plan on buying another one so I can have one in each car, plus we will be able to use it until the little Gaffers are 45lbs (It is rated for more in the USA)

Another feature I liked was the seat is a little wider through the shoulder than many I have seen. This will be nice when the child is older so they are not stuffed in there like a sardine.

I dont think you can go wrong with this seat.

Gaf

[Rehan]

Another nice feature is that it "folds" for airline travel, and it is one of the few seats that is approved for use on airplanes. Actually, that's not at all true in Canada. All car seats approved by Transport Canada are approved for airplane use as well... As it says at http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/commerce/circulars/AC0177.htm :
In the United States, regulations require a separate label certifying the device for use in aircraft, as American manufacturers are only required to conduct an inversion test if the manufacturer wants to certify the device for aircraft use. Canadian manufactured child restraint systems do not require a separate label stating certification for use in aircraft as it is a requirement for all devices to successfully complete an inversion test. I came across that this morning when getting the Radian ready for a plane trip. :)

But the nice thing about using the Radian on a plane is the narrow width. The Britax Marathon would take up a lot of seat space and would make it uncomfortable for the adjacent passenger.

Oh, and with regards to my comment earlier about difficulty in installing the radian, apparently it's only for a belt installation. I've read that installation is not much of an issue with LATCH. We don't have a vehicle with LATCH, so we've never tried it out that way.

[Gaffer]

Actually, that's not at all true in Canada. All car seats approved by Transport Canada are approved for airplane use as well... As it says at http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/commerce/circulars/AC0177.htm :
I came across that this morning when getting the Radian ready for a plane trip.

But the nice thing about using the Radian on a plane is the narrow width. The Britax Marathon would take up a lot of seat space and would make it uncomfortable for the adjacent passenger.

That is good to know, and I agree about the width of the seat encroaching on other passengers.

Oh, and with regards to my comment earlier about difficulty in installing the radian, apparently it's only for a belt installation. I've read that installation is not much of an issue with LATCH. We don't have a vehicle with LATCH, so we've never tried it out that way.

That makes sense. We have a Pacifica which is probably the worst vehicle for installing car seats, and I did not think it was too bad. LATCH is great.

Gaf

[BlazinTrini]

We just bought a 3 in 1 eddie bauer...just put it rear facing for maybe just this month coming. Since I think your baby has to be at least 1 year old before forward facing

[Bullseye]

We have two convertible car seats, one an Evenflo, one the Eddie Bauer 3 in 1. We bought the latter as a backup for our second car (which rarely carries children), but have grown so fond of it, and so bothered by the Evenflo, that we're moving the Eddie Bauer to our family vehicle!

We were eager to get our first child forward facing, because he hated being backwards, we switched it at 10 months and 21 lbs. In hindsight I think we may have compromised safety by doing this, I won't do it again with our second. It also helps that our second probably won't mind rear facing so much because he'll just be looking at his big brother. ;)

[burnt_toast]

Thanks for the replies.

I know its safer for the baby to face backward, but our current car seat has only a limit of 20lbs. and he is almost at 20lbs. We will know for sure after the next doctor’s appointment. So what we are looking for is a seat that is fairly big enough so he can sit comfortably and can be rear facing and forward facing.

I’ve never heard of Britax before, so I guess I have to do some more research.
Thanks

[burnt_toast]

beside Canadian Tire, where ekse can i find these car seats?
Sunshine Radian and Britax Marathon?
thanks

[Kranberry]

I was looking to get the Britax Marathon as on the US site it is rated by the FAA as on an airplane, and we need to use it on an airplane.

It is interesting to note that it is certified for all Canadian branded car seats, however, that's okay for flying in Canada as we all know that, but foreign airways may not know that and they may want a stamp on their seat. I don't know, just playing devil's advocate. Having said that though, I do know the Radian is also rated for Aircraft use. So now I have another seat to look at, and from your comments, the Radian is an easier fit because it isn't as wide. I guess I'll have to look at both seats and see which one the little one likes.

[Kranberry]

beside Canadian Tire, where ekse can i find these car seats?
Sunshine Radian and Britax Marathon?
thanks

This place carries both, they are out in Mississauga. Just go to the Britax or Sunshine Kids website, then you can find dealers in your area.

http://www.babyproofingplus.com/

[Rehan]

It is interesting to note that it is certified for all Canadian branded car seats, however, that's okay for flying in Canada as we all know that, but foreign airways may not know that and they may want a stamp on their seat. I think no Canadian seats have that FAA stamp, though...not even the Marathon. What I have done just in case is to print out the Transport Canada page that I linked to earlier and highlighted the paragraph that I quoted. That way you at least have something besides your word to show that the seat is okay for use on a plane.

This place carries both, they are out in Mississauga. Just go to the Britax or Sunshine Kids website, then you can find dealers in your area.

http://www.babyproofingplus.com/ Safety Superstore has locations in Brampton and North York as well. We got our Britax from there, but got the Radian from Canadian Tire because it's cheaper there ($200 vs. $230). But Safety Superstore has the Radian in several different colors as well as the Premier model with some upgrades for $270.

Many other baby stores carry the Britax as well. In Toronto, there are stores like Dear-Born Baby, Kiddie Proofers, Macklem's, etc.

[ai_c]

We have two convertible car seats, one an Evenflo, one the Eddie Bauer 3 in 1. We bought the latter as a backup for our second car (which rarely carries children), but have grown so fond of it, and so bothered by the Evenflo, that we're moving the Eddie Bauer to our family vehicle!

We were eager to get our first child forward facing, because he hated being backwards, we switched it at 10 months and 21 lbs. In hindsight I think we may have compromised safety by doing this, I won't do it again with our second. It also helps that our second probably won't mind rear facing so much because he'll just be looking at his big brother. ;)

which evenflo convertible car seat did you get? we're thinking of getting the triumph one for our little one as i have strong feeling that he will outgrow his carrier shortly. how does it fit your car? did you have to move the driver/front passenger up front?

[JeeZues]

Is the Safety 1st Summit car seat on sale now at Costco for ~$120 any good?
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4752978

I'm really concerned about safety, ease of use, and being able to fit in the car.

Thanks...

[jccc]

Toys R Us carries the Britax Roundabout and Britax Marathons in their larger stores.

We got ours in Richmond Hill (or Markham I can't remember which one) at the toys R Us there.

Bonnie Tots also carriers the Britax seats.