So I just did some research on the Internet and I've narrowed it down to the
Britax Marathon and Radian XT. (I'm not considering the Recaro, only because it
is not certified in Canada. Otherwise I would consider it too).

This is what I've found out:

BM - easy to install, bulky for travelling, very difficult for some people to
figure out how to fully tighten the straps especially in the rear-facing
position (the biggest drawback for me), fits better than the radian for
rear-facing
Radian - narrow and great for cars especially that have 3 car seats in a row,
folds up and great for travel, some people have found it a pain for rear-facing
and have the front seats pushed all the way up in order to fit it in (the
biggest drawback for me), more room for kids to grow lengthwise, limits are
higher (up to 35 pounds rear-facing instead of 30 and up to 80 pound
forward-facing instead of 65 with the BM)

Anyone have any experience with harnessing the straps tight enough with the BM
and/or ease of ability to rear-face in family sized cars?

One more question - in the pictures it looks like the Britax Boulevard CS is the
seat with the side impact protection (and not the marathon) - is this true?

Thanks again for all your feedback about this!

Nicole

-- In parentsoflittlepeople2@yahoogroups.com, Erica Newman <photofemme29@...>
wrote:
>
> We purchased the Britax Marathon car seat (upon recommendation by other
parents on this site) and couldn't be happier with it. 
>
>
> With Love
> The Newmans
> Erica, Darin, Colby, Morgan, Sydney and Sutton
>  
>
> --- On Fri, 7/10/09, Fowler, Lindsay <lindsay.fowler@...> wrote:
>
>
> From: Fowler, Lindsay <lindsay.fowler@...>
> Subject: RE: [Parents of Little People 2] Best car seat?
> To: parentsoflittlepeople2@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Friday, July 10, 2009, 8:54 AM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> I think you may have recommended the Recaro to me when I was looking for
> a new seat. My niece has the Young Sport and my sister is really happy
> with it. I haven't been able to see the Como or Signo in person. Do you
> think the SIP will fit the head of a child with Achondroplasia? I
> couldn't find the specs of the SIP online.
>
> Thanks,
> Lindsay
>
> ____________ _________ _________ __
>
> From: parentsoflittlepeop le2@yahoogroups. com
> [mailto:parentsoflittlepeop le2@yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of quanttravel
> Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2009 3:53 PM
> To: parentsoflittlepeop le2@yahoogroups. com
> Subject: Re: [Parents of Little People 2] Best car seat?
>
> The Recaro has great SIP also, that is why we bought it. Here is what
> there site says about it.
> The RECARO Como convertible car seat is a forward or rear facing child
> seat featuring RECARO Side Impact Protection (SIP), plush microfiber
> fabrics, and a thick adjustable headrest. The Como is a highly
> adjustable car seat, with a harness and headrest that adapt to your son
> or daughter's growing body. The Como's adjustability, superior safety
> features, and high harness weight capacity may make it the only carseat
> you will ever need.
>
> --- In parentsoflittlepeop le2@yahoogroups. com
> <mailto:parentsofli ttlepeople2% 40yahoogroups. com> , "Fowler, Lindsay"
> <lindsay.fowler@ ...> wrote:
> >
> > I've been researching the heck out of car seats and strollers these
> > days. Paige is now 2.5, but is still very small for her age (26in and
> > 18lbs). She is still in her Chicco Keyfit in my car, but is outgrowing
> > it. I took her to our Children's Hospital where they have a car seat
> > clinic for kids who need special consideration. The OT/car seat tech
> > there highly recommended both the Britax and the Sunshine Kids Radian
> > XT. The Radian had a very impressive firm back, steel frame and a low
> > center of gravity. I chose the Britax Boulevard for the side impact
> > wings, but it was a tough choice. I feel that it will help when Paige
> > falls asleep (as well as being safe!) and it's weight limit is 80lbs.
> > I'm still waiting on it to come in. In the meantime, we purchased both
> > an Alpha Omega Elite (nice firm back) and the Britax Roundabout. We
> had
> > the AOE in my husbands 4Runner, but it was large and to get it
> reclined
> > back far enough, we had to use 3 pool noodles (done at the fire
> > station). Otherwise, Paige's head fell WAY too far forward when she
> > slept and I was worried about her airway. We gave the AOE to the
> > babysitter. The Roundabout is very nice and reclines well with 1
> noodle.
> > The leg straps don't seem to fit quite right, however. The Roundabout
> > has the lower weight limit (40lbs) and her head is already within 3
> > inches of the top, but it should last long enough to get our money's
> > worth. Overall, we are really happy with it's firm back and comfort
> for
> > her. My husband likes that the Roundabout does not come up in between
> > his two front seats and the straps are easier to loosen and tighten.
> >
> > Take Ethan to the store with you and try him out in the seats.
> Babiesrus
> > and Target have a lot of options. I have not seen the Sunshine Kids
> > brand in the stores, only online, but we did get to try it at the car
> > seat clinic. Others have recommended Recaro, but I could not blindly
> > order one without trying it as Paige's head is pretty large and I was
> > worried about a lack of space with the head cushion. I ordered the AOE
> > and Roundabout from Albeebaby.com. They have really good prices and
> free
> > shipping.
> >
> > Good luck,
> > Lindsay
> >
> > ____________ _________ _________ __
> >
> > From: parentsoflittlepeop le2@yahoogroups. com
> <mailto:parentsofli ttlepeople2% 40yahoogroups. com>
> > [mailto:parentsoflittlepeop le2@yahoogroups. com
> <mailto:parentsofli ttlepeople2% 40yahoogroups. com> ] On Behalf Of
> nlisevich
> > Sent: Tuesday, July 07, 2009 8:48 PM
> > To: parentsoflittlepeop le2@yahoogroups. com
> <mailto:parentsofli ttlepeople2% 40yahoogroups. com>
> > Subject: [Parents of Little People 2] Best car seat?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Hi again,
> >
> > Since we're on the topic of car seats, what are your opinions on the
> > best car seat after the infant carrier for kids with bigger heads,
> lower
> > weight and reduced muscle tone? Ethan is 11 months old and not ready
> to
> > come out of the infant carrier yet, but we want to be prepared and
> have
> > a seat ready for him. I know the Britax Marathon was mentioned. Any
> > other recommendations? How about the nautilus? regeant? Those are
> names
> > I've heard tossed around as being good car seats, but I really have no
> > idea. Thanks!
> >
> > Nicole
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
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