Convertible Car seats - Anyone recommend one?

msoulz wrote: My Erin totally hates her car seat (the kind that snaps into the stoller), and is over 16 pounds so I'll need to switch her soon anyway. Does anyone have an easy to use seat that isn't $300?? I was looking at Consumer reports and the Evenflo ones seem to rate well but then they may be really hard to use. The stroller system I bought was a "best buy" and she really hates it but I wonder if it is uncomfortable or if she will equally despise a new one. We shall see!!

Thanks!!

moped replied: I have the Eddie Bauer convertible - from 5 - 80 lbs....I really like it!!! About 169.00 CANADIAN

lisar replied: I have one by evenflo and got it at wal-mart for like $100.00. It isnt bad and it isnt hard to use at all.

boyohboyohboy replied: My son absolutely hated his infant car seat, so at 15 pounds we moved him to a alpha omega sport, its great! I had it when my son, now 4 was small....its like a very plush recliner chair for babies! It lifts him up high enough he can see out the window, its got space around the sides so he can see around in the car, and see the other passengers, we havent had any trouble since...its recommended for infants to 40 pounds! very versital, and easy to install...
I think it looks really comfortable, and it has a 5 point harness, it has great safety ratings.
we got it at babies r us, ordered it on line, when shipping was free, it was $120.
good luck

msoulz replied: Thank you all!!

holley79 replied: Thanks for asking the question. Was just making notes from the other ladies on what worked for them.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: I kept Wil in his infant carseat until he was just about one and hit the weight requirements, but after that, we bought the Evenflo Triumph 5 (I think that's what it's called) and have been happy with it. It was rated right up there with the Britax, but cheaper. I think we got our's at Target. We still use it...he's almost 30 lbs.

msoulz replied:
How is that to install? I have read some reviews that it is difficult to install. We don't have that latch system as our cars are older, but they are larger (Explorer and Crown Victoria). Also, I read that one of the Truimph one has a loose cover and the child can pick up the cover and pull apart the foam underneath. Did you experience such a thing? I think that was corrected with some kind of clips.

Thanks!!!!!

MyLuvBugs replied: We have two Evenflo Triumph 5's in our cars. They were ranked the highest last year on consumer reports for safety and such. They're just WONDERFUL!!

MyLuvBugs replied:
EASY!!! It took me less than 3 minutes to install mine yesterday. Just make sure that you have the seat anchors for the straps and it's a piece of cake!
yes, the sides can come up in only 1 area, but if you tell your kid to stop....not really a problem. KWIM?

msoulz replied: Thanks, that is so helpful! And there is always duct tape to fix those kinds of things.

BTW, what do you mean by "seat anchors for the straps"? Again, I have older vehichles without the Latch system I have heard about. We just have normal seat belts.

AlexsPajamaMama replied: We have a
Cosco Scenera-Touriva
5-Point Convertible Car Seat
Its for 5-40lbs

kayla's mama replied: We have the Alpha Omega and we love it. It is so cushiony and comfy. Kayla loves it she always passes out in it so thats good It was alot easier to install then we expected it to be.

MyLuvBugs replied:
The seat anchors are for the latch system. They are little metal hooks in the base of the seat and behind the seat. How old is your car? Make/Model?

msoulz replied: 1998 Explorer and 1999 Crown Vic - or maybe that is reversed, but one is a 1998 and the other 1999. I'm pretty sure the latch thing isn't there as it was 2002 when it was required, but then I don't know what it looks like!!

MyLuvBugs replied: I'm pretty sure the explorer will have it, but I could be wrong. I'm trying to remember what DH's old explorer had. If you have the manuals for the two they should mention it in there. You should look in the back seat and separate the back of the seat from the bottom in that crease area to see if you see any little metal hooks/anchors. If not, the middle seat belt should be fine to use.

msoulz replied: Thanks so much! I will check it out. Hopefully it will be there.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied:
Sorry, I just saw this. I'm no help though...DH installs our carseats. I'm clueless when it comes to those things! We do have the latch system in both our cars though. As far as the seat cover coming off, I've noticed just the edge coming up a little bit, but never enough where Wil sees it and pulls at it. All the buckles keep it in place IMO.

coasterqueen replied: We have the Evenflo Triumph that DD1 used as a convertible until she was too big for it. It was a decent carseat. Safety wise it was rated great, but the straps annoyed us. It was easy to install, though. DD2 is in it now and DD1 is in the Britax Regent (or regency, can't remember the name, lol).

msoulz replied: OK, I picked up the Triumph LX at Target. It seems really cushy. The DH is supposed to install it soon so we shall see. I have a sneaking suspicion that she won't like it any better, though - I'm afraid she just doesn't like being tied to a chair in the car! I hope I'm wrong!

Thank you all for your input!!!!! I love this board!!

Boo&BugsMom replied: I don't know the brand of the one our son had, but whatever you do, I would not recommend one that has the bar that goes back and over their heads (looks like a little table in front of them when secured in). When they get too big it will become very uncorfortable. I would get one that has a 5 point harness sytem instead.

hollisterluva92 replied: [B] I own both the britax marathon- the best convertible seat ever. Definantly worth the money, and the Evenflo Triumph- also a very good seat,but a little harder to install, bigger, and not as comfortable, but it works. I got my marathon online through the Britax company and I got my evenflo at babiesrus or target.