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(More customer reviews)After many MANY weeks of research, gathering information from several sites, reviews etc I decided that the Britax Boulevard was definitely the safest bet available on the market. The things that sold me: All the safety gadgets that other seats don't have like the side impact wings, the HUGS system, the LATCH system and 5 point harness and also the fact that it lasts up to 29Kg.
My toddler was using a Cosco seat which I really didn't feel comfortable with, it moved pretty easily in the back seat, it was near impossible to remove the fabric covers if I wanted to wash them ( which is often with little hands rubbing bits of biscuits into the seat, dropping raisins and drinking juice in the car) and IF and when I decided to go ahead and wash it, it would take more than 30 mins to get it all back together again. It was time for a change.
I did most of my research on the net, picking my top 3 choices I went and had a look at them in the shops. I looked at one the Graco Comfort Sport, the Britax Boulevard and the Decathlon and Marathon seats. By far it seems that Britax have the upper hand safely wise on the market, many professional reviews and crash tests agree on this so Britax was the clear choice for us.
If you are spending money on the safety of your kids I really believe that $300 is not a high price to pay for peace of mind. Obviously I think this the THE factor which makes parents doubt if this is the right seat, but look at how long the seat will actually last, if you opted for any other seat, you'd soon have to buy a second one when the child outgrows it.
I have the seat front facing in my Camry (2007) I worried about the size of the chair from reading other reviews but that is NO problem in my car, my son has plenty of leg room and can see perfectly out the window. He is nice and high up which is a bonus and when he falls asleep the side wings serve as support for his head whereas normally it would flop about with his old seat. Installation is not a problem, I suggest reading the instructions all the way through a couple of times first though because as with all things that require instructions, the first time I tried to install it got carried away and started doing things before reading the next step so do make sure you're not too overly confident!! I did actually put a small towel under the seat's base and removed the back headrest from my car to stop the leather from getting damaged. The seat is quite tall, although visibility isn't a problem, the marks on the leather could be.
I have yet to wash the covers but the onyx material is really plush and soft and the whole cover looks easy to remove.I could go on and on about how much I love this seat. We have had it for over a month now and have NO complaints and my 2 year old son is happy in it and a lot more safe.If you are worried about the size of this seat it's really not as bad as people say it is. In fact, the base of the seat is actually smaller (narrower) than the Cosco and you can still fit 2 regular sized people in the back of the car. It's just taller to accommodate taller children. The harness lengths are fine in my opinion and all the padding looks comfortable. Instructions are reasonable and with a couple of practice runs it's easy enough to change from car to car. CONCLUSION: If you're in doubt over the price, it's well worth it.
Pro's:
*The amount of safety features this car seat has
*It's unbelievably secure once installed ( it doesn't budge)
*The quality of the Onyx material is great along with the HUGS system, lips and padding
*You can adjust the height of the harness and side wings WITHOUT removing the seat and without any hassle. It has a sliding rail here which allows you to change the position of the harness and wings without pre-set holes, so it will always be just right for your child.
*The side wings move with the harness so you don't have to worry about whether they're at the right height or not.
*It will last you child a lot longer than any other convertible seat on the market
Con's:
*The price is higher than any other chair on the market
*It's really rather heavy, it's FAA approved but I can't imagine carrying it on a plane... although I have seen some celebrity photos of their kids in these seats and some sort of trolley you can get to wheel it around on. Have no idea where you can get them though!
I have made this as detailed as possible, I hope it helps with all your shopping decisions!
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Britax Boulevard Convertible Car SeatProduct Description: The Boulevard from Britax offers a host of comfort and safety features designed to keep your child secure while traveling in the car. Made to accommodate your child throughout his or her infancy, the Boulevard can be used as either rear facing for babies five to 35 pounds and a standing height of 49 inches or less, or forward facing for those babies weighing 20 to 65 pounds, with a standing height of 49 inches or less.
The Britax Boulevard offers:
HUGS system for maximum safety.
True Side Impact Protection.
5-point harness for a secure fit.
Deep side walls and head support.
The HUGS system exceeds US safety standards. (Onyx shown.) View larger.
Quick and Easy Installation Designed to install quickly and easily, the Boulevard features an easy-turn knob that immediately adjusts the headrest and harness height so you don't have to continually uninstall and reinstall the seat. The tangle-free, durable polyester, five-point harness system ensures a snug and secure fit without unnecessary or uncomfortable pressure on your baby's body. You can also take advantage of the belt holders to keep the harness to the side while you're placing the baby in the seat. Lock-offs tightly secure seatbelts--and since they're built-in, you won't have to worry about losing parts!
True Side Impact ProtectionTM for Peace of Mind The Boulevard also gives you additional peace of mind by featuring engineered True Side Impact Protection
TM. Deep side walls and head support provide advanced shock-absorption and cushioning in side impact collisions, helping to reduce the risk of injury. Additionally, EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) impact foam lining around the baby's head and torso absorbs energy in side and rear impacts, cradles baby's head to keep it away from protruding parts, cushions violent side to side movements, and creates a comfortable resting spot.
HUGS for Optimum Safety and Support When it comes to safety, the Boulevard truly delivers. First, the patented floating HUGS (Harness Ultra Guard) system exceeds U.S. safety standards by reducing forward head movement as it gently cushions the neck and chest with soft padding--a feature that's particularly important both in the case of an accident and during nap time. In addition, this system better distributes the webbing loads, reducing head movement and minimizing harness irritation on baby's neck in case of an impact. HUGS also reduces the chance of improperly positioning the chest clip.
Proper Positioning for a Safe, Custom-Fit The Boulevard comes complete with a body pillow and EPS and comfort foam to help ensure proper positioning that keeps your baby's head and neck stable. Front harness adjustment lets you ensure a safe and snug fit, while the rear- and forward-facing recline helps the patented Versa-Tether anchor the top of seat to the vehicle in the event of impact, reducing potentially dangerous movement. This system also allows for rear-facing tethering to help keep the seat from shifting.
Weighing 19 pounds and measuring 19.5 x 27 x 25.5 inches (WxHxD), the Boulevard is also certified for air travel, boasts a soft and supportive design, and offers a valuable level of protection in the event of an accident. The Boulevard comes with a 1-year limited warranty.
The Companion is also available in the following colors: Regal, Barrington, Shannon, Huntington, Park Avenue.
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