Roundabout - getting the recline angle right in RF mode?

[netarc]

In a store today we checked out both the Graco ComfortSport and Britax Roundabout - both very nice seats, though frankly I can't figure out why the latter is _twice_ as $$$ as the former?!?

Anyway, had a question re: the Roundabout? The ComfortSport had a little angle indicator (a ball sliding in a curved channel) so that one could discern the correct angle when RF ... the Roundabout, however, didn't! How do you folks who have the Roundabout ensure that it's set at the proper/safest angle in RF mode?

Also - re: the Wizard ... didn't see one there, but wondering what advantages the Wizard has over the Roundabout?

[murphydog77]

Hi. I'll start with your first observations about the differences in price of the seats. The Britax seats are more expensive because they have more user-friendly features such as easier-to-use harness adjusters, more padding (though the ComfortSports are very nicely padded any more), more choice in covers, velcro on the straps to keep them out of the way, rear-facing tethers, etc. You will find that in the store the harness adjusters work about the same on both seats, but once they are installed in cars with children in the seats, Britax wins hands-down. Some people don't care, so it's not worth it to them to pay extra.

As for the angle indicator, in my tech class, we were taught to ignore them because they are sometimes inaccurate. That was nearly 4 years ago and I think they have improved them somewhat. When installing seats, I do look at the angle indicator, but more importantly, I guestimate the angle by looking at the back where the baby's head lays to see if I think it's at a good angle for that baby. You can see how to do this here: http://www.carseatsite.com/reclineangle.htm .

Some advantages the Wizard has over the Roundabout include: side impact head wings to protect the head, a taller back to allow a child to rear-face for longer (and forward-face for longer), a higher forward-facing weight limit, and an "infinite" harness height adjuster--the harness can easily be adjusted to accommodate your child's height, as opposed to needing to be re-threaded through a different slot.

HTH!

Heather, CPS Tech
http://www.carseatsite.com