Frontier/Regent Help Please

[naomi01]

Hi,

We have been holding off on our next car-seat purchase waiting for the new Frontier. We have a 5 year old weighing about 43 pounds or so currently in a Decathalon, a 3 year old weighing 36 pounds or so in an Advantage and an 8 month old. The 8 month old is in the Chicco Keyfit and is okay for now, but both the 3 yo and 5 yo are almost too tall for their seats.

I had thought we would buy a Parkway/Monarch next, but have reconsidered with too much reading on this board and would like to keep them all in a 5 point harness. So we have been eagerly waiting for the new Frontier (I really like the idea of it being latchable).

My first concern is the following: DS, the 5 yo, is currently seated in the back row of our minivan, a Kia Carnival/Sedona, in his Decathalon which already obstructs my rear-view by what I consider a just barely acceptable amount. I have avoided the Regent because I know it is huge and will only magnify that problem, but will the Frontier be any better? Does any one have any information? The younger kids need help getting in their seatbelts so I would prefer not to stick them in the back, and three car-seats in the middle is a tightfit and a distraction for me because of kid-kid interactions (I am sure there are others who share this problem). Ideas?

Secondly, when is the darn thing coming out? We currently live abroad and I was hoping to utilize our trip back to the states next month to get one but still no sign on their website.

Thoughts anyone?

TIA,

Naomi

[Joolsplus2]

I wish we knew it when it were (was?) coming out I don't think by next month.

Maybe the Graco Nautilus would work if it doesn't come out? It's a couple inches taller than the Decathlon (in the harness).

As for rearview blockage...the only advice I have is to put the seat outboard (if it's in the center, that's the worst) and learn to use your side mirrors more... Kids don't get smaller and seats don't get shorter and the problem is only going to get worse... Regent is no taller than the Decathlon, though...

[naomi01]

Hi Jools,

Sorry it took so long to reply, we just went through the ear infection, tummy bug, sore throat, now - switch, round in our family... I am still hoping for the frontier although I suspect I will be out of luck. I many wait a month or two and let me husband pick it up on a business trip.

I hate the rearview problem - one of these days I hope to install a rear beeper or some such device to help, I feel like I can only reverse on a guess and usually underestimate how much space there is.

It's funny that you say the regent is no taller than the decathalon - my recollection of having seen the regent in TRU a long time ago is that it appeared ginormous! I wonder how the frontier will compare? I really would prefer a Britax, my graco plat cargo has never felt as solid, either as a seat or as a fit.

Thanks so much,

Naomi

[Joolsplus2]

The Regent is flat on the seat, while the DC is up on a base, so it evens out in the height department...
Looks like you might have some hope for the Frontier, now, anyway!

Glad you all feel better!

[naomi01]

Hope? Give me hope! Did you hear something? Please share!

Naomi

[Joolsplus2]

It's available for preorder already

[naomi01]

I just tried britax and safeandsecurebaby - who has it for preorder? Thanks so much, Naomi

[Joolsplus2]

http://www.babyonthegoathome.com/sto...9a158e8453bd01

http://hipmonkey.com/store/car-seats...r/prod_97.html

[naomi01]

wow! thanks again. Naomi

[Joolsplus2]

I don't want to say I'm excited about this seat coming out...but...

It's 'just' the seat I've been hoping for...I really hope it's all that and a bag of chips...