Help! Confused re Britax Marathon and Roundabout

[marchmommy]

I am going to BAbies R Us this weekend and always get overwhelmed there (and my DH will not have patience with me not knowing what I want on my firs trip there)--does only the Marathon face the rear? Why is the Roundabout more popular on these message boards if it doesn't face rear and rear-facing for the first year is safer? What's your advice on which seat is better? Btw, my baby is almost 5 months and about 18 pounds, 25 inches. . . Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!

[August Mom]

Doing a search of old threads should help you sort out the differences between these seats, but BOTH the Roundabout and the Marathon are convertible seats, meaning that they can be used rear facing and forward facing. Both can be used rear facing up to 33 pounds.

The Marathon was just released in 2002. It is a larger seat. It has 4 harness heights instead of 3 and can be used forward facing up to 65 pounds, although likely the height limit will be met before the weight limit. The Roundabout can be used forward facing to 40 pounds. The design of the bases is different, so you may find that one will fit in your car better than the other. BRU will let you try them in your car to analyze fit.

Here are links from the Britax website that provide dimensions and other information.

http://www.britaxusa.com/products.cfm?action=ShowProduct&pro_id=7C71C785-4FBA-422D-83DC419B3D5B8213

http://www.britaxusa.com/products.cfm?action=ShowProduct&pro_id=6DF8B039-B6D7-4461-A597367E0C5B9295

There have been some complaints about the harness adjuster on the Marathon. Doing a quick search here on that issue may give you more information than you want to know.