Marathon, Boulevard or Decathalon??

[iujen94]

HELP! I'm overwhelmed by the 3 choices for Britax's "bigger" car seats. We're buying for DS #1, who currently has a Roundabout that we LOVE. Sadly, though, he's getting close to both the height and weight limits, so it's time to move on (the timing of this new seat is also prompted by the fact that DS #2 is now over the limits for his infant seat, so he'll inherit the Roundabout).

Anyway, DS #1 will be 3 in November, is about 38" tall and about 33-34 pounds. He's not a huge kid, but definitely big for his age. I'm looking at the Marathon, Boulevard or Decathalon and can't really figure out what the big differences are between the 3. Which have you tried and loved or tried and hated? The cost doesn't really matter - I'll pay for whichever seems to be the best seat. Also, I have a Honda Pilot, so relative size isn't a big issue either.

Thanks so much for any suggestions!!!!

ETA: I read the comparison of these 3 seats in the Car Seat FAQ post, but was looking for more "real life" experiences with these 3 seats. Thanks!!

[crAbbymom]

Have you concidered the Regent? Since your son is too big to rf, you would get a lot more years of use out of a Regent. The best deal I've found is the Onyx pattern for 215.99 http://www.greatbeginningsonline.com/manufacturer/index.asp?F_DEPARTMENT_ID=&MANUFACTURER_ID=77&VIEW_ALL=Y

If you want different fabric choices, here is Blue Bouquet for 224.99 (Cougar same price, but backordered)

http://www.elitecarseats.com/Britax-Regent.pro

Baby Universe sale price for Onyx and Sahara is 224.99 but if you go to ebates.com first, you will get a 6% rebate!

http://www.babyuniverse.com/man/baby/105/customman/yes/manuprod/regent/manucat/0/manusec/0/custom/no/cusmanid/243/BritaxRegentCarSeat.html

All of these are free shipping, and no tax...Anyway, I hope this helps! Most of these sales end tomorrow, though.

[KrisM]

I am ordering Boulevard's for DS. DD will inhert the Wizard that he's in now. The Boulevard is the newer version of the Wizard, just different headwings.

What I like about the Wizard:
-knobs that adjust the harness height to the perfect position.
-the headwings make a nice comfy place for him to put his head for sleeping.

What I don't like about the Wizard:
-the adjustment lever. It is really hard to adjust when RF, but that won't matter to you.

I considered the Regent, but it is a wider seat. Maybe we'll need one down the road, but for now, we don't. DD is moving into the Wizard rather than getting the Boulevard because the head wings on the Wizard are closer together and her head is smaller than DS's.

DS, by the way, is almost 2.5, about 33 lbs and 37 inches tall. Close in size to your DS and he's very comfy in it.

I am getting mine from Baby Center for $254.96 + $8 in shipping (each) - 5% for ebates = $250.12.