So what's the favorite booster these days?

[Melanie]

Ds is in a Britax Parkway we used to keep in Dh's car, and just outgrew his MA. As we speak Dh is currently turning around and driving back home from work b/c we forgot the booster was in his car. I'm anticipating a purchase this week (haha), so I thought I'd just make sure the Parkway is still a good bet. The Radian will not work for us, I've already tried one out. Ds is too tall.

TIA

[Joolsplus2]

I'm kind of digging the Monarch, too... the EU version does really well in the crash tests I've seen. If you really love your Parkway, always use it right, then go for another one, I don't think it's bad (I'm a little bummed my 9 yo says it hurts his back now...It's been my favorite booster!)

:)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[Jubee]

Can you share the crash test links if you have them? Isn't the EU version LATCHed though?

[Joolsplus2]

http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.oeamtc.at/tests/kindersitze/&prev=/search%3Fq%3Doeamtc%2Bkindersitze%26hl%3Den

Click on 'child seat test 2007' to get to the videos of group 2/3 and hold your control button if you have a popup blocker to get the movies to open. I'll go watch and see if it's the latch version, but I *thought* it wasn't...
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[Joolsplus2]

Ok, actually it's in the second link down, the test results...the kid plus does better than the kidfix... now let me read why...
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[Joolsplus2]

Well, yeah, the kidfix is better in side crashes than the kid plus, owing to the LATCH connection... the kid plus only scored higher on ease of cleaning, lol. The Maxi Cosi Rodi also does well (it can be purchased here in the US, too, but I haven't seen one in real life to comment on it yet). Now I'm going off to read previous years and see how the Parkway-clone did (forgive the stream of conciousness on this thread, by the way, lol).
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[Joolsplus2]

And I'm back... it's in the 2005 Archive, the "Romans VIP"..it actually does really well in the side crash, but only average in the frontcrash (no videos, so we can't see quite what they mean....).

:)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[Melanie]

hmm...having only just now seen it online, wouldn't those side arm rests be limiting as far as how long a child could use it before they outgrow the width? It appears much more narrow than the Parkway.


BTW, can you elaborate on the part about alwys using the Parkway right? Obviously I *think* we are, but I'd like to hear what you consider using it right?

Thanks Julie!

[Melanie]

Hmm...I ended up looking at snow chains. LOL. I need a translator!

[Joolsplus2]

It's actually rather wider than the PW...I have a friend with both, and pictures, and the Monarch really is larger in the seat area :) Oh, I'm sure you're using the PW right...I was just on a roll with the spiel of using it right every trip... just get the shoulderbelt in the red shoulderbelt guide, buckle, and go (seats with armrests are a tad harder to deal with..people are notorious for completely messing up the Turbo Booster, believe it or not)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[Melanie]

Really? Hmm...and that brings up another issue which is would it even fit!? The Parkway just seems to since Ds (or us) have to access the safety belt receptacle to buckle it. I guess we're going to have to check this one out in person.

Oh yes, we do use it properly then. We (ds) actually also pulls the belt all the way out to have it lock back. He's very particular about things. LOL. Dd, OTOH, if things continue will be strapped into a Regent with Duct Tape over the buttons. ;)


Thanks!

[Joolsplus2]

Oh yea, it'll fit, it's actually width adjustable (the EU version might not be)...the base gets really narrow to really wide, and the seat can be separated and used backless when he's a lot older (or for travel....)

:)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[Jubee]

It was really interesting to see those crash tests, but I don't understand their chart ratings because of the language issue. How are you reading that? Also, what is the name of the seat that is the same as the US Monarch? Are you saying it did not do that well without ISOFIX? I'm kinda confused, but I really want to understand. I'm debating between a Monarch and a Recaro Vivo.

[threerugratz]

I "may" be the friend Julie is referring to. I have pictures of the Monarch and Parkway compared.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/threerugratz4me/album?.dir=5c7bscd&.src=ph

I have an 8 year old using the Monarch. My reasoning for choosing the Monarch was mostly because there is no gap in the SIP when the headrest is raised. I have a slight obsession with SIP on my seats.

I really like the Parkway as well, my daughter loved it as well. The lack of armrests was perfect for her. I couldn't resist getting a Monarch when they came out and coincidentally my son was outgrowing the harness on his Young Sport so that was enough of an excuse for me.

I have been anxiously awaiting the Vivo but to my disappointment, I don't like the "empty space" between the side and headwings when the headrest is raised. I was really wanting to make another booster purchase, I've been good lately and haven't bought anything.

So now I'm anxiously awaiting the Alto while my son rides happily in his Monarch or Recaro Start.

[Joolsplus2]

You're the one! Thanks for popping in!!! I don't know why more of my friends don't have Monarchs so I can pick their brains, too, lol.

:)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx