Graco Turbo or Britax Parkway

[lrgeller]

My son is 4 and over 40 pounds and it's finally time for him to be out of his Roundabout.

I am deciding btwn the Graco and Britax -- anyone have an opinion on WHICH IS BETTER?

THanks!

[Scatterbunny]

I'll start off with the differences between the two: the Turbo has armrests, the Parkway does not. The Parkway's wings (both head and torso) are much deeper than the Turbo's wings. The cheaper versions of the Turbo are not as padded as the Parkway. The more expensive versions of the Turbo are very well padded (but we've only owned a cheaper version so I didn't get to compare, side-by-side, the padding level).

My preference is the Parkway, for a couple of reasons. My 4.5 year old has used both, and she prefers the Parkway because it is easier for her to buckle herself (though it is still very difficult for her). The Turbo's armrests just get in the way (the belt is routed under the armrests). She used a Turbo first and then switched to a Parkway and does not miss the armrests at all.

I like the deeper wings, especially around the torso, they seem much more protective to me, and the Parkway was actually designed and tested in side impact crashes.

The cupholders on the Turbo are nicer, deeper (sometimes larger cups fall right out of the Parkway's cupholders on corners), but this is a minor annoyance.

Here are my comparison pics of the Turbo and Parkway: http://photobucket.com/albums/0603/scatterbunny/Booster%20Comparisons/

Are you sure your son is mature enough to use the belt positioning booster properly at all times (not wiggling out of position, not putting the shoulderbelt behind his back, riding properly the whole ride)?

Hope that booster comparison helped some!

[kate4478]

I can't see any pics. :-( It keeps asking me to login to upload my pics! Is there another way to view the pics? TIA, Kate

[Joni]

I'm one of the few out here who personally likes the Turbo more. I have a well padded version (4 actually) and although the Britax has no armrests for Grandpa to work around, I really like the Turbo, and having to buy 4 the price was much friendlier for me.
JONI CPST

[lrgeller]

Which is the more padded version?? How do I tell?

[Joni]

Simply by touching the seat you can tell. One thing to look for is the seats with a cover that wraps around the bottom of the seat with holes for the cup holder rather than the cover that just covers the spot where your child sits. If you get one that has a reversible cover or the GracoPedic cover you're getting one of the most padded versions out there. The specialty designs (Princess, Buzz Lightyear, Flower Power) all have relatively well padded seats.
JONI CPST

[lrgeller]

Thanks so much -- useful info :)

[Scatterbunny]

Ugh! I reorganized my photo albums and apparently all the Turbo vs. Parkway pics were deleted! I'll work on that and try to post back soon.

[Scatterbunny]

http://photobucket.com/albums/0603/scatterbunny/Booster%20Comparisons/Graco%20TurboBooster%20and%20Britax%20Parkway/

[lrgeller]

I think I HAVE to go with the Graco -- for now at least. I am expecting my third and don't think I can fit an infant seat, Roundabout and a Parkway in the backseat of my Highlander.

[Scatterbunny]

The Turbo measures 16.5 inches wide, the Parkway 17 inches wide...BUT the Turbo's armrests actually make it more difficult to buckle next to another carseat, especially in three-across situations. The Parkway is about the most perfect booster for three-across/tight spots because there are no armrests to get in the way of buckling. We had the Turbo next to a harnessed seat in the middle of my two-seater middle bench (minivan) for awhile and it was horrible to get your hand underneath the armrest to buckle the seat. The Parkway is now in that spot and it's much easier.

[lrgeller]

WOW -- that's really good to know. Well, I went and ordered the Turbo b/c it was on sale somewhere. I can always move it to my husband's car when #3 arrives in July.

THANK you so much for all the info.

Lea

[Joolsplus2]

Yeah, the Turbo is almost always too bulky for 'three across' situations, the Parkway is more streamlined. It is also actually tested for side impact protection and containing the head in a severe side crash... the Turbo is not tested that way (it's probably not bad, but we don't know for sure if they won't test it!)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[Joni]

Anything is possible! I have had 3 Turbo's across the backseat of my husbands GMC Canyon 4 door truck. It was tight and it required one of us crawling into the back to buckle them but we did it and the girls weren't in each other's space. The Canyon is a small 4 door so anything is possible plus, the price is nice!
JONI CPST