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  1. #1
    pearl is offline Copper level (50+ posts)
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    San Diego, CA.
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    56

    Default Graco Turbo Booster or Britax Star Riser Comfy

    My son has been using a Graco Platinum CarGo with 5 point harness for about a year now. He will be four years old in a few days and is 41 lbs. I was considering moving the CarGo into my hsuband's car to use as a booster seat. My son rides in that car daily but only after being picked up from the daycare down the street from our home. The longest trips my son takes in that car is a trip to the grocery store which is less than two miles away. I want to buy a new booster seat for my car which is our primary family car. I was planning on getting a Graco Turbo Booster. The grandparents have this seat and have had no problems using it with my son. On the other hand, I learned about the Britax Star Riser Comfy which I am tempted to buy. I know that this model received a strong CR rating. I know that Britax seats in general are most well known for their safety, ease of use and comfort for growing children (my son is tall for his age). Also, according to epinions reviewers, a plus for the Britax is that the Star Riser Comfy provides head support if a child falls asleep. Granted the Britax costs twice as much, maybe its worth it? Or should I save my money and get the Graco Turbo Booster? Or maybe there is another course of action that I am completely missing? Thanks for your opinions.

  2. #2
    Scatterbunny Guest

    Default RE: Graco Turbo Booster or Britax Star Riser Comfy

    The Starriser Comfy is actually an older Britax model that has been discontinued. Britax's current booster is the Parkway, and it is far superior to the SR/C. For one thing, the SR/C's wings are only designed for comfort, not for side impact protection. The SR/C also does not adjust as tall and only has an 80 pound weight limit. The Parkway has been designed and tested for side impact protection. The wings (both head and torso) are much deeper and more cradling. It adjusts taller (the tallest highback booster available) and does not have an upper weight limit, so as long as a child still fits heightwise he can continue using the Parkway.

    We had a Graco TurboBooster before the Parkway and we much prefer the Parkway. The wings are much more protective, the seat is more comfortable, the lack of armrests on the Parkway make it much easier to buckle up (and my dd rests her arms on the top of the torso wings and likes it just fine). Also, I've seen this crash test video of the Maxi Cosi Rodi booster, which is just like the Turbo: http://www.oeamtc.at/netautor/html_s...xicosirodi.mpg

    And then I've heard from techs who've visited Britax and seen the crash test footage of the Parkway, and they say the dummy is much more contained in the Parkway.

    As for using the CarGo as a booster in other vehicles, be sure to check the fit on your son. Sometimes the deep sidewings of the CarGo, that are so nice in harnessed mode, can hold the belts too far away from the child to be safe. Also, he will get too tall for the CarGo as a booster (tips of ears over top of seat shell) and still need a booster, so keep that in mind.

    If you'd like to see pics of the Turbo and Parkway comparing the wings (both in the third row of my van), let me know.

  3. #3
    pearl is offline Copper level (50+ posts)
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    San Diego, CA.
    Posts
    56

    Default RE: Graco Turbo Booster or Britax Star Riser Comfy

    Thanks for your informative reply. I'd appreciate seeing the picture to compare the wings on the booster seats. Thanks.

  4. #4
    Scatterbunny Guest

    Default RE: TurboBooster & Parkway pics

    This is my Turbo vs. Parkway album: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/06...tax%20Parkway/

    Here's a picture of my dd at 42 inches and 41 pounds in the TurboBooster: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/06...y182005083.jpg

    And pics of my dd at 46.5 inches and 48 pounds (I need to edit the heading of the photo, I was going off of old measurements--in this picture you can see how the torso wings provide a resting place for her arms, she does not miss the Turbo's armrests at all) in the Parkway: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/06...t=4f0eb452.jpg

    A close-up of the Parkway's wings with my dd: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/06...t=df7f8dba.jpg

    And a close-up of the Parkway's wings with my 12yo, 5-foot-tall, 105 pound sister: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/06...t=c83e2cd9.jpg

    Sorry I don't have more of my dd actually IN the Turbo; we gave it to her best friend shortly after that first picture was taken and now the Parkway is our only belt positioning booster. She rides in a harness 95% of the time still.




  5. #5
    Scatterbunny Guest

    Default RE: TurboBooster pics

    Okay, I'm having trouble with the links. I'll try to post back later with the pics as attachments instead.

  6. #6
    Scatterbunny Guest

    Default RE: Pictures--I think I've got it this time!

    Alright, I think I can do this now, LOL. PLEASE let this work.

    #1. Here's a picture of my dd at 42 inches and 41 pounds in the TurboBooster:

    http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/32874.jpg

    #2. And pics of my dd at 46.5 inches and 48 pounds (I need to edit the heading of the photo, I was going off of old measurements--in this picture you can see how the torso wings provide a resting place for her arms, she does not miss the Turbo's armrests at all) in the Parkway:

    http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/32875.jpg

    #3. A close-up of the Parkway's wings with my dd:

    http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/32876.jpg

    #4. And a close-up of the Parkway's wings with my 12yo, 5-foot-tall, 105 pound sister:

    http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/32877.jpg

  7. #7
    Scatterbunny Guest

    Default RE: Graco Turbo Booster or Britax Star Riser Comfy

    Also, here's the crash test video of the Starriser Comfy (it's European clone, but the same seat): http://www.oeamtc.at/netautor/html_s...m_Comfy_P3.mpg


  8. #8
    lrgeller Guest

    Default RE: Graco Turbo Booster or Britax Star Riser Comfy

    Which is narrower -- the Turbo or the Parkway? I need to get 3 seats in the back of my Highlander -- an infant seat (GRaco) and Roundabout and a booster. I have a GRaco but it doesn't look like it's gonna work. I have heard that the Parkway is narrower.

    Anyone know?

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