| inthedeep |
| A couple of notes for those of you considering the MDX with the Britax Marathon car seat. The 2nd row seats in the MDX are not adjustable back & forth and only recline. The distance from the 1st row is good but not great and allows our Britax Marathon and our 2 year old to fit fine and with her feet just touching the back of the drivers seat when she straightens her legs (about the same as the BMW X3, but higher – see previous post). The MDX includes 6 car seat anchors in the 2nd row (X3 has only 4) but the one for the right side of the center position is a real pain to get at, buried behind one for the drivers side position and mine is for some reason covered by cloth and I can feel it but can not see to get at it. I finally gave up on it anyway because our Britax and a Peg Perego infant carrier are too bulky to mount side-by-side and so I had to put them in the two outboard seats – making the hole between them for a passenger. The Britax goes in best with the 2nd row reclined to max, but then you cannot pull up 3rd row seats when needed until you loosen the car seats in the 2nd row, pull up the 2nd row backs and then pull up the 3rd row and then re-do everything in the 2nd row. The Britax also works in the 3rd row but only if your child can fold up their legs into their seat as there is only 2-3 inches between the Britax and back of 2nd row so this only works for short trips. Summary - kids are comfy in the 2nd row, 3rd row only in a pinch, and smaller (less high and less deep) car seat would be nice. |
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| well168 |
| Yeah I have the Britax Marathon right now on the passenger side in the 2nd row. I'll probably move it over to the driver side and put the Graco baby car sit on the passenger side when 2nd daughter is born in January. Not even going to bother with the middle section. |
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| Needsdecaf |
quote:
Originally posted by inthedeep
, and smaller (less high and less deep) car seat would be nice.
The perfect seat.....Sunshine Kids Radian 80.
It's metal, so it's got a much smaller frame than plastic based like those from Britax. Sunshine Radian 80 is a convertible car seat that can go up to 80 lbs with harness! It is a HUGE seat (height wise) that really can adjust the straps WAY up.
Unfortunately, it doesn't have much side bolstering, and that ruled it out for our 1 year in my wife's eyes. The side supports shown don't offer much of a headrest. We returned it and bought another Britax boulevard.
However if you have something like a small convertible seat, and your child is outgrowing it, and you want to keep them strapped in vs. belted in a booster, this is a great choice.
It is a hefty seat, frame is metal. It's quite narrow because of that, and you could probably put 3 of these side by side in the back of an X. It also folds for travel, but it's a heavy sucker. Because it's metal, the base is not tall, and the back is quite thin. This means the child won't be eating the back of the front seat.
All in all, I wouldn't say this isn't a great seat for under two years old, especially since it's difficult to install rear facing, not the least of which because the back of it is so damn high! But for over 2 years, I'd say this is a GREAT seat and a great alternative to a booster.
http://www.skjp.com/products/skjp_radian_80.php |
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| epiney |
Had one of those Radian 80s for a few months and sold it on Craig's list. It's more of a pain to install tight than the Britax and the fabric pills easily.
I wouldn't buy one again. I'd stick with Britax. |
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| Needsdecaf |
quote:
Originally posted by epiney
Had one of those Radian 80s for a few months and sold it on Craig's list. It's more of a pain to install tight than the Britax and the fabric pills easily.
I wouldn't buy one again. I'd stick with Britax.
Hmm, interesting WRT the pilling. As for the install, I agree. To get it installed tight rear facing is practically impossible, and this coming from somene who can put in a Britax TIGHT in under 3 minutes. |
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| Ceenit |
We've got both, Britax 'Wizard' and a Radian 80.
Hands down the Wizard is FAR easier to install and get tight.
However, once installed, the Radian fits much nicer and is easier for our 3 year old to get in and out of. It is also much more portable since it folds up.
It's definitely a trade off.
We currently have both installed in the car for car pooling(Radian in the middle, Britax on the passenger side).
Overall I still like the Radian better, but if I had to move it and reinstall every day, I'd stick with the Britax. |
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| ronf119 |
| A bit off topic, but how are the car seats on the leather. Do you find it digging into the leather or ruining it. I was trying to decide if I should purchase some custom made care seats for the back before our baby arrives. I have taupe leather so I'm afraid that the car seat will do something to the leather. Thanks |
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| Needsdecaf |
quote:
Originally posted by ronf119
A bit off topic, but how are the car seats on the leather. Do you find it digging into the leather or ruining it. I was trying to decide if I should purchase some custom made care seats for the back before our baby arrives. I have taupe leather so I'm afraid that the car seat will do something to the leather. Thanks
You don't need custom made, but you will need something to protect it. You can go as low tech as a towel. I spend about 20 on a seat protector from Prince Lionheart, as sold at Babies R Us. It's vinyl / rubber and not too thick, but does a good job of protecting the leather. I've had the seats in and out and there's no permenant damage.
But do something, for sure, or your leather will be dented up pretty good. |
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| inthedeep |
Needsdecaf - thanks for the info on the Radian - I really need to look at these.
ronf119 - Definitly need a seat protector under any of these car seats - I have tried serveral over the years but the best I have found are the Kiddopotamus Elite DuoMat ($27@Target.com). These are high enough to protect the whole back of the seat (the Britax is high) and the base is padded enough to protect the bottom from crushing your leather.
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...asin=B000TVVYQ4 |
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| ronf119 |
| thanks for the info guys. I'll definitely take a look at some type of mat. As you can see, I'm still new to this and just now starting to research on the baby stuff. I got roughly 2 more months before the baby is due. I just had a funny thought. Wonder how it would look if I get 4 of those mats and use them to protect the leather in the front and second row. I'm paranoid everytime I get in and out of the car that I'm going to mark the taupe leather. |
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| well168 |
| I just put a small soft baby blanket under the car seat for the X. I didn't put anything for the my 2002 TL and I don't see any damages on the leather. It just takes a few days for the lines to come out of it once you removed the car seat. Since the X is new I figure I'll put something on the bottom just in case. |
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| dory |
Does anyone have the Marathon installed rear-facing? or the Radian? Right now we have the infant SafeSeat installed behind the passenger side and there is less passenger leg room than in our Escape! The comfy rear seats that Acura put in, interfere with how far back a car seat sits against the rear seat!
Our preference is to have the Marathon or Radian installed behind the driver's seat rear-facing. I think both of these will be a tight fit behind either seat. Anyone tried?
And just in case anyone was going to try and convince me to switch my child forward-facing, don't. :) We extended rear face because it's much safer and will continue to do so until she reaches the rear-facing weight limit of her seat, so likely until around age 3. |
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| Needsdecaf |
quote:
Originally posted by dory
Does anyone have the Marathon installed rear-facing? or the Radian? Right now we have the infant SafeSeat installed behind the passenger side and there is less passenger leg room than in our Escape! The comfy rear seats that Acura put in, interfere with how far back a car seat sits against the rear seat!
Our preference is to have the Marathon or Radian installed behind the driver's seat rear-facing. I think both of these will be a tight fit behind either seat. Anyone tried?
And just in case anyone was going to try and convince me to switch my child forward-facing, don't. :) We extended rear face because it's much safer and will continue to do so until she reaches the rear-facing weight limit of her seat, so likely until around age 3.
You will never, ever, get a Radian rear facing in a vehicle where you have other problems as well.
I have a Britax Boulevard, and I had it rear facing behind the passenger seat. My wife is 5'10", and while she didn't have as much legroom as she would have liked , it worked.
Try the center...there is latch there and you should be able to get the infant seat between the two front seats.
I did this for quite some time with our Graco Step One safe seat in our Volvo, and it worked out great. I can't imagine it wouldn't work in the X, it's much wider than the Volvo and that Step One is a pretty wide seat. |
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| dory |
Thanks. I've heard that the Radian will work RF in the centre position, so that is an option for us, although we prefer it behind the driver's seat.
My husband is 5'11" and had very little room with the SafeSeat behind him in the passenger seat, so we really wanted something that gave more room than with the SafeSeat.
I am wondering if with the SafeSeat in the centre if it will interfere with access to the heating controls? Our older one is very worried about this. :) I can't test right now because I am looking after a sick little one. When she's better and not sleeping in my arms, I can head out and test this. |
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| Needsdecaf |
quote:
Originally posted by dory
Thanks. I've heard that the Radian will work RF in the centre position, so that is an option for us, although we prefer it behind the driver's seat.
My husband is 5'11" and had very little room with the SafeSeat behind him in the passenger seat, so we really wanted something that gave more room than with the SafeSeat.
I am wondering if with the SafeSeat in the centre if it will interfere with access to the heating controls? Our older one is very worried about this. :) I can't test right now because I am looking after a sick little one. When she's better and not sleeping in my arms, I can head out and test this.
It shouldn't, although I have never tried it.
Think of it this way....the base of the car seat rests solely on the seat of the car.
The "head side" of the car seat angles up from there, so your little one should be able to reach underneath to adjust the airflow. |
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| cch13 |
quote:
Originally posted by dory
Thanks. I've heard that the Radian will work RF in the centre position, so that is an option for us, although we prefer it behind the driver's seat.
My husband is 5'11" and had very little room with the SafeSeat behind him in the passenger seat, so we really wanted something that gave more room than with the SafeSeat.
I am wondering if with the SafeSeat in the centre if it will interfere with access to the heating controls? Our older one is very worried about this. :) I can't test right now because I am looking after a sick little one. When she's better and not sleeping in my arms, I can head out and test this.
We have the Graco SafeSeat Step1 in the back center seat of our 2008 MDX. It's great that there is an actual latch in the center seat so we can use that system, our other car (Honda Accord) didn't have it and we had to use the center passenger belt.
There are no problems getting to the controls but I do find that if the car seat handle is reclined back it does hit the back of the seat when I drive (also 5'11"). If we have the handle upright there is a small bit of clearance.
Don't forget to have at least a towel under the car since when I had to readjust ours there were indents in the leather. Good luck! |
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| jeno |
I've had my Boulevard (same size as the Marathon) installed in all 3 2nd row positions RFacing. Passenger side outboard seems to take up the most room because the seat track is designed a bit differently than the drivers making the RFacing tether interfere a bit with putting the seat back.
I would not recomment putting anything between your carseat and the leather. While a mat will protect the leather, it will make your installation and child much less safe. The carseats are not crash tested to be used in that manner. |
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| dory |
quote:
Originally posted by jeno
I've had my Boulevard (same size as the Marathon) installed in all 3 2nd row positions RFacing. Passenger side outboard seems to take up the most room because the seat track is designed a bit differently than the drivers making the RFacing tether interfere a bit with putting the seat back.
I would not recomment putting anything between your carseat and the leather. While a mat will protect the leather, it will make your installation and child much less safe. The carseats are not crash tested to be used in that manner.
How tall are you? Just wondering so I can see if it might work for us behind the driver's seat.
As for something under the car seat, generally a thin towel or shelf liner is considered acceptable by car seat techs. Nothing thicker than that though (so no fluffy towels or those cushy seat protectors they sell). |
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| Needsdecaf |
quote:
Originally posted by jeno
I would not recomment putting anything between your carseat and the leather. While a mat will protect the leather, it will make your installation and child much less safe. The carseats are not crash tested to be used in that manner.
I would like to see reports on this. Where are you getting this information?
I am by no means an expert, but thinking about it scientifically, what would cause it to offer less protection?
1) Makes seat base to seat contact more "slippery". Ok, I can buy this one maybe, but the protector I have is rubber faced and rubber backed, so I would think it give more grip instead of plastic vs. leather. Plastic on rubber, good. Rubber on leather, good.
2) Potential interference with latching systems? This is definitely possible. The protector I purchased was shaped and sized that it had to be bent back in order to allow the latch anchors, and the seatbelt anchor as well, to be installed right. I did not like this and ended up cutting it down to size to eliminate the interference.
The belt or the latch tethers are what are holding the seat from moving, not the seat. |
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| jeno |
Actually, I am a Certified Carseat Tech (CPST) and through my training we learn that we must always refer to the Carseat Owners Manual when making decisions like this. Specifically, the manual for all of my Britax seats (and you will find the same for other mfgs) says not to use any after-market parts to install the seat or to place anything between the vehicle seat and the carseat. The reason is that in the event of a collision, everything is going to compress. Any added bulk between the 2 seats is going to possibly create the opportunity for slippage. These seats are designed and tested to perform in a certain way that aligns with the manufacturer's instructions for installation. When we detour from those we open ourselves up to possible misuse and bad results.
If in doubt, call Britax directly.
This verbage can be found in the warranty section of your manual:
quote:
The use of non-Britax Child Safety, Inc covers, inserts, toys, accessories, or tightening devices is not approved by Britax. Their use could cause this restraint to fail Federal Safety Standards or perform worse in a crash. Their use automatically voids the Britax warranty.
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| dory |
quote:
Originally posted by jeno
Actually, I am a Certified Carseat Tech (CPST) and through my training we learn that we must always refer to the Carseat Owners Manual when making decisions like this. Specifically, the manual for all of my Britax seats (and you will find the same for other mfgs) says not to use any after-market parts to install the seat or to place anything between the vehicle seat and the carseat. The reason is that in the event of a collision, everything is going to compress. Any added bulk between the 2 seats is going to possibly create the opportunity for slippage. These seats are designed and tested to perform in a certain way that aligns with the manufacturer's instructions for installation. When we detour from those we open ourselves up to possible misuse and bad results.
If in doubt, call Britax directly.
This verbage can be found in the warranty section of your manual:
I am aware of the information you are providing. It doesn't change the fact that a plethora of car seat techs at car-seat.org have stated that shelf liner or a thin towel is acceptable. These items are not going to compress any more (and likely less) than a pool noodle or rolled towel which is allowed as per the Britax manual. I also couldn't find where in the Britax manual that it said "not to place anything between the vehicle seat and the carseat". I did find that it said not to use anything other than a pool noodle or rolled towel to angle/raise the seat, but that's not the same thing. Can you point me to it in the manual? My manual is the Canadian Marathon manual. I'd like to point it out to the other techs if they are giving inaccurate information. |
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| jeno |
You are correct that we do say a thin towel (like a baby's receiving blanket) and some say shelf liner. I would not rec. shelf liner with leather seats. Shelf liner has the ability to heat and leave marks on the leather. I have seen this first hand. Personally, I have tried using a receiving blanket in my MDX and found it offered no real advantage to going bare. The same indentations appear with either method, but I find that once I take the seats out or move them to a different position, they bounce back after a few days.
If you look at the owner's manuals online, specifically the BLVD, on page 4 it says "do not use anything to raise the restraint off vehicle seat......................." |
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| dory |
quote:
Originally posted by jeno
If you look at the owner's manuals online, specifically the BLVD, on page 4 it says "do not use anything to raise the restraint off vehicle seat......................."
We don't have the Boulevard in Canada yet. :) (I was using the Marathon manual). Although the Boulevard is supposed to be coming by this summer, yay! |
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| jeno |
| Let me clarify my previous post to say that in situations where I have installed using a thin blanket, I always make notes in my records that I have warned the parents of its potential danger. |
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| dj-mdx2 |
Jeno and all the techs out there,
I'm not contradicting you and in fact your input is welcome, but beyond the legal verbiage and manufacturer recommendations, has there been ANY definitive study proving that the use of any liner or mat has led to detrimental effects on carseat safety? And also as a corollary, have rolled towels been PROVEN to be safe?
In the medical field, we rate current practices based on the level of evidence (so-called evidence-based medicine): A if randomized control studies prove a treatment to be effective; B if the type of study is not as bulletproof; C if it is only expert opinion or consensus.
Is there any similar rating system as far as carseat safety? |
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| dory |
quote:
Originally posted by dj-mdx2
Is there any similar rating system as far as carseat safety?
Wouldn't that be great! I'd love to see a system such as you said that rated the information based on "crash testing", "engineer recommendations", "logically this makes sense". :)
They only test car seats on a bench, they don't test them in every vehicle. So, they don't even know how the seats in the MDX compress compared to Ford, or MB seats, etc. If they haven't tested that, they sure as heck haven't tested the rolled towel (and at what point is it not tight enough? and what if my pool noodle has spent a summer in the pool being degraded by chlorine and sun?). Honestly, car seat manufacturer's can't even keep their own stories straight. One minute they are saying they are saying that a child's head can be to the top of the shell when rear-facing and the next they cave to the pressure and follow what other manufacturer's are saying that it is only within 1" of the shell. They are more examples where a manufacturer changes their recommendations along the way for no apparent reason.
In Canada, Transport Canada requires manufacturer's to set a height limit for rear-facing. Up until recently, most manufacturer's picked 32" and if you asked them, they did NOT know the reason why. People suspect it's because this height is somewhere around when kids weigh 30 pounds, and they didn't want people switching kids too early or keeping them in after they were too heavy! Recently, some manufacturer's are removing the 32" height limit, because 32" means nothing as every kid has a different body/leg height.
If you wanted to keep your child rear facing until they met the rear-facing weight limits of the seat, you had to ignore the height limit. Which the manufacturer would tell you NOT to if you phoned them to ask. Techs will tell you that height is a suggestion and give you a criteria to follow to make sure your child has not outgrown a seat in height. The techs are using logic which overrides the manufacturer's recommendation in the manual.
So, I totally agree with you. There are times when logic defies what is in the manual and it seems that recommendations keep changing along the way depending on who says what and which company decides to copy which company. It really gives me a low level of confidence in the car seat manufacturers.
Oh, and I am not a tech, I just read a lot and have a safety interest. |
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| Needsdecaf |
quote:
Originally posted by jeno
If you look at the owner's manuals online, specifically the BLVD, on page 4 it says "do not use anything to raise the restraint off vehicle seat......................."
Exactly. I would surmise that a 1/4 inch piece of rubber does not qualify as something that would raise the restraint off the seat.
In fact, it states later in the manual that "If there is a problem stabilizing the seat or achieving the proper angle, place a tightly rolled towel in the crease of the seat to help level the restraint."
To me this indicates that it certainly is not incorrect to put anything under the seat. |
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