Marathon owners

[Kimberli]

Was it hard to install the rear facing tether strap? I know you have different options as far as where to put it depending on your vehicle, so I'm curious as to what we're in for when it gets here and we go to install it! ;)

[Tracy]

Nope, it comes with this extra piece that you can wrap around the base of a seat (or anything bolted down in the car) and then you tether it to that. Made it very easy!

My only advice is to make sure you pull the latch hooks all the way out and make sure they are not still twisted up around the bar (it will make sense when you see it). I thought I had mine pulled all the way out (it looked like the straps were tied around the bar) until I moved the seat to my DH's car once (and this was just last month) and while I was trying to adjust it, I pulled on it and it completely unwrapped and as it turns out, the strap is just looped over the bar not wrapped and knotted like I thought! So, at any point, Megan's seat could have become extremely loose (like almost to the point of not even being installed). And it had been like that since she was 7 months and she was damn near 11 mo before I figured it out! YIKES!

[Jennifer]

The reason I LOVE the marathon so much, is because it is so easy to install Kim. Do you know where in the car you are going to tether it?

[Marissa]

Its not hard like Tracy mentioned, so start to look at your vehicle to find that spot where you will tether it to, you can take pictues and show us if you would like, you might even have to remove some of the hard plastic under your vehicle seats in order to get to it. Since we are still not using the MA actively I have not tehtered mine per say, I have looked already and I am need to remove a plastic cover that might give me the spot I need to tether it. We are still using our Safeseat. Good luck and let us know.

[Raquel]

okay is it bad i dont use that? i just use the seat belt and its really secure?

[Marissa]

Nope its not bad Raquel, its optional but just another point of safety if you do.

[Jennifer]

Yes, you are a horrible, bad mother! ;)
Just kidding, Momma- we had to use the tether to get the right incline rear facing.

[Raquel]

well dd has to climb in the middle so i thought she wouldnt be able to get in w/ it and they are secure. PHEW!!! i'm in the clear!

[Kimberli]

The reason I LOVE the marathon so much, is because it is so easy to install Kim. Do you know where in the car you are going to tether it?

We were kind of looking yesterday but DH and I need to get in there and look closer so we know what our options are.

[Marissa]

Raquel the kiddos are still safe :-) as long as you don't have more than 1 inch of movement side to side on the belth path you should be fine. Only Britax and Sunshine Radian 65 seats offer the rear facing tethering option at this point.

[Kimberli]

Once we get it here and installed, I'll need to get our backup seat but haven't decided what to get yet...

[Raquel]

yeah there isnt more than an inch of movement

[Marissa]

Your good then Raquel and at this point the boys don't have to be reclined completly all the way, as long as they are not in the upright recline mode. Since they are one already they might want to sit up a bit more than laying down. It does not have to be at the whole 45 degree angle like if they were newborns.

Kim- I have also been debating on what second seats to get since they won't be used as much like when riding with me in my vehicle. I "plan" to get the babysitter a Cosco Scenera it is the least expensive and high recommended affordable seat. It rear faces up to 35 pounds as well keeping in mind the whole 1 inch shell above their head rule. Then they Face forward up until 40 pounds in it. I have been told that he can easily make it a bit past 2 years old rear facing in that seat, it is a bit tricky to install but not impossible. Another great affordable seat is the Evenflo Triumph Advance <--must say advance, anyways it RF up to 35 pounds as well and FF up to 50 pounds, only one model of the Evenflo Triumph Advance has the latch install option which I beleive is the LX the other ones you have to use the seatbelt install, and of course it has knobs for adjustors. DH lkes the EFTA for him, he likes the knobs, and I might get my parents and the babysitter a Cosco Scenera.........I am still debating........I don't want to get such a bulky seat for my babysitter since it will be in there most of the time........

[Tracy]

I'm actually glad that I'm the only person with a car big enough for all my kids! Of course, there are 3 spots in both my DH's and mom's cars but there isn't room for Sam's and Megan's seats AND Cameron's booster! So, if anyone is keeping all of my kids, they just get my car too! Its nice not having to worry about needing a back up seat for each kid!

[Marissa]

lol Tracy

[Kimberli]

We just need one for the nights I'm at work, in case something happens and DH needs to go somewhere (hasn't happened so far so I doubt it will) but just in case, I want there to be a seat here for him to use. They don't generally go anywhere because its Nicholas' bedtime.

[Kimberli]

Kim- I have also been debating on what second seats to get since they won't be used as much like when riding with me in my vehicle. I "plan" to get the babysitter a Cosco Scenera it is the least expensive and high recommended affordable seat. It rear faces up to 35 pounds as well keeping in mind the whole 1 inch shell above their head rule. Then they Face forward up until 40 pounds in it. I have been told that he can easily make it a bit past 2 years old rear facing in that seat, it is a bit tricky to install but not impossible. Another great affordable seat is the Evenflo Triumph Advance <--must say advance, anyways it RF up to 35 pounds as well and FF up to 50 pounds, only one model of the Evenflo Triumph Advance has the latch install option which I beleive is the LX the other ones you have to use the seatbelt install, and of course it has knobs for adjustors. DH lkes the EFTA for him, he likes the knobs, and I might get my parents and the babysitter a Cosco Scenera.........I am still debating........I don't want to get such a bulky seat for my babysitter since it will be in there most of the time........

I'm leaning towards the Cosco Scenera - all the reviews I've read are good, its a safe seat, just a simple one. And for as little as this seat is going to be used, I have a hard time spending too much on it.

[Marissa]

Yeah I might get the Scenera also Kim we need 3 extra seats so I think I am going to stick to 2 Sceneras, one for my DCP one for my parents and and EFTA for DH.

[Marissa]

Yes I know I am :loco:

[Kimberli]

When the seat is installed, we can't get to the recline thing - does everyone have that problem?

[Marissa]

I think it is meant to be that way Kim.

[Kimberli]

So you just can't use the recline feature? Then it seems pointless to even have it on the seat, doesn't it?

[Tracy]

You have to adjust the recline before its installed. Its not meant to be shifted while the child is in the seat. My van has captains chairs and it slopes alot where the seat and the back meet and when I set the Marathon on it, Megan would have been sitting almost straight up so I reclined it and then installed it. Now, in my MIL's car (not that she's ever been in it ;)), she has a flat bench in the back and the normal position would be fine for installation.

[Marissa]

Yup to what Tracy said. Basically Kim if you want a different recline, you have to reinstall it to get a secure install with the new recline position.

[Jennifer]

Yeah, what T and M already said. ;)

[Kimberli]

Thanks guys, I think - now I have to tell DH he was right...:pout:

[Marissa]

:hug: its still a great seat Kim!! :-) I don't think any seat on teh market will let you recline it once it is installed ;-)

[Kimberli]

Oh no, don't get me wrong - I'm thrilled with the seat, I was just unsure about the recline thing. It does make sense though, that you can't recline it once it's isntalled because it would change the angle of the seat. And it doesn't help that DH is happy as a lark that he was right and I was wrong! :(

[Marissa]

Oh Kim I know how you feel ah don't worry you will outbeat him later at being right :yup:

[Kimberli]

We went to get the Scenera last night at Target but he didn't like the looks of it, because it was so basic compared to the Marathon. I tried to tell him that it was a safe seat, and with as little as Nicholas would be in it (once every 2-3 months), that it didn't need to be super fancy or cost a fortune...

[Marissa]

Yeah they are cheap looking and no good cushion but its like you said he will hardly be in it.......we plan to get two sceneras as well.......I need to get one so I can play with the installment and try it out in my DCP's cars and my parents...... I need to get to it soon

[Kimberli]

I know, we just need to get it before I go back to work next weekend. I have until then to get him to understand thst this seat is a safe option!

[CourtneyB]

The Scenera is one of the most highly recommended seats by seat techs. I've never used one but I would certainly consider one if we had another baby.

The Marathon is great too :) We had a Roundabout and a Triumph for our convertible seats.

[Marissa]

Yup I agree Courtney the scenera is a highly recommended affordable seat so is the Evenflo Triumph Advance :yup: I am sure he will come around Kim :yup:

[Kimberli]

Well he has NO choice - the Scenera is on sale at Target this week for only $39 - that's $11 off!!! I'm going today to buy it!

[Marissa]

Yay let me know how the install goes for ya, I have yet to do that.