Need a new car seat

[MunkyCrazy]

So we have to get a new car seat since we had our accident. The ladys insurance company is reimbursing us for our other one. I really liked our old one so I'm contemplating getting the same one. This is the exact same one we had before

http://www.albeebaby.com/evenflo-triumph-advance-lx-convertible-car-seat-barley-twist.html

So I really like it, but I REALLY like these Evenflo Symphony ones I just saw when I was looking at all the new covers they have for the Triumph Advance.

http://www.target.com/Evenflo-Symphony-Convertible-Seat-SureLATCH/dp/B001H0GGM8/qid=1236869569/ref=br_1_5/176-1151728-3981313?ie=UTF8&node=13036221&frombrowse=1&pricerange=&index=tgt-mf-mv&field-browse=13036221&rank=pmrank&rh=p_36%3A%24100-%24199&page=1

I think we're getting $150, so we'd have to pay $50 extra for it. PLUS they are going to mail us everything that was in our car and I asked them to take the cover off the car seat and send that. That way if I get another TA XL I will have a spare seat cover. We hadn't used it much and it's in perfect condition and so so soft.

OR get two cheaper car seats. We're going to be getting 2 cars with the insurance money from the Explorer. We never got a second one before but I want 2 if we're getting 2 cars.

What do you think? Should I

1. Buy another Triumph Advance XL and have 2 covers
2. Spend the extra $50 and get the Symphony
3. Get 2 cheaper car seats (and which ones?)

[Raquel]

i'd just get the same one esp if you like it and itd be nice to have 2 covers

[Jennifer]

#1.

[MunkyCrazy]

Something I just noticed is that the Triumph is 5-50 lbs and the Symphony is 5-100 lbs. That seems like a huge difference for only $50. Maybe I'll have to go to the store and compare in person.

[Tracy]

Go with the Triumph. I just looked on the evenflo website and the Symphony's harness only goes to 40lbs.

Use & Care



The Symphony™ all-in-one car seat is for use rear facing with children 5 to 35 lbs, forward facing with 5-point harness with children 20 to 40 lbs, or forward facing as a belt positioning booster with children 30 to 100 lbs.
Read all instructions and warnings on the product, product labels, and instruction manual before use. Consult your vehicle owner’s manual to determine proper placement of child restraint in your vehicle and familiarize yourself with your vehicle’s components.
Machine wash pad with mild detergent, cold water, and gentle cycle


You'd do better to buy the triumph and harness him until 50lbs (or he is too tall for the seat which usually happens first) and spend $50 or less on a belt positioning booster for when he outgrows the ETA.

[Kimberli]

I agree with Tracy!

[MunkyCrazy]

Good thinking. I'm going to get another Triumph Advance. I called Evenflo and asked about using the seat cover and they said it would be fine and it would fit any of the Triumph ones.

[Marissa]

Oh man I missed out on the Carseat FUN!! So yup to what Tracy said.......get the Triumph Advance, you will be able to harness your kiddo much longer.......the Symphony is a 3 in1 carseat and is not recommended they have shorter shells......and the child outgrows the harnessing before he is ready for a highback booster/booster seat....... so defintaely get the Triumph Advance it is a highly recommended seat!

[MunkyCrazy]

I'm going to talk to the guy from the insurance place again as soon as he calls me back. I left a message saying I had looked up our previous car seat cost from Target.com. I'm going to get as much $ out of him as I can for it, telling him I want it express shipped because we are having to use his infant carrier right now!

If I can get a decent amount and talk DH into paying the rest, I might get the Boulevard. I don't really care what the style is as long as it isn't girly. Do you know of anywhere that has a sale on them right now? I spent all morning comparing the Britax seats and if I get one it'll be the Boulevard.

[MunkyCrazy]

How about this Recaro Como instead of the Evenflo Triumph?

http://www.albeebaby.com/recaro-como-convertible-car-seat-sand.html

Which do you think is better? I really like the sliding harness adjuster but I guess I'd deal with changing it if I had to.

What about between the Boulevard and the Radian XT?

http://www.target.com/Sunshine-Kids-Radian-Convertible-Seat/dp/B001O5CM88/qid=1236970336/ref=br_1_1/176-1151728-3981313?ie=UTF8&node=384173011&frombrowse=1&rh=&page=1

[MunkyCrazy]

OK so I *think* I have it narrowed down.

It'll depend on exactly how much we get and how much over DH will let me go from that.

If we spend extra money it's between the Britax Boulevard and Sunshine Kids Radian XT.

Boulevard $309.99, no tax and free shipping
http://shop.happymothers.com/shop/prd_BRE9L74J3_Boulevard%20Convertible%20Car%20Seat %20in%20Huntington.html?e3=search

or this Boulevard $259.99 +tax and free shipping
http://www.albeebaby.com/britax-boulevard-converitble-car-seat-aqua.html

or Radian $279 + tax and free shipping
http://www.target.com/Sunshine-Kids-Radian-Convertible-Seat/dp/B001O5CM88/qid=1236970336/ref=br_1_1/176-1151728-3981313?ie=UTF8&node=384173011&frombrowse=1&rh=&page=1

Or if I can't go over and spend any extra it's between the Recaro Como, Evenflo TA and Fisher Price Safe Voyage.

Como $146 +tax and free shipping
http://www.albeebaby.com/recaro-como-convertible-car-seat-sand.html

Triumph Advance Premier $169 + tax and free shipping. Plus it will fit my other TA cover.
http://www.albeebaby.com/evenflo-triumph-advance-premier-convertible-car-seat-charleston.html

or any of the TA ones from Albee Baby, really. I already have the Barley Twist cover. If I go with another Evenflo I might shop around more.

Safe Voyage 109.99 + tax and free shipping
http://www.albeebaby.com/fiprsavodeco1.html

So the FP is made by Britax? Hmmm... only $110. It looks pretty... I dunno...boring and uncomfy.

I REALLY like the sliding harness function, really. That makes me lean toward the Boulevard and Triumph but I've read good things about the other ones too. I like that the Radian XT harnesses up to 80 lbs, although Kyler would probably outgrow the height before weight. Who knows though he could chunk up.
I like the other Recaro Signo over the Como but that deal on the Como just sounds great. $140 more for the Signo and I can't find what exactly the diffrerences mean. Sounds easier to adjust but not $140 easier. Then again if I'm putting him in and taking him out hundreds of times in the car seats life... The review on Albee baby isn't great but I read plenty of other good things about Recaros.

Damnit. I thought I was over the car seat agony when I bought the last one.

[Tracy]

The only thing I noticed is that on that Fisher Price Safe Voyage, it says it was manufactured in August of 2007 which means its already approaching 2yrs old and will expire in another 3-4 so it won't last as long as you're planning on using it. Its probably close to the same with all the other seats that are really marked down. Before you order, call and have them tell you the manufactured on date.

[MunkyCrazy]

Good eye, I didn't even notice that. Ok, that one is out. I'll have to check up on the other ones.

[Marissa]

I would not go with teh Recaro, I believe it is said to be very narrow at the shoulders.....I would stick to the Blvd or the EFTA..........

[Marissa]

Tracy thanks your rock!

[Tracy]

Tracy thanks your rock!

Thanks!