Monkey is about ready to outgrow her carseat, and is legally ready for a booster seat. She will be three next month and weighs 37 lbs and her carseat only goes to 40 lbs. As I look at her, I cannot imagine her little body being able to sustain a car crash in just a booster seat, so I looked into the whole thing a little more and found a company by the name of Britax which makes 5 point harness seats that go up to 80 lbs.
The Britax Regent got excellent safety reviews online, therefore I purchased one online through Babies R Us. I was so excited when the package arrived within a week. I pulled the seat out of the box and the first thing I noticed is how huge this seat is. When I say big, I mean it. I can sit in the thing! If I didn’t have my large SUV, there is no way I could fit this in. Not to mention if I had two kids that had to sit side by side.
However, that being said the installation was relatively easy (I say relatively because anyone who has used a teather system before knows it’s never EASY). and Monkey crawled right in. The harness is on the smallest setting and she fits perfectly. The seat is also at the perfect recline angle for her to comfortably sleep. No more head bobbing!!
There are a couple of negatives that I noticed, but they didn’t distroy my opinion. First of all, the size. As I mentioned before it is huge. Works for me – may not work for others. Secondly, the price. It was pricey compared to other seats on the market. But, that again works for me because I know it is the safest on the market and it should last a loooooong time. Thirdly, (and this one actually does upset me) the cover is spot clean/hand wash only! What genius thought it was a good idea to make a car seat that you can’t easily wash? Whomever it was must not have kids!
All in all, I have been very satisfied with the Britax Regent, and anyone in the market for a new carseat should consider this seat. I am looking forward to having Monkey safe and sound for many years to come.
Hi, just wanted to let you know this is what Joey is in now. We really like it! Of course he was three in October and only weighs 25lbs. My kids come below the chart! I wish I did!!!! Chris
Angie,
Thanks for the review of the car seat. I am looking at seats for Jack and Lily. Will already has the Marathon. What made you chose this model over some of the others Britax makes? It’s so confusing!
Julie
I agree – it is confusing. I am not sure I know best, but I am happy with the choice we made for our family.
The reason we chose the Britax Regent boiled down to one thing: Monkeys size and weight.
This is one of three seats on the market that actually keep them in a 5 point harness up to 80 lbs. A lot of the car seats say up to 100lbs (like her Eddie Bauer one did) but when you actually read further, the seat lasts up to 100lbs, but it is a booster from 40lbs – 100lbs, using only the seatbelt for restraint.
After I watched this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ
and this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2kO8AxKbrM&feature=related
I was sold. I wouldn’t even consider a booster at her age and size. Nor will I consider it in the future because now we have options. The Britax Regent and others like it, allow us to restrain our children in a 5-point harness until 80lbs. At that point, most likely she will be tall enough for an adult seat belt.
So, after only a few choices were left I chose the Britax version (Regent) because it got the best safety reviews on Consumer Reports, the best reviews from the national highway safety transportation administration, and the best feedback from the moms on CafeMom and in my MOPS group.
Hope that helps!
Blessings,
A