Britax Marathon 65 Convertible Car Seat, Onyx
by Britax USA
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List Price: Category: Baby Product See more product details |
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Baby Products Reviews of Britax Marathon 65 Convertible Car Seat, Onyx
Customer Review: A Miracle!
Summary: 5 Stars
This car seat was a life saver!
Our daughter is almost 4 months now and cried everytime we placed her in her infant seat, except on the day home from the hospital. We couldn't drive down the road without listening to screams - the only time we went anywhere was if she was asleep and often she woke up the minute we put her in her seat. My 8 year old and I would both sit in the back seat with her, it didn't matter. I read the reviews on this seat so we went to 2 different stores and placed her in the demo. She was fine. My mother offered to purchase it for us so we got it.
Sketptical?
I was skeptical, so I first took her for a 5 minute ride - no crying. The next day I chanced 15 minutes - still no crying. The third day we went to my mother's - a 40 minute drive each way. Within a week we were willing to try her on a 3 hour trip. She did great!
I think the key for us was my daughter can see out and doesn't feel confined like the infant seat. She spends most trips gazing out the window and quietly sucking her thumb.
Size
I've read people complain about the size, but it fits fine in our Toyota Prius and our Subaru Outback. In fact it actually allows the front passanger seat to be further back than our previous car seat with a base (Graco Snugride).
Buy Two!
We've had the seat now for 3 weeks and no crying! My husband asks me everyday "How was she in the car" and everyday I say "GREAT!" We bought a second one for the other car.
Installation
This is the easiest car seat I have ever installed, we use the latch system in the Prius and in my mother's car. IT is so much easier than the latch with the Graco seat. Using latch it takes only minutes to go from one car to another. In the Subaru we use the regular shoulder/seat belt (it's 8 years old so latch wasn't available). Which I still like better than the Graco.
It is quite expensive, but to us well worth it. If you're still reading this then you want this seat! (It doesn't feed hungry babies, so they may still fuss.)
A year late...
My daughter is 15 months now and the seat is still wonderful! We now have the seat facing forward and we still love this car seat.
Customer Review: Arguably the best!
Summary: 4 Stars
We love the Britax Marathon car seat. We purchased ours in 2005 after our son outgrew his Graco infant seat (which I also loved). We called it his thrown because of the attractive fabric and size.
Yes, it is big but not too tall for our Hyundai Sonata. This is why I only gave it 4 stars instead of 5. They are very minor cons and the pros outweigh them which make it a worthy buy.
Pros:
--Very safe and . does not move an inch!(if installed properly)
--very attractive and durable fabric (I washed it in the washing machine and air dried it, even though they suggest otherwise)
--easy to install, especially if done properly--take a class through your county or have it inspected to make sure it is installed correctly.
--It is also easy to install because there is enough room in the back to put your hand through and reach for the seat belt on the other side. Other car seat models have a small hole which look more difficult/less comfortable to install.
--comfortable for the child, padded evenly. soft fabric.
Cons/troubles we had:
--there is the round piece b/w the legs where the bottom harness clips into and it is always turned around and I have to yank it out to get the clip, but if it bothered me enough I would just take it off. To be honest, I don't know why it is there.
--the velcro on the sides to secure the unused strap is a nice feature except when the straps are on the longer side, or pulled out more, they no longer match up w/those velcro pieces so the scratchy velcro has fuzzed up the fabric on the seat. very minor.
--the slot for the over the shoulder seatbelt area (where you have to clip the seat belt to the car seat) broke on one side, but it was probably because my husband was pulling the seatbelt too tightly through the clip. So we can only install it on that same side of any car. again, minor.
But we have loved the Britax so much that we intend to buy another for our 2nd child, I am just debating and reading these reviews to decide on which model to get this next time.
Customer Review: mixed feelings
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought this seat for it's rave reviews and safety rating. I am confortable knowing my child is in the safest seat out there. I purchased two of these seats (an extra one for grandma's car) and received a reduced rate and free shipping for having bought two and taking the cowmoofladge pattern, which may not sell as well as others but is more attactive in person than the picture does it justice. I bought an onyx for myself, but now wish the cow pattern was mine, lol!
HOWEVER, my baby is five months old and about 20-lbs at this point. The reviews I read said that the seat "reclines" which was important to me. I want my baby to have the best of everything, to be comfy as can be and to be SAFE. But this seat has a minimal recline to it, and is no where near the amount of "recline-ability" that the infant seat I'd been using up to the point of getting this product. So his little head hangs in front of him when he falls asleep and he looks terribly uncomfortable. He cries sometimes when I put him into it and usually every time getting him out (if I don't get him out fast enuf). The seat is LARGE and obstructs my view out the rear passenger window. I can no longer see him the mirror on the head rest he faces, which I'd used before with his other seat in orfer see him from my rear-view mirror. Also, I no longer have the option of putting his smaller car seat into/on to the shopping cart when I go to the store--something to think about moms.
In time, my baby will grow and hopefully this seat will be a better product for him down the line. However, as things are now, I would not have taken him out of the seat he was in before this one, until later. And I might have reconsidered another model also, as far as being able to see out my window and using the mirror that I had back there to view him from.
I spent alot of money to end up having such mixed feelings.
:(
Customer Review: Great car seat
Summary: 5 Stars
We have really enjoyed this car seat. I did not think there was a big difference between the different car seats to justify the different prices. Wow - I was wrong. I bought the Eddie Bauer for my car which is less expensive. My wife has this one in her car. My parents bought a super cheap seat by Safety 1st. Between the three car seats, you can truly see a difference.
1) Thick straps. I was surprised at the difference the thick straps made. These straps do not get tangled and twisted as easily as the other two seats. The Eddie Bauer system is not bad - but not as good either. The super cheap Safety 1st seat is terrible. The straps twist into more os less a rope. I worry that if we were to get into a serious accident with the Eddie Bauer and more so the Safety 1st seat that the straps would dig into my son. I think the thick and wide straps of the Marathon would spread out the impact and lower the risk of internal injury. I feel much more confident considering safety with Marathon system.
2) Latches versus hooks. The latch system is incredibly easy to use. The latches are seat belt style where all you need to do is push them into the hooks and the latches click into place. They are also very easy to synch down. The left and right straps are independent of each other where the EB and Safety 1st system is comprised of a single strap that passes through the back. This made the safety 1st and Eddie Bauer strap systems were very difficult gain leverage and tighten the seat securely into the car. They also have hooks versus the seatbelt style latch system.
Definitely worth the extra money - not to mention we got an incredible deal buying it on Amazon with free shipping to boot.
Customer Review: Great, but if you're child is over one year, go with a Graco Nautilus
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this car seat for my 6 month old daughter at the same time that I bought a Graco Nautilus for my 2.5 year old son. My son was outgrowing his 40lb convertible car seat, and it was nearing its 8-year-expiration (it was from my older twins.) My daughter was outgrowing her Graco infant seat and so I needed new seats for both. I installed them at the same time, and have been using them both for the last month or so. Both seats installed very easily. This one has slightly thicker feeling straps, and is very cushy and comfortable. It is very wide, so be warned that it takes up a full-seat area. I drive a Yukon XL, and I barely have room for two car seats and two booster seats. It took the baby a few weeks to get to where she didn't cry every time I put her in it. It was either because she was as snugly as in her infant seat (this is wider and no obvious sides,) or because this is very reclined when installed in the reclined position. She sleeps very nicely in it now for her naps in the car. I like the velcro on the sides that holds the harness straps up out of the way so that you can buckle the child in easily.
But I have to say that I like the Graco Nautilus almost exactly the same. I wish that the Nautilus went rear-facing and I would have gotten two. If your child is older than one year, I recommend getting the Nautilus and saving a lot of money. It is very easy to install, is very comfortable and secure, has the same harness weight, and will convert to a booster up to 100 pounds after they outgrow the harness.
This is a great car seat, and is worth the money if you have an infant, but otherwise go with the Nautilus. It keeps them secure, is very comfortable, and is a lot cheaper.