Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat, Matrix
by Graco Baby
|
List Price: Our Price: $137.50 You Save: $52.49 (28%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $136.95 (click here) Category: Baby Product See more product details |
|---|
Baby Products Reviews of Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat, Matrix
Customer Review: Disappointed
Summary: 1 Stars
We purchased this seat for our 3 year old based on the excellent product reviews and a friend's positive experience with the seat. We used the Britax Marathon for the past 2 years. We loved the Marathon and considered getting a second (her little brother was moving into it), but knew that she would enjoy "big kid" features like cup holders and arm rests.
In short, we had a miserable 5-hour car trip that resulted in much fussing and zero sleep for her -- something we hadn't experienced with our Britax seat. I think the problem was twofold. First, the seat is incredibly upright, even if you use the modest "tilt" feature. Second, the seat has awful padding. If you're just driving around town, it's probably adequate. If you do long treks to Grandma's like we do, this seat just doesn't cut it. The back pad has a huge seam across the center (underneath the top cosmetic flap) which has to be uncomfortable over a long haul. We ended up returning the seat and buying a Britax Frontier. The most recent trek to Grandma's went wonderfully. Padding in the Frontier was much better, the sightlines are much more open for looking out the windows, and the recline position is more natural. If you're accustomed to Britax quality, the Graco seat will likely disappoint. If you need it for short jaunts this is probably a good value.
Customer Review: Well built but irritating to use - comparison the the Britax Roundabout
Summary: 4 Stars
I have owned the Graco Nautilus for more then 2 years. Overall I prefer our other car seat, the Britax Roundabout for my daughter.
Pros:
-Well built. It seems sturdy and keeps my daughter positioned well when she is awake.
-Now that my daughter is 3 years old, she kicks at my drivers seat, the door handle and the window controls a lot in her Roundabout, but since she sits lower down in the Nautilus, she kicks less.
-It will last us for many years, and it will expire before she outgrows it.
-Has cup holders
Cons:
-My daughter looks uncomfortable when she sleeps. I can keep roundabout at a better recline for sleeping.
-She always sits on the buckle that goes between her legs, and its irritating to dig around for it every time. Our Britax Roundabout has a cushion on that buckle, which keeps it in the right place and right position every time.
-The LATCH system clips are hard to use. They are hard to get on, and very hard to get off. If you have to switch your car seat into different cars or seats often, then its easy to get frustrated. The Britax has nice easy to use LATCH clips.
-The cover feels cheaper, the gray cover looks dirty easily, the arm rests get scuffed easily, the storage pockets in the arm rests collect crumbs.
Customer Review: Love it! Love it! Love it!
Summary: 5 Stars
After doing a great deal of research on several different carseats, we decided on this one. When we started our search for a forward facing seat, our main concern was safety. We looked at Britax knowing that they were rated to be some of the safest but they did not seem to be as transitional as the Graco Nautilus and we would have to buy another one in a few years when it is time to switch to a booster. We didn't see spending that much money twice when the Nautilus seemed to be just as safe. When we got it in (which was much quicker than expected) we knew that we made the right choice. You can tell that it is made for safety and my daughter loved it. It is very easy to install and she seems to think it is very comfortable. She loves the little cubby holes as well. We have a Toyota Avalon so we were afraid that we would have to move the seat out of the middle but once got it in the car, it did not take up any more room than her carrier did so we kept her in the middle and out 13 year old can comfortably sit beside her. The only "flaw" that we can see in it which to us is not that big of deal is the crotch harness. It seems to be placed too far back so when we put Abi in the seat, we have to dig under her to get it. This may become a bigger problem as she gets bigger but we still love it. I highly recommend this seat!Customer Review: A lot of seat for a great price
Summary: 5 Stars
I am so impressed with this seat for what I paid for it. I bought this for my 4 yr old son who is about 37 lbs and 40 inches tall. The seat is nice and padded (but read the manual carefully- it says to remove the seat insert when using the upper harness slots). It's very easy to get set up and to install. Two of them fit in the backseat of our crossover vehicle, but they are wide seats and pretty tall too.
The non-movable molded cupholder in this seat is fantastic- any cup holder that flips out will get broken by my kids. My kids always want to take their cups with them so this is a nice feature for them. It fits suppy cups, Sigg canteens, water bottles..... anything but really wide base cups. The belly pad is kind of annoying and I may end up removing that but other than that, I have no complaints about the harness or straps.
My son loves his seat and I loved it so much I bought another one in the Mariposa pattern for my daugter who is a very tall 2 1/2 yr old (38 inches and 34 lbs). She fits in it perfect and was so excited when it arrived.
Bottom line- if you are on a budget or need to buy multiple seats, it's worth a look. You can get this seat for [..]depending on the store and pattern (the girly colors cost more- sexist huh?). Compared to Britax Frontier at [..]
Customer Review: Great car seat that will last a long time!
Summary: 5 Stars
I read lots of reviews online before purchasing two of these car seats (one for each car). I have two kids, one and three years old. My son the one-year-old just outgrew the graco snugride infant seat. My daughter was still using her Britax Marathons that we bought when she outgrew the graco. We moved my son into the Britax seats, which are designed for babies up to 65 pounds. First we tried the Graco turbo booster but that was too big and did not seem safe for my daughter, who just turned three and is only 29 pounds. Then I found this seat, the Graco Nautilus, and I love it! My daughter had wanted a girly print but once she tried her big girl seat with cup holders, she loved it and didn't care what color it was! I offered to make her a girly pink cotton cover for it but she really doesn't care anymore what color it is. We have been using the seats for a couple months now and are very happy with them. They were also much more affordable than the Britax and seem just as sturdy and safe and well-fitting - a very good value that will be useful for many years. We have old cars - a 10-year-old subaru forester and a 10-year-old VW Jetta - both without Latch - and it was easy to safely anchor in both cars using the seatbelt systems, and it fit well in both back seats. It was easy to set up and install.