Question If you had to choose... - Car Seat.Org - Carseat, Vehicle & Child Passenger Safety Forums

11-06-2009, 06:57 PM

between a britax marathon and a Safety first air protect which would you choose. I really love the way the safety first one is but Im afraid about its reputation.

3plus2isme · 11-06-2009, 08:39 PM

I absolutely ADORED our marathons when we had them... Was so sad when we gave them up for the radians so we could get 3 across better.

I have no experience with the the air protect... sorry!

swtgi1982 · 11-06-2009, 08:43 PM

reputation on the safety first? what are you worried about? I have one and DD loves it.

amyd · 11-06-2009, 08:43 PM

It would depend on what I was using it for. Rear-facing, I'm assuming? Complete Air, hands down. A whole extra 10lbs of rear-facing room makes a big difference safety-wise. Rear-facing vs. forward-facing is way more important than who the manufacturer is, IMO.

gecikuh · 11-06-2009, 08:44 PM

marathon, unless the high RF weight was necessary of course

amyd · 11-06-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swtgi1982

reputation on the safety first? what are you worried about? I have one and DD loves it.

I assumed the OP was referring to Dorel's reputation, not that of the Complete Air itself. It's still too new to really have a reputation. A lot of people don't like/trust Dorel seats, though.

HONEYhas3 · 11-06-2009, 08:45 PM

Neither. LOL

I would Prefer a TrueFit.

chickabiddy · 11-06-2009, 08:55 PM

The AirProtect will last longer rear-facing and probably forward-facing.

canadiangie · 11-07-2009, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HONEYhas3

Neither. LOL

I would Prefer a TrueFit.

^ that.

I'd choose neither the Marathon or the Complete Air.

If I had time I'd hold out for the TrueFit Premiere coming in early 2010, or the new Radian XT due any day.

If I needed a seat like yesterday I'd first try the Radian XT, and if that didn't work I'd get a TrueFit.

And if you really really wanted me to choose over a Marathon and Complete Air, I guess... it would be.... a ...

... Complete Air.

BigDaddy · 11-07-2009, 06:04 AM

I currently own both. If you've excluded other seats, and narrowed it down to a Marathon or a Complete Air, my recommendation would depend on the age and size of the child, along with your goals. I really like the Marathon, and love how easy it is to install, however...

Rear facing is much safer than forward facing, and it is highly recommended that parents rear face their children to the limits of the seat. If you choose to follow the recommendation of rear facing your child as long as possible, then the Complete Air would the first choice of the two. In Canada the Marathon has a limit of 30lbs and the Complete Air has a limit of 35lbs. Because of the reduced Canadian weight limit, the Complete Air's 40 inch overall height limit (which many choose to ignore) shouldn't be an issue. For reference, my 3 year old DD2 (who's height is in the 98th percentile, and weight is in the 50ish percentile) is 39" and 35lbs, and can still RF in the Complete Air, but not the Marathon.

As for forward facing, the one that would last the longest is more dependent on the size of the child. The Complete Air has taller top slots, which means it will accept children with a longer torso, but is limited to 50lbs. The Marathon has lower top slots, but has a 65lbs limit . For reference, my DD1 (who's height is in the 98th percentile, and weight is in the 99th percentile) outgrew her Marathon by height when she turned 5. At the time she was 55lbs, which means she would have outgrown the Complete Air much sooner.

That's pretty much all that comes to mind, hopefully it helps. The next step would be to go try the seats before you buy anything. Make sure that you see how they fit your child, and how well they install in your vehicle. I'd recommend checking out some other seats, too. You might just find something that you like better, and would be better suited to your needs.

snowbird25ca · 11-07-2009, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDaddy

Rear facing is much safer than forward facing, and it is highly recommended that parents rear face their children to the limits of the seat. If you choose to follow the recommendation of rear facing your child as long as possible, then the Complete Air would the first choice of the two. In Canada the Marathon has a limit of 30lbs and the Complete Air has a limit of 35lbs. Because of the reduced Canadian weight limit, the Complete Air's 40 inch overall height limit (which many choose to ignore) shouldn't be an issue. For reference, my 3 year old DD2 (who's height is in the 98th percentile, and weight is in the 50ish percentile) is 39" and 35lbs, and can still RF in the Complete Air, but not the Marathon.

The rf'ing weight limit on the Complete air is 40lbs, you are correct that the MA only has a rf'ing limit of 30lbs - so huge difference there.

As to the original question, having owned a MA and owning a Complete Air right now, I guess it would partly depend on the vehicle, but if the Complete Air was compatible with the vehicle, I'd pick it over the MA. There's more interior space, better leg support, the harness is easier to adjust, and higher overall harness height. My dd still fits in the CA with growing room, but has outgrown the MA by height. She's 44lbs right now, just for reference. She would probably make it close to the 50lb weight limit on the CA before outgrowing it by height I think. She has about 2" left in it and about 1" left in the Radian.

*note these are my personal opinions, not a recommendation as to safest seat etc.*

I personally don't like the MA for older kids... I find it too narrow in the shoulders and not enough leg support - both of which really bothered my dd. I got rid of it in favor of a True Fit when she was almost 4yrs old and 35lbs because she just wasn't comfortable in the MA. But you know what they say - every kid is different, and what mine likes/dislikes may not match up with your own kiddo's preferences. Today I helped a family choosing a seat to move from the bucket to a convertible. They had their mind set on the Complete Air, but it was completely incompatible rf'ing with their vehicle, while a Britax seat installed beautifully. In a case like that, I'm obviously going to choose the Britax seat. But all other things being equal, I do feel more secure about the CA - again, just my own personal opinion.

(And I wouldn't stress too much about Dorel's reputation, every company has skeletons in it's closet and Britax is no different.)

BigDaddy · 11-07-2009, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowbird25ca

The rf'ing weight limit on the Complete air is 40lbs,

I knew that many seats have different ratings in Canada, so I had checked the Safety 1st website before posting. The Canadian Complete Air web page has 35lbs as the RF limit. Is that an error? It may be something that needs to be checked in to.

http://www.safety1st.com/can/eng/Pro...tible-Car-Seat

11-07-2009, 01:12 PM

When I say reputation I do mean about dorel.

I tried sitting DS who is 7mths old in the marathon and it looked like he kinda got lost in there. The Complete air seems to hold him in snugger. He will be RF and I saw some pics in another post and it seems the complete ir is harder to install. We own a caravan so thats were the seat would be going. Right now I can purchase a marathon for $239 and the complete air is $299.

CelticLabyrinth · 11-07-2009, 01:23 PM

I would choose the Complete Air unless you couldn't get a good install. But I would not choose to use a Britax convertible unless it was the only seat I could get an acceptable install with in the vehicle. 2 or 3 years ago my opinion would likely have been different, but the current market (even in Canada) offers many other, better options IMHO.

The overall height limit for the Complete Air doesn't concern me as long as the child fits the seat and is within the weight limit.

amyd · 11-07-2009, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDaddy

I knew that many seats have different ratings in Canada, so I had checked the Safety 1st website before posting. The Canadian Complete Air web page has 35lbs as the RF limit. Is that an error? It may be something that needs to be checked in to.

http://www.safety1st.com/can/eng/Pro...tible-Car-Seat

Interesting. The stickers & the manual say 40.

snowbird25ca · 11-07-2009, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amyd

Interesting. The stickers & the manual say 40.

Yep, stickers, manual, in-print advertising all say 40lbs. So the site is just wrong.

amyd · 11-07-2009, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowbird25ca

Yep, stickers, manual, in-print advertising all say 40lbs. So the site is just wrong.

I just sent them an email...hopefully they'll fix it.

11-06-2009, 06:57 PM	#1
Unregistered Guest Posts: n/a	If you had to choose... between a britax marathon and a Safety first air protect which would you choose. I really love the way the safety first one is but Im afraid about its reputation.

11-06-2009, 08:39 PM	#2
3plus2isme Carseat Crazy Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: AB, Canada Posts: 136	Re: If you had to choose... I absolutely ADORED our marathons when we had them... Was so sad when we gave them up for the radians so we could get 3 across better. I have no experience with the the air protect... sorry! __________________ Canadian Mama to DS1 2004, 46lbs, 46" - Frontier, Radian XT & Parkway SG DS2 2005, 40lbs, 39" - Frontier & Radian. Baby GIRL due early January 2010 - SS1 is waiting!

11-06-2009, 08:43 PM	#3
swtgi1982 Carseat Crazy Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Bay City, MI Posts: 468	Re: If you had to choose... reputation on the safety first? what are you worried about? I have one and DD loves it. __________________

11-06-2009, 08:43 PM	#4
amyd CPS Technician Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Riverview, NB Posts: 460	Re: If you had to choose... It would depend on what I was using it for. Rear-facing, I'm assuming? Complete Air, hands down. A whole extra 10lbs of rear-facing room makes a big difference safety-wise. Rear-facing vs. forward-facing is way more important than who the manufacturer is, IMO. __________________ Amy~mama to my little man P (4.20.08) RFing in a CowMoo MA & DCP to I RFing in a Misty Morning TF

11-06-2009, 08:44 PM	#5
gecikuh CPS Technician Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 352	Re: If you had to choose... marathon, unless the high RF weight was necessary of course __________________ Jess, RN, BSN, CPST and mommy to Ella, born 8/8/08 RF in Malibu RN XT

11-06-2009, 08:45 PM	#7
HONEYhas3 CPS Technician Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 183	Re: If you had to choose... Neither. LOL I would Prefer a TrueFit. __________________

11-06-2009, 08:55 PM	#8
chickabiddy CPS Technician Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 3,150	Re: If you had to choose... The AirProtect will last longer rear-facing and probably forward-facing. __________________ CPST and Mama to a 7-year-old, 48" and 52# girl riding mostly in a Monterey in a 2006 Kia Optima and sometimes in a Turbobooster in a 2001 Subaru Legacy wagon.

11-07-2009, 06:04 AM	#10
BigDaddy Car-Seat.Org Benefactor Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: West-Central Florida Posts: 299	Re: If you had to choose... I currently own both. If you've excluded other seats, and narrowed it down to a Marathon or a Complete Air, my recommendation would depend on the age and size of the child, along with your goals. I really like the Marathon, and love how easy it is to install, however... Rear facing is much safer than forward facing, and it is highly recommended that parents rear face their children to the limits of the seat. If you choose to follow the recommendation of rear facing your child as long as possible, then the Complete Air would the first choice of the two. In Canada the Marathon has a limit of 30lbs and the Complete Air has a limit of 35lbs. Because of the reduced Canadian weight limit, the Complete Air's 40 inch overall height limit (which many choose to ignore) shouldn't be an issue. For reference, my 3 year old DD2 (who's height is in the 98th percentile, and weight is in the 50ish percentile) is 39" and 35lbs, and can still RF in the Complete Air, but not the Marathon. As for forward facing, the one that would last the longest is more dependent on the size of the child. The Complete Air has taller top slots, which means it will accept children with a longer torso, but is limited to 50lbs. The Marathon has lower top slots, but has a 65lbs limit . For reference, my DD1 (who's height is in the 98th percentile, and weight is in the 99th percentile) outgrew her Marathon by height when she turned 5. At the time she was 55lbs, which means she would have outgrown the Complete Air much sooner. That's pretty much all that comes to mind, hopefully it helps. The next step would be to go try the seats before you buy anything. Make sure that you see how they fit your child, and how well they install in your vehicle. I'd recommend checking out some other seats, too. You might just find something that you like better, and would be better suited to your needs. __________________

11-07-2009, 01:12 PM	#13
Unregistered Guest Posts: n/a	Re: If you had to choose... When I say reputation I do mean about dorel. I tried sitting DS who is 7mths old in the marathon and it looked like he kinda got lost in there. The Complete air seems to hold him in snugger. He will be RF and I saw some pics in another post and it seems the complete ir is harder to install. We own a caravan so thats were the seat would be going. Right now I can purchase a marathon for $239 and the complete air is $299.

11-07-2009, 01:23 PM	#14
CelticLabyrinth Senior Community Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 864	Re: If you had to choose... I would choose the Complete Air unless you couldn't get a good install. But I would not choose to use a Britax convertible unless it was the only seat I could get an acceptable install with in the vehicle. 2 or 3 years ago my opinion would likely have been different, but the current market (even in Canada) offers many other, better options IMHO. The overall height limit for the Complete Air doesn't concern me as long as the child fits the seat and is within the weight limit. __________________ Nik, Big Sister & Sitter to Little Boy C- 11/04, in Galaxy Graco Nautilus Little Boy A- 5/06, in Matrix Graco Nautilus Ooh- look, a blog! http://evolily.blogspot.com/

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