sadams1120's Full Review: Britax Boulevard Convertible Car Seat - Onyx
I have owned a total of 5 car seats so far, and 2 of them are Britax Boulevards, and I'm about to buy a 3rd. (I've also had the Graco safeseat step 1 and 2, the Eddie Bauer all-in-one and the Evenflo Triumph) and the Britax is way more expensive than any of the others, but justifiably so.
The Britax has the best latch connectors on the market, hands down. There is an easy release button, and the length adjuster is likewise easy. Many other seats fail in this department. If you've ever tried to install a car seat, you know what I'm talking about. This is the ONLY car seat of the ones I've owned that I was able to install and have it move less than 1/2" in either direction. I am just an ordinary mom, I have no superpowers or great strength, so a car seat that requires a bodybuilder to install properly is not for me. This one is so easy I don't mind switching it between cars.
It does have a recline setting, though you can't recline it while it's installed (you have to loosen the latch connectors which isn't hard, but you can't do it while baby sleeps like the Graco step 2, though I don't recommend that seat due to faulty styrofoam...other reviewers have had the same experience). I would have to say that is about the only feature that other seats have that the Boulevard doesn't.
As far as adjusting the shoulder straps, there is a knob you turn to move up/down. It couldn't be easier. Again, if you have ever had to re-thread straps through the back to adjust the height, you know what I'm talking about. It's a huge pain. With this, if I notice my daughter looks like she has grown and inch and could use a little more space, I turn the knob and we're good to go.
You do have to unthread the straps to wash the cover. I wish they had the seat cover that can be removed via velcro closures like the Evenflo, but honestly, that was the only thing I liked about that evenflo seat. It isn't hard once you do it the first time.
I used this seat rear facing and forward facing. Yes, your baby can look like they have no leg room when rear facing, but that is an issue with most convertibles. I don't fault the car seat, I think it's just because you have to get it so tight to the vehicle seat it leaves little room for longer legged-babies. That was an issue with all rear-facing seats I've used.
The side protection wings are very helpful when baby naps, preventing that sideways slump that looks so uncomfortable when they fall asleep. I think they are part of the reason why this seat works so well forward and rear facing. The eddie Bauer just would not install at any comfortable angle in any of my vehicles (minivan, truck or Hummer) either forward or rear facing. It was always too upright. The Britax is excellent either way, both in the reclined position or the upright one.
The straps are great and adjust easily with a standard release/tightening lever in front of the child's crotch. The buckle assembly is easy to insert and release. They have ingenious velcro pieces that hold the harness open while you put baby in. I don't know why other seats don't have this. It goes a long way towards keeping the straps from twisting.
The seat is a little larger than some. Basewise it's bigger than the eddie bauer, but takes about the same amount of space in the vehicle. The evenflo is shorter, but wider. It is heavy, but the base can be removed to make it less unwieldy if you were going to take it on an airplane.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 175-299
Age Range of Child: 12 to 36 Months
Convertible, rear facing five to 35 pounds and forward facing from at least one year old and 20 pounds up to 65 pounds Deep side walls and adjustable ...More at Amazon
Special Offer: 16% off this item! Add to cart to view savings. "Designed for kids . . . engineered for parents." Click here to view a ...More at EliteCarSeats.com
The Britax Boulevard convertible car seat is the crown jewel in the Britax line of True Side Impact Protection restraints. The deep side wings with EP...More at Cymax Baby
Britax Boulevard Convertible Car Seat - Onyx Most Current Model!The Britax Boulevard car seat features True Side Impact Protection with deep side wall...More at Diapers.com
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.