Carseat likes and dislikes: rear facing/ convertible

It was suggested I do a post on carseats I like. I will mention many different carsaeats, in different price ranges. Please keep in mind that these are my opinions. This is not neccisarily on safety features, it may be more based on convenience features. ALL carseats must pass the same safety tests to be sold in the US. Some people may agree with me, some people may disagree. Again, I want to stress that these are my opinions only.

Infant Seats:

1. Graco Snugride
Like:
-Inexpensive
-Pretty easy to install with LATCH or Lap belt
Dislike:
-Need a locking clip to install with a lap/shoulder belt
-Many children outgrow before 6 months

2. Graco Safe Seat Step 1 (soon to be named Graco Snugride 32)
Like:
-Has lockoffs making a seatbelt install easy
-Doesn't need a locking clip
-Has a higher weight limit, and a larger shell (the plastic of the seat) to accomidate larger babies
Dislike:
-It's bigger than most infant carriers

3. Chicco Keyfit 30
Like:
-Has a higher weight limit
-Has infant padding, fits small babies well, parents will be less likely to buy after market products
-Has lockoffs, making seatbelt installation easier
-Doesn't need a locking clip
Dislike:
-Has a smaller shell, so babies won't fit (height wise) as long as the Graco SS1

Convertible Seats:
1. Cosco Scenera:
Like:
-Inexpensive
-Easy to install with LATCH or lap belt
Dislike:
-No EPS/EPP foam
-only forward faces to 40 pounds

2. Safety 1st Uptown (this seat has been discontinued, but you may still find it at Big Lots)
Like:
-fairly inexpensive
-Has EPS/EPP foam
-Easy to install with LATCH or lap belt
-Has a tall shell
Dislike:
-Children sometimes look squished in the shoulders (though is it uncomfortable? Don't know)
-Needs a locking clip for rear facing
-only forward faces to 40 pounds

3. Safety 1st Avenue
*never used this seat*


4. Graco Comfortsport
Like:
-well paded
Dislike:
-only rear faces to 30 pounds
-top harness slot is for forward facing only
-top harness slot is short (13ish inches I think)
-children usually outgrow the seat very early

5. Evenflo Titan Elite
Like:
-rear faces to 35 pounds
-not terribly expensive
-forward faces to 50 pounds (though I doubt many kids will get near 50 pounds)
Dislike:
-straps can be twisty
-top harness slots are low compared to other seats (14ish inches I think)
-short seat shell compared to other seats. I'd rather use a Scenera

6. Evenflo Triumph Advance
Like:
-Forward faces to 50 pounds
-rear faces to 35 pounds
-you don't have to remove harness to change heights
-top harness height is pretty good
Dislike:
-knob to adjust harness can be difficult/impossible to use when rear facing (depending on your vehicle)
-some children find the red tabs on the shoulders bothersome

7. First Years True Fit
Like:
-Rear faces to 35 pounds
-forward faces to 65 pounds
-top of seat is removable to babies under 22 pounds
-has infant padding to fit young babies better
-has a tall shell for taller rear facing children
-has high top harness slots
-don't need to remove harness to adjust height
-has lockoff so you don't need a locking clip
Dislike:
-some people have a hard time accessing the harness adjuster when rear facing (especially when it's not at 45* angle)
-Lockoffs are required even when using LATCH.
-Depending on angle of the seat, the seatbelt or LATCH strap can be difficult to keep in the right spot for the lockoffs. Especiially when trying for a 45* angle.

8. Evenflo Symphony
*I've never installed this seat*
Like:
-rear faces to 35 pounds
-don't need to remove harness to change height
-has a pretty good top harness height
Dislike:
-some children don't like the red tabs on the shoulders
-only forward faces to 40 pounds

9. Britax Roundabout
Like:
-can be tethered rear facing
Dislike:
-forward faces to 40 pounds
-has a pretty short shell height, most children outgrow it early

10. Britax Marathon
Like:
-forward faces to 65 pounds
-has a high top harness height
-rear faces to 35 pounds (those manufactured prior to Feb 2008, it's only 33 pounds)
-Easy to install
-can be tethered rear facing
Dislike:
-lockoffs don't always hold tight, but locking the seatbelt retractor will help

11. Sunshine Kids Radian 65/ Radian 80
Like:
-forward faces to 65 or 80 pounds
-80 comes with infant padding (you can purchase seperately for 65)
-can be tethered rear facing
-narrow seat, excellent for fitting "3 across"
-high top harness slots, even allowed to go over the top slots
Dislike:
-confusion as to if it can rear face to 33 or 35 pounds (manual says one thing, seat say another)
-can be very difficult to install
-must use the "boot" that comes with the seat for rear facing, doesn't always give the correct angle

12. Sunshine Kids Radian XT
*haven't used this seat yet

13. Britax Boulevard
Like:
-Rear faces to 35 pounds (33 pounds for seats made before Feb 2008)
-Forward faces to 65 pounds
-Has a high top harness height
-Easy to install
-Headwings provide more Side Impact Protection
-Can be tethered RF
-Knob makes it easy to adjust harness height
Dislike:
-Lockoffs don't always hold tight, but locking the retractor will help
*I don not like the Boulevard CS. Sometimes it will click before the harness is tight

Please see seperate post for forward facing only (combination) seats, and booster seats