Which Booster Seat: Britax Frontier 85, Safety 1St Vantage, or Go Hybrid?

We have the Frontier and LOVE it! The only con is it sits way lower than the Marathon so it makes it harder to see out the window, but my daughter hasn't complained at all. Probably because she loves the cup holders so much. =)
P.S. We found a really good deal on Diapers.com....20%off with free (and extremely fast) shipping!

I used to work at Babies R Us and this is what I'd tell customers who wanted my personal not professional opinion. I hate Safety First because it feels like a mcdonald's happy meal toy has been melted down and shaped into a car sear. I actually say that about: Evenflo, Eddie Bauer, Costco (which EB is actually costco with his name slapped on it and charged extra), and the other cheap American brands, Graco is the only American brand i'd buy. Go Britax!!!!!

We have the Graco Natulus. We used the Frontier for three days and returned it! Hated it and my kids were in a Marathon 1st. Loved the marathon. The frontier was too big (huge) and we were unable to get a secure fit in my accord and in a dodge caravan using the seat belt (cannot use latch over 40 pounds). Also did not have as many crotch positions as the Graco and that was the reason my daughter out grew her Marathon. I want them in a 5 point harness for as long as possible and they will be bale to do this longer in the graco. Love britax but was very disappointed in the Frontier!

have you looked into ricarro? they make race car seats for the big guys..so they know a bit about safety

When in doubt, buy the Britax. My oldest daughter finally got too tall for her Britax booster seat. She told me today that she wished she could still fit in it because it was comfy and she could sleep in it (because of the side impact head wing things that kept her head from bobbing). I thought that was so funny - what kind of a kid wishes they could still fit in a car seat? But I guess that goes to show you - Britax makes comfortable car seats! (And super safe, which is really the most important factor.)

We have 2 Frontier 85's and LOVE LOVE LOVE them! So nice to know that we also will not have to purchase yet another seat for our kids! This one will last them till the 8 year old law in MN! And safely in a 5 point harness too! We researched a bunch and decided that this one was what we were looking for. And the no thread harness is GREAT!

Skip the Safety1st Vantage for sure - it doesn't say on the BRU link but the *harnessed* weight limit is only 40 lbs. and the top setting of the harness straps is probably *lower* than on your Marathons. Oh, and it makes a lousy booster - see this review by a Certified child passenger safety tech: http://carseatblog.com/?p=1426

The Go is more of a "niche" seat that's good for travel but IIRC it's not the best bet for an everyday seat (no head support, no shell -see detailed review here http://carseatblog.com/?p=403)

The most frequently rec'd combo seats (for high harness height and weight limits and belt fit in booster mode) are the Frontier and the Graco Nautilus.

I wouldn't use the Go hybrid for a full time seat. The Vantage will be outgrown or is already otugrown by your daughter. The Frontier is an amazing seat. The Graco Nautilus should be tried out by your kids too.

Your 6yr old is old enough to booster train and use a booster seat, given that he's over 50lbs. A high back booster would be an appropriate choice for his age and size. However having an 8yr old that just moved to a booster (his choice!) I get wanting to keep them harnessed. the Frontier or the Graco Nautilus are your best choices.

We have had the Britax Frontier for awhile, and have been very happy with it.

I have 3 different brand boosters, 1 without straps and 2 with. If you remove the cover and straps to wash, they are exactly the same seat. So basically, you are looking at strap options and and padding options. I prefer the 5 point harness because you can remove them latter and use the regular seat belt, but it keeps them more secure until they outgrow the straps. Second, I would chose one that has a sliding adjustable ring for the regular seatbelt to fit into rather that just slits on the side of the seat that are difficult to slide the belt into and won't stay. Also look for one with the latch system for fastening into your vehicle. This way, the seat is secure and in place whether you are using a seatbelt of the 5 point harness to buckle them in.

I am not sure if this is the same seat you have above, but this seat would meet requirements if I was picking one:

http://www.safety1st.com/usa/eng/Products/Travel/Car-Seat...

I haven't heard of the safety 1st model, but we chose the frontier. Mostly because of its super high harness and booster weight limits, because our kids are really tall and big. It can be hard to instal but feels very sturdy once it's in, and my five year old loves it! We got a good deal at albeebaby.com, and I've seen them new in box on eBay with free shipping as well. I trust britax after researching, and after a fatality accident with her in a marathon. I love their brand and reputation!

I have the 2 Vantages for my 5 year (and our 2 vehicles) and we like it....my only concern is that it very difficult to secure it to the seat tightly.....we use the latch...AND the seatbelt to secure it but because it is so lightweight it does seem to shift a bit when it's empty.
Our 3 year old is now graduating from her 2 Britax's and I was trying to find a 'smaller' set of Boosters for my tiny Mariner....and planning to move the 2 Vantages over to our Odyssey......I prefer the 5 point harnesses as well....and through research I have come to the same 3 choices that you did. The Go Hybrid looks really really good...on both safety and size....except that my Mariner does not have a rear "Latch" so I could not use it in my car....I am so bummed! The separate headrest and 'flexible' back make the latch over the seat and in the rear absolutely necessary. It looks as thought the Frontier 85 would be smaller than the Vantage....but some of the posts and the measurements I've been taking seem to say that is no the case. I may check out the Graco Nautilus since another poster recommended it....otherwise I'll be getting 2 more Vantages and just 'dealing' with the cramped backseat but have peace of mind that my girls are safe.

I don't have any of those seats but I do have a graco nautilus that can harness to 65lbs and I believe 52 inches.