Britax Marathon or Roundabout?

Okay, we are shopping for a convertible carseat for DS as he is rapidly outgrowing his infant seat.

He tends to be in the 95-97th percentile for height everytime he goes to the doctor, so I am thinking the Marathon is a better choice for him. But according to Baby Bargains, the safety rating wasn't quite as good as the Roundabout in Consumer Reports (they were citing a rating done in 2005, so I'm wondering if it's better now).

Does anyone happen to know if CR did a more recent test of these carseats? Or does anyone have other feedback, plusses or minuses to share about these two seats?

I guess I'm concerned he'll outgrow the Roundabout in no time. He's almost 30 inches tall now, at 6 months.

Thanks!

Re: Britax Marathon or Roundabout?

Wow, he IS tall!!!
We just installed our Marathon, I wanted to exchange it for the Boulevard, my brother got me all hyped about the side impact thing, but I waited to long and I couldn't return it.

I am very happy with it and I thought it got better ratings than the Roundabout? I'll have to go home and check my Baby Bargains,......
There MUST have been a reason for me getting the Marathon....

Re: Britax Marathon or Roundabout?

We have the Roundabout. I bought it because it was rated better than the Marathon in Consumer Reports and Baby Bargains. We are going to install it this weekend. DS is still in infant seat at 13 1/2 months. At his 12 month visit, he weighed 19 pounds, 5 ounces and was 28 inches. He's a peanut, so he'll get a lot of use out of the Roundabout. I would think he'll definitely be in a booster by the time he reaches the maximum.

As far as I know, Consumer Reports hasn't done a more recent study. I think the Baby Bargains one is recent though.

Re: Britax Marathon or Roundabout?

I have two Marathons, one for each of my children. My son just turned 4 and he's still in it. He's 42 lbs (it goes to 65 lbs) and he's 40 inches. His shoulders aren't past the last strap hole, so he's still fine in it. Getting 4 + years out of it was worth it!!

Re: Britax Marathon or Roundabout?

I have the Roundabout. We just installed it this weekend because DD was too heavy to carry in the infant seat. I like it so far, have no complaints. I picked it over the Marathon because of it's rating in Baby Bargains last year, but they both were highly rated.

Re: Britax Marathon or Roundabout?

Thanks for the feedback! I wish CR had done a more recent carseat test. Though the Marathon wasn't bad, the Roundabout got a higher overall rating.

I need to think about this a bit more, but I may go for the Marathon since the height maximum is higher. It should last longer.

Yup, he's a long one. 28 3/4 inches this month, and generally, he's been growing an inch a month so he needs to be out of the infant seat soon.

Re: Britax Marathon or Roundabout?

We have 2 marathons and we love them. My DD was 21 lbs 9 ozs and was 27 inches long at 6 months. By that point she had been in the marathon for a few months. My other DD is 26 lbs and about 34 inches and she has lots of room to grow in it.

Re: Britax Marathon or Roundabout?

have you looked at the britax diplomat? that also got great reviews.

Message edited 6/10/2008 5:52:51 PM.

Re: Britax Marathon or Roundabout?

DD has also been in 97th percentile and up and we have Marathons in each of our cars. My mom has the Roundabout for her but I feel like it looks too short to last that long. She definitely looks more comfy in the Marathon.

Re: Britax Marathon or Roundabout?

Marathon...

Aside from loving it. When i was looking at a 2nd seat, if i remember correctly...it also has a higher weight maximum. I think the roundabout has 40lbs where as the Marathon has 65

Re: Britax Marathon or Roundabout?

I looked at the Roundabout and it's much smaller to me.

I have the Decathlon (same size as Marathon but with crotch adjsutment).

DS is in 95th percentile for heigth and 75th for weight.