Graco has debuted a new combo booster, the Nautilus. The $150 seat is among the first combo booster seats with a five-point harness that works to 65 pounds.
The Nautilus works from 20-65 lbs with a five-point harness and then 30 to 100 pounds as a high back booster. Finally, it morphs into a backless booster to 100 pounds as well.
Since the seat is so new, we have a brief overview in our 7.1 version book but no parent feedback yet. Good news—Reader Trish D. writes in today with her first impressions:
Hi – I bought the Graco Nautilus, and thought I’d share my opinion of it. Have you received any others? Just wondering what everyone thinks of it.
Pros
Very sturdy, installs easily (my husband said it was the easiest install he’s done (he’s previously installed the Marathon, Evenflo Triumph, Apex 65, and the Graco Snugride). It’s a narrow seat so it doesn’t take up much room in the car. It’s a nice looking seat too, with rubber on the sides of the car seat, a nice cup holder that doesn’t come unattached. It does have a recline too, but it might not install properly in the reclined position.
Cons
The extra padding on the seat (that can come off), hinders the shoulder straps if the straps are on a high notch, so it’s probably best not to thread the shoulder straps through the padding.
On the heavier side — heavier than the Apex.
Some assembly required prior to installation, but it’s not too bad.
Thanks!
Trish
Doesn’t look like it has any good side impact protection. Why does no one seem to know about the Recaro Young Sport? We have that seat and LOVE it.
Doesn’t look like it has any good side impact protection. Why does no one seem to know about the Recaro Young Sport? We have that seat and LOVE it.
Thanks for the first look. My daughter will be 1 in June, and currently has a Graco Step 1 SafeSeat. Since she’s under the 97th percentile in weight and height we’re hoping to avoid a convertible seat. This looks like a great next option!
Thanks for the first look. My daughter will be 1 in June, and currently has a Graco Step 1 SafeSeat. Since she’s under the 97th percentile in weight and height we’re hoping to avoid a convertible seat. This looks like a great next option!
Thanks for the first look. My daughter will be 1 in June, and currently has a Graco Step 1 SafeSeat. Since she’s under the 97th percentile in weight and height we’re hoping to avoid a convertible seat. This looks like a great next option!
Thanks for the first look. My daughter will be 1 in June, and currently has a Graco Step 1 SafeSeat. Since she’s under the 97th percentile in weight and height we’re hoping to avoid a convertible seat. This looks like a great next option!
I would work VERY hard to avoid putting a 1 yr old in a forward facing seat. Age 1 is the MINIMUM and certainly not recommended. This is all about reducing neck/spinal cord injury in a crash. An infant/young toddler has not developed bone and muscle strength to support the head (think shaken baby syndrome – see also:
Convertible seats are taller than infant only seats and will allow a child to be rear facing longer. While the SafeSeat has an upper weight limit of 30 lbs and is bigger than most IO seats, most convertibles will allow even more time rear facing They have rear facing weight limits of 30, 33, and 35 lbs., depending on the seat. (Britax Marathon / Boulevard, Cosco Scenera are seats I would consider when looking for a seat that allows a larger child to continue to ride rear facing).
I would work VERY hard to avoid putting a 1 yr old in a forward facing seat. Age 1 is the MINIMUM and certainly not recommended. This is all about reducing neck/spinal cord injury in a crash. An infant/young toddler has not developed bone and muscle strength to support the head (think shaken baby syndrome – see also:
Convertible seats are taller than infant only seats and will allow a child to be rear facing longer. While the SafeSeat has an upper weight limit of 30 lbs and is bigger than most IO seats, most convertibles will allow even more time rear facing They have rear facing weight limits of 30, 33, and 35 lbs., depending on the seat. (Britax Marathon / Boulevard, Cosco Scenera are seats I would consider when looking for a seat that allows a larger child to continue to ride rear facing).
Part II –
Having “played” with the Nautilus, I found it easy to assemble and install.
The two best features: 1) TALL harness height (comparable to the 19-20″ top slots on a $260 Britax Regent)
2) Makes a good high back booster.
I disagree with the post that stated the seat does not have side impact protection. The foam in the headrest and the shape of the seat back will provide side impact protection.
Part II –
Having “played” with the Nautilus, I found it easy to assemble and install.
The two best features: 1) TALL harness height (comparable to the 19-20″ top slots on a $260 Britax Regent)
2) Makes a good high back booster.
I disagree with the post that stated the seat does not have side impact protection. The foam in the headrest and the shape of the seat back will provide side impact protection.
The “young sport” is not at all comparable to the nautilus or regent- it only harnesses up to 40 lbs. It’s not really in the same category of seat, since it’s not meant to keep the child harnessed until they are 7 or 8 like the larger boosters.
The “young sport” is not at all comparable to the nautilus or regent- it only harnesses up to 40 lbs. It’s not really in the same category of seat, since it’s not meant to keep the child harnessed until they are 7 or 8 like the larger boosters.
I love the Graco Nautilus and so does my 10 month old. He is 25 lbs so we use forward facing and he could hold his head up and walk and all those things – the only problem is when he is sleeping – it hardly reclines and his head flops down which I hate when I have to drive by myself – otherwise I love this car seat!
I love the Graco Nautilus and so does my 10 month old. He is 25 lbs so we use forward facing and he could hold his head up and walk and all those things – the only problem is when he is sleeping – it hardly reclines and his head flops down which I hate when I have to drive by myself – otherwise I love this car seat!
You are not using this seat correctly! Your baby is too young to be forward-facing. Please get informed!!!
You are not using this seat correctly! Your baby is too young to be forward-facing. Please get informed!!!
Our pediatrician and doctors my daughter has at Children’s Memorial in Chicago have been telling us that the new weight cutoff for switching from rear-facing to front-facing is now 30 lbs. It has to do with neck strength. We wanted the Nautilus but it is not cabable of being rear-facing.
Our pediatrician and doctors my daughter has at Children’s Memorial in Chicago have been telling us that the new weight cutoff for switching from rear-facing to front-facing is now 30 lbs. It has to do with neck strength. We wanted the Nautilus but it is not cabable of being rear-facing.
I just bought the newest Graco Nautilus at Target. Here is what the box says:
“Engineered & crash tested to meet or exceed US standard FMVSS 213:
* New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) – peak Crash Force approximately 2X Car Seat Standard (Tested for structural integrity by applying 44g NCAP crash pulse to infant seat, which is approx. twice the US FMVSS 213 crash pulse)
* Side Impact ISO Method (Tested for child containment within confines of child carrier using Draft International Standards Organization (ISO) Side Impact Standard 14646)
* Extreme Car Interior Temperatures (Tested for structural integrity using FMVSS 213 crash pulse applied to hot and cold infant seats)”
I just bought the newest Graco Nautilus at Target. Here is what the box says:
“Engineered & crash tested to meet or exceed US standard FMVSS 213:
* New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) – peak Crash Force approximately 2X Car Seat Standard (Tested for structural integrity by applying 44g NCAP crash pulse to infant seat, which is approx. twice the US FMVSS 213 crash pulse)
* Side Impact ISO Method (Tested for child containment within confines of child carrier using Draft International Standards Organization (ISO) Side Impact Standard 14646)
* Extreme Car Interior Temperatures (Tested for structural integrity using FMVSS 213 crash pulse applied to hot and cold infant seats)”