Reader Mark W. writes in today with a critique of the new Britax Roundabout 55. Has anyone else had a problem adjusting the straps on this new seat? Here’s his story:
Hello,
I want to first start off and tell you how much my wife and I enjoy your books. We have Baby Bargains, Baby 411, and Toddler 411. We always find them very educational with a twist of comedy thrown in. They are a huge help to new parents.
I am writing with a review/question. I just recently purchased the Britax Roundabout 55 and am extremely disappointed in the seat. I purchased the seat after we have been using a Roundabout 50 in my wife’s car and have loved it. The issue is that it is extremely difficult to properly tighten your child into the seat. You have to pull and lean all your weight into the tightening strap to get the harness to the proper tightness.
I have gone through extreme measures to figure out if I am doing something wrong. I took the seat out of the car and checked for twists in the harness. I also took the seat out to make sure the strap was not rubbing on anything. As a last resort, I called Britax and they sent me an entire new seat to try. Unfortunately, the new seat performed the exact same way. I called and spoke with a Britax technician that explained the locking mechanism had been redesigned, but they have received no complaints. I also cannot find any complaints online. Have you guys heard anything or am I the only one having this issue?
Right now I am planning on returning both of my Roundabout 55 seats and going hunting for a Roundabout 50 that may be in stock somewhere. Just wanted to give my feedback and thoughts. On a different note, Britax customer service has been very nice to work with and responsive.
Thanks,
Mark
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I didn’t find it excessively difficult, but it is by no means the buttery smooth adjuster of the original 40 lb roundabout.
To Mark W, Target sells both the Roundabout 50 and original 65 lb Marathon as “Classic” versions. They even have them in store (though I don’t expect that to last much longer).
Have to agree with Val. I found it ok. I installed it and had it inspected by a safety expert.
http://www.nhtsa.gov/cps/cpsfitting/Index.cfm
I talked to someone who installs carseats and she said the same thing about the new Britax seats, that the straps are very difficult to adjust and not as good as the old models. She recommended I stick with the older models or wait until Britax makes changes to the new model.
I have never owned a Britax seat, but I did buy the Roundabout 55 when it came out. I agree the seats seem too hard to adjust. Not impossible, but more difficult than it should be. I worry all the time that I have it too tight or not tight enough.
We have a “classic” Britax Boulevard (2009 model) and I’ve always found it incredibly difficult to adjust the straps, just as you described. I have put up with it, but hate the seat because it is so difficult to adjust the straps.
I have this issue with the MA70. I reach behind the seat and tighten the straps there, and then pull the strap. It works much better.
I’m having that problem with the Frontier 85. I just moved my daughter up from a classic Roundabout and the straps in the new Frontier model don’t tighten down like the Roundabout did. I have to really pull hard and even then I worry that they are not tight enough. I’m not so concerned that I feel I need to return the seat. I just hope Britax fixes the problem with subsequent model releases.
We have the same problem w/ the roundabout 55. the straps are very hard to pull and adjust. We have to actually pull the straps from the back of the seat or risk “rope burn” from the straps. Our other son’s Britax is great, never had any problems (different model).