https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:42:35 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1516213 Mon, 24 Mar 2014 05:53:21 +0000 bpcmarj 1516213@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sorrycharlie: the straps are basically a giant loop. As you move the headrest up with the lever on the back, the straps become a little shorter so there is less to tighten. I guess it's a little hard to explain but is a lifesaver with my constant growth spurt girl!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1516024 Sun, 23 Mar 2014 21:56:30 +0000 Elderberrygin 1516024@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a TrueFit Premier SI and the way its designed its pretty much the same install for a seat belt or LATCH (the LATCH anchors are on a length of seatbelt webbing that goes through the belt router. Its a pretty good car seat, though a little on the wide side, and super easy to install. We've had it installed both ways with no problems.</p> <p>(And now I'm totally paranoid that I've installed my seat wrong and someone's going to be all, you're doing WHAT NOW with your LATCH?) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1516005 Sun, 23 Mar 2014 21:31:05 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1516005@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sorrycharlie: I don't know the engineering behind it, but basically there is a lever in the back that attached to the straps/ belts in the front. You pull the lever up, and the strap goes up to accommodate a taller child! </p> <p>@daniellemybelle: thanks for this info:) For the record: I don't think LATCH is safer, I have just read in multiple reviews that some seats are better designed to be installed with LATCH than others. For example: my Combi is terrible with just the seat belt. So terrible that I turned my MIL down when she wanted to take LO out in it (in her vehicle). With LATCH, it's great. Must just be sh**y manufacturing on Combi's part, to be honest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1511923 Fri, 21 Mar 2014 12:02:17 +0000 daniellemybelle 1511923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a Chicco Keyfit &amp; we were told by the Children's Hospital to install it in the middle seat, which doesn't have LATCH (both side seats do). If LATCH were safer/better, I imagine they wouldn't have told us that! So I honestly think you are fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1511417 Fri, 21 Mar 2014 09:49:57 +0000 Greentea 1511417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We don't have latch. We had a snugride and now a britax marathon. DH and I took it to the fire station where they correctly install it and teach you everything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1511408 Fri, 21 Mar 2014 09:47:19 +0000 sorrycharlie 1511408@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CupQuakeWalk: @bpcmarj: @loveisstrange: I'm amazed by this no-thread thing! how does it work? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1511277 Fri, 21 Mar 2014 09:10:00 +0000 loveisstrange 1511277@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a Graco MySize 70 and it's super easy to install and secure in my Honda CRV without the LATCH. Love it. It also has a no-thread harness.</p> <p>Plus, it's not super heavy or expensive. I can fit 3 across in my backseat with it back there (It, a FF seat and an infant bucket) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1511276 Fri, 21 Mar 2014 09:09:15 +0000 bpcmarj 1511276@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CupQuakeWalk: The safety first I use also has a no thread adjustable harness :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1511263 Fri, 21 Mar 2014 09:02:11 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1511263@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sorrycharlie: right?! That's primarily the reason I am 95% choosing Britax because of the no thread harness!<br /> Most likely though, it'll just be LO for awhile...AWHILE. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1511259 Fri, 21 Mar 2014 09:00:39 +0000 sorrycharlie 1511259@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CupQuakeWalk: I've installed the Cosco in my moms car with the belt and it was very secure! rear facing</p> <p>something they may want to keep in mind is that between your LO, a newborn, and potential cousins, the shoulder straps will never be at the perfect height...they'll have to keep taking the seat out, rethreading the straps, and reinstalling. which is 1) a PITA and 2) would make me nervous about constant (in)correct installs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1511252 Fri, 21 Mar 2014 08:58:24 +0000 Pepper 1511252@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a Diono Radian, and it would install just fine without latch. In fact, if you install it using the seat belt, it has a higher weight limit (baby + seat). This is what the tech told me for rear facing, anyway! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1511235 Fri, 21 Mar 2014 08:54:12 +0000 bpcmarj 1511235@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CupQuakeWalk: yes, Our car is older (2002) and doesn't have the latch loops in the seat, but has the tether up near the rear windshield. So, it is installed with the seatbelt on the bottom part and tethered to the upper latch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1511224 Fri, 21 Mar 2014 08:51:44 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1511224@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bpcmarj: is top latch the tether thing? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1511201 Fri, 21 Mar 2014 08:46:52 +0000 bpcmarj 1511201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have the safety first alpha omega elite forward facing and we only have upper latch. I feel like it is VERY secure. You can always take it to the fire station for installation if you are worried that it's not done right. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1511180 Fri, 21 Mar 2014 08:38:18 +0000 Weagle 1511180@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CupQuakeWalk: For a convertible that will be used by siblings/cousins too, I think the Roundabout or Marathon is perfectly fine. Especially if you don't have a larger child. If they will get different seats for those kids later on, I would go with a harness-to-booster seat, like the Frontier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1511134 Fri, 21 Mar 2014 08:15:44 +0000 looch 1511134@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CupQuakeWalk: I have a Boulevard and a Frontier...I am in love with the Frontier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1510647 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 21:25:14 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1510647@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cole: from the youtube videos, it seems Britax is the best install with seat belt.</p> <p>Britax is probably what we will do.<br /> Thanks ladies!<br /> If you have any rec on which Britax, that'd be great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1510301 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 19:58:28 +0000 Cole 1510301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am sure it depends on the car but I hated installing a Radian with a seatbelt install. Every car I did it in was a Ford so perhaps that was the issue but it was a pain. The Britax Frontier was far easier but it is forward facing only and I know the seat has had some updates since we bought ours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1509153 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 15:31:26 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1509153@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rattles: Thank you! I am def installing it for them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1509149 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 15:29:47 +0000 rattles 1509149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CupQuakeWalk: If they end up doing a Foonf, there are video tutorials for the install with a seatbelt on the Clek site that make it much easier to figure out than the manual. Just in case :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1509130 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 15:26:51 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1509130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Beyond2: @rattles: i'll suggest it. My in-laws are big spenders, especially when it comes to LO. Also, they want it to last and last because DH and I are trying for #2 and their daughter is too (for #1). </p> <p>@Beyond2: I like the roundabout the best of the collection.</p> <p>@Dandelion: i'll google this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1509116 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 15:23:27 +0000 Dandelion 1509116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have the graco headwise and a car without latch and I feel like it's installed pretty securely. It's not very expensive, either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1509021 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 15:04:32 +0000 rattles 1509021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think I'd pay the $$ for a seat to keep at grandma's, but if someone wants to, I prefer the seatbelt install for our Foonf! It's tricky when you first try to figure it out, but once you've gotten the hang of it, it's a breeze to get a nice, tight install. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1509006 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 15:01:51 +0000 Beyond2 1509006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CupQuakeWalk: We have a roundabout and a marathon. I think the roundabout is actually better... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1508980 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 14:57:03 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1508980@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tororojo: Yes, actually, the reviews on the radian have said that the seat belt install is very good!</p> <p>We have a Peg Perego and the one time I used it in MIL's car, it was really loose an terrible. Our Britax infant seat was 100%<br /> fine in there.</p> <p>@Beyond2: which Britax do you have? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1508954 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 14:52:32 +0000 Beyond2 1508954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our truck doesn't have latch and I actually felt our Britax seat was more secure in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1508933 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 14:48:08 +0000 looch 1508933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like the Britax channel on You Tube. I think the best bet is to search for the manufacturer of the seat first, and then decide on the seat.</p> <p>Britax is excellent, especially if you are going to get a Harness to Booster seat, whcih you can do instead of the convertible. The way they redesigned the Frontier to install with the belt is pretty awesome. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1508915 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 14:45:05 +0000 tororojo 1508915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm pretty sure our car seat manual says that it's equally safe with or without LATCH, as long as it's installed correctly. But I have no idea where the manual is so I can't check. :) We have a Diono Radian. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-cars-seat-for-vehicle-without-latch#post-1508718 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 14:09:07 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1508718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My MIL is getting a convertible car seat for LO, but her car does not have LATCH. We are really worried about the quality of the installation without LATCH. I have read reviews here and there on some car seats that are just terrible for vehicles without LATCH.<br /> Any recommendations for ones that are great, even without LATCH?</p> <p>P.S: it does not have to be rear facing. MIL won't be needing this seat until the fall and LO will be 2 (&amp; only with MIL 1x/wk), so if it is better installed forward facing, that is OK. </p>