Anyone use their Britax Marathon to the height limit?

[Anonymous]

We are in the market for our first convertible seat, and all of these recent posts got me thinking. Has anyone's kid actually used the Marathon up until the height limit (I think its 49 inches, right?) We are basically deciding between Roundabout and Marathon (and their SIP twins, Diplomat and Boulevard.) On one hand, I'd like the smaller seat (Roundabout/Diplomat) but on the other hand our 6 month DD has always been 75-90% for length, and my husband is very tall.

Also, with regard to the seats with the extra SIP, Diplomate and Boulevard - Does anyone have these seats and like them? I only know of 2 people that have them vs. seats without the extra SIP pieces and both of them said that their kids HATED the "wings." I like the idea of extra protection but we are in the car a lot and I need my DD to really like her seat, if you know what I mean. If I'm not mistaken the "wings" are not removable.

Thoughts/Recommendations? Btw, the cost difference among the seats is not really a factor. I figure once you're committed to spending that amount, whats a little more right?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't go with the Roundabout--my son outgrew his at 3 and with your child's precentiles, she won't be comfy in it by that age either. My friend has a daughter who is tall and she was out of her Roundabout before 3.

We have the Decathlon, which is very similar to and the same size as the Marathon (I don't remember the difference, but I liked the pattern and it was on sale), and my son who just turned 4, is still comfortable in it. He prefers sitting in the Graco Nautilus that we bought to replace the Roundabout in my husband's vehicle because it has a cup holder and a place to stash small toys, and he loves using the booster that we use when riding with friends or in Grandma's car, because it doesn't have the 5 pt harness and he can "stretch out" . But he still has room in the Britax, and it'll stay in my vehicle as his primary seat until he outgrows it. I think we've got one more slot to go on the straps. He's almost 42 inches now.