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2018 Graco Nautilus SnugLock LX/DLX Combination Seat Review

The Graco Nautilus has long been a go-to combination seat. Ever since its inception, the original Nautilus model has provided a tall harness for forward-facing kids, has served as a good booster for kids old and large enough not to need the harness anymore, typically fits kids and cars well, and is generally a reliable seat. It seemed like there wasn’t much that could make it better…until now.

Graco recently released the all-new Graco Nautilus SnugLock, which combines all the features we love about the original Nautilus with a SnugLock feature that cinches, locks and tightens the seatbelt for a less-complicated, secure installation.

To clarify, this is a forward-facing only carseat that can also be used as a highback booster and eventually as a backless booster. Graco refers to it as a “3-in-1” product which can be confusing because many consumers think a 3-in-1 carseat always means Rear-Facing/Forward-Facing/Booster. However, in this case, it means Forward-Facing/Highback Booster/Backless Booster. This is a Stage 3 carseat that is most appropriate for pre-school and school-aged children.

Let’s take a look at the specifications and features.

Nautilus SnugLock Weight and Height Limits:

• Forward-facing with 5-point harness: 22-65 lbs., 27-49″ tall, at least 1 year old
• Highback booster without harness: 40-100 lbs., 43-57″, at least 4 yrs old
• Backless booster: 40-100 lbs., 43-57″, at least 4 yrs old
• Backless booster with arms removed: 40-120 lbs., 43-57″, at least 4 years old

Nautilus SnugLock Overview:

• 3 forward-facing seats in one (harness + highback booster + backless booster)
• SnugLock feature for easy, secure installation with either LATCH or seatbelt
• SnugLock feature acts as lockoff device when installing with seatbelt (so there is no need to also lock your seatbelt)
• Removable armrests when in backless booster mode (gives older kids more hip room)
• 6-position no-rethread harness
• Energy-absorbing EPS foam
• Premium push-on LATCH connectors
• 4-position recline in harness mode
• Steel-reinforced frame
• 10-year lifespan before expiration
• Built-in storage for the harness when using in booster mode
• MSRP LX $219.99/DLX $249.99

Nautilus SnugLock Trim Levels:

• LX models include all features listed above
• DLX models include all features listed above plus enhanced soft goods, a RapidRemove™ cover which can be removed without uninstalling the seat, and an IIHS Best Bet Booster Rating in highback mode

Once upon a time, traveling with child restraints was a bulky, heavy, complicated endeavor. In recent years, more lightweight travel options have appeared, especially in the realm of booster seats. The downside to some of these options is that while they’re highly portable, they tend to lack the structure and support kids are used to. Enter the new Graco TurboBooster TakeAlong, which might be the perfect marriage of portability and convention.

TurboBooster TakeAlong Specifications

• Weight range: 40-100 lbs. (highback and backless)
• Height range: 43-57 inches (highback and backless)
• Age range: 4 years and older (highback and backless)
• Lowest belt guide: 14″
• Tallest belt guide: 19.25″
• Measurements
  • Base, widest point without cup holders: 15.5″
  • Base, widest point with cup holders: 18.5″
  • Width of base at back of seat: 15.5″
  • Width at torso wings: 17.5″
  • Seat depth: 14″
  • Internal width at armrests: 11.5″

TurboBooster TakeAlong Features

• Available in highback (converts to backless) or backless-only models
• FastAction fold strap for easy disassembly
• Six headrest/belt guide positions (highback use)
• Two retractable cup holders
• EPS foam in head portion
• Detachable belt guide (backless use)
• Carry bag for backless portion
• IIHS Best Bet Rating

Portability

Before we look at how the TurboBooster TakeAlong fits with cars and kids, let’s take a look at what makes this seat unique: It’s folding and portability.

2018 Britax Skyline Highback Belt-Positioning Booster Review

In an effort to make more affordable and accessible products, earlier this year Britax introduced its Essentials by Britax line of carseats. However, they found that the buying market still found the Britax name to be the big draw, so they dropped the “Essentials by” part so that will slowly fade into the past. The base model belt-positioning booster for Britax is called the Skyline and is based on the Britax Highpoint booster seat, but with fewer features and a smaller price tag to show for it. A review on the Britax Highpoint can be found here, and here’s a top-down pic to show the basic differences between the two seats (Skyline is black, Highpoint is blue).

Britax has a mid-level booster, called the Midpoint, that does not have side impact cushions but does have unique breathable fabric and the SecureGuard™ Belt Positioning Clip.

Weight and Height Limits

40-120 lbs.; 38-63”

Skyline Overview

• 10 position headrest
• Can be installed with lower LATCH connectors
• Lined with EPP foam
• Two removable, dishwasher-safe cup holders
• IIHS Best Bet Rating
• MSRP $99

Measurements

Belt guide heights: 15 ¾”-23”
Inside shoulder width: 14”
Inside hip width: 11 ½”
Seat depth: 14”
External widest point: 19 ¼”
Seat weight: 12.1 lbs.

For more measurements, see our comparison database.

There are 2 fashions available, Dusk and Teal. Since this is Britax’s more affordable line, you’ll be able to find these boosters at stores like Target and Wal-Mart, and at local Brixy retailers as well.

The only assembly required for the Skyline is adding the cup holders, if desired. The booster comes out of the box in once piece and cannot be used backless, so there is no putting the back onto the bottom piece. The bonus to this is that it stays together when you carry it!

Fit to Child

Seat belt fit is very good; lap belt fit is aided by thick armrests that push the lap belt forward onto the thighs. Shoulder belt fit is adjusted by squeezing a handle on the back of the headrest and lifting up or pushing down. The Skyline is one of the tallest on the market, so it will be a good option for kids with tall torsos. Be sure to adjust the headrest so that the shoulder belt guides are above your child’s shoulders and his ears are inside the headrest. The label just above the shoulder belt guide helps you with placement. My model liked the Skyline and found it comfy. S is 5.5 years old, 40 lbs., and 44″ tall.

Fit to Vehicle

Check your vehicle owner’s manual to see if you can install the booster using the lower LATCH connectors. This is an optional feature that keeps the booster in place when the child is not in the seat; otherwise, the child should buckle the booster in when getting out of it so it doesn’t become a projectile in a crash.

Center LATCH installations with Non-Standard Spacing:

Permitted only in designated LATCH positions

Inflatable Seat Belts:

Not allowed

Cover/Maintenance/Ease of Use

Essentials by Britax suggests hand washing the cover and hanging it to dry. It is fairly easy to remove and has a couple of elastics.

FAA/Lifespan/Crash

Because belt-positioning booster seats require the use of lap/shoulder belts, the Skyline cannot be used on an airplane.

The Skyline has a lifespan of 10 years. Britax follows NHTSA crash guidelines for replacement after a crash.

Advantages

• 10 position headrest
• Can be installed with lower LATCH connectors
• Lined with EPP foam
• Two removable, dishwasher-safe cup holders
• Less expensive than the similar Britax Highpoint
• Narrower by about 1.5″ than the Britax Highpoint because it lacks the side impact cushions at the shoulders

Disadvantages

• Made in China
• Does not convert to backless booster

Despite not converting to a backless booster, the Skyline scores as one of the tallest highback boosters on the market. It is less expensive than the Highpoint, but it also lacks the SecureGuard lap belt clip that helps some kids stay in position when transitioning from a harnessed seat. Not having the side impact cushions on the outside of the shoulder area means that it’s narrower than the Britax Highpoint, but the downside is the loss of a safety feature. When comparing boosters, though, it’s definitely worth consideration.

The Skyline sample used in this review was provided by Essentials by Britax. No other compensation was provided and all opinions are my own.

This post and others at CarseatBlog contain affiliate links. Please read About CarseatBlog for our affiliate policy and see our Marketing Disclosure.

2018 Britax Highback Highpoint Belt-Positioning Booster Review

Comfy fabric and smart features mark the redesign of Britax’s popular Parkway SGL booster. The new Highpoint has new fabrics and better cup holders, but does not convert to a backless booster. The LATCH attachment design is also different, with the tensioning adjuster strap on the left side only. Britax has a mid-level booster, called the Midpoint, that does not have side impact cushions but does have unique breathable fabric. The Britax Skyline highback booster (formerly sold under the Essentials by Britax label) is similar to the Highpoint booster being reviewed here, but is the base model and as such, has fewer features and fashions available. Our review on that seat can be found here, but here’s a top-down pic to show the basic differences between the two seats.

Weight and Height Limits

40-120 lbs.; 38-63”

Highpoint Overview

• 10 position headrest
• Can be installed with lower LATCH connectors
• Lined with EPP foam
• External side impact cushions
• Optional adjustable SecureGuard™ Belt Positioning Clip helps position lap belt properly
• Two removable, dishwasher-safe cup holders
• IIHS Best Bet Rating
• MSRP $149

Measurements

Belt guide heights: 15 ¾”-23”
Inside shoulder width: 14”
Inside hip width: 11 ½”
Seat depth: 14”
External widest point: 20 ¾”
Seat weight: 12.1 lbs.

For more measurements, see our comparison database.

There are 2 fashions generally available, Asher (gray) and Seaglass (blue), while Mulberry (purple) is an Amazon exclusive. The Nanotex fashion (black with gray) is available only at Brixy local retailers. The Cool Flow fashions, Teal and Grey, will be available soon; Teal is a BuyBuyBaby exclusive. Cool Flow is a mesh fabric designed to improve air flow and be cooler than standard fabrics.

The only assembly required for the Highpoint is adding the cup holders, if desired. The booster comes out of the box in once piece and cannot be used backless, so there is no putting the back onto the bottom piece. The bonus to this is that it stays together when you carry it!

Fit to Child

Seat belt fit is very good; lap belt fit is aided by thick armrests that push the lap belt forward onto the thighs. Shoulder belt fit is adjusted by squeezing a handle on the back of the headrest and lifting up or pushing down. The Highpoint is one of the tallest on the market, so it will be a good option for kids with tall torsos. Be sure to adjust the headrest so that the shoulder belt guides are above your child’s shoulders and his ears are inside the headrest. The label just above the shoulder belt guide helps you with placement. My model liked the Highpoint and found it comfy. Just for kicks, I’m throwing in a pic to show why he needs a booster for a very long time! S is 5.5 years old, 40 lbs., and 44″ tall.

Fit to Vehicle

Check your vehicle owner’s manual to see if you can install the booster using the lower LATCH connectors. This is an optional feature that keeps the booster in place when the child is not in the seat; otherwise, the child should buckle the booster in when getting out of it so it doesn’t become a projectile in a crash.

Center LATCH installations with Non-Standard Spacing:

Permitted only in designated LATCH positions

Inflatable Seat Belts:

Not allowed

Cover/Maintenance/Ease of Use

Britax suggests hand washing the cover and hanging it to dry. It is fairly easy to remove and has a couple of elastics.

FAA/Lifespan/Crash

Because belt-positioning booster seats require the use of lap/shoulder belts, the Highpoint cannot be used on an airplane.

The Highpoint has a lifespan of 10 years. Britax follows NHTSA crash guidelines for replacement after a crash.

Advantages

• 10 position headrest
• Can be installed with lower LATCH connectors
• Lined with EPP foam
• External side impact cushions
• Adjustable SecureGuard™ Belt Positioning Clip helps position lap belt properly
• Two removable, dishwasher-safe cup holders

Disadvantages

• Made in China
• Does not convert to backless booster

Despite not converting to a backless booster, the Highpoint scores as one of the tallest highback boosters on the market. It does a good job of positioning both the shoulder and lap belts on my model and the optional unique SecureGuard™ belt clip helps keep the lap belt low on kids who need that extra bit of help. The cover is comfy and colors are contemporary and ageless.

The Britax Highpoint sample used in this update was provided by Britax. No other compensation was provided and all opinions are my own.

This post and others at CarseatBlog contain affiliate links. Please read About CarseatBlog for our affiliate policy and see our Marketing Disclosure.