Graco Nautilus 3 In 1 Car Seat
When it comes time to choose the best car seat for your child, safety is of course your number one concern. But what if you could get the utmost in safety in a easy to install, easy to clean package that adjusts with your child as they grow? That’s what you get with the Graco Nautilus 3 in 1 Toddler Car Seat.
The Graco Nautilus is a forward facing only seat, which means that only babies over 1yr old and 20lbs can use it.
Graco Nautilus 3 in 1 Toddler Car Seat is built strong with a steel frame and a high 5 point harness weight capacity so you know your precious little one is safe and secure as you head down the road.
Graco Nautilus 3 In 1 Car Seat Features
- 3-in-1 multi-mode Car Seat for longer use 20 pounds to 100 pounds
- Extended 5-point harness for children 20-65 pounds
- Converts to High-back belt positioning booster for child 30 pounds to 100 pounds
- Converts to backless booster for child 40 pounds to 100 pounds
- Steel reinforced frame for durability
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On top of providing the utmost in safety for your child, the Graco Nautilus 3 in 1 Toddler Car Seat also offers parents some great options as well, helping to make what can be a daunting decision an easy one.
The 3 in 1 feature means this seat changes with your child as they grow, adjusting to a belt positioning booster and then a backless booster with a weight rating of up to 100 lbs. This makes the Graco Nautilus 3 in 1 Toddler Car Seat a purchase that will provide top notch value because it adapts to your child’s changing safety needs.
Here is video review of Graco Nautilus 3 In 1 CarSeat
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Assembly - While newer Nautilus seats will come with the armrests already put in, the first step in assembling this seat for me was to put the armrests onto the base. They came attached with straps, though, so no risk in losing them.
I did find it required force, or they didn’t make a second pop and would easily come back off. However, once they made a second pop, they were on securely and firmly. Putting the back onto the base required two steps… first, with the back lying down.
I had to slide the round pieces on either side into their holders and listen for the clicks… then, with the cover on the base pulled back, I could raise the back and listen for clicks and it was solid. This is one booster that will be easy to move without the back falling off.
Then came the headrest, Once you put it in, you can’t remove it, so don’t put it in if you are unsure about keeping it until you know you will.
I had already tested the harness heights (which I’ll discuss further down), so I went ahead and added it. Squeezing the red button for height adjustment let it slide in and it clicked in and was secure. That was all that I had to do and the seat was put together.
Please watch videos on the right to see how easy it is to assemble and install this carseat.
Adjusting the Harness Height – Before I fully assembled it, I wanted to be sure my daughter would have grow room, so, before popping the headrest on, I had my daughter sit down so I could size the harnesses up for her. She has been using the top slots in her Radian and has a 17″ torso (bum to shoulder when seated), but, in this seat, she was JUST starting to need the 2nd to the top slots.
Threading them was a tiny bit more complicated than other seats, because, when you put them through the slots, you then have to slide each strap up some tubing and over a red cylander, but that is not something you have to do very often, so it wasn’t a big deal.
This also prevents the Splitter plate getting caught on the back of the seat easily, so should make the seat easier to adjust for tightness.
I removed the big body support pad because it is only for the bottom slots, and placed my daughter in the seat to buckle her. The shoulder pads are well padded and soft. The belly pad was great for ensuring the buckle would not be right against her, especially when it gets hot.
The chest clip is great, including a picture int he middle showing where it goes, and the main buckle is quiet and easy to secure.
One of the things I like best about the main buckle is that, to release the straps, you press down, not in, so that people with fake nails or hand problems will have an easier time, but children who try to escape their seats in the car will have a harder time.
Installation - I’ve now installed it with Latch, and I’ve installed it with the seatbelt and top tether, and both times I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to get a good fit with this seat. Remember, never use the latch and seatbelt together. The seat has 3 recline positions – completely upright, semi upright, and full recline, which is about a 30* angle.
I did recline my vehicle seat a little to conform to the max recline, which I found my daughter needed to keep her head in the proper position.
Booster use – while my daughter won’t need this feature for a couple more years, I decided to try out my sons in it to be sure it would work as one. I was confident because it looked almost identical to the Graco Turbobooster that so many moms have loved for years. I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered it was even better.
Graco allows the Nautilus to be tethered and/or latched when in booster mode. This is fabulous for preventing the seat becoming a projectile when the seat is not occupied.
The seat portion is deeper and wider than most boosters and, even in highback mode, both my boys found the seat comfortable.
The belt routings behind the armrests make the seat easier for kids to buckle themselves, though the height of the seat can make it a little harder for smaller riders, but the height also will help more with vehicles that have long buckle stalks. The shoulderbelt routing is changed so that it is easy to thread, but that the belt won’t easily fall out while a child is buckling themselves.
The fit was amazing, as the seat seemed to hug the child more than the Turbobooster. I would honestly say this seat is worth the price just for booster use. Please watch videos on the right to see how easy it is to assemble and install this carseat
What’s in the Box
- Graco Nautilus 3-in 1 Toddler Car Seat.
- Forward-facing car seat can accommodate children up to 65 pounds.
- Conversion to back booster and backless booster for accommodating children up to 100 pounds.
- Meets or exceeds US safety standards.
- Integrated cup holder and side storage.
Graco Nautilus 3 In 1 Car Seat Demonstration Video
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- This is a steel-reinforced seat that can really grow with your child. It has 18-19″ top slots (measures 18.5″ and performs as 19.5″) for really tall children, a 65lb upper weight limit for ensuring your child can ride in a 5-point harness as long as possible
- It makes a fabulous booster! While my son was at first a little confused as to how to route the belt (he is used to putting it under the armrests), simply pointing to the red guides and telling him that it goes behind the armrests was all that was needed. At age 6.5yrs, he is used to buckling himself and he easily did so in this seat, despite the confusion. For a child who has never been in another booster, they might never have this issue, as the guides are set where the belt would naturally go over the child.
- The belt was kept low on his hips and the shoulderbelt went over the center of his chest nicely
- It has open guides which are a little trickier to thread, but at least the belt won’t easily slip out!
- This is a really wide booster for the widest of booster riders. I did not take the back off to get pics of it in backless mode, but it’s very deep. I also like that Graco still includes their belt guide for backless use. I wish all backless boosters came with the guides for tall belts (like in the third row of my van!)
- The cupholder is great… it will actually hold a drink well!
- The armrests actually can work and have cool compartments for little toys or snacks (if you let your kids eat in the car)
- The headrest is adjustable. It gives great sleep support and also has EPS foam for crash protection. My husband loves this feature as my daughter’s head doesn’t move at all when she falls asleep.
- Everything is easy to read an figure out on this seat and the manual is thorough
- While it doesn’t have gracopedic foam, my kids find it well padded
- The chest clip and buckle are impossible for my daughter to undo
- My daughter can cross her legs when she rides, which is good, as she likes to have something o do with her legs, 2 recline positions and 1 upright position allow some variation for fit to the vehicle and comfort for the children who still fall asleep a lot and have floppier necks
- FAA approved with the harnesses being used
- Because of the way the back attaches, when you move it from one car to another,the backdoes not fall off
- Harness pads and belly pad
- Two crotch buckle positions
- Easy harness adjuster this thing is buttery smooth and the lever to lift to loosen them is hidden from children well enough that they cannot loosen their harnesses during the ride
- Chest clip is marked as to where it should go
- Crotch buckles make positive clicks, but they are very quiet and slide in easily, so they shouldn’t wake a sleeping child.
- Latch and tether can be used in highback booster mode (I wish that latch was useable in backless booster mode, but you can’t have everything
- It does take some assembly
- The harnesses do have to be rethreaded for height
- It’s a heavier seat and, while I did find it lighter than the Radian, it is not as light as a typical combination seat.
- The headrest can be hard to adjust I find it easier to do with the child in the seat and leaning forward and/or with the seat installed (Ironically enough, for booster use, the manual does say to have the child sitting this way when you adjust it!) Maybe I’m just spoiled by the ease of the turbobooster’s headrest.
- Latch connectors are the basic ones. I dream of alligator-style clips, but I suppose it is one way to keep the price down.
- Lifespan the seat is good for 6yrs as a harnessed seat/highback booster seat the base alone is good for a total of 9yrs… so 3yrs after you can no longer use the back and headrest, you can
- keep using the base as a backless booster
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As per Manufacturer:
The Graco Nautilus Car Seat is a 3 in 1 multi- mode car seat for children 20 pounds to 100 pounds. This is the last car seat you will need to buy for your child. The Nautilus is ideal for your children from one to ten years old.
First, it is an extended 5 point harness seat for children 20 to 65 pounds that features an easy to install system with a lock off buckle for easy secure installation. Second, it works as a high back booster for children 30 pounds to 100 pounds, and finally as a backless booster for children 40 pounds to 100 pounds.
The Nautilus Car Seat has a steel reinforced frame for durability, and has a 3-position recline for proper installation and comfort. The car seat offers easy access storage and cup holders for your child’s enjoyment. Nautilus transforms into three modes to go the distance.
Built for Comfort and Superior Safety
You can rest assured that your child will have superior protection while riding in the Nautilus, thanks to extensive crash testing and a steel-reinforced structure.
The car seat meets or exceeds US Safety Standards, including U.S. Compliance Standard FMVSS 213; the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), with peak Crash Force approximately twice the Car Seat Standard; and tests for Extreme Car Interior Temperatures. EPS energy-absorbing foam provides additional security and comfort.
As well as being secure and safe, your child will feel extra-comfy, too, with an easily adjustable head support, cushioned seat, and wide armrests; a cup holder and side storage keeps snacks and treasures close at hand.
The new Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat is the only forward-facing car seat your child will need. Car Seat is the only forward-facing car seat your child will need. It helps keep him safe in a 5-point harness longer than most car seats, all the way up to 65 pounds. Later, the seat converts to a highback booster then backless booster, for comfortable, custom protection up to 100 pounds.
Product Dimensions: 29 x 20 x 36.1 inches ; 19.5 pounds
Shipping Weight: 25.6 pounds
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About Me
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I own 2 Britax Frontiers in Pink, and the Graco Nautilus in pink as well. As a Mother who owns both models, I will tell you the major differences between these two seats from my point of view.
#1 Frontier is more expensive (which is why I got the Nautilus for my spare)
#2 Frontier is SO much easier to adjust the shoulder height strap. With a simple
squeeze of a lever, the straps go up. The Graco needs to be rethreaded. This is BIG pain when you have another child who wants to use the seat. With the Frontier, it is no biggie to pull the lever.
#3 Frontier seat material is prone to wear where the child’s bottom and legs rub on the seat. It also shows WAY more stains and soaks up spills quicker than the Graco.
#4 Frontier has 3 crotch strap adjustments for easy fitting. The Graco only has 2 which makes the older kids sit on the strap. This can get uncomfortable. My oldest DD takes the pad off of the crotch strap on the Frontier (she says it makes the seat look like a “baby seat” with the pad), but she can not do this with the Graco, as the crotch strap rubs on her legs causing red irritation when wearing shorts. The graco pad is very thick and wraps the entire strap (between the legs) and then goes up to sit on the belly. She does not seem to mind sitting on it, but it does not look too comfortable to me.
#5 Padding on Frontier is WAY thicker (on both seat and seat back)and more comfortable to sit on. I can’t imagine that the Graco would be comfortable for long trips.
#6 Heads slump forward for younger kids when sleeping in the Graco. The “wings” around the head are very fat (giving the appearance of a “yonger child’s seat”) and are so close to the child’s head that it causes it to go forward when sleeping. The frontier has wider “wings” and are perfect for sleeping children. The “wings” are farther away from the head and are angled just right as to allow sleeping and looking out the window. The “wings” are thinner and have more of a “big” kid look. This thinner look in NO WAY implies that Graco is safer for the thicker “wings”, as Britax states that its wings are “true side impact protection”. Graco does not state this. The plastic around wings appear to be of stronger material on the Frontier, even though they are thinner. Frontier also has the “hugs” system on the harness to minimize forward head movement. Graco does not.
#7 The Graco has only a 12.5 inch seat width for the child to move around in. The Frontier has a 12.5 seat area around the tush, but opens to a spacious 17 inch wide seat. This may not be an issue for the younger kids, but the older ones need more space. This may, however, be an issue for small cars.
#8 Cup holder and “hidden” storage are neat in the Graco. The Frontier has 2 cup holders, but they can not both be out, as one hits the door when installed on far right or left. The cup holders also do not go smoothly in and out when installed in the vehicle, as the seat blocks the cup holder from retracting. This does not happen when the seat is not snugged down, but when installed….. This is not too much of an issue as we just leave them out. This is only an issue when I have a third child trying to walk to the back 3rd row between 2 Frontiers with cup holders out!
Bottom line. If you need a car seat around the time that Britax has a sale, I would get it over the Graco. The price difference at that time would only be $50. I think that your big kids will be happier in the Frontier. If you have a smaller child, remember, he/she will be a big kid soon!
We bought the Graco Nautilus for my son when he was about 10 months old thinking that it would last him forever.
One of the reasons we chose it was because the coloring was good for either sex and we planned on having more kids. However, it turned out bulkier than I thought, and yeah it has a cup holder and head rest, but it wasn’t really worth the price that we paid (Almost $200 brand new).
Also the head rest doesn’t really fit properly. My son seems comfortable in it and it had great safety ratings. Generally, I love Graco brand because they have good quality but not to high of a price but I feel I was jipped on this one.
The other thing that drives me crazy about this car seat is the buckles in the front. I do love the way they fit, but they often get really stuck and then I can’t get the poor kid out of the seat.
I thought it was just me and my wimpy hands, but my husband complains about it also. It’s not a terribly car seat, but it’s not the greatest either. Avoid it if you have a small car.
So I did a LOT of reseach before buying this, read multiple message boards, then to the store to look at them, etc. This replaced a britax that was passed down to DD #2 for my rather large 4 yo girl(40lbs, 40inches)I want to keep her harnessed for as long as I can. I finally decided to go for it b/c of
1)price (though it really wasn’t an object) but I am a big fan of bang for your buck,
2)sturdiness, i was never a fan of graco until i bought this seat. It’s got a nice weight, sturdy frame.
3)comfort, memory foam! DD loves it, she sleeps very comfortably in it without slumping over like she used to.
4)size, not gigantic like the regent but large it enough to have a big kid sit in it
I was concerned about its looks but it’s much better looking in person.
Finally, who can beat price here!
I highly recommend it, I think it will last my DD until she’s prob 7-8 yo (My average sized 8yo nephew fits!)
We bought the Graco Nautilus for my 5 year old daughter to use in my husband’s van. We have the Britax Marathon in my van, and we really like it. However, it is quite expensive, so when we found this seat by Graco, we decided to buy it. I have only seen them at Walmart around us.
This seat is for children up to 65 pounds and 52″ tall with the 5 point harness, and 100 pounds and 57″ tall as a booster seat. It is important to keep a child in a 5 point harness as long as possible.
I was hoping that this seat would come in a pretty girly color, but it was only available in black, so we go that. When I got it home, it did require a little bit of assembly. Nothing hard and no tools were required. You just have to snap a few things into place. I did it in under 5 minutes. The seat seems quite sturdy once everything is snapped into place.
My 5 year old can buckle herself into this seat (although, I always check to make sure she is buckled in correctly.) The seat was easy to hook into our 1998 Safari van with bucket seats. There is a tether strap for the seat, which helps secure the seat.
My daughter likes the built in cup holder on the seat. She says it is very comfortable. We haven’t had any trouble with the straps twisting so far.
We are so far, very pleased with this seat, it was a nice alternative to buying another Britax. This seat is safe to use on a plane.