Excellent seat!
02/18/2010 by Ollimom, Arizona,
Comments about Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat Spiral:
I spent a lot of time looking for the right big boy seat for my son...and this one is it! He is so comfortable in it. As soon as I put him in, he looks sleepy :)
We have it rear-facing right now and have had no problems at all. The straps are easy to adjust. It fits just fine in the car. It was easy (for the fire department) to install...and after watching them I realize that I could have done it myself!
Good features but my 18mo escaped
02/18/2010 by Mother of 2 houdinis, in the U.S.,
Comments about Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat Spiral:
I bought this carseat to replace the alpha omega carseat we had after our car got in a wreck. My 18mo old found this carseat to be a lot more comfortable than the Alpha Omega and it had some bonus features like the cups that are installed where they can't be removed. The harness also held a higher weight both frontwards as well as backwards. Another bonus was that the carseat was higher so my daughter could look out the window. It also gave the ability for the carseat to recline rather than tilt for if she falls asleep in the car. The pattern was also very neutral and easy to clean. I also had no problems installing or adjusting the carseat properly.
The problems I had with this carseat were not ones that hopefully most people will run into. My 18 month old figured out how to undo the chest clip and escaped out of her seat while I was driving. I did call GRACO to see what I could do or if they had a different clip they could replace it with which they did not. Seeing I have already been through this with my other child but at a much older age I realized that this carseat would not work for her no matter what because of her ability to get out.
We did get a Evenflo carseat instead which has a different clip (a button you have to press to get the chest clip open) which has worked far better for both of my kids although my older one did eventually figure it out. There is some give and take between the two carseats such as the cup holders on the graco were well thought out compared to the Evenflo Symphony 65. However, the latch system on the Evenflo is FAR EASIER and more secure than the Graco.
I would have stayed quite content with the graco if there was a different chest clip they could have provided or offered.
L-O-V-E how happy it makes him
02/17/2010 by First time mommy, nashville TN,
Comments about Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat Spiral:
Our son is sooo much happier now that he is out of his infant seat. He is 8 months old and was just too long to fit in to his other seat any longer. Once we bought this seat, he no longer cries and screams when we put buckle him in. He looks so comfortable and just stares out the window or falls asleep. We keep a small ball in each cup holder, and he loves grabbing them and banging them together. We took a three hour ride last weekend and he slept comfortably the entire ride. His head doesn't roll off to the side nor does it fall forward. We LOVE this seat. We bought it in the DECO pattern, it has an extra shoulder strap slot on the padding insert that the other patterns do not have. GREAT!! Also, SUPER EASY to install with LATCH and seatbelt, we've used both. My husband does it in less than 5 minutes. Also, I have read some comments about the cover not staying on... this is NOT a problem at all!
Take the time to learn your carseat
02/16/2010 by Mom/Previous BRU employee, charleston,sc
Comments about Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat Spiral:
Ok I'm going to make this clear, if you don't take the time to learn the carseat before you buy it let alone install it then you have no room to complain about it. Yes you can do all the research you want but that's mostly on a computer. I worked for BRU for 3 years so I've been around all different types of carseats. I had to learn how to use them to show customers how to use them. I have not purchased this carseat and at first glance i thought it was to big has well but be honest ALL convertible carseats are big. They are big and bulky because they're for growing children. Now when it comes to the straps yes at fist i didn't get it, but i took the time (by myself no employee came to help me)to look all over the carseat i saw how the straps were placed and that it had the same set up has the graco infant carriers. Very simple to unhook the straps pick a shoulder level hook them back up, put baby in and ( just like the infant carrier) you press down the mechanism that the bottom strap in under and pull the straps forward to loosen and then pull the bottom strap down to tighten. Now i also saw people complain about small minor things like the cup holders not being removable. Well you knew that before you bought it so there isn't a good reason to complain and i don't think taking a wipe to clean it is very difficult. Has for thosewho found it hard to install, read the directions more than once or do what most people do and go to a Police or Fire department and they will do it for free and it WILL be installed correctly. So i spend about 15 minutes with this carseat and figured it out, mostly because i had a graco carrier. Carseats have all the same regulations, they have to by law. What i do think makes a huge impact of why i like this carseat is that every good review says their kid fell asleep within five minutes, to me THAT'S AWESOME.If your child doesn't like the carseat that isn't the carseats fault just like with bottles and sippy cups and pacifiers your child h
Loooove It!!
02/16/2010 by Aedens Mommy, Vallejo,CA
Comments about Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat Spiral:
Love this car seat! My sons head doesn't fall forward when he falls asleep! Love the size of the seat. Yes, it is big and bulky...but I appreciate that because I feel that it is safer for my son.
GREAT SEAT! WE LOVE IT!
02/15/2010 by Mommie of 3 blessings, charleston,sc
Comments about Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat Spiral:
We bought this seat for our 3 month old and our 2 year old. We read the instructions and found it to be easy to install and had no problem adjusting the straps. We installed one carseat rear facing and one carseat foward and found that they were both just as easy to install as our previous carseats. We didnt have any problem with the seat moving once it was buckled in and my 2 year old still has plenty of room for her legs and feet. Overall we love these seats and would recommend these seats to anyone looking for a great seat at a reasonable price!!!
Better than Britax!
02/07/2010 by MiMI., NY,
Comments about Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat Spiral:
My daugther has a britax marathon and we were looking for something similar for my son who just outgrew his infant carrier. I found this carseat but it got alot of bad reviews. I went to babies r us and saw this carseat in person and just had to try it. WE LOVE IT! Besides installation, its MUCH better than the britax for a fraction of the cost. Its hard to install but once you do your golden. I have a chevy uplander (van) and its a perfect fit. I would recommend this to anyone.
Not my favorite
02/02/2010 by Miss K's mommy, Hilton Head,SC
Comments about Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat Spiral:
I do not like this car seat in comparison to my other one. This car seat leans back to far is heavy and is very uncomfortable for my daughter.
Awsome seat!!
01/31/2010 by RheaF, Seaford,DE
Comments about Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat Spiral:
I love this seat! It was easy to install, while it is big I find it easy to adjust the straps as well. My son is now 13 months and still has Tons of room in it (rear Facing), I even put my 4 year old in, just to see and she was perfectly comfortable sitting Rear Facing in it. I would HIGHLY recommend this seat.
best buy ever
01/28/2010 by biomomto1stepto3, glendora,ca
Comments about Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat Spiral:
Best product ever it may be large but is worth every penny, the cover goes off and on easily and is meachine washable, easy to instal once you get the hang of it.
We've lost that loving feeling ...
11/01/2009 by Vrabbit, Virginia,
Comments about Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat Spiral:
We have several Graco products (travel system, high chair, etc.), and have been extremely pleased with the quality and functionality of everything we'd purchased so far. Our son is in the 97th percentile (both height and weight) for his age (8 months), so he's nearly outgrown his infant carrier, and we once again turned to Graco for his next carseat.
We bought the My Ride 65, and immediately tried to install it at home. While installation wasn't too terribly difficult, it did not feel securely installed. No matter what we tried, the seat seemed to move and shift with the slightest force or pressure. (We were trying to install in an '08 Honda Pilot.)
Additionally, it didn't appear to be much wider than his current infant carrier -- so he while he had ample head/foot room, his shoulders were "squished."
After 45 frustrating minutes, and feeling terribly uneasy about ever placing our son into that seat, we returned to the store and returned it -- opting to go with the much sturdier Britax Boulevard CS. The Britax is GREAT -- easy to install and VERY sturdy, with plenty of room. As for the Graco? Truly disappointing!
don't buy it
10/30/2009 by demom, middletown,de
Comments about Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat Spiral:
bulky seat, needs to be in reclining position to sit forward in my vehicle due to the seat setting. sits too close to front seats, can't imagine how my son's legs will fit as he continues to grow.
Love it
10/30/2009 by Jess, first time parent., Bakersfield,CA
Comments about Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat Spiral:
I absolutely love this car seat. I did tons of research online and was torn between this one and the Britax Marathon. When we went into the store to actually see them in person the Britax Marathon looked uncomfortable and didn't seem soft enough for our baby. So we decided on the Graco even after hearing reviews that it is hard to install. I think the problem is most of the people trying to install it are women. I am a woman also but I installed it just fine. If you can't install it maybe your husband can and the seat will work out perfect. I also love that it has cup holders. It makes it easy to hold toys and sippy cups. It is extremely sturdy and easy to install. I do recommend fitting your baby for the seat in the house before you install it in your car, it will make it a lot easier. For the price it is perfect and we love it and our baby is safe. I definitely recommend this over the Britax Marathon. I noticed that people only chose the Britax Marathon over the Graco because they said the carseat didn't budge. But if you install the Graco properly you are getting the same type of safety for a way better price. Right now they are on sale for [$] at a lot of stores.
A great Carseat!
10/30/2009 by JaMom, PA,
Comments about Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat Spiral:
I have been through my share of carseats with my two kids. I finally settled on the Graco Nautilus for my daughter who is 3. When it was time for my son to get another carseat, we debated between the Nautilus and the MyRide. I ended up with the myRide. When we first purchased it, he was still rear facing. Had been in a Graco Comfortsport and surprisingly, the Myride actually allowed more room to push the front seat back than the Comfortsport. Second, it is a wider seat in the front, but actually in the back, it is narrow. It appears really wide, but the actual seat is narrow. It is shaped and comes out from the sides at the edge of the carseat. For this reason, I can put 3 carseats acrossed the seat in my car. the way this is made, it fits 'over' the middle carseat. Granted, there is no way that I could get 3 MyRides acrossed, because they are wide at the front sections! This carseat does recline a little bit more in the forward facing position, but I have had so many people say that they are upset that their kids heads fall forward in other carseats--my son sleeps fine in this seat! His head has never fallen forward, and he is able to recline and yet he is still sitting upright enough that he can see out the windows.
Two things to note: I've learned to adjust the straps to tighten, you pull down towards the floor of the vehicle with the strap. The way the tightening mechanism is made, the strap gets stuck on the mechanism and doesn't get a realy tight fit when you pull up. I just learned to pull down and I get it tight immediately. Of course, it is more difficult in the rear facing because the seat back is in the way.
Second, The sides of the carseat 'bend' a little bit with the side impact. If you push on the sides, it moves--but the carseat doesn't move at all. I've heard so many people say that the carseat moves side to side--not if you have it installed correctly! The side may bend a bit but that is all part of the side impact! The carseat itself
Very hard to use rear facing
10/29/2009 by Mom to Jax and Adelynne, Nashville,TN
Comments about Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat Spiral:
Purchased to use with my 3 month old. It fits him well and he likes being higher to be able to look around but it is IMPOSSIBLE to adjust the straps with it installed rear facing. I would rather be able to loosen & tighten them to get him in and out so it is more comfortable for him. You can loosen them somewhat easily but not tighten them at all. My husband could barely get them to tighten even the slightest. Fits our 3 year old great and she loves using the cup holders and the sides keep her head from falling when shes sleeping. Just can't keep considering we need it for our 3 month old who will be rear facing for quite some time still. Can't see fussing so much with it every time, not safe with it loose.
Not as happy with it was I thought...
10/24/2009 by Lyndsay's Mom, PA,
Comments about Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat Spiral:
I bought this a few months ago and have been using in the rear-facing position and loved it!! It is a little large, but super comfy. But when I went to test it out as a forward facing I was super disappointed. Because my seats slope down, which most cars do, the seat seems like it's still in a reclined position. The seat weight goes up until 65lbs which is great, but can't imagine that when my daughter is 4 or even 3 for that matter, that she will be comfortable so reclined. I was told I could prop a towel underneath to help, but I feel this to be somewhat unsafe. So....yesterday i bought the Britax Roundabout, less bulky, and does not sit back soooo far.
Like I said, the MyRide is great until they are ready to forward face, but I don't recommend it if you are looking for something to take them until they are ready for a booster.
Doesn't Compare to the Britax Marathon
10/23/2009 by VMD's Mommy, Orange County,CA
Comments about Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat Spiral:
I typically do not by anything unless I've read all the research/reviews for something[...] As I'm sure many before me, I had 2nd thoughts about spending so much $ on a carseat so I went with the Graco. I should've listened to all the rave reviews for the Marathon because we had the Graco less than a week before I couldn't wait to return it! Like others, I couldn't stand that the fabric didn't fit well enough over the seat, and the styrofoam was exposed. Also, the pillow was very poorly constructed. But perhaps I could've looked passed that if the important things, (straps, son's comfort, etc.)worked out....They didn't. I couldn't get the straps tight enough, no matter what, and it was a pain every time I tried to get my son in and out of the seat because the straps constantly fell in the way. After we got the Britax Marathon, I thought "money well spent!!" It doesn't budge at all onced installed, and the seemingly insignificant velcro pieces that hold the straps in place are a LIFE SAVER! I can get my son in and out in no time. Plus my son loves being in his seat. And most importantly, the safety ratings on the Marathon can't be beat! If Graco wants to compete with the Marathon than they need to make a better carseat. Skip the My Ride 65 and go for the Britax!
Straps hard to adjust
10/23/2009 by Fran, Princeton,NJ
Comments about Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat Spiral:
I bought this seat because of the high rear-facing limit and the low price.
Unfortunately, you get what you pay for. It's harder to install than the Britax seats, the straps are more flimsy but most of all they are very hard to adjust well. Most of the time, once you tighten them on your child, it will be much tighter on one side than another... a problem I never had with the Britax seats. It's fixable but it can take a while.
So overall I'd say it's a good seat for a second car, but for the main car I'd get something more expensive but easier to install and adjust... you get what you pay for.
Worth Every Penny and then Some!
10/20/2009 by Sam's Mommy, Springfield,VA
Comments about Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat Spiral:
I did extensive research before we bought this convertible carseat. There was no way I was spending the money on a Britax. I love my son, and his safety is VERY important to me, but the prices are ridiculous! I saw that Graco had just come out with the MyRide and I checked it out. I loved everything I read and it got great reviews. It was very easy to install, not hard at all. We don't switch it between vehicles often, but it would not be a huge pain to do so. My son seems so comfy in it! He had started becoming pretty uncomfortable in his infant carrier, and almost never slept in it anymore. Once I put him in this, he started dozing off right away! It is easy to adjust the tightness of the straps, and they haven't gotten tangled up yet. I would recommend this carseat to everyone! I used a borrowed seat while I was out of town and it was ok, but I was so glad we had chosen the MyRide 65!
definitely didn't seem safe enough
10/16/2009 by Mom of Twins, CA,
Comments about Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat Spiral:
We needed to buy a minimum of two convertible car seats since our 9 month old twins had outgrown their infant (Graco) car seats. We tried out a few seats in the store and strapped each child in to let him sit for a few minutes and see how he responded to it. We most liked the functionality and price of the Graco. The parts we didn't like were that the cup holders were not removable so that meant cleaning them would be more difficult, and the knob to loosen the chest harness was up against the the seatback so it was probably going to be difficult to loosen it every time getting the kids in and out. We hoped we were wrong on that one. The good thing was that the straps were just like our infant car seats, and we were happy there wasn't going to be a 'learning curve' - we already knew how this one worked. So we bought two and left the store.
The next day, after more research online and talking to friends, we went back to the store to try out the Britax Boulevard which we had never tried the day before because we thought it was too expensive. There were a few minor problems with it (the crotch strap seemed to be too short and we weren't crazy about the color) but otherwise, both boys seemed pretty comfortable in it.
A few days later, after more research, I decided to return the Graco seats and pick up the Britax, since everyone (online and to me personally) seemed to be raving about the Britax and it seemed to be the 'standard' that all other seats were compared to. When I got to the store, the clerk convinced me that the Graco was just as good and that I should try it out in the car before deciding to return it. So, I had my husband install the Gracos (it took him moments - he did it while the car was parked outside and it was raining, AND he double checked everything he did with the manual). All the while, I didn't feel right about not getting the Britax. My husband could feel my discomfort and decided to go to the store and pick up a Britax and install