Tested Nautilus in Store only

I managed to make it to Target to test the Graco Nautilus out with my son. He is extremely cramped in the nautilus. His poor shoulders have to scrunch together to sit in the seat and his bottom is on the crotch strap. I asked his opinion and he stated "it's too small". The straps were sufficient and had growing room there as well as with the torso. Keeping in mind that my girls will not be as big as my son at his age I was ok with the seat as long as the crotch strap could be sat on. According to the Graco Nautilus Manual (read in the store) you are not to use the harness if the crotch strap is covered by the child's bottom (in my words). Upon returning home I found on some sites that Graco said it was ok for the child to sit on the strap some..... I've yet to find an official Graco site stating this. I also discovered that there is an issue with the buckle.... which I did notice in the store but assumed it was me not being use to the seat. Many parents are having a hard time unbuckling their child and are concerned that in an emergency they would not have sufficient time to get their child out of the seat. From what I have read Graco is being helpful with replacement buckles but the replacements are sticking too. This last finding completely horrified me. We will purchase Britax Frontier 85. Hoping I don't have an install problem. Here are only two sites of many I used to make my decision ARFC and car-seat.org

Disclaimer if needed: I am not a certified technician nor am I responsible for car seat safety reviews. I am only a parent trying to find "the right seat with the right fit for my child".