We have been moving and shaking here at Graco with lots of new products. I am happy to announce our newest car seat innovation, the Argos 70, 3-in-1 harnessed booster seat. The Graco Argos 70 is a forward-facing only, harnessed booster seat that converts from a harnessed car seat (20-70 lbs) to a high back belt-positioning booster (30-100 lbs), then finally to a backless belt-positioning booster (40-120 lbs).
To start, this car seat is steel-reinforced & Safe Seat Engineered (which means it has gone through many different types of testing, such as Side Impact Testing, extreme weather testing, and other important safety reviews).
There are many features about this product that you will love. First, there are higher weight limits for two of the modes of use. In the harnessed booster mode, your child can use the harness up to 70 lbs. When you use Argos 70 as a backless booster, the seat holds a child up to 120 lbs (which helps support the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that children ride in a booster seat until they are 4’9″). Must-have features like the front adjust harness, integrated cup holder, and side storage compartment are also an added plus to this seat.
But, my favorite feature by far is the Simply Safe Adjust harness system.
This harness system allows you to quickly adjust the harness height & head rest at the same time and with one hand–no need to re-thread the harness! This car seat is great for car-pooling since you can easily and safely adjust the harness height without un-installing the seat. I was able to easily adjust the harness height and head rest so my little ones could check out the newest car seat.
My daughter, “PP,” is shown in the picture here. She is 50 lbs and she fit in this seat really well (Argos 70 comes with a toddler insert for even more cushioning if you’re using the seat with a smaller child).
This car seat is sure to impress! Pre-order it now at Babies R Us or check it out at your local Target.
Hi Maribel. You are correct that the buckle is different from the one that you had before on the infant car seat. We have changed the type of buckles used & you have to push at the very top of the red button vs. in the middle of the buckle (like your infant car seat).
Hi Marible. here is more specific directions from our car seat engineers:
To unbuckle:
1. Loosen harness straps
2. Tilt top of buckle toward seat
3. Press in at the top of the red button and pull tongues out of buckle
Hi Maribel. For your question on FAA approval, you can use the Argos on an airplane as a 5-point harness car seat but it is not approved for use on an airplane in booster mode.
Just wondering if/when this seat will be available in Canada? I really like this seat and am contemplating driving to the states to purchase one but I’m unsure if this is something I would be allowed to bring back across the border seeing as how it most likely wouldn’t be approved by the Canadian safety standards?
Hi Brigette,
At this time, this car seat is not compliant with Canadian standards but we are working on it. Once the car seat is compliant, we will write a blog post on its availability in Canada.
thanks!
Melissa
I have a 36″ 27.5 lb 3yr old (12/08). Would the adjustable headrest wings be something that he’d benefit from or is that something that is based on each kid’s preference? The crotch strap length has me a bit worried, too.
I’m trying to decide between a Nautilus and a Argos Elite as a 2nd seat for him (he is currently RF in a Marathon).
Thank you!
Amy
Hi Amy,
To answer your questions, the adjustable head rest is up to each child’s preference for comfort. As for the decision between Nautilus and Argos Elite, I personally love the no re-thread harness on Argos. So, I would go with Argos simply for not having to ever re-thread a harness! Good luck and thanks for buying Graco car seats!
Melissa – we bought the Argos 70 from BuyBuyBaby today. We felt it was more comfortable than the Nautilus & the Britax Frontier. The crotch belt does seem a bit tight, but I will trust your engineers’ judgement as to the fit – perhaps there will be more room without her winter coat on and without diapers. I have left the insert in – my daughter weighs 31lbs & it’s recommended until 35 lbs. That should allow some more room when that’s removed.
My question is about changing the position of the crotch belt. I have tried it twice (once on the Nautilus in the store & once on our Argos). Both times, it was a bear, seems near impossible. I did not complete it because I didn’t want to force it & possibly break it. Is it just a matter of muscling the metal plate sideways through the slot? Or perhaps there is a trick I am missing? A video of this would be very helpful!
Thanks – Mark
Is there any update on when the Argos Elite will be available? I’ve seen it for sale online, from a seller other than BuyBuyBaby, so I was curious.
Mark, I’m pretty sure husband busted our crotch strap. Now It is neither in nor out, the plastic has been stressed and frankly so have we. I’ve never bought Greco products before and I surely will not again. We will be returning this ASAP, but I’d love to know the ‘special trick’ if you find one. Btw my son loved his britax frontier (and marathon before that) and we wouldn’t have replaced accept we were in an accident recently and had to part with it.
Hi Mark & Kisha,
Here are some tips from our engineers:
– fold the metal stop (located on the underside of the seat) to be in line with the webbing, then turn metal stop so that the corner fits into plastic slot, you can then push the metal detail from the underside as you pull the crotch buckle from the top side 9not much resistant should be seen), after this is released you can then push the metal stop through the other slot is a similar orientation.
Hope this helps!
Melissa
Hi! I am debating between a Nautilus, Argos and Frontier. I think that height will be the limiting factor for my children. Can you tell me what the height limits are for harness & booster modes? Thanks!
Hi Karen,
Here is the height info for both Nautilus & Argos:
With Built-In Harness:
Height: 27 to 52 inches
Without Built-In Harness:
Height: 38 to 57 inches
Without Built-In Harness and Back Support:
Height: 40 to 57 inches
Hope that helps!
Melissa
Hi Melissa,
I’m just wondering wich car seat is the best for my kid, I’m looking for the nautilus and the argo, wich one o you recomend?
Thank you,
Sil
Hi Melissa!
I’ve been researching a few different seats for my daughter and have narrowed it down to the nautilus or Argos. My daughter is 8 mos old and weighs 21 lbs. she is also 29 inches. Do u feel it’s too soon to start using the Argos? I’m struggling with the infant seat because the belt is too tight, but I also don’t want to get multiple seats.
Your input will be much appreciated!
Thanks
Jamie
Hi Sil,
Both the Argos and Nautilus are great seats. I personally would recommend the Argos purely for the no re-thread harness option (it is called the Simply Safe Adjust harness system). I have two kids and its great to be able to adjust the harness for the different size children. It is even great for car pooling since you can adjust the harness height and head rest height based on the size of the child. So, that would be my vote (my personal opinion). Hope that helps!
Melissa
Hi Jamie,
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children should ride rear-facing for 2 years. Because of that, I would advise that you look into a My Ride 65 or any of our other convertible car seats in order to keep your daughter rear-facing for the full 2 years. After she reaches her second birthday & if you decide to move her forward-facing, then you can select a Nautilus or Argos which will last you until your child doesn’t need a booster seat anymore. Hope this helps!
Melissa
What is the difference between the Argos and Argos Elite models?
Hi Mark,
The Argos 70 Elite will have two upgraded features from the regular Argos. The first feature is the height & width adjustable head rest. That may help support your child’s head better if they happen to doze off in the car (it is similar to how airplane seats used to be..). The other feature is an installation feature: the seat belt lock off. The seat belt lock off helps make seat belt installation easier. I hope this answers your questions. Melissa
Sorry..the last comment was intended for Dustin..
The Argos 70 Elite will have two upgraded features from the regular Argos. The first feature is the height & width adjustable head rest. That may help support your child’s head better if they happen to doze off in the car (it is similar to how airplane seats used to be..). The other feature is an installation feature: the seat belt lock off. The seat belt lock off helps make seat belt installation easier. I hope this answers your questions. Melissa
Hi Melissa,
For Argus 70, is the crotch strap the same length with the Nautilus 3 in1? My child is 4 and around 40 lbs. We have tried the Nautilus but the crotch strap bothers him. Can we get a longer crotch strap?
Thanks.
carol
Hi Liza,
The crotch strap length of both the Argos & Nautilus are the same size. Unfortunately, you cannot request a longer crotch strap. We have passed this information to our engineers for consideration. Thank you for the comment!
Melissa
Any idea when the Argos Elite will be available? I really need that seatbelt lock off!
Hi Jessica,
The Argos Elite has pretty limited distribution (mostly through specialty stores like USA Baby). Please use this link to see if there is a specialty store that carries the Argos Elite near your house:
http://www.gracobaby.com/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=1813081
Melissa
Hi Melissa,
i would like to know if you have an affiliate program and how can i jpin it?
thanks
Rami
Melissa,
I read your post after buying the Argos this weekend. Both my husband and I have wrestled with adjusting the crotch strap mulitple times in the past week and we are completely unable to get it to feed through. If we try to turn the metal clasp, the fabric bunches up too much to feed it through. I was very excited about a seat that didn’t require us to take everything apart to adjust the shoulder straps that I did not play with the crotch strap at the store. Can I contact graco for a new strap and just cut it off? I am planning on returning the seat this weekend if that is not possible.
Hi Melissa,
We appreciate you reaching out and we are sorry you didn’t have a positive experience. We do not recommend cutting off the strap, as this is a potential safety concern. If you could contact our Graco Customer Service Line at 800-345-4109, we will help you resolve this right away. If you have any further questions or concerns please feel free to reach out again.
Hi Melissa,
There have been many complaints regarding the buckle and difficulty in opening. Do you think there is a chance of (a) it getting easier with use or (b) Graco issuing a replacement buckle that’s easier to open. I’d like to buy the Argos for my 2 year old and never have to worry about buying another car seat, but the buckle issue bothers me.
my wife just bought this, but we are going to return it due to the crotch strap.
when we sit our child in it, the top part of the buckle digs into her legs. if its tight and digs into her legs now whats going to happen when shes two or three. plus the the stress factor of trying to adjust the thing! I had very high hopes, really cool looking seat.
Hi Anjali,
Based on feedback we received on previous buckle designs, we have updated the design on the latest car seats. One tip to make it easier to open is to press the button at the top of the buckle, where there is a small dimple area. Hope that helps.
Melissa
Hi Melissa,
After much research I decided to buy the Argos especially since it was on sale at babies r us. I needed a booster for my older daughter so my now 1 yr old could now use the convertible car seat. I liked the fact that I could use the 5 pt harness on her for a little while longer since she is still under 40 lbs. While I like how easy it is to adjust the headrest/harness shoulder straps, I am having trouble tightening the harness after I have strapped my daughter in the seat. I can get it tight at her shoulders but below the chest buckle is still too loose no matter how hard I pull on the strap adjustment. I am starting to regret my decision to purchase it.