Graco Nautilus 65 3-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat Review

Finally, the car seat that parents have been searching for is here! Our Nautilus 3-in-1 car seat helps keep your child secure from 22 to 100 lbs. Nautilus is a 3-in-1 car seat that converts from a harnessed booster to a high back belt-positioning booster and finally to a backless belt positioning booster. The harness booster can be used up to 65lbs, and as your little one continues to grow, the Nautilus does too, transitioning into a Highback belt positioning booster which can be used from 30 – 100lbs, and finally into a Backless belt positioning booster for a comfortable fit from 40 to 100 lbs. The seat is designed to help keep your child in a harness booster longer as well as to fit them up to 57" tall. You can easily see Graco's commitment to safety as this seat is extensively crash tested to meet or exceed U.S safety standards, side-impact testing, and outfitted with reinforced steel for effective energy management. Nautilus has been thoughtfully designed with plush comfort features, an integrated cup holder and storage compartments, as well as a one-hand height adjustable headrest to help keep your growing child happy on even the longest rides!

This 3-in-1 car seat is will last your little travel companion well into childhood.

About the Product                                              

• 3-in-1 harness booster helps protect your child from toddler to youth
• Front facing car seat harness booster (22 - 65 lb.), high back booster (30 - 100 lb.), backless booster (40 - 100 lb.)
• Simply Safe Adjust Harness System adjusts the height of your harness and headrest in one motion, to ensure that your child is always properly secured
• 3-position recline helps keep your growing child comfy and safely
• Side-impact tested for occupant retention with built-in 5-point harness system

 

From the Manufacturer  

Leader in Safety

Safety is the number one priority when choosing child car seats for your little one. Graco has gone the extra mile to keep your child safe and you feeling secure.

Graco’s Nautilus 65 3-in-1 harness booster boasts these great safety features:

Side Impact Tested

              

• Engineered & rigorously crash tested to meet or exceed US standard FMVSS 213.
• New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) – peak crash force approximately 2X Car Seat Standard.
• Extreme Car Interior Temperatures.
• EPS, energy absorbing foam for effective impact energy management.
• Steel-reinforced frame provides strength and durability for years of smart utility.

Age/ Weight Recommendations

As recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, children 4 feet 9 inches tall or under should ride in a belt-positioning booster seat.

• Harness booster – weight 22 to 65 pounds; height 27 to 49 inches
• Highback booster – weight 30 to 100 pounds; height 38 to 57 inches
• Backless booster – weight 40 to 100 pounds; height 40 to 57 inches

3-in-1 Car Seat

The Graco Nautilus 65 3-in-1 harness booster helps keep your child secure in a 5-point harness, from 22-65 pounds and from 27 to 49 inches. When your child is ready, the forward facing car seat converts to a belt-positioning booster car seat from 30-100 pounds and 38 to 57 inches, then to a backless booster seat from 40-100 pounds and 40 to 57 inches. It’s just like having 3 car seats, in 1.

Parent Features

Moms love the design of Graco booster seats. This harnessed booster has several key features to help make your life easier, beginning with the easy to remove washable seat cover – no rethreading of the harness straps needed – followed by the open-loop belt guides which ensure the vehicle seat belt is positioned properly in the high back booster mode.

Additional Key Features

One-hand, 5-position adjustable headrest

• Contoured armrests with cup holder and storage compartment
• Open-loop belt guides help position the vehicle seat belt
• Seat pad, harness and buckle covers are comfortable and machine-washable

Stay Harnessed, Longer

The Nautilus 65 has an extended 5-point harness – fits children up to 65 pounds – keeping them harnessed even longer. This is in keeping with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendation that forward-facing children should use a 5-point harness for as long as possible — until they reach the maximum height or weight limit for their seat.

Easy Adjust, No Rethread

The Simply Safe Adjust harness system adjusts the height of your harness and headrest, in one motion, to ensure that your child is always properly secured. The 5-position headrest makes it easy to give your growing child a proper fit, for optimal safety, and can be easily adjusted with one hand.

Kid Comfort    

This seat provides your toddler their very own storage compartment for snacks or treasures. The contoured armrests – with integrated cup holder – keep drinks close, keeping thirst at bay. Extra comforts like seat pad and a 3-position recline keep your growing child comfy during all sorts of travels.

 3 Colors

Important Information

Safety Information

Fits toddlers 22-65lbs forward facing in harness Fits youth 30-100lbs in high back belt-positioning booster Fits youth 40-100 lbs in a backless belt-positioning booster
 

Indications

Weight: 26 lbs Dimensions: 29H x 20W x 22D" (head rest in lowest position)
 

Directions

Machine-washable seat cushion Metal and plastic parts may be cleaned with mild soap and cool water Buckle may be cleaned with a damp cloth Harness straps may be spot cleaned Refer to your manual (see link below) for full cleaning instructions To Unbuckle Harness: 1. Lift the lever and pull the shoulder harness straps to loosen the harness 2. Tilt the top of the buckle toward the child’s abdomen 3. Press in at the top of the red button 4. Pull tongues out of the buckle Harness Buckle Cleaning Process: Turn the restraint over and push the retainer through the harness strap slot to remove the buckle from the car seat. Place the buckle in a cup of warm water upside down and gently agitate the buckle, pressing the red button several times while it is in the water. Do not submerge the harness webbing and do not use soaps or lubricants, only rinse the harness buckle with warm water. Shake out the excess water and allow the harness buckle to air dry. Reattach the harness buckle into the same slot and re-check harness for correct installation according to the car seat manual before use.
 

Product Information

Technical Details

Item Weight	: 20.5 pounds
Product Dimensions	: 18 x 20 x 28 inches
UPC	: 047406134533
Item model number	: 1946243
Minimum weight recommendation	: 22 Pounds
Maximum weight recommendation	: 120 Pounds
Minimum height recommendation	: 27 inches
Maximum height recommendation	: 57 inches
Material Type	: Plastic
Batteries required	: No
Dishwasher safe	: No
Specification met	: Certified frustration-free
Is portable	: No



 

Top Customer Reviews

1. 5/5. Lifesaver ! 

By michelle burdo on September 27, 2015

 

Item Package Quantity: 1Color: Matrix

 

My 20 month old son & I were in a rollover accident a few weeks ago in my explorer. I broke my wrist and collar bone. Thanks to THIS car seat my son made it out with only a few bruises and scrapes!! We landed upside down and the seat didn't move at all. I am very thankful for this seat. I didn't purchase it from Amazon, I also paid $189.99 for ours but I reccomend this seat to everyone. Pay the extra money. This car seat is great !! :)

 

  

 

2. 5/5 Why the crotch strap is not an issue for most 

By Mjolnir on March 25, 2013

 

Item Package Quantity: 1Color: Matrix Verified Purchase 

  

Many reviewers have commented here that the crotch strap is incredibly short. I spent some time agonizing before I finally ordered, since I did not want to have to return it. But it turns out, the crotch strap is plenty long. I even bought a second one for my other child. Here's what you need to do.

1. Once your child is too large for the smallest setting on the 5 point harness, follow the instructions to REMOVE THE BODY SUPPORT. This is the thing that looks like extra padding in what would be the lumbar region if you could somehow squeeze an adult into the seat. In my copy of the manual it is shown on page 6 under "Features". If you fail to REMOVE THE BODY SUPPORT, yes, indeed, the crotch strap appears to be ridiculously short. So, in conclusion, REMOVE THE BODY SUPPORT per the instructions.

2. Also, as many have commented, move the crotch strap to the second slot. Make sure you are using the second slot in the hard plastic base, not just the second slot in the fabric insert.

3. Congratulations, you now have a ton of space in the crotchular region. I have a 56 lb 43 inch tall son who, even while wearing ski pants, fits just fine in the seat when configured according to points 1 and 2. He is not 'sitting on' the crotch buckle as so many have alleged. I think a child who doesn't have enough room is likely too large for the weight limit on the harness anyway, in which case you remove the harness and migrate to #2 of the "3-in-1" scheme and secure the child in the booster with the vehicle belt.

PROS:
The kids love them.
The price is right. They are quite a bit cheaper than the corresponding Britax model.
A consumer research magazine, which I'm not sure if I can name here, rated this seat highest among convertible seats for safety and usability.
Looks better than the Britax, at least in my car.

CONS: Not many, but here they are.
-Straps feel a bit flimsier than the Britax.
-Clips/buckles are a bit harder to operate than the Britax. Maybe they will get better with use.
-In my opinion, the metal junction plate is too small compared to the width of the straps. The metal junction plate is shown on page 38 in my copy of the manual. It looks sorta like something Batman or a ninja might throw at a villan if it was sharpened. It is there to hold the loop ends of the shoulder straps behind the seat. The slots in the plate are only about 3/4 as wide as the straps, thus the straps get bunched up a bit, which is a weaker configuration than if they had enough space to lay flat. But that consumer magazine rated it tops for safety, so it probably doesn't matter. Again, the Britax does not have this issue.

I don't feel the cons are worth paying another $100 or whatever for the Britax, but that's my budget. The main thing is that the crotch strap is not an issue. Go try it in a store if you don't believe me.

Edit: After a month of use, the clips/buckles on one of the seats has loosened up a bit and is easy to operate. The other one is still a bit stiff. However, the flimsier straps tend to twist up so they are not flat in the buckle slot. That's a little disappointing. I'd knock off a half star for that.

Edit #2: A year later, and everything is holding up fine. On their own accord, Graco sent me a new center strap and 3 point buckle assembly for both seats. The old one seemed fine, but the new one is beefier and operates more smoothly. The center strap is still plenty long. I would guess that if you buy a new seat today, you're going to get the new buckle assembly. I still think the straps are too flimsy and they do still twist up. Yo, Graco! How much extra can it cost you to use a strap wide enough to match the buckles? Thank you.

Edit #3: Almost 3 years now. Still going strong, no issues, other than the strap-twisting.

3. 5/5. Love the harness seat, not so much in booster mode. 

By djsully on October 24, 2014

 

Item Package Quantity: 1Color: Matrix Verified Purchase 

  

We love these seats. We were able to use the latch in our vehicles. We harnessed both of our kids until 6. The cup holder is great, cubbies are nice. Getting it in our out and to clean or adjust was easy once you got the hang of it. The only fault with this seat is its wide. It's hard for a child to buckle the seatbelt because the buckle in our traverse ended up being behind the seat. Once we switched it to backless mode at 7.5 it just didn't work. Once the back comes off the base is even wider and totally impossible to buckle in our Traverse. Over all a great harness booster, not so much booster for a small vehicle.

4. 5/5. Finally in Love! 

By KAtie on August 11, 2015

 

Item Package Quantity: 1Color: Sully Verified Purchase 

  

I just got this today, and so far I LOVE IT! I have a 3 year old who is the size of a 6 year old in height and weight, who is not yet ready for a regular booster seat. I was getting it ready to put in the car and had her sit in it. The straps are at perfect height, her ears are below the top. and OMG ITS SO EASY TO ADJUST THE STRAPS! The video in the add is 100% accurate! While I was trying my kid in it, she didn't want to get out! I'll update after I get it in the car and test the ride, but I seriously doubt my mind will change.

Update: SHE LOVES IT! IT RIDES GREAT! THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS SEAT!

 

5. 5/5. would recommend 

 

By Monce Romero on September 4, 2015

 

Item Package Quantity: 1Color: Fern Verified Purchase

  

we loved it but I did not read right so returned it.. thought it was rear facing.. but it was extremely cute my 4 month old loved it.. to bad we returned it :(

 

 

6. 5/5. Great safety seat.

 

By Donny on February 12, 2017

 

Color: Sylvia|Item Package Quantity: 1|Verified Purchase

 

This is a great safety product I bought it for my one year old and she loves it. In the car it fits perfectly behind the back seat where the view for my young one is both safe and exciting. Just a bit heavy though.

 

7. 5/5. we bought this amazing front facing seat

 

By CV on February 11, 2017

Color: Sully|Item Package Quantity: 1|Verified Purchase

My 14 month son wasn't sitting very well in his car seat. After much research, we bought this amazing front facing seat. Now, he is sitting in this seat peacefully without any major hiccups. I hope it continues to serve us the way it was expected.

 8. 5/5. Son loves it

 

By velocijone son February 8, 2017

 

Color: Sully|Item Package Quantity: 1|Verified Purchase

 

Had this for 6 months now and my kid hasn't cried once in the car, of course he doesn't have a big sister to tease him and steal his snacks. Somewhat easy to install and the cover isn't too difficult to remove for cleaning. Got a second one elsewhere for 30 less so shop around!

 

9. Have a seat

 

By Tobey on February 5, 2017

Color: Sully|Item Package Quantity: 1|Verified Purchase

 

Very good quality car seat. Had police officer say he would put his own kids in this seat. Highly recommend

10. This carseat is a beast!

By RV on February 5, 2017

Color: Sylvia|Item Package Quantity: 1|Verified Purchase

 

Very sturdy, a bit heavy and cute. In comparison to my past carseat purchases for my daughter this one feels by far the safest and she loves it as well!