I'm just generally confused by car seats!  But I'm hoping for some help.

My son is 19 months old.  He is currently forward facing in a mothers choice convertible car seat.  However, he seems to be getting too tall for it.  He is around 85cm tall and around 12 and a half kg.  I've done a search online and it seems to be a problem with the Mothers choice seats that they are a bit short.

I want to buy a new seat for him.  I was thinking about the Safe and Sound Royale.  But then I saw some info on the Maxi-rider, he'd be able to use the maxi-rider as a booster when the time comes, and be harnessed before.  Does the maxirider tether?
I know I'm not interested in the popular Brio Zento as the installation looks far too difficult  .

I'd appreciate any help on this decision.  Also, what is the best price around on the Maxi-rider?

Hi Bonnie.  Thanks very much for that.
I think I'll be getting a Maxi Rider II then 

Hi Chaucey, I don't know enough to compare the Maxi Plus and Maxi II, but... just to further confuse the issue, Safe n Sound NZ have now released the Maxi Rider AHR in NZ.  I haven't seen it, but Britax said it was now available through baby city and baby factory. You can check it out on www.britax.com.au

I've heard (but can't confirm) that there is an extra 7cm of slot height in the AHR, so although you can still only use the harness until 18kg (or 20kg depending on who you listen to), you can use a protecta harness if you want your kid harnessed until he's much older due to the extra height.  This site here has really good info on extended harnessing.

I'm not trying to confuse you more, believe it or not!!  I've got a Maxi Rider II, which I got for having the highest shoulder slots around and as it has a good reputation, but if anyone reading has really long backed kids and thinks they may want to use a protecta harness once they reach the weight limits on the seat, it may be worth learning more about the maxi rider AHR. 

Well, I'm still putting it off!
Will have the $$ soon and then won't have to worry about this issue anymore.

Any last advice about choosing between:

*Maxirider Plus
*Maxirider II
*Explorer

The Plus is the cheapest, then Explorer, then II.  I think the Plus doesn't have an anti-submarine clip though??  It might be worth paying the extra $30 for the antisubmarine clip feature of the Explorer...