Radian 65 and 02 Civic

[ccknox]

First sorry for the long post...2nd thanks for taking the time to read it and help! DD is 12 mos, 31" and about 18#...we plan to rear face her to seat limits!

I got a Radian 65 because I just love the features on this seat but I don't think it fits my car It fit my DD great! She is currently in a Seat Safe Step 1...and constently slides down in it...she lifts her hips and pushes herself farther down...I was really hoping the Radian would work because the closer crotch strap adjustment is perfect! I'm still hoping maybe I can make it work but I donno. I always have issues with the locking clip and the SS1 said not to use it so I'm not talented at it...when we first had that seat installed the tech put the clip in but the seat lost tightness in less than a month...so we we have to reinstall it I read the manual and didn't put it back in I cold get a tight install but it only stays tight for a few weeks...then I just reinstall it. I find my seat compresses really far with use donno if that's the issue or not.

I purchased from elitecarseats.com with the shipping insurance so I'm all good to return in. I have tired a Marathon and can get a good install on the outboard with it...I think it might work center also not sure didn't try super hard.

I think I got the angle right on the seat but didn't check real hard...I had to pull the seats all the way forward...not good...but as I look at it more I think the angle may be too far...but thats the way it sits I do not think the seat will fit behind the passenger seat unless the angle is way off.

Inside the house it fit my little peanut great! I did adjust the harnesses and try strapping her in I found the best fit with the crotch strap the farthest in. Shoulder straps on the 2nd from the bottom. I did find it seemed a little hard to her the harrness pulled tight compared to my SS1 but when I checked they didn't have slack in them so I guess they were right!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...adian65001.jpg

(Our driveway is slanted)

Here is the first photo I took of my job. You can see how the base really slides under the seat.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...adian65002.jpg

Here is a photo on the otherside. I can't even see where I would get the locking clip in and the thing is twisted 2 times.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...adian65003.jpg

Close up of where the seat belt goes. It's twisted 2 times.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...adian65004.jpg

Here I tried twisting the strap 3 times...I don't think I got it pulled tight though. I still don't see how the locking clip is suppose to fit.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...adian65005.jpg

Should I continue to play with it or try taking it to a tech? Any how do I know which of the many techs in the area will be able to do a good job...any? Should I just give up and order the Marathon, or would another seat be better?

Colleen

	Britax Marathon - Click for more info Increasing the time a child can safely stay in their convertible car seat is a big issue and Britax engineers have come through in a big way with the introduction of the Britax Marathon with LATCH. A LATCH Compatible Convertible Child Seat, the Britax Marathon can be used rear facing 5 to 33 pounds and forward facing from 20 to 65 pounds. Compare the numbers and you will see it is hard to find a seat with these weight limits that is safe and functional.

	Sunshine Kids Radian 80 or 65 - Click for more info If "the Sunshine Kid's Radian 80 convertible car seat is (probably) the only car seat you will ever need," the "probably" part of this statement comes into play when you directly compare the Radian 80 with the Britax Regent. While the Radian 80 has a very high weight capacity, the seat width is only 10" vs. the Regent's 14" seat. The Britax Regent may be a bit wider, but it is very bulky, is only forward facing, and does not fold like the Radian 80. Because the Radian 80 is so narrow, you can potentially put three of them side by side in the back seat. Three Regents side by side? Impossible.

	Forum Speak DD: Dear Daughter DS: Dear Son DH: Dear Husband DW: Dear Wife SO: Significant Other BF: Boyfriend GF: Girlfriend

[Papooses]

You're very thorough, Colleen! I wish I've installed the Radian in a newer Civic, but I haven't so I'm not sure of any specific helpful tips -- hopefully another tech will chime in (I'll send a link to your thread to some others)....

	Sunshine Kids Radian 80 or 65 - Click for more info If "the Sunshine Kid's Radian 80 convertible car seat is (probably) the only car seat you will ever need," the "probably" part of this statement comes into play when you directly compare the Radian 80 with the Britax Regent. While the Radian 80 has a very high weight capacity, the seat width is only 10" vs. the Regent's 14" seat. The Britax Regent may be a bit wider, but it is very bulky, is only forward facing, and does not fold like the Radian 80. Because the Radian 80 is so narrow, you can potentially put three of them side by side in the back seat. Three Regents side by side? Impossible.

[ccknox]

I've been trying like crazy to get the thing tight. It seems like the little curved part on the base is sliding down into the seat to never never land...it just keeps going! DH is going to try to help me get some more weight into it after dinner so we'll see.

	Forum Speak DD: Dear Daughter DS: Dear Son DH: Dear Husband DW: Dear Wife SO: Significant Other BF: Boyfriend GF: Girlfriend

[ccknox]

OK So I went to the Police Dept and got help. 2 techs (1 a ~200# guy the other a ~130# girl) couldn't get it tight in the center for nothing! The seat sits to low and the seat belt stalk things are too long...after them working like crazy we decided it didn't work and moved it to the passenger outboard where there is latch! After some confusion on how to get the latch strap routed through for a rear install they pushed a little and pulled a little and that was that less than 1" of play! I put her in they checked her and I tightened it a little more and off we went. She looks so comfy being able to move her legs around and is in there solid as a rock with the crotch strap all the way in. I feel so much better knowing that the harrness fits her...I can get it tight and not cut into her flesh!

See her installed here!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...CarSeat001.jpg

Also anyone have trouble getting the straps pulled tight? Does it just need breaking in or does it have to do with the angle you pull at in rear facing? I feel like I'm going to strangle her...the tech told me to pull on the back side

Also they didn't install the rear teether I forgot about it...how do I do this?

Only questions now is how far back is it ok to move the front seat? See post http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.p...816#post152816 to help with my new problem.

	Rear Facing Car Seats A rear-facing seat is one in which the infant faces the back of the car. Always install a rear-facing seat in the back seat of your car. This is the safest position for an infant. NEVER place a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger airbags.

	LATCH LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. It is a system mandated by the Federal government in an effort to standardize and simplify the installation of child restraints without using the vehicle's seat belt system. New vehicles and child safety seats manufactured on and after September 1, 2002 will be equipped with the LATCH system. Cars, minivans, and light trucks will be required to have anchor points between the vehicle's seat cushion and the seat back in at least two rear seating positions, and a top tether anchor (with the exception of convertibles). Child safety seats will have a lower set of attachments that fasten to the vehicle anchors. Most forward-facing child safety seats will also have a top strap (tether) that attaches to the top anchor in the vehicle.

[Papooses]

I'm glad to see you found others at www.car-seat.org to help out I've had a much busier couple of weeks than usual, so I appologize for not getting back to you on this sooner.... I'm actually in a rush at the moment, but there needs to be at least 32" between the front & rear seats for untethered seats, 28" if tethered. The manuals should have info on top tethering, otherwise the LATCH manual may be necessary (I'm still awaiting my updated copy).

	LATCH LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. It is a system mandated by the Federal government in an effort to standardize and simplify the installation of child restraints without using the vehicle's seat belt system. New vehicles and child safety seats manufactured on and after September 1, 2002 will be equipped with the LATCH system. Cars, minivans, and light trucks will be required to have anchor points between the vehicle's seat cushion and the seat back in at least two rear seating positions, and a top tether anchor (with the exception of convertibles). Child safety seats will have a lower set of attachments that fasten to the vehicle anchors. Most forward-facing child safety seats will also have a top strap (tether) that attaches to the top anchor in the vehicle.