Questions about Radian 65--New Grandma

[suzyq]

Hi all. I am in the market for a convertible carseat and after all the looking, here and in stores, I think (I may change my mind though) that the Radian 65 is my best bet for my car. The baby is almost 6 months old and I may have him a few times a week. The thing is some of these other seats are sooo wide and I may have to change from my husband's car to my car so I want something that will be fairly ease, but safe. Also, these are not cheap seats. But Is the radian wide enough to accomodate a kid for as long as they say? Thanks for your opinions

	Convertible Car Seats Convertible seats are for infants and toddlers. The seat can be used as a rear-facing seats for younger children, and switched to a forward-facing seat on the child's first birthday if the child weighs at least 20 pounds. However, experts recommend keeping the child in a rear-facing position until he or she outgrows the weight or height allowed by the safety seat.

	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.

[SusanMae]

The radian can be tricky to install. So be willing to work with it and a tech to learn how to properly install it in both cars.

Although---for less money, the same time frame for use, and probably easier to use overall---Take a look at the Evenflo Trimuph Advance. Should you have other grandchildren in the near future, you'll be able to adjust it easily between children.

As for the radian's width---depends on the kid...if it's a chubbier child, it may not be wide enough, but if it's a slimmer child, then it should last a good while.

Also remember that carseats expire.

Susan

	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.

[suzyq]

Thanks for your input. I saw the other carseat you mentioned. They just look so BIG. I don't think I could fit 2 other people in the back seat if I had to (and I sometimes do) and with the Graco infant seat I can. Maybe I just want a seat that does everything; fold, easy to install and uninstall, doesn't take too much space across. I guess you can't have everything;-)

[MnMadhouse]

The Radian is also a pretty heavy seat b/c the frame is made of steel. So, I don't know if you really want to move it from vehicle to vehicle.

What kind of vehicle do you drive?

	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.

[suzyq]

Thanks for giving me your input. I drive an '06 Rav 4 and the other car is an '06 Avalon. Let me say that I'm a pretty active grandma and I lift things all the time. I still have 2 sons at home so if its too impossible to move, I just call on them

My thing is all the space and of course, the cost. But there is no price too high for my kids, you all know that yourselves.

[SusanMae]

Have you looked at the Cosco Scenera? It's $43 and change at wal-mart. It is a basic seat...but it's pretty narrow and easy to use and a light 9 pounds or so. It's a great occassional seat and mom & dad can borrow it if they are traveling.

Susan