Help me decide -- Radian 65/80 or Graco Nautilus?

[jenniferlynne]

Here's my situation:

DS: 4 years old, 49" tall, 50 lbs., torso height is around 17-17.5" (measured when he's sitting, from his bottom to the top of his shoulders, not sure if I did that right.) Currently in Radian 65, which fits fine.

DD: 2 years old, 32 lbs., not sure how tall she is at the moment but very tall for her age. Currently in Britax Roundabout and is close to outgrowing it since her shoulders are close to the top slot.

Car: Subaru Legacy Outback wagon, 2006

My original plan was to buy a Radian 80 when DD outgrew the Roundabout, put DS in that seat, and put DD in the Radian 65. (I like Radians because they're narrow and I'm pretty sure if we have two outboard, we can actually fit another person, a small one, at least, in the middle of our backseat).

But now I'm worrying that DS would also outgrow the Radian 80 by height. Are the top slots any taller than the 65?

Another con for the Radian is that they are a BEAR to install in my car with the seat belt. LATCH is easy as pie, but DS is past the LATCH limits, I believe, so I'd be installing with a belt. His Radian is currently in the car rock solid but it took a lot of effort to get it that way!

So now I'm considering the Graco Nautilus because I've heard they have higher top slots than the Radians. Is that true? How narrow are they? Do they install well in Subaru Outbacks with seat belt?

Is there any other seat I should be considering?

I would really appreciate any help you can offer!

	Britax car seats Britax International has been producing reliable child safety products for over 30 years. Not only does Britax have decades of experience creating car seats and other children's safety equipment, Britax has a long standing reputation as an industry leader and innovator. Britax International is headquartered in the United Kingdom, but Britax car seats are designed and manufactured at facilities in Germany, Austria, and the United States. In the summer of 2002, Britax strengthened their commitment to creating the safest car seats with the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art crash testing facility in North Carolina. Britax car seats have a reputation around the world for being some of the safest, most reliable, and best designed child safety seats ever made. Ready to buy a Britax seat? Please support our sponsor!

	Britax Roundabout - Click for more info With the introduction of the new LATCH laws, Britax has improved even further upon their famously popular Roundabout Convertible Car Seat. This car seat has been praised by just about every consumer safety organization and mom and dad out there - and for good reason. It is easy to install, compatible in just about every car, super comfortable for baby, stylish and most importantly safe! Ask around and you will see that everyone raves about this car seat. Ready to buy a Britax Roundabout? Please support our sponsor!

	Graco car seats Graco is one of the world's best known and most trusted juvenile products companies. They started the entire juvenile products industry with an invention called the Graco Swyngomatic. Since then they have invented products that have changed the way that parents travel with their children such as the travel system, which has made it so parents can lock an infant car seat into a stroller easily, without waking their sleeping baby. Their Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat is pretty much synonymous with the term “infant car seat” because of its safety and design features coupled with its affordability. Today Graco continues designing and developing top-quality products that inspire parents and keeps children safe. Check out the new Infant Safe Seat Step 1 and Toddler Safe Seat Step 2 for proof of Graco’s continued commitment to child safety. Ready to buy a Graco car seat? Please support our sponsor!

	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.

	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.

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

[MnMadhouse]

The Radian 80 is no taller than the Radian 65.

Here's my suggestion. Give the Radian 65 to your DD and get the Nautilus for your DS. Because he is such a tall boy, he will likely only be able to use the Nautilus for another 1"-1.5" of torso height (it is about, if not a smidge taller than the Radian). By then, he will hopefully have the maturity (which is a KEY when transitioning to a belt positioning booster) to then take the harness out of the Nautilus and use it as a booster. IF you don't feel that he will be ready for a booster (or if you are like me and just prefer them to be in a harness), you could opt for the Regent which has 19-20" top slots and will harness to 80lbs.

The Radian's have an 8 year life span, so you should be able to get more use out of that seat for your dd

ETA: The Nautilus is wider than the Radian (due to the cup holders), so that is something for your to consider. You will not be able to get another person/carseat (if you have another child) between them with the Nautilus.

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law. Ready to buy a Booster Seat? Please support our sponsor!

	Britax Regent - Click for more info The Britax Regent is the safe way to carry your older and larger passengers, all the way up to 80 lbs. Known as the "king of all car seats," the Britax Regent will accomodate your little king or queen for far longer than traditional car seats or booster seats. The Regent features a large roto-molded shell, comfy extra-thick comfort foam, washable covers, Patented Versa-Tether™, flexible buckle LATCH system, patented HUGS™ system, and tangle-free polyester 5-point harness. Ready to buy a Britax Regent? Please support our sponsor!

	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

[jenniferlynne]

Thank you!

It's kind of funny, but I think I'm going to end up buying BOTH a Nautilus AND a Regent. OUCH! I was all set to just get the Nautilus and wait till DS outgrew it before facing the Regent / booster decision BUT I just checked DS in his carseat in DH's car (a Safeguard Go, which he rides in maybe once a week) and it is WAY too small for him! His shoulders are well above the top of the straps. He must have just had a huge growth spurt because I swear he was fine in that seat two weeks ago. I'd be tempted to let him ride in it as a booster since it's so infrequent now, but this summer because of my work schedule, DH will probably be driving both kids to school at least a few times a week so they need good car seats in his car too. Right now, DD doesn't even ride in his car because the seat we have in that car for her just expired.

So, here's the new plan:

My car, the main car they ride in:
DS: Regent
DD: Radian

DH's car (used infrequently now but probably more often this summer)
DS: Nautilus
DD: Safeguard Go

It's going to hurt to spend that much money on car seats but I'm hopeful this will be the last car seat purchase we have to make. I figure when DS outgrows the Regent, which BETTER be at least a couple of years from now, he'll be ready for a booster, either the Nautilus or the Safeguard Go. At that point, DD will move into the Regent in my car, and hopefully will still fit in the Safeguard, Radian or Nautilus for DH's car.

Having tall, long-torsoed kids is expensive!

Does this sound like a good solution -- maybe even one that guarantees I'll have bought my last car seat? Or is there a cheaper solution I'm missing?

Thank you again for your help!!!

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law. Ready to buy a Booster Seat? Please support our sponsor!

	Britax Regent - Click for more info The Britax Regent is the safe way to carry your older and larger passengers, all the way up to 80 lbs. Known as the "king of all car seats," the Britax Regent will accomodate your little king or queen for far longer than traditional car seats or booster seats. The Regent features a large roto-molded shell, comfy extra-thick comfort foam, washable covers, Patented Versa-Tether™, flexible buckle LATCH system, patented HUGS™ system, and tangle-free polyester 5-point harness. Ready to buy a Britax Regent? Please support our sponsor!

	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

	SafeGuard - Click for more info Indiana Mills and Manufacturing (IMMI) is SafeGuard’s parent company, and has been in the business of developing and manufacturing quality safety systems for every facet of the transportation industry for over 40 years, covering everything from the heavy truck and agricultural industries to child seating. IMMI has a world-renowned reputation for creating and promoting the highest rated safety harnesses and restraint systems available today, from integrated child seats in production vehicles to campaigning for increased use of safety harnesses on public transportation systems. Based in Westfield, Indiana, SafeGuard has been creating and testing essential components used across the child safety seat industry through their state of the art crash testing facilities since 1961. The SafeGuard and SafeGuard Go are IMMI’s first direct foray into the child safety seat market, and the results are simply outstanding. No other car seats or boosters are designed with as much attention to structural integrity, ease of installation, and total child safety. This seat has been subjected to the most thorough and extensive testing “ever conducted in the industry”: virtual prototyping with computer models; rigorous front, side, and rear impact crash testing; and environmental testing in a range of climates and road types.

[MnMadhouse]

Another plus to the Nautilus is that you can use the LATCH sytem when it is transitioned to a booster. This will allow the booster to stay in the vehicle instead of riding with your child in a crash.

One thing, keep an eye on your dates on your carseats. All the ones listed (except the Radian) have 6 year life spans from the date of manufacture. So, be sure to keep an eye on that

The Regent, by far, will be the best bet for your ds--as far as being in a harness. Make sure you read the manual as it has a few 'tricky' installs and certain things that you can and cannot do pertaining to his weight. IF he outgrows it before it expires and it fits your dd, you can easily purchase a new cover (if you want to girl it up--the Madison) to fit HER taste (LOL--I have a GIRLY girl).

Sounds like you have everything ready to go!!!

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law. Ready to buy a Booster Seat? Please support our sponsor!

	Britax Regent - Click for more info The Britax Regent is the safe way to carry your older and larger passengers, all the way up to 80 lbs. Known as the "king of all car seats," the Britax Regent will accomodate your little king or queen for far longer than traditional car seats or booster seats. The Regent features a large roto-molded shell, comfy extra-thick comfort foam, washable covers, Patented Versa-Tether™, flexible buckle LATCH system, patented HUGS™ system, and tangle-free polyester 5-point harness. Ready to buy a Britax Regent? Please support our sponsor!

	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.

	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.

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

[jenniferlynne]

That's good to know about latching the Nautilus. I know when I'm looking at boosters, I'm going to want that. I love the Madison Regent cover, and I know DD would too. I think I'm going to see if I can get a girlier cover for the Radian. Poor DD has never had a new car seat of her own -- the joy of being a second child! -- but a new girly cover would make her very happy.

Thank you also for the reminder about expiration dates. I need to check on those. I guess I probably haven't bought my last car seat, but I hope to be done for a while!

	Britax Regent - Click for more info The Britax Regent is the safe way to carry your older and larger passengers, all the way up to 80 lbs. Known as the "king of all car seats," the Britax Regent will accomodate your little king or queen for far longer than traditional car seats or booster seats. The Regent features a large roto-molded shell, comfy extra-thick comfort foam, washable covers, Patented Versa-Tether™, flexible buckle LATCH system, patented HUGS™ system, and tangle-free polyester 5-point harness. Ready to buy a Britax Regent? Please support our sponsor!

	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

[CPS-I_Jeff]

Originally Posted by MnMadhouse

Another plus to the Nautilus is that you can use the LATCH sytem when it is transitioned to a booster. This will allow the booster to stay in the vehicle instead of riding with your child in a crash.

One thing, keep an eye on your dates on your carseats. All the ones listed (except the Radian) have 6 year life spans from the date of manufacture. So, be sure to keep an eye on that

The Regent, by far, will be the best bet for your ds--as far as being in a harness. Make sure you read the manual as it has a few 'tricky' installs and certain things that you can and cannot do pertaining to his weight. IF he outgrows it before it expires and it fits your dd, you can easily purchase a new cover (if you want to girl it up--the Madison) to fit HER taste (LOL--I have a GIRLY girl).

Sounds like you have everything ready to go!!!

I do not think that when this seat is used as a booster that can be secured in the vehicle using the LATCH system. Booster seats usually ONLY use the vehicle belt system. The page I attached below confirms this. It is from the Nautilus owners manual.

EDIT - Click image to make bigger

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law. Ready to buy a Booster Seat? Please support our sponsor!

	Britax Regent - Click for more info The Britax Regent is the safe way to carry your older and larger passengers, all the way up to 80 lbs. Known as the "king of all car seats," the Britax Regent will accomodate your little king or queen for far longer than traditional car seats or booster seats. The Regent features a large roto-molded shell, comfy extra-thick comfort foam, washable covers, Patented Versa-Tether™, flexible buckle LATCH system, patented HUGS™ system, and tangle-free polyester 5-point harness. Ready to buy a Britax Regent? Please support our sponsor!

	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.

	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.

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

[MnMadhouse]

Originally Posted by CPS-I_Jeff

I do not think that when this seat is used as a booster that can be secured in the vehicle using the LATCH system. Booster seats usually ONLY use the vehicle belt system. The page I attached below confirms this. It is from the Nautilus owners manual.

EDIT - Click image to make bigger

It was confirmed through the Graco rep at the last Lifesavers meeting. Quite a few boosters coming out (the Clek Oobi--HBB (being released)--the Clek Olli--BB and the Sunshine Kids Monterey) allow them to be latched as they are not fully supporting the child's weight...just the weight of the actual booster seat. You can confirm this through Graco.

Here is the link to that PPT presentation 2008 LifeSavers Conference

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law. Ready to buy a Booster Seat? Please support our sponsor!

	Backless Booster Backless booster--A booster that does not have a high back and will hold children from 4-10 years old AND 40-100lbs. This booster can only be used if the seat is higher than the tips of the child's ears OR if there is a headrest behind the child's head.

	Highback Booster High back booster--A booster that has a high plastic back that provides some side impact protection and is required for vehicles with low seatbacks or no headrests. Most high back boosters can be used for children 3-10 years old AND 30-100lbs, but the minimum recommendation for booster use is 4 years old AND 40lbs.

	clek olli - Click for more info The clek olli booster car seat is a safe, simple, and stylish backless booster with a unique rigid LATCH anchoring feature. Booster seats are essential for the safety of growing children, especially the stubborn type who think, "boosters are for babies". Thanks to the clek olli booster seat's low profile, customizable colors, and "Comfort-Cube" seat, this particular booster should please even the most independent toddler. Ready to buy a Clek Olli? Please support our sponsor!

	Graco car seats Graco is one of the world's best known and most trusted juvenile products companies. They started the entire juvenile products industry with an invention called the Graco Swyngomatic. Since then they have invented products that have changed the way that parents travel with their children such as the travel system, which has made it so parents can lock an infant car seat into a stroller easily, without waking their sleeping baby. Their Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat is pretty much synonymous with the term “infant car seat” because of its safety and design features coupled with its affordability. Today Graco continues designing and developing top-quality products that inspire parents and keeps children safe. Check out the new Infant Safe Seat Step 1 and Toddler Safe Seat Step 2 for proof of Graco’s continued commitment to child safety. Ready to buy a Graco car seat? Please support our sponsor!

	Sunshine Kids car seats Makers of a number of accessories geared towards making parents lives easier, Sunshine Kids has recently embarked in a new direction. In 2005 they unveiled their first car seat, the Radian. Their years of experience working in children's products focusued on child comfort and parent convenience shine through in this unique convertible car seat. The Radian is packed with safety features and is the first ever folding convertible car seat appealing to parents who car pool or travel often. Ready to buy a Sunshine Kids car seat? Please support our sponsor!

	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.

[CPS-I_Jeff]

Interesting....They should update the owners manuals...especially online. I personally will not install one unless the owners manual that is with the seat is updated. When you do as many as we do in a month...it's a c.y.a. issue.

[MnMadhouse]

I think until either NHTSA jumps them about it or until they run out of their pre-prints, we won't see it in the manuals yet. ITA about the CYA part...that's when I tell the parent, let them contact Graco and make the decision on their own.

	Graco car seats Graco is one of the world's best known and most trusted juvenile products companies. They started the entire juvenile products industry with an invention called the Graco Swyngomatic. Since then they have invented products that have changed the way that parents travel with their children such as the travel system, which has made it so parents can lock an infant car seat into a stroller easily, without waking their sleeping baby. Their Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat is pretty much synonymous with the term “infant car seat” because of its safety and design features coupled with its affordability. Today Graco continues designing and developing top-quality products that inspire parents and keeps children safe. Check out the new Infant Safe Seat Step 1 and Toddler Safe Seat Step 2 for proof of Graco’s continued commitment to child safety. Ready to buy a Graco car seat? Please support our sponsor!