Car seats

[Thirteen]

Can they go rear facing safely in the Radian right from the Snugride/other infant car seat? I'd prefer that too (we've done the Graco to Britax marathon to Radian transition too) for price but I will say it seems that there's a huge difference (at least visually) in how much the Britaxes cradle them and wrap around them from the Radian. I feel like the Radian is basically just a booster with the back...

I didn't purchase the Radian for DS2, only because it is so tall when rear facing, I wouldn't be able to safely drive the car.

It does come with an infant insert, but it doesn't seem to cradle baby like the Britax does.


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[SoonerTexan]

What do you hate about your Graco carrier? I really dislike our Graco Snugride, but I can't put my finger on what exactly is wrong with it. I just know I don't like it, and I can't wait until we can switch to a convertible.

This exactly.

[SoonerTexan]

T&S I think so. I'm with you on the cradling part though.

Part of the problems is my kids get so big so fast. There's a good chance BabyJ will be too tall for the britax before we have another kid to use it

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

I've resigned myself though that each child will eventually have their own Radian so that's the only seat I'm buying from now on.

[scrub-jay]

Can they go rear facing safely in the Radian right from the Snugride/other infant car seat? I'd prefer that too (we've done the Graco to Britax marathon to Radian transition too) for price but I will say it seems that there's a huge difference (at least visually) in how much the Britaxes cradle them and wrap around them from the Radian. I feel like the Radian is basically just a booster with the back...

DD did this, no problem. The radian is very high and does take up more space than the marathon RF.

[SoonerTexan]

I've resigned myself though that each child will eventually have their own Radian so that's the only seat I'm buying from now on.

Amen

[OrionGrad]

Sorry to backtrack here, but I'm confused. Is the Radian another convertible? Why would you go from convertible to convertible? Why not just go from convertible to booster (eventually)?

[spotty_dog]

Sorry to backtrack here, but I'm confused. Is the Radian another convertible? Why would you go from convertible to convertible? Why not just go from convertible to booster (eventually)?

I think the Radian is popular because it's skinny and tall and has a high weight limit. So if your kids are tall or hefty or if you plan to have several kids in short order so you'll need to fit three car seats across, the Radian will keep them harnessed longer. Since a 5-point harness is the safest way for kids to ride if they aren't mature enough for a shoulder belt, it can be worthwhile to find a seat that fits.

My very average height/weight kids work fine going from infant seat -> Marathon -> booster though. Both had Snugrides until they could sit and wanted a more upright position, then RF Marathons until about age 2, then DS finally left his Marathon at about age 6.5 (he may have slightly outgrown by height, oops) and DD is still in hers at age 5.5 (shoulders are right at the top slots, I hope for her to get to age 6 though she does already sit well in a high-back booster.)

Another option people choose, rather than getting a second convertible if their child outgrows the first one, is to get a combination seat (FF harness to booster.)

[Thirteen]

Sorry to backtrack here, but I'm confused. Is the Radian another convertible? Why would you go from convertible to convertible? Why not just go from convertible to booster (eventually)?

Outgrowing the height limit is our issue.
DS1 is tall at age 3.


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[peggyfromwastate]

Lol I'm trying to talk my 6 year old out of her Britax and into a booster. I said, "won't you be more comfortable with the buckle on the side?" She said, "I like to try to get out of this seat. It's tricky!"

Ha.

Well she's getting too tall, so I think the britax's days are numbered.

[migirl]

I think the Radian is popular because it's skinny and tall and has a high weight limit. So if your kids are tall or hefty or if you plan to have several kids in short order so you'll need to fit three car seats across, the Radian will keep them harnessed longer.

Yep, we have Radians just so we can fit three across. Before that we had Marathons, but I think if I were going to do it again I'd go straight to the Radians too.

[MsSassyBaskets]

Help! What convertible car seat should I get? I think we're going to go with one infant seat and one convertible to start out with. Since we're having a winter baby in a cold climate we want the infant seat in the car we use more often, to be able to take it inside instead of having it sit in a cold car. Infant seat will probably be the Britax B-Safe. The convertible will go in the secondary car. I was thinking about the Roundabout for the convertible, but it seems it has just been discontinued!? Everybody seems to go with the Marathon... anything else I should consider? I really don't want to spend a fortune, the Marathon is pricey enough...

[Thirteen]

Car seats

For ease of use: a Britax convertible (I prefer the boulevard).
For longevity: a Diono Radian RXT


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[MsSassyBaskets]

For ease of use: a Britax convertible (I prefer the boulevard).
For longevity: a Diono Radian RXT

Thanks! Reasons for the Boulevard over Marathon? FWIW this will be going in an '03 Forester and I know absolutely nothing about installation. We will also replace the infant seat with a second convertible once she gets a bit bigger, so we could always step up to the Radian at that point... The Radian just seems so enormous, is it really good for any size? It obviously gets great reviews, it's just hard to believe! Any downsides?

[alotofyarn]

I think the Boulevard may have better side impact protection, but I'm sure they're both good. I liked the Laguna color option in the Boulevard. See if you can find a local police or fire station to install them.