Should I get two more Radians?

[kitty]

My chunky DS is about to grow out of his infant seat already so I need to get serious about getting him a convertible.

DD is currently 3yr 2mos, about 35.5 lbs., and 39 inches.  In my car, she is FF in a Britax Marathon that will expire Feb 2016.  In DH's car, she is in a Sunshine Kids Radian that I think is a 10 yr one so it shouldn't expire until 2021 or so.

My first thought was to get two more Diono Radians.  Then DS would get the Marathon RF in my car (it will expire when he is 26 mos) and DD would be FF in a new Radian.  In DH's car, both kids would be in Radians, one RF and one FF. 

In the back of my mind I'm wondering if I should get something cheaper for DD that would be FF-only.  That being said, we aren't sure about whether we will have another kid so I am trying to set myself up to be able to do 3-across if needed in the future.  Does it sound like the Radians will be my best option?

[mrslisa]

I like the way the Radian fits in my car and it feels less like a carseat to me for the older kids. I bought a new one for DS when he was 4, he is 6 now and still uses it. We have tried lots of carseats and the Radian is hands down my favorite.

[kitty]

Jul 29, 2014 16:25:43 GMT -5 @fivedogs said:

Jul 29, 2014 13:02:36 GMT -5 kitty said:

My chunky DS is about to grow out of his infant seat already so I need to get serious about getting him a convertible.

DD is currently 3yr 2mos, about 35.5 lbs., and 39 inches.  In my car, she is FF in a Britax Marathon that will expire Feb 2016.  In DH's car, she is in a Sunshine Kids Radian that I think is a 10 yr one so it shouldn't expire until 2021 or so.

My first thought was to get two more Diono Radians.  Then DS would get the Marathon RF in my car (it will expire when he is 26 mos) and DD would be FF in a new Radian.  In DH's car, both kids would be in Radians, one RF and one FF. 

In the back of my mind I'm wondering if I should get something cheaper for DD that would be FF-only.  That being said, we aren't sure about whether we will have another kid so I am trying to set myself up to be able to do 3-across if needed in the future.  Does it sound like the Radians will be my best option?

10 years is just for the booster, I think.  8 years for the harness.  (At least for mine, but mine is Diono.)  

This thread has an exhaustive discussion of options:  pandce.proboards.com/thread/352068/recommend-convertible-car-seat  There have been a bunch of other recent threads too.

If you are considering a three-across in a sedan, you will probably either need a Radian or a Harmony Defender (convertible seat).  

Thanks for the link - that's a great thread.  I'm not sure how I missed it.

Can you usually return a car seat that you've opened if it doesn't work in your car?  I am considering buying one Radian and one Defender and seeing which one installs better in my Jetta.  I came across a thread elsewhere in which someone was having problems installing Radian in a Jetta with the seatbelt.  We are using LATCH now but I feel like 40lbs isn't *that* far away so I don't want to invest in a Radian if I can't use it with a seatbelt install.  The Harmony Defender makes me a bit nervous because you aren't allowed to have any overhang and I'm not sure if the Jetta backseat is considered to be shallow or not.

[curbsideprophet]

I would go to the store and try the seats in your car before you buy.

[shellbear09]

kitty yes I returned my opened Nextfit to Target. I would just make sure to buy somewhere that you can return in store. I bought my Radian at Kohls for this reason but I love it. I have it on latch though not sure about a seatbelt install.