Help me make a car seat decision!

[starbuckmom]

I have 19mos twins. Jon is 29lbs and is in a Radian80 (rf weight limit: 35) bought last November. Riley is 31lbs and is in a Marathon with a rf weight limit 33lbs. This MA expires next May. It was previously used by our older ds who is going to turn 5 in less than a month.

I was hoping to last till next Spring and then replace the MA with another seat however, I know we won't last that long.

I have been looking at these car seats:

MA 70
BLVD 70
Radians, all of them
Graco myRide 65

I also would entertain the thought of getting either a MA or BLVD that is on clearance of the older style depending on reviews from anyone who can help!

I like the side impact protection the BLVD has as that would be great for Riley as he is in the outboard position in the van.

My kids are tall for their age. I do not know how tall they are, but they are tall so I would like a seat that would last as long as possible with a tall shell. I will try and get measurements tomorrow both standing and sitting for reference.

Any car seat techs that can help would be great!!!

Thanks!

[TheGirls]

If you are looking for a tall shell, I would go with the Radian or the Complete Air. Unfortunately it doesn't look like Britax increased shell height on their new convertibles, so both the MyRide and the Britax seats are only so-so on shell height for taller kids. Your kids would likely fit in them now but if they are longer in the torso may not last to 40lbs. I know my tall DD wouldn't.

[chickabiddy]

Are the children RFing or FFing?

I would not recommend the new Britax convertibles. They have a short shell and straps and will not last nearly as long RFing or FFing as the other seats.

(TheGirls -- Britax not only did not increase shell height, they actually decreased it!)

[alegna]

Originally Posted by chickabiddy

(TheGirls -- Britax not only did not increase shell height, they actually decreased it!)

ack! Seriously? don't know whether to or

-Angela

[chickabiddy]

Seriously, by nearly an inch.

[TheGirls]

Oh goodness, I didn't realize they had DECREASED it. Wow. I wasn't a huge fan before but was thinking this seat might bring them back "up to date". Apparently not. Well, when the twins-under-construction need convertibles, I guess that just helps narrow down the options.

[an_aurora]

What is the DOM of your Radian80. They upped the weight limit to 40 lbs and made it retroactive to a certain DOM.

[Eresh]

Is your 5 yo perhaps about to outgrow a convertible that you want to hand down again? Just thought I'd ask since that's what we're doing when our Marathon expires next June. At that point we'll be looking for a seat to take DS into boosterhood. He's also very tall and skinny, so I'm thinking about height limits as well. He's currently approx 38" tall and 28 lbs at just over 2.5 yrs. I was eyeing the Graco Nautilus but it's hard for me to tell if height is going to be an issue before he's ready to move into a backless booster.

I just bought a Boulevard 65 TSIP old model on clearance so our current setup is a Safety 1st Alpha Omega and the new Boulevard for DS and the Marathon that's going to expire next year and a First Years True Fit(?) for the baby. Then next year I'll probably pass the Boulevard down to the baby and get DS a new seat.

[starbuckmom]

Originally Posted by chickabiddy 

Are the children RFing or FFing?

I would not recommend the new Britax convertibles. They have a short shell and straps and will not last nearly as long RFing or FFing as the other seats.

(TheGirls -- Britax not only did not increase shell height, they actually decreased it!)

They are rear facing and they turn 2 in a week.  I want to keep them rear facing as long as I can.

Originally Posted by an_aurora 

What is the DOM of your Radian80. They upped the weight limit to 40 lbs and made it retroactive to a certain DOM.

This is news to me!  Very good news.  I am not sure of the date.  I will have to go look.  The DOM is 7/09.  What is the DOM retroactive to?

I have decided against the BLVD and am seriously looking at the MyRide 65 or the Complete Air. I am taking Riley who will be riding in the seat I choose, to BRU tomorrow and see what seat I like best.  This is huge for me to get away from the Britax line of seats. 
 

[starbuckmom]

Originally Posted by Eresh 

Is your 5 yo perhaps about to outgrow a convertible that you want to hand down again? Just thought I'd ask since that's what we're doing when our Marathon expires next June. At that point we'll be looking for a seat to take DS into boosterhood. He's also very tall and skinny, so I'm thinking about height limits as well. He's currently approx 38" tall and 28 lbs at just over 2.5 yrs. I was eyeing the Graco Nautilus but it's hard for me to tell if height is going to be an issue before he's ready to move into a backless booster.

I just bought a Boulevard 65 TSIP old model on clearance so our current setup is a Safety 1st Alpha Omega and the new Boulevard for DS and the Marathon that's going to expire next year and a First Years True Fit(?) for the baby. Then next year I'll probably pass the Boulevard down to the baby and get DS a new seat.

Actually, my 5 yr old was in the MA that is set to expire in May.  When we bought the Radian we handed down the MA to one of the twins and our 5 yr old is in a Regent.  We bought the Regent when we bought the twins their infant seats, November 08.

[an_aurora]

The info on the Radian weight limits:

All Radians with DOM of 12/07 and earlier RF to 33lbs.
Radians with DOM of 1/08 - 8/08 are stickered to 33lbs, but SKJP says they are 35lbs, as well as the manual.
Radians after 9/08 RF to 40lbs

So it looks like yours does RF to 40 lbs :)

[starbuckmom]

Originally Posted by an_aurora 

The info on the Radian weight limits:

All Radians with DOM of 12/07 and earlier RF to 33lbs.
Radians with DOM of 1/08 - 8/08 are stickered to 33lbs, but SKJP says they are 35lbs, as well as the manual.
Radians after 9/08 RF to 40lbs

So it looks like yours does RF to 40 lbs :)

The DOM on the seat says 7/08.  We bought it in November of 08 so ours doesn't go to 40lbs unfortunately.