broken chest clip on radian 65. can i still use it while waiting for new part?

[galincognito]

i think the title pretty much says it all.  the bottom prong on the chest clip broke this morning.  i know i can order the part from sunshine kids but in the meantime, can i use the seat?  it doesn't seem very safe to me.  ugh; this is so stressful right now!  if i can't use the seat, i guess we aren't going anywhere since i won't have another seat option for dd2.

[nutritionistmom]

You can call SKJP to double check, but I'm pretty sure they'll tell you to use it without the clip. Just make sure your straps are nice and tight like you would anyway. I personally wouldn't worry about it...much. It won't take them long to get a new one out to you.

[pixiekisses]

No car seat here has those clips. And I'm in Norway, you may know that Norway and Sweden is the leading countries (world wide) in car seat safety for kids. (For ex., we RF our kids until they're 4-5-6 yo.)

So yeah, I'd use it without the clip, no doubt.

(I have to just state too, that I have no idea about insurance stuff here. If you were to end up in an accident without it.)

[chickabiddy]

Scandinavian seats are built differently, though -- they're not meant to have chest clips.

I would probably be okay using a Radian without the clip temporarily: make sure the straps are very snug.  But that seat is meant to have a clip and just because others aren't doesn't mean it shouldn't.

[pixiekisses]

@chickabiddy, what's the difference that requires that clip? The straps must be wider apart on the seat then? I don't see it when I look at pictures of car seats here and there.

(And I didn't mean you shouldn't use it when it comes with the seat btw, just to be clear.)

[chickabiddy]

Generally (I'm sure there are exceptions), European seats have closer-set straps and longer shoulder pads made out of "grippy" fabric that helps the straps stay in position.  On American seats, the chest clip is mainly a positioning device.

[pixiekisses]

Interesting, thanks!

Makes me wonder why they don't make the straps closer together on US seats though. I've always thought that thing looks very uncomfy.

(They suggest the clip thing here if you have a kid that manages to get out of the straps. But honestly, with the straps tight enough, I don't see how a kid could possibly do that, because they aren't very far apart.)

[galincognito]

thanks ladies!  when i had posted, i was waiting for sunshine kids to open.  they're sending me a new chest clip and said that the seat is fine to use in the meantime since the clip is a positioning device rather than a safety feature.  either way, thanks for the help and i'm glad a new one is on the way!

[justmama]

we had that problem with our radian 65 quite recently only it was the top prong.  I had another car seat option so I utilitzed that instead but it was a pain moving carseats in and out constantly to share with the kids' dad.  i'm glad you have a replacement part coming quickly.  Got mine off Amazon in 3days flat.