If there were no limitations, which conv. car seat which you buy?

[ellairiesmom]

Need to start thinking about a convertible seat for DD2.  It seems from reading here & car-seat.org, it comes down to being properly installed, properly used & rear facing as long as possible.

My kids run small.  And definitely on the shorter side.  So I don't have to worry about outgrowing limits as soon as most people.  Our car is a Prius that already has a BLVD for DD1, but anticipate trading that in for a Used Sienna or Odyssey in the next 6-12 months or so.  

All this being said, if you could go with any conv seat, which one would it be & why?  Ease of install?  More side impact protection?  Extra features like a storage pocket for books or a cup?  (I am looking for things to consider besides rear facing weight values since I can keep my kids rear facing forever)

We are asking family for gift cards for her 1st bday in a couple weeks so we can get the carseat.  I keep going back & forth between another BLVD because it just seems so solid & we have never had any complaints out of DD1 in hers.  I am wary of the Radians because of the nightmare install stories I hear but you never know till you try I guess.  

Talk to me...give me some feedback.  

THANKS!!!!

[leighi123]

I love my Radian, I bought 2.   

I chose it because:

-heighest rearfacing limit (my kid is tiny 25lbs at 3.5yrs old, and short!)

- easy to use on the plane

- folds for travel/storage (one seat is a backup and often lives in the closet)

- headwings for SIP

- easy to use

- easy to install (in all but 1 car that I've installed it in, I've had no problems)

- longer expiration date

- low profile, so we can fit 2 more adults in the back seat when needed.  

-ds likes it.

We had a TrueFit before this and I liked it because:

- easy to install

- easy to buckle him in (b/c of the continuous harness)

- super comfy

-no rethread harness

- can wash cover without uninstalling the seat.

-headrest can stay off for a while

Disadvantages was its a little bigger for traveling, and wider to sit next to.  The lock-offs were a little tricky in some cars but not to big of a deal.  It also only RF to 35lbs

Those would be my top picks. 

[Lisa1970]

I had no financial limitations but still ended up with the Evenflo Triumph.

[Jenne]

We had no financial restrictions and no space restrictions (we just bought a Sienna ) and I narrowed it down to Britax or the Radian. DH chose the the newest Britax Advocate. It has been a breeze to install and appears that it could be dropped out of a plane and be fine (it is the one with the side impact cushions). I know that isn't a popular one here as it is probably overpriced (how much can extra plastic really cost, you know?) and awfully wide but it is what we chose.

Good luck!
Jenne

[ellairiesmom]

Originally Posted by leighi123 

I love my Radian, I bought 2.   

- easy to install (in all but 1 car that I've installed it in, I've had no problems)

hey leighi123-

i'm curious which was the 1 you found it harder to install in???

like i said, we are so happy with our britax but a lower price & a little more room are both nice.  we'll probably get enough to cover a britax but times are rough so extra credit/gift cards anywhere are a plus.  i think buy buy baby carries the radians so we could try an install & see how it goes??  

Thx for everyone's feedback!!!  

[mama2soren]

The Radian is notorious for being difficult or even impossible to install in the Sienna captain's chairs.  If you are thinking of getting a Sienna, I'd choose a different seat.

What about a Complete Air 65?  They are easy to install in most cars.  They have lots of cute girly covers now.  They are actually a bit taller than the Radian, but fit better in many cars because they're so much easier to install at a more upright angle.  I know your girls aren't tall, but having a tall shell like the Complete Air will ensure that they will make it to boostering age before outgrowing their car seat by height.  Many kids, even average sized ones, outgrow Britax seats before they're old enough for full-time boostering (5-6 years of age, depending on maturity)  The Complete Airs also offer more legroom than Britax, which is a plus when you know you want to keep DD's RF through the toddler years.  The harness height adjusts quickly without the harness straps needing to be re-threaded.  They're lightweight and relatively narrow, which is a plus for traveling.

It's difficult to measure side impact protection.  There is no official way to "score" it.  That being said, the Complete Airs have head wings, like the Radian XT.  The best side impact protection is sitting RF.  Having a tall seat with a high RF weight limit like the CA (RF to 40 pounds, FF to 65) ensures that your girls can stay RF (and, thus, have the best side impact protection) until 4+ years old!

[ellairiesmom]

Stinks it's the Sienna that it is difficult in & we could end up with one...grrrrr.  I have heard good things about the Complete Air & it was also suggested to me as a 2nd seat for in my "rarely used with the kids" Jeep Wrangler.  

Thx!

[MJB]

I have a Radian and a Complete Air. Those were the only two I considered when buying the CA because I had to fit 3 across (although we bought a new car like 2 mos. later). I am glad I chose the Complete Air because it can be more upright and takes up less room front to back. Plus, I really like the brown and pink cover on ours. I'm not sure if it is as safe as the Radian (which has a RFing tether, metal frame and EPS foam all over) but the headwings seem to offer a lot of head protection. Also, the no-rethread harness is a really big convenience factor.

The straps are a little twisty but I can deal with that. We could have afforded a Radian but we aren't rolling in cash so the fact that it cost half as much made it a no brainer. 

The other seat I would consider is the MyRide65. I didn't get one because I had to do 3-across, but I looked at it in the store and it seemed really sturdy. It won't last as long as the CA or Radian but I don't care to harness 6+ yr. olds. It would have lasted my kids RFing to 40 lbs. which is my main concern, and would take up less room RFing than the others. It seems more cushy than the CA or Radian. For small kids it seems like a great seat.

[DahliaRW]

I can attest that the CA and MR65 install very well in the Sienna.  The radian has a lot of issues in the captain's chairs.  I LOVE both my CA and MR.  And the MR will last as long as Britax for a whole lot less cost!