Need an ERF option instead of Radian.

[JudiAU]

I need a rear facing car seat for my MIL's car. We have a Radian in our Prius and while I like it DH thinks it is a pain to install. She has a big Jeep thing and I know the rf'ing is an issue for her but that is non-negotiable. The shell on the Radian is big and I know DH would prefer if you we could find something that "took up less room." Also, cheaper.

So, can someone suggest a super safe, easily installed, cheaper than a Radian, car seat that "takes up less room" because of the shell angle, that will also allow DS to be rear-facing for as long as possible.

She travel a lot and for some reason doesn't like the leave the car seats in her car when she travels. So I think DH has to haul hem four flights of stairs ever time she leaves town. And hopefully she won't be driving DS very often anyway so maybe he thinks that this one will be installed less often.

She is 18m, 25 pounds, and 33 inches. She is a little off her growth curve right now but I expect her to be tall.

[TheGirls]

We just got 2 Safety 1st Complete Airs.   We paid $140 with the BRU trade in thingie.  The seat is taller than the Radian, MUCH lighter weight, installs very upright, and has a 40lb RF limit.  Since we seem to grow tall & skinny children, I expect it to last a looong time RF, and I think it would keep all but the very tallest kids harnessed until booster age, so it should be the last harnessed seats we need to buy.  DD is 33lb/38" and has lots of room still.  The install isn't too bad, other than the seat cover gets in the way so you may need to move it if you do a seatbelt install.   From what I've heard, definitely easier than the Radian. 

For travel/other cars we have a cosco scenera, which cost $50, RF to 40lbs, but has a fairly short shell.  It's been a great seat for us, but DD has outgrown it RF and is right AT the FF limit, both by height.  However, she's very tall, long torsoed, and 2.5, and the seat is so inexpensive that many find it worthwhile.  It also installs VERY upright and weighs practically nothing.

So it depends on how much you want to spend and how long you want it to last! 

[an_aurora]

The tallest shell is the Complete Air, and then the Evenflo seats, Britaxes, Graco My Ride and Scenera.

[Eresh]

You can get a Scenera for $40 with Walmart's ship to store.  It doesn't have padding and other creature comforts but it is extremely light.  So it might be ideal for your current situation with a plan to go to something else when she outgrows it in a few years.  One negative is some people have problems getting good installs.

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by an_aurora 

The tallest shell is the Complete Air, and then the Evenflo seats, Britaxes, Graco My Ride and Scenera.

The True Fit should be on that list somewhere, although it is neither compact nor cheap, it has one of the tallest shells.

[DahliaRW]

Originally Posted by cristeen 

Originally Posted by an_aurora 

The tallest shell is the Complete Air, and then the Evenflo seats, Britaxes, Graco My Ride and Scenera.

The True Fit should be on that list somewhere, although it is neither compact nor cheap, it has one of the tallest shells.

 The true fit is right behind the Complete Air in rfing height.  But it only has a 35lb rfing limit, as opposed to the CA, MR,  and Britaxes (and I think Evenflo's) 40lb rfing limit.

[tabrizia]

Originally Posted by Eresh 

You can get a Scenera for $40 with Walmart's ship to store.  It doesn't have padding and other creature comforts but it is extremely light.  So it might be ideal for your current situation with a plan to go to something else when she outgrows it in a few years.  One negative is some people have problems getting good installs.

If you do go with a Scenera, check it out before buying it.  It is a great backup seat, though it can be a huge pain to install rear-facing.  That being said, if the child has a large torso they may already be close to outgrowing it rear-facing.  DS has outgrown ours rear-facing at 23 months and forward facing at 2 1/2, so while it was a great price and great back up seat, it did not last anywhere near as long as would have been nice.  That being said, DD is tiny and likely won't outgrow it rear-facing till 4+, so it really depends on the child.  Since the OP mentioned her child was tall however, it is something I would check out though.

[an_aurora]

I left it off the list intentionally, as she mentioned wanting to RF as long as possible, and I listed only 40+ limit seats.  
 

Originally Posted by cristeen 

Originally Posted by an_aurora 

The tallest shell is the Complete Air, and then the Evenflo seats, Britaxes, Graco My Ride and Scenera.

The True Fit should be on that list somewhere, although it is neither compact nor cheap, it has one of the tallest shells.