Radian 80sl vs. Radian XTSL

[JudiAU]

Happily, I was able to shift our Radian into our nanny's Ford Focus car and it fit rear-facing. Thank you thank you to whomever confirmed that it would work. My husband didn't believe it but it did. Weirdly, it fit even better than our Prius and because it is so narrow, gives her daughter enough space to continue using a high back booster.

I have a replacement Radian XTSL on order because it appears to be the newer model. Is there any reason why I should choose the 80SL over the newer model?

[mama2soren]

The XTSL and the 80SL are identical except that the XTSL has headwings, which may or may not offer an additional amount of side impact protection.  Neither is a newer model than the other.  Some people prefer the 80SL, as they feel that the headwings get in their way when getting their kid in and out, or a taller child is annoyed by the headwings.  We have an XTSL, and the headwings have never bothered me or my son.  The headwings are too tall to be useful until a child is at least 2 or 3.  My 3 year old is just now tall enough for them to be near the level of his head!  They don't seem to restrict his vision, as he tells me about anything and everything he sees outside as we're driving.  

Either seat is a good choice.  Extended RF is the best side impact protection.  Since both RF until 45 pounds, both offer excellent SIP, wings or no.

[SynEpona]

My decision between the two was based solely on a sale price & the fact that the girly cover on the XTSL wasn't PINK! The weight/height limits etc. are all the same, it's just the added wings. I've got the seat installed, and baby girl is not here yet to ride in it, but I can see that the wings could be annoying for getting a tall & young non-walking child in & out. However, the super low profile of the seat portion has always meant that my son has no issue climbing into the seat himself, I haven't had to lift him in & out since he was quite young (18-24mth?). I don't think they'd be more than a minor annoyance though for that, and if DS's seat now had them, I think he'd find them useful, as he does still occasionally nap in the car on long drives.