Help me choose a convertible please

[SamiPolizzi]

I have my second baby on the way and I don't want to waste money on a infant seat. My DS (who will be 4 in March) is in a radian, which I love, but I've heard they don't work well for newborns. I also want something that will be easy to fly with since we'll be flying to visit family a couple times a year. I'd like it to have a high rear facing limit, but I guess it's possible that DS1 will be out of his radian by the time DS2 outgrows a seat with a lower rear facing limit... ?

Suggestions? 

[BeagleMommy]

I have two Radians for my kids in my mother's van (Thanks, Mom!). I love them and am planning on getting one for the baby I am having in May to use from day one.

I'll never do a baby bucket again after my experience with the Graco Snugride with my daughter. Heavy, expensive (since she could only use it 6 months and she cried continuously in that seat), and bulky.

[DahliaRW]

Radians are great, but they must be at 45 degrees for a newborn and that can take up a TON of room front to back.  So make sure it will work in your car.  You could also look at the True Fit or Graco MyRide to use from birth, they along with the radian fit newborns well.

As for travel, the radian does fold flat, but it is HEAVY.  I highly recommend picking up a cosco scenera for travel (very light weight, wont' last as long as the other seats, but it also is only about $60).  We used a scenera for travel for all 3 of my kids when they were younger and it was so much easier to lug through the airport then our radian.