[Chamsia]

They are the least toxic kind out there (fumes etc), and the ONLY company that doesn't manufacture ANY carseats with toxic fume-emitting materials.

I take great pride in having used all hand-me-down carseats so far (for my 30 pond tot). These have me tempted to buy...but I don't know anyone who actually has used one.

Thanks!

Looking especially for folks who have used the Monterey Booster...

 

[Smithie]

Lots of mamas here use them! My dd (3) has the Radian 65, and we love it.

I have to tell you, though, when I strap my kids in the car, toxic fumes are NOT at the top of my worry list. Of course, we have no particular chemical sensitivities...

 

[the_lissa]

We use Radians, and we love them. I didn't even know about the lack of toxic materials.

 

[BathrobeGoddess]

I have 2 radians...I like that they fit in the car and RF tether...They are very heavy. They have a high harness weight. With your 30lb toddler, you would still have a lot of time to RF since it has a 35 lb RF weight limit on the newer ones...

You are making sure you "hand me down" car seats are not expired right? And that you know the source well?

 

[zoebugsmom]

My older 2 are in Radian 65s. We really like them.

 

[octobermom]

We did I just a few months ago moved my 6.5 year old from the radian to a regular booster full time. LOVED the radian would do it again in a heart beat.

Deanna

 

[amj'smommy]

nak.... my 4 1/2 yr old and my 2yr old are in R65's... I LOVE them!!! i didn't realize about the toxic fume stuff though but I guess i made a good choice

we bought them mainly because we needed to fit 3 carseats and a booster in our van but i have been pleased with them ... other than being HEAVY but they don't move from car to car so that's not an issue for us.

 

[DahliaRW]

Yup, love my radian. Only reason I won't buy another is that we're getting a Sienna and I've heard that seatbelt installs (which you have to do after 48lbs) are next to impossible with siennas.

 

[Chamsia]

Thanks Mamas!

I am thinking of a Monterey--has anyone used those?

Thanks for your concern, Bathrobe Goddess! The seats were from my cousin so I knew they hadn't been in an accident and what not.

Of course one is concerned about accidents. But the toxic materials thing is important, too, and so under reported. It really angers me that every single manufacturer of carseats except SK uses formaldehyde (however it's spelled) and all sorts of other TOXIC substances. I really think they should be taken to court for it. So if I'm going to buy one at all (which I especially hate to do since they're all foam and plastic) I certainly don't want to encourage the Graco/Evenflo/Britax people to keep on doing what they're doing. (These brands make SOME non-toxic models. For heaven's sake, why not all?!?!)
http://www.healthycar.org/home.php

 

[DevaMajka]

I LOVE my Radian. It's been my favorite seat out of all the ones I've had - Evenflo Triumph (not the Advance), Evenflo Generations, and Nautilus. It's really sturdy, and ds finds it quite comfortable, even for long drives.

 

[ChaoticMum]

We're looking at the Monterey for our kids too - our daughter is in a Britax Parkway (dscontinued) and I don't like it as the foam in the headrest broke twice. The boys are going to be in boosters likely next winter so we'll get all three Montereys...

 

[an_aurora]

The Monterrey is great but not at all appropriate for a 30 pound child. The Radian is a great seat, though. How old is your child?

 

[TEAK's Mom]

My 57 pound seven year old is in a Monterey and it's a really great seat. She's tall with a really long torso and still has lots of room to use it with the back (unlike most other boosters, even the Britax). If my 4.5 year old outgrows the Regent before dd1 is out of the Monterey (not sure how likely that is), I would happily buy another one.

 

[Mymble]

I adore our Radian 80!! Their customer service is fantastic as well.

 

[KayleeZoo]

We love our Radians and our Monterey. I would not put a 30lb child in the Monterey, though. It doesn't fit very small kids well at all. My 33lb 6yo technically fits well in the Parkway, but the Monterey isn't a good fit for her. (She doesn't ride in a booster yet, because of weight, but I've tried her in both of her sister's boosters)

 

[PGTlatte]

We have a Radian 80 in our 2005 Sienna with the seatbelt - no problems at all. Very easy. What were the reasons you had heard they were hard ?

I'm wondering if that's to install them in the rear seat ? Our Radian is installed in the 2nd row and it was really easy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DahliaRW Yup, love my radian. Only reason I won't buy another is that we're getting a Sienna and I've heard that seatbelt installs (which you have to do after 48lbs) are next to impossible with siennas.

 

[DahliaRW]

Quote:

Originally Posted by llp34 We have a Radian 80 in our 2005 Sienna with the seatbelt - no problems at all. Very easy. What were the reasons you had heard they were hard ? I'm wondering if that's to install them in the rear seat ? Our Radian is installed in the 2nd row and it was really easy.

Just heard from others. Fortunately I already have a radian, so I can try it out when we get our van before deciding what to get for our next one. I was going to get a TF, but with the new one delayed I don't think it'll be out in time. And with the graco 40lb seat being a waste, I'm seriously considering the Radian XT. My sister pointed out that my oldest wouldn't make it to 48lbs (latch limit) in the radian anyways.

 

[Chamsia]

Thanks everyone! My 30-lb-nearly-3-year-old is in a toddler seat that goes to 40#. But it's old and yucky so I thought I'd now move her into a seat, like Monterey, for 30-whenever. How long do they need to be in these things anyway? (Please forgive my ignorance, she's my first.)

So even though the Monterey is technically for 30#+ it's not good for a 30-pounder? At what weight is it good? The Radian goes to 65 pounds. Do they need another seat after that, or just a little booster underneath?

Again, forgive my ignorance please. I'm learning as I go along!

Thanks again mamas!!!

 

[octobermom]

The older radians (which we have) go till 65lbs the newer ones go till 80lbs not sure if the 65 are still being sold.

Deanna

 

[KayleeZoo]

There are 3 models of Radians- the 65, the 80 and the XT. The 65 harnesses to 35 RF, 65 FF and has no extra pads. The 80 harnesses to 35 RF, 80 FF, and comes with 2 infant/comfort inserts. The XT harnesses to 35 RF, 80 FF, and has comfort foam in the seat of the restraint- plus it has side impact wings that move up and down. All 3 are still currently in production.

The Monterey is a belt positioning booster- it's really best for kids over 40 lbs, and most techs will say that they are not comfortable recommending boosters to kids under 5 for full-time use. At her age and weight, your DD would really benefit from being harnessed a good deal longer. She will need a booster when she outgrows a harnessed seat, but you have several years before you need to think about boosters