Carseat Comparison (piog)

[mom-lovingit]

I am most familiar with and love Britax, we have a Marathon for dd currently.  We're expecting another in April and I heard about the seats that ERF till 40lbs.  I am debating about which one to get.  Also If anyone knows why Britax doesn't have ERF to 40lbs or if they will be coming out with one, please reply :o) (they told me to call back in Jan for more info)  I should also mention that I will use an infant carrier in the beginning, switching around 6-7mo or so.

Britax Advocate- ERF only to 35lbs, shorter shell so kids sometimes outgrow before weight limit, however it has better side impact protection, tether RFing and FFing, you don't have to re-thread to adjust harness, straps don't tangle easily (and I love the Britax we have)

 

 

Sunshine Kids Radian- ERF to 40lbs, tether RFing and FFing however I really don't know much about it or how comfortable it is.

 

Graco MyRide- Taller, infant insert, comfortable, ERF 40lbs however no tether for RFing, have to re-thread for harness adjust and it's very wide.

[AlyssaRob1416]

Keep in mind that we don't normally have rear facing tethers in the united states. I have not ever seen a vehicle in the US with one, unless this has changed with newer cars.

[butterflyblu]

I think you read that wrong about RFing and tethering.  There is no way you can use a tether if you are RFing.  I checked the info on the Britax and Sunshine Kids Radian and nowhere did it mention tethering for RFing.  It's impossible.  Where you are going to tether it to?  The back of the front seat?  I'd probably go with a Radian.   It has the highest harnessing limit, the tallest shell, and certain models do have infant inserts.   Like this one.

[mom-lovingit]

Britax tether's to a lower anchor on located on the floor of the car- part of the latch system I think.  The firemen (carseat certified) installed it for me and showed me how it worked- we have the Marathon.  Britax and Sunshine are the only ones that have rear-faced tethering that I have found.

 

[tabi_cat1023]

You are correct.  Britax and Radians can be RF tethered....all carseat advocates need to realize this.  If planning to ERF according to all studies the RF tether or the Antirebound bar are the best bets for safety.

I personally prefer the TF, mine does NOt have the ARB but if I bought another I would buy one with one.  It tested better in crash tests than any other seat as far as RFing and FFing.

Britax seats all kinda failed and they have lower RFing heights and weights compared to other lesser expensive and just as quality seats.

Of the 3 I like the radian....they even have one that Rfs to 45lbs if you need it.  It survived a collapse of a parking deck...3 floors on top of it.

Quoting mom-lovingit:

Britax tether's to a lower anchor on located on the floor of the car- part of the latch system I think.  The firemen (carseat certified) installed it for me and showed me how it worked- we have the Marathon.  Britax and Sunshine are the only ones that have rear-faced tethering that I have found.

[mom-lovingit]

Thanks for the advice, bump! :o)

[mom-lovingit]

Bump :o)

[BabyinAug08]

I just ordered a Radian80 and I get it tommorow but I have heard that they are really good seats. I have heard that they can be a difficult install in some vehicles. You should check out car-seat.org to find out more information about which one would have the best fit in your car if you are plannign to ERF.

[reelo]

We have the radian 80 for our youngest and its been a great seat so far.  For us the deciding factor was the fit in our vehicle, I needed it to fit in the center with people on either side, the britax and others couldn't do that.

I love the shorter sides, it makes it much easier to load a RF kiddo into the seat.  Our 2 year old is about 25lbs and in about the 50% for height- he is still on the lowest straps- which is good because we have long skinny kids.  He seems very comfortable in it as well (and his brothers have plenty of room on either side of him.

It does have the safe stop (RF tether) however, as we discovered, most cars don't have the latch there so that was rather a moot point.  Installation was very easy, I can get a good fit in my car, hubby's truck and a friends vehicle.

It folds for easy transport as well and it is still the only seat approved by the FAA as well as car seat safety groups- not that that really matters.

[mommyziegler]

I like the 1st years tru fit and will be getting it for this baby as well! my daughter loves her seat!

[imechard]

I have a Radian and it DOES have a tether for RF. My car has anchors under the floor mat in the back seat. I have the Radian and I really like. It is very narrow and easily fits three car seats across my car. I have not used it for an infant but I know that the weight limit AND the lowest harness slots are good for infants. It is a very heavy seat, but super easy to install. The 80 has the infant insert and so does the newer model. The harness slots are really high and my almost 4 year old who is very tall still fits in it easily. When they get bigger, and you stop RFing it is very easy for the kids to climb in themselves without hurting themselves because it is a low seat.

Quoting butterflyblu:

I think you read that wrong about RFing and tethering.  There is no way you can use a tether if you are RFing.  I checked the info on the Britax and Sunshine Kids Radian and nowhere did it mention tethering for RFing.  It's impossible.  Where you are going to tether it to?  The back of the front seat?  I'd probably go with a Radian.   It has the highest harnessing limit, the tallest shell, and certain models do have infant inserts.   Like this one.