Radian and Marathon top slot heights

[ukmum]

I am trying to decide whether to buy the Radian or the Marathon. I would like my son to be able to use the seat ffacing as close to the 65lb weight limit as possible. (I understand the child usually outgrows the seat in height before they reach the upper weight limit)

What is the height of the top slots on the Radian? and on the Marathon?

Is there a difference in the top slot height between the Radian65 and the Radian Premier?

Thanks in advance!!
Meghan

[snowbird25ca]

The Radian and Radian Premier have exactly the same slot heights, and in Canada the exact same weight limit. The advantage to a premier is the insert pillows and slightly more cushy seat padding - and more color choices in the premier. ;)

Marathon has 17" top slots, although many kids outgrow it before their torso reaches 17" just because of the way they sit in it.

The Radian has 18" top slots and the manufacturer allows continued use with the shoulders up to 1" over the top slots. (All other seats are outgrown when the shoulders go over the top slots.)

So the Radian will definitely last longer. Most kids end up fitting the Radian at least a year longer than the MA height wise, some much longer. My dd is now in the top slots on her MA - just above the 2nd to top ones which are @ 15.75", and she's a good 1.5" below the 2nd to top slots on the Radian which are listed at 15". When I measure her torso, it's between 14.5" and 15" - just to give you a comparison.

I think she has around 2.5 to 3 yrs left in the MA, probably 4yrs left in the Radian depending on how she grows...

Hope that helps. :)

[LuvBug03]

the radian has 18" and the marathon 17"
the radian premier has extra padding and different materials for the cover available... it doesnt have taller slots at all.

Id try the radian before I bought it, or buy it somewhere that has a good return policy, because they can be difficult to install in some vehicles... since its such a narrow and low profile seat.

[hipmaman]

The Radian has 18" top slots and the manufacturer allows continued use with the shoulders up to 1" over the top slots. (All other seats are outgrown when the shoulders go over the top slots.)

Just curious if everyone here is comfortable with using the Radian with 1" over the top slots? I personally have issue with risk of spinal compression. I know there have been discussions about this in the past, but what has SK provided that might make everyone comfortable using it that way. Can someone pass along the info from SK or anyone else since I might have missed it?

Thanks.

[CDNTech]

I am totally not good at searching, but I know there was a detailed reply posted on the boards about why it was okay to use 1 inch over the top slots.

My personal feeling is that I'm not going to rush out and buy a new seat just because DS *reaches* the top slots... which is what I've done with every other seat he's been in.

I will use it until he is definitely over the top slots and hopefully he will be at least 40lbs at that point and can go into a booster.

From the explanation posted I was okay with using it up to one inch over the top slots, but in everyday practice, a child that has reached those top slots is most likely heavy enough/mature enough to use a booster.

Maybe someone has that reply bookmarked or can search it out better? :o