Car seat help

[Mom2twins]

Hi,

I'm in Ottawa ON and have twin boys who are 23 months. They weigh between 32 and 34 pounds and if I measured right the taller one has a torso of 13 inches. We currently have the boys in Eddie Bauer Alpha Omega 3 in 1 car seats which we are going to try in our new Mazda 5 GT. Our other car is a 2002 Impala. Both cars can use the latch system. What would be a good second car seat for the boys? I see that the Radian is popular but I was hoping to pay closer to $100 per car seat and we don't need the rearfacing capability so it seem a waste to buy the Radian. Thanks for your help!

Stephanie

[CDNTech]

Be prepared for your boys to outgrow their current seats within the next year or so... they have very short top harness slots and are generally outgrown in height by 3 years old. The top most setting can NOT be used with the harness, it is for booster mode only... just some fyi's for you. ;)

The following are all combo seats with nice tall top slots that will allow your child to get to a good booster age before outgrowing the harness by height...

Evenflo Bolero/Generations... harnesses to 47lbs, then makes a decent booster... starting at $130 (Walmart, ToysRUs, Sears)

Evenflo Visions/Chase/Traditions... harnesses to 47lbs, then makes an okay booster... starting at $110 (Zellers?, Walmart, ToysRUs, Sears)

Cosco/Safety 1st Apex... harnesses to 48lbs, then makes a decent booster... This one *requires* headrest support from the vehicle so make sure that the headrests adjust high enough to be behind the restraint at all times.

Edited to add: The Radian has the tallest top slots out of all the seats in Canada and also comes with a 65lbs weight limit. It will get most kids to age 6 or 7... that might help you with the cost of the seat.

The other seats mentioned will get you to age 5 harnessed and another year or so in booster mode. You will still need another booster down the road as no combo seat has a high enough seatback to get kids to just seatbelt age (10 - 12 years old).

[Mom2twins]

OK so where do I find the Radian? I see that the Canadian Tire one is not the new version that goes up to 65 pounds.

Thanks for the other info I will look into some of these car seats.

Steph

[mommy_quigg]

The Apex is also now available with a 65 lb limit.

[CDNTech]

The Radian can be found at Baby Boutique stores...

I'm not positive which ones you have out there, but both Babyproofingplus and tummiestotots are online stores that have the Radian. Tummies to tots has free shipping.

And yes, the Apex is starting to show up at Toys R Us with the 65lbs limit.

[snowbird25ca]

And yes, the Apex is starting to show up at Toys R Us with the 65lbs limit.

:yeahthat: The one closest to me had it when I was there Friday night. They're priced at $160 IIRC. (Can't remember for sure if it was 160 or 180, but I think it was 160)