Need some help. Booster with xy harness or Radian

[etoilech]

The title pretty much says it. My son is 16 ish kg (about 35 pounds) and 100cm (I think 3 feet two inches) and 4.5 years old. We are having a third child. We have a Volvo V70 and we are getting a BMW 3 series wagon (fantastic mileage). We cannot have two big cars gas is just too expensive (we live in Switzerland). For car seats we currently have 2 Britax Marathons (where my son is) one Britax Roundabout (for my daughter) and one Maxi-Cosi Tobi (for my daughter). We also have the Maxi-Cosi Cabrio Fix for the baby. We are tight on room in the BMW. I was wondering if I put my son in the Maxi-Cosi ROdi and order the X-Y harness if this would be a safe solution for him? Or should I order the Sunshine Radian instead for my son. My issue is I have never seen a Radian in person. I have no idea on the install. Also am I crazy or does the head impact protection on the radian look skimpy? I have only ever seen pics so maybe someone can clear this up? I know the Maxi-Cosi Rodi has really good side impact head protection, I am wondering of the quality of the 5 point harness from XY...

Thanks in advance.

[Defrost]

When you say "xy" harness are you referring to the 86Y harness from EZ-On?

[etoilech]

When you say "xy" harness are you referring to the 86Y harness from EZ-On?

Yeah, sorry that's what I am talking.

[Defrost]

Okay, just checking. :)

I'm not familiar with your vehicle, but I think you'll be happier with the Radian. The 86Y is a great product for certain situations, but any time you can use a harnessed carseat instead, that's more ideal. The Radian squeezes in great between two Marathons.

First off, the 86Y still uses the vehicle seat belt, which means that just like any other booster, you're going to be shoving your hand in between the booster and the carseat next to it to get it buckled.

Also, the 86Y is a 4-point harness, so any 5-point harness will provide more protection.

[etoilech]

First off, the 86Y still uses the vehicle seat belt, which means that just like any other booster, you're going to be shoving your hand in between the booster and the carseat next to it to get it buckled.

Also, the 86Y is a 4-point harness, so any 5-point harness will provide more protection.

This is a really good point. I didn't think of needing to buckle it and needing to reach between the seats. Argh, that would be a pain in the bum. Also about the 4 point harness vs the 5 point. I am just a little nervous since we don't have the Sunshine Radian here to test out, I'd have to have my mum ship it from the the USA and then try to install it in our car.

I just know my son is NOT ready for a booster alone. He has cerebral palsy (quite mild) and still needs the support of a harness, plus he's just too little. I am really irritated that there are NO harnessed seats I can find here after 18 kg (40 lbs). Boo. Hiss.

So our install will look like this Maxi-Cabrio Fix installed with ISOFIX Easybase, Maxi-Cosi Tobi installed in the center position with three point seat belt, Sunshine Radian install either with the ISOFIX system or seat belt. Does the Radian have seat belt lock offs? Because our cars here do not have those locking belts you guys have in America.

The back seat of the BMW is 56 inches across from door to door (seat space)... I measured. The Maxi-Cosi Tobi is 17 inches, the Maxi-Cosi Cabrio is 17 inches and supposedly the Radian is 17 inches so I SHOULD be good on space. This is nerve wracking. :dizzy:

[safeinthecar]

If you are allowed to import from the USA, does that mean you can import from Sweden too? If so you may want to look into a Swedish seat that is rear-facing to 50# for your little guy. That would be much more ideal for a child with CP.

[etoilech]

If you are allowed to import from the USA, does that mean you can import from Sweden too? If so you may want to look into a Swedish seat that is rear-facing to 50# for your little guy. That would be much more ideal for a child with CP.

I will also be looking at car seats in Sweden this summer too. We're going up for a visit, my friend up there is a bit of a car seat enthusiast so she has several seats for us to try. As for importing, last time I checked at the TCS (Touring Club Switzerland, which are the one who are the authority on car seats here) car seats must meet or exceed Swiss regulations. When I checked US seats do and when we checked for my Swedish friend (who was moving here) they also did. Before anyone says anything about "CE" standards remember Switzerland is NOT part of the EU and does it's own thing with a lot of stuff... including car seats.

In any case, harnessed is better for my son. I'll take the risk of a ticket and if necessary fight it. ;)

My only worry will be what he will think of being rear facing again...:D

[Defrost]

Does the Radian have seat belt lock offs? Because our cars here do not have those locking belts you guys have in America.

No, it doesn't have lock-offs. It does come with a locking clip, though, so you'll have to use that since your seat belts don't lock.

[/quote]The back seat of the BMW is 56 inches across from door to door (seat space)... I measured. The Maxi-Cosi Tobi is 17 inches, the Maxi-Cosi Cabrio is 17 inches and supposedly the Radian is 17 inches so I SHOULD be good on space. This is nerve wracking. :dizzy:[/QUOTE]

Keep in mind it is even trickier than that. Sometimes carseats that measure as too wide to fit will still fit, because the widest parts of each carseat are in different locations (for example, I can fit two TurboBoosters on either side of a Marathon in my car ONLY because the widest part of the Marathon is above the highest point of the boosters, and they overlap).

You also have to consider the seating area between the buckles. Having an overall measurement of 56 inches doesn't always mean you've got 15-ish inches for each carseat. Often the center seating location is narrower than the outboard ones, so you have, for example, 20"-16"-20".

The Radian, however, is narrower at the bottom than the 17" at the top, so it usually fits in even the narrowest seating positions. I can't remember the exact measurement of the base itself - hopefully someone can post it for you!

[Jeanum]

The Radian is 13" wide across the base. To echo Defrost, the vehicle seat's overall width in terms of hip room is only part of the picture when figuring out three across scenarios. The contouring of the vehicle seat can also make a difference, say if there's a hump in the middle and/or scooped out/deeply contoured seats outboard, and I'm guessing this might be the case in a BMW. All of this factors together with the placement of the seatbelt stalks and LATCH/ISOFIX anchors, and how the child restraints install and puzzle together. It's a 3-D story problem, so to speak, rather than a matter of overall width only.

[etoilech]

I am going to take our digital camera today and bring all our car seats to the dealership (they really must think I am insane :D). The good thing about the BMW is it has really well designed isofix ports (i.e. really ACCESSIBLE and you don't need to lose your arm in the recesses of the back seat looking for it. lol) and it comes with top tether anchors as STANDARD (big deal here, not too many cars have that, here I was mightily miffed at Volvo only having them on ONE car, the S80). The backseat actually isn't too bad as far as having a hump in the middle, iirc.

It's been really difficult to find a car that is reasonably big enough to accommodate three seats and gets fantastic gas mileage. The Volvo V50 was even SMALLER than the BMW and had crap gas mileage and they are at the same price point similarly equipped.

Another option that I am hesitant about mentioning. The BMW comes with isofix anchors int he passenger seat and a key port to turn the airbag on/off. I could put the baby up there, BUT is this a really bad idea? I know from visiting Sweden, they very often do it.

Thank you for letting me know that there is no lock offs on the Radian. I guess if we get one we will be picking your brain about how to use it, if necessary. I am hoping to get a good install with the latch/iosfix though.

[etoilech]

Gosh, I am sorry I forgot to say thank you guys for all your help. :o I will definitely keep you posted on our three across saga.

[Defrost]

Another option that I am hesitant about mentioning. The BMW comes with isofix anchors int he passenger seat and a key port to turn the airbag on/off. I could put the baby up there, BUT is this a really bad idea? I know from visiting Sweden, they very often do it.


As long as there is an actual keyed on/off switch for the airbag, it should be fine. It's the U.S. vehicles that have computer sensors to decide when to shut off our airbags for us that we don't trust.

We've actually got a member from Sweden around here. I've been expecting him to post. I'll try sending him a PM for you.

[etoilech]

As long as there is an actual keyed on/off switch for the airbag, it should be fine. It's the U.S. vehicles that have computer sensors to decide when to shut off our airbags for us that we don't trust.

We've actually got a member from Sweden around here. I've been expecting him to post. I'll try sending him a PM for you.

It's good to know we have that option open... I've always been a bit hesitant about it. The whole kids in the back seat thing drilled in my head.

I think I've read a few of his posts. :cool:

That's odd about the sensor thing... I know my parent's (in the US) Toyota truck has a key port to turn off the airbag on the passenger side. It's pretty easy to get a new car with that option here, or just get it disconnected at the dealership if you have a situation where you need to see the baby (our neighbour's son had reflux badly and they had their front airbag turned off until he grew out of it. They recently turned it back on.)

I think the sensors are cool, but I agree I wouldn't trust them especially with an infant in the front seat.

[Defrost]

I think the sensors are cool, but I agree I wouldn't trust them especially with an infant in the front seat.

The sensors are one of those things that's cool in theory, but in practice they're just annoying. Of course, I have to carry various stuff in that seat (usually pizza or sodas) fairly often, and then I watch the stupid light blink on and off every time I turn a corner, or slow down, or the wind blows a certain direction. And then of course I'm trying to figure out what's up with the haunted airbag light instead of paying attention to my driving! :D

Anyway, sorry to rant. I'd much prefer a keyed switch. ;)

[etoilech]

The sensors are one of those things that's cool in theory, but in practice they're just annoying. Of course, I have to carry various stuff in that seat (usually pizza or sodas) fairly often, and then I watch the stupid light blink on and off every time I turn a corner, or slow down, or the wind blows a certain direction. And then of course I'm trying to figure out what's up with the haunted airbag light instead of paying attention to my driving! :D

Anyway, sorry to rant. I'd much prefer a keyed switch. ;)

Ha! That is funny. Haunted airbag light. :D

Oh, I love your van! We test drove it last year when we were looking for a bigger vehicle. We only decided on the Volvo b/c we needed the loading capacity for my son's wheelchair and the Mazda wasn't quite as good for that. Volvo has a nice square bum. ;)

[Defrost]

Oh, I love your van! We test drove it last year when we were looking for a bigger vehicle. We only decided on the Volvo b/c we needed the loading capacity for my son's wheelchair and the Mazda wasn't quite as good for that. Volvo has a nice square bum. ;)

Oh, I love it too! You guys have a 7-seater option, though, right? We only get a 6-seater over here, though I don't suppose I'd use the 7th seat all that often in any case.

[Adventuredad]

Sorry I missed this post. I'm flying down to Germany today with the kids so have been short on time..... The very knowledgeable posters above have already given you some great advice. I agree a 5 pt. harness would be better in your situation since you feel your son isn't quite ready to let got of harness.

I currently live in Sweden and can help you out in case you want to buy or just browse for a seat from here. Most Swedish seats rear face until 25 kg. (55 lbs.) so that sounds like a good solution. Rf is as you know much safer. The seats are certified in Europe which does not include Switzerland. These seats are the safest you can find anywhere and would most likely exceed any Swiss regulations.

As you mentioned, we place many car seats in the front seat. Infants and also older kids in rf seats. It's almost the default installation and considered the safest place in the car because of a few other factors except pure crash test data. WE do use a switch or key to disable airbags, I don't know of cars here with sensors. I would personally not trust a sensor.

I think using the car seat in the front seat would be a good solution if you have a key/witch like "Defrotst" mentioned. I know many have some fear of the front seat but it really is a safe and great place for any child. If you're hesitant about using the front set I can go more into detail why the Swedes do it so much and why it's very safe (but this might bore you to death:D).

You can check out my signature, I'm using a Britax Hi-Way in the front seat of our Volvo V70 for our daughter. She's 21 months old. It works great! My son used to sit there until 4+ years but we just had to turn him around since he got too tall. He's now in the back seat in a booster.

I believe buying a seat from here would mean it's without VAT which makes the seat 25% cheaper:thumbsup:. In case you do decide to order a Swedish seat I can take care of everything for you.

Best of luck and please let me know if you have further questions. I'll check in on the thread from Germany. Now, I must try to control my anger from seeing all those German babies FF at 12 month:mad::thumbsdown:

[etoilech]

If you're hesitant about using the front set I can go more into detail why the Swedes do it so much and why it's very safe (but this might bore you to death:D).

Actually, when you have more time I'd love to hear this. It would definitely help me to get over my "fear" of kids in the front seat.

I believe buying a seat from here would mean it's without VAT which makes the seat 25% cheaper:thumbsup:. In case you do decide to order a Swedish seat I can take care of everything for you.

I didn't even think about that... very good point!

Best of luck and please let me know if you have further questions. I'll check in on the thread from Germany. Now, I must try to control my anger from seeing all those German babies FF at 12 month:mad::thumbsdown:

Ugh, I know about the FF we see it here ALL the TIME. What is even worse is when we are driving on the autobahn through Germany and we see TOTALLY UNRESTRAINED :eek: kids in the car and their parents are driving at 180km/h. I bloody well report each and every one of them. :mad: We saw it twice last time we drove to Sweden.

[etoilech]

Oh, I love it too! You guys have a 7-seater option, though, right? We only get a 6-seater over here, though I don't suppose I'd use the 7th seat all that often in any case.

Yep, they have a 7 seater option here. Another thing I am excited about is they are going to add dynamic traction and stability control, mostly b/c the EU is likely to make it mandatory on cars here. That was the only other negative about the Mazda. It's a great car.