Canadian Family Magazine

[Mommy090804]

I am not sure if anyone here subscribes to this particular magazine, but you will often see it in the waiting room of medical offices. Anyway, I had a chance to read through the Summer 2008 issue, and they "test drove" carseats this month.

The seats tested include: Eddie Bauer Deluxe 3-in-1, Graco Platinum Cargo, Sunshine Kids Radian Premier and Britax Roundabout. They were tested by "real families" with three two year olds and a one year old tested the Roundabout. I assume they were all tested FFing. The ratings (in the same order) were 7, 6, 7, and 9 out of 10.

Some interesting comments to note:

Pro for the 3-in-1: "It fits well in our car, is adjustable, comfy to sleep in and should last for a while."

Con for the Cargo: "The harness adjustment clips were too narrow and painful to use. [He] didn't have room to spread his legs."

Pro for the Radian: "Folded down, it's compact, narrow and less awkward to carry. The straps all have their own compartments. It's nicer looking, and easier to clean and install than ours." (I wonder what they were using?)

Con for the Radian: "A booster will be needed for children over 65 pounds. The seat base is a bit low and heavier than most."

Con for the Britax: "There aren't many extras included, like cupholders or armrests."


Overall, I really wish they would have listed for Marathon instead of the Roundabout. They don't talk about safety at all, but do mention a "tip" that notes that an estimated 80% of seats and installed incorrectly and list the sickkids.ca website as a reference.

There may be one (or more) error in the article. Is the 3-in-1 really 18lbs? That seems a little heavy compared to the Roundabout's listed weight of 13lbs.



Oh, and if anyone has the magazine (or any other magazine for that matter), the advertisement for Blink cleaning items a few pages later really bugs me in so many different ways.

Anyway, just thought I would share, it was interesting to see an article "test driving" carseats. Can you imagine how the article would have turned out if we were invited to try the seats?!?

[hipmaman]

Can you scan the article? Btw, is there an email address for 'letter to the editor'? Might want to write in to mention the safety aspect when they do a review such as this.

[canadiangie]

Well that's what I'd like to know, why aren't people like us ever asked to do these "test runs". :p

Where do I sign up LOL? :thumbsup:


As for the meat of the article, I wish someone would talk about top slots. I dream of a day when top harness slots are listed with an explanation about how they relate to seat longevity (or lack thereof). This IMO would help parents so much. Imagine if you knew to take a tape measure with you to the store. Something so basic, yet so helpful.

As for the seats they chose, it's nice to see the less mainstream seats (RA and Radian) mentioned... still it's hard to cross compare a RA to a Radian, let alone a RA to a 3-in-1... and the CarGo is a completely different car seat animal if you really think about it (though I know lots of people use them from 12mos and up :thumbsdown:)

Oh and I LOL'd at the cup holder comment. What's with parents and cupholders anyway? :rolleyes:

[April]

Maybe if this thread gets big enough we could email a link to the editor and then they would commission us to do an independent test. lol, that would be SO fun!

[snowbird25ca]

Oh and I LOL'd at the cup holder comment. What's with parents and cupholders anyway? :rolleyes:

So true. lol, I thought the same thing.

I don't think the 3in1 seat weighs 18lbs considering the Radian is only just over 20lbs. I'd say 12 or 14lbs, but I doubt 18.

A bit funny about still having to buy a booster after 65lbs - as opposed to the other seats where you'd be buying one at 40 or 48lbs or soon thereafter. LOL

It's neat to see them use the radian and RA though - might get some people to do more research when they can't readily find those seats in zeller's or wal-mart. :thumbsup:

[snowbird25ca]

Maybe if this thread gets big enough we could email a link to the editor and then they would commission us to do an independent test. lol, that would be SO fun!

Oh, I'd totally be in for that. :cool:

How about I test a Frontier or a True Fit? Then I'd know which I liked better. LOL

[Neatfreak]

I have zero probability of finding a copy of the magazine, but what was posted of the pros and cons really says something about what the average family is looking for in a car seat.

The "still need a booster" comment about the Radian helps me understand why nearly all of my friends bought the EB 3-in-1. And I would be impressed if those families are using boosters when their kids are over 65 lbs. Cupholders. Maybe it's part of a Tim Hortons plan to indocrinate all Canadians starting in their toddler years. Explains why Graco seats and strollers are everywhere, though. Armrests? I don't have armrests when I ride in a vehicle!

[shauburg]

What a strange mix of seats.

Too bad they didn't have a knowledgable tech to balance the reviewer's comments.

The reviewers say that the 3-in-1 "should last for a while" and with the Radian "a booster will be needed for children over 65 pounds". Just leaving it at this, no one will really know the truth - that a Radian harnessed will last most children much longer than the 3-in-1 harnessed and likely even longer than the 3-in-1 as a booster. :(

[Mommy090804]

Just a bit of background about the feature. Each month four families "test drive" products, ranging from strollers to potty seats to high chairs. This month it was carseats. That is probably why there isn't too much mention about safety tips, etc. However, the magazine would probably be quite receptive to an article written by a certified technician. It is a family-oriented, proudly Canadian-type magazine. I know with BC's new booster law coming into effect this July, I have seen a few articles in the local papers and BCAA magazine about the safety of booster seats. Maybe Canadian Family could write an article on carseat safety.



Yes, I did pick a few select comments to note from the article, without being too biased;)

I am firing up the old scanner right now since no one has seen the article (and I have all this time on my hands:p). I hope I am able to post it here. If I am violating copyright infringement, could someone please let me know immediately?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v448/PinkBundle1/scan-1.jpg

Yes, if you would like to be a tester, here's the link:

http://www.canadianfamily.ca/familytesting

Feedback can be sent to editor@canadianfamily.ca

HTH!

[April]

Maybe it's part of a Tim Hortons plan to indocrinate all Canadians starting in their toddler years.

I have pictures of my youngest drinking his first Starbucks at 19 months! (A few sips of a diluted kids hot chocolate;) )

[Neatfreak]

Shelley, I have no idea about copyright infringement, but thanks for scanning the article. I am glad that the RA got the highest rating of the seats, but a little grumpy that the Radian and 3-in-1 tied. What's that about? LOL!

Oh, my daughter usually orders steamed (warm) milk with a shot of vanilla at coffee joints and we all ignore the looks we get!

[C the baby]

I'm sad the Cargo scored the lowest...My 4 year old rides in on a regular basis and likes it just as much as his Marathon. I don't understand why it would be painful! Plus, it's great for travel!

Don't misunderstand me, I don't care what the average Joe thinks, as long as we like it, but I don't want another person who needs a seat like this to be turned off.

I've had a 3-in-1. I was good for almost nothing. I sold it to someone who needed seat for a grandparents car (now that was interesting - list a seat on Kijiji and you will get a million emails, half begging for it, half yelling because they assume the seat is not safe) Anyway, it should not be rated a 7.

I hear you on the Starbucks vanilla steamed milk! DS and DD usually get one. It's only $1.25!

[shauburg]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v448/PinkBundle1/scan-1.jpg


The article said that the Radian RF from 5-33lb. Don't I wish this was true in Canada! Wonder if they didn't test a Canadian one?

[Debn31]

What is the rf for the Radian, I am thinking 30 (is that the max in Canada)?
I can't remember and I'm blaming mommy brain and too much reading/researching/thinking .... :P

I am going to make hubby reinstall the Radian we have to see if we can better work it RF in our Corolla for our second son. He's almost 2.5 years, but a lightweight at 25 lb. I really don't like the idea of him being FF when he could be RF.

That is....until I figure out things with the shortstraps return.Sigh.

Install, uninstall. Install, uninstall. Repeat. :)

[Neatfreak]

Wasn't the Radian sold in Canada with the 33 lbs RF max before the 30 lb rule came into effect? My thought was that they were just using an older Radian ...

[Debn31]

yes, that's certainly possible.
I've passed the last four years in a daze anyways (two kids two years apart, both with acid reflux = even less sleep than a new parent would expect ;) )
Maybe that's why I have it confused (I've been thinking, 30, 33, 35????) Couldn't remember.

[Allport]

[QUOTE=Debn31;460526]What is the rf for the Radian, I am thinking 30 (is that the max in Canada)?

There are seats that will be 35 pounds in Canada sooner than we all think - the Tru Fit and the 3-in-1 is coming back with 35 pounds.

[hipmaman]

[QUOTE=Debn31;460526]What is the rf for the Radian, I am thinking 30 (is that the max in Canada)?

There are seats that will be 35 pounds in Canada sooner than we all think - the Tru Fit and the 3-in-1 is coming back with 35 pounds.

Woohoo!!!

[Debn31]

Yes, I just heard about the True Fit and the 35 RF today!
Excited about that because my littlest guy is a TOTAL lightweight at 25 lb (2 years, 3 months).

[snowbird25ca]

Wasn't the Radian sold in Canada with the 33 lbs RF max before the 30 lb rule came into effect? My thought was that they were just using an older Radian ...

Just to add that the Radian wasn't available back before manufacturers dropped the limits to 30lbs, so it has thus far only ever been available in Canada with a max 30lb rf'ing limit.

Exciting about the 3in1's also coming back with the 35lb rf'ing limit. I'd heard the rumor, confirmation is exciting. :thumbsup:

[hipmaman]

Exciting about the 3in1's also coming back with the 35lb rf'ing limit. I'd heard the rumor, confirmation is exciting. :thumbsup:

Hey Trudy, see the kind of things we get excited these days? Pretty sad, eh? :p:D:rolleyes:;)

[snowbird25ca]

Hey Trudy, see the kind of things we get excited these days? Pretty sad, eh? :p:D:rolleyes:;)

:ROTFLMAO: