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View Full Version : Radian issues all of the sudden, SUPER annoyed, and looking at other options

oursonend
12-17-2008, 10:03 PM
I've been using a Radian for AGES. I took it out of the car to wash the cover (got peed in) and for reasons I cannot understand, I can't get it in again. I can get it super tight side to side, but it always wants to slip forward if I pull straight back from the seat back.

It's FFing outboard in a Saturn SW2. I tried to get it in the center (I'm getting a Marathon for DS and want to put it outboard and the RN in the middle) but I could NOT get it installed there. Just no freaking way. I have no clue what's going on but it's driving me batty. I like this car a whooooole lot less after spending today freezing my butt off wrestling the damned Radian.

I'm thinking I should just can it. I have two of them, but I've already decided to sell one and get the Marathon instead because the RN won't work RFing for DS in the SW2 without being a real pain, and I think the MA is a better seat for him for RFing.

I LOVE the narrowness of the RN, but these install issues are seriously getting to me. Can I just have a seat that I don't have to wrestle with for two hours??? My SS1 makes me beam with loving joy because of it's amazing lockoff. I know the MA has lockoffs. Damnit I want ALL LOCK-OFFS!!!

Are there plans for lockoffs on the new Radians? I am interested in better SIP than the current Radian models are giving so I was thinking of trying a new one anyway when they come out.

Within 6 months we are going to be TTC #3 and I am not ready for another car yet. I am keeping my SS1 to go outboard, the MA RFing outboard, and I THOUGHT the RN FFing center, but the damned thing won't install (same issue with sliding WAY forward). What is with that stupidly high belt path??? Honestly I bet I would have better luck installing it with the RFing belt path FFIng (I wouldn't, but I'm just THAT annoyed with the placement).

There is no LATCH in my car. I'm not in a great position financially to buy another car, but I am annoyed enough with this one to consider it.

There are no headrests in the back seat. If I start looking at convertible boosters, what are my options for SUPER narrow with high harness slots? DD is very tall but very waifish and thin. She is on top harness slots in the RN (just switched) but I think she will still have plenty of room in it. I was expecting to keep her in it for another two years at least, but now I'm just annoyed. IMO she will not be ready for a booster for a LONG time, especially since most of our car use is long trips (between 3 and 14 hours) and she always sleeps in the car (we drive at night or time for naptime).

What is the point of making a seat that is SOOOOO hard to install? :eek: Grr stupid Radian. :thumbsdown:
oursonend
12-17-2008, 10:12 PM
Okay, and another question. I really think I could eliminate the issue of the RN sliding forward if I could fill the gap at the seat bight with something. Can I use a noodle for a FFing install of a RN? There is just not enough pressure at the seat bight to keep it stuck there... the belt only holds it DOWN but not IN, and since the RN doesn't touch the seat right at the seat bight, the problem seems to be that there just isn't enough pressure to hold it in place right at the seat bight.
canadiangie
12-17-2008, 10:14 PM
Go to the Articles forum, and look for a thread about "Radian tips and tricks" or something like that. You talking about the Radian scooting fwd makes me think you just need to tweek your technique a bit... ?

Hopefully someone else will come along with some other ideas.
canadiangie
12-17-2008, 10:15 PM
Okay, and another question. I really think I could eliminate the issue of the RN sliding forward if I could fill the gap at the seat bight with something. Can I use a noodle for a FFing install of a RN? There is just not enough pressure at the seat bight to keep it stuck there... the belt only holds it DOWN but not IN, and since the RN doesn't touch the seat right at the seat bight, the problem seems to be that there just isn't enough pressure to hold it in place right at the seat bight.

No, you canNot use a noodle with a ff seat. Sorry. :(
An Aurora
12-17-2008, 10:18 PM
No you can't use a noodle with a FF install.

Try pulling the Radian out from the seat bight a couple of inches and installing it that way. It really helped in my moms car.
BW1426
12-17-2008, 10:24 PM
When you install the radian, pull the bottom away from the seat bite. Then twist your belt stalks up to 3 full rotations, if you are able to do so. Buckle the belt and unvelcro the cover and pull the seatbelt end through that hole to tighten. You have to find the right placement, but you should be able to find something that works.

I so miss my radian for RFing in sedan. I sold my one radian and replaced it with a Marathon. I really hate it now that it is winter. It is much harder to get him in the MA than in the Radian RFing. His legs are all over the place and make it challenging for me to buckle the seat and I almost always bonk his head on the car because the MA is so much higher up than the Radian. My biggest trick for getting the Radian in at the best angle possible for RFing is to put your front seat down and stand behind the seat and push it into the seatbite while someone else tightens. I was able to get a very upright install by doing that.

If you do want a new seat for RFing, I would strong urge you to check out the TF.
oursonend
12-17-2008, 10:43 PM
Okay, good idea about the pulling away from the seat bight. It seems counterintuitive, but it's something I haven't tried, so I WILL try it! :)

The reason I'm looking at the MA is because of the better SIP and the interlocking abilities with the RN. I suppose I will have to rethink that if I am canning the RN though.

But hopefully it won't come to that. ;)

I just couldn't figure out how I got it tight before and I can't now. Maybe because it it winter now and my hands are colder? It is annoying anyway to have a seat that you can only install in summer, though. :rolleyes: I will try the holding it away from the seat bight and post back.
oursonend
12-18-2008, 01:10 PM
I got it to work. :D The out from the seat bight technique worked perfectly. I am thinking that I must have lucked into that last time and just didn't know it, because I couldn't figure out why it used to work and then didn't. But now the issue is solved, and I got a nice tight install in the center position with hardly any effort at all! :thumbsup:

So I guess this means I like my Radian again, lol.

Thanks for all your help!