Radian vs. Nautilus vs. Truefit

[Unregistered]

Before I begin here is a little background information. DS1 is 4, 54lbs. & 44.5" tall he is currently in a Radian65. DS2 is 20 months, 31lbs. & 33" tall rear-facing in a Truefit.

Last night we were at Wal-mart and saw the new Nautilus.....my oldest is very close to outgrowing the Radian THS. However in the Nautilus he is only at the 2nd from the top harness slot. Everything that I have read states that the Radian's THS is 18" and the Nautilus THS is 18.25" so I don't understand how he has so much more growing room in the Nautilus? Can someone please enlighten me? How about the Truefit, would it be better to move DS1 into the Truefit, and buy a Scenera so I can keep DS2 RF longer?

[canmom]

Personally, I felt like 18.25 was a stretch on the Nautilus, I got 18 at best but more like 17.75 or so. have you checked of the Britax Frontier? It is about the same THS as the Nautilus but it goes a lot higher in booster mode and is wider in the seat and shoulders. It also has a longer expiry on it at 9yrs for the whole seat whereas the Nautilus is 6 on the harness and high back booster and 9 on the booster cushion. IMHO, it is a lot more bang for your buck :thumbsup:.

[mommycat]

1) Why are you saying you want to switch their seats and buy a Scenera? The TrueFit RF to 35 lb, the same as the new Sceneras. And if your older son is close to outgrowing the Radian, he would be even closer to outgrowing the TF, most likely, as the TF has slightly lower slots. :confused:

2) the difference in fit between the Radian and the Nautilus may simply be that your Radian is installed while the Nauti was sitting on the store floor. The way a seat installs in the vehicle often changes the way the child sits and the way they fit a seat. Similarly, just because the number on the measuring tape is the same, doesn't mean that a different seat won't give more or less room depending on how it fits once installed. It is not a fair comparison unless you install in your vehicle to compare.

As PP mentioned, the Frontier has slightly taller slots and tends to fit taller kids than the Nautilus does.

[Unregistered]

Thank you for the info. I guess the next step for him will be the Turbo booster. I was just hoping to keep him harnessed a little longer, but can't justify paying $299.00 for 1/4 of an inch difference.

[NSmom]

I don't know if you've seen this thread or not, but I thought the comparisons might help. http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=55415
From that thread the Frontier has about 3/4 inch more torso room than the Radian, but it would last a really long time as a booster, I just had mine in booster mode tonight and I could use it as a booster!:thumbsup:

[shauburg]

I also suggest keeping DS2 in the True Fit. If DS1 has almost outgrown the Radian by torso height, then the True Fit will be too small for him, so just leave DS2 as is.

For DS1, can you sell your Radian to help defer some of the costs of the Frontier?

I am worried that at 4 years old, DS1 may not have developed enough impulse control to sit properly in a booster yet. Do you think he is mature enough to sit belted in a booster correctly 100% of the time?

With ~3/4" more torso height, the Frontier might buy you the time you need for DS1 to mature enough. And being on the bigger side, he might also need the height of the Frontier in booster mode before he is ready for just a seat belt. :twocents: (The 9 year expiry also means DS2 should also be able to use the Frontier one day too, saving $ in the long run).

If the Frontier is still too much of a stretch $-wise right now, I would then suggest the Nautilis over the Turbo Booster. You will at least get a bit more time harnessed and still have the booster after that.