15 months - Chicco Keyfit30 vs. Radian XTSL *VERY pic heavy!*

Aurezalia

Aurezalia

Well-known member
We're transitioning from a Keyfit 30 to a Radian XTSL now to get ready for the new baby, and I decided to do a comparison of the fit between the car seats now at 15 months, as well as a check on my install of the XTSL.

V is 15 months, 21 pounds, and approx. 29 inches. Torso is approx 11 inches, although he's not the most cooperative for measuring. ;) Carseats are in 2004 Hyundai Elantra.

Inside, in the Keyfit.

Distance to top of carseat
P7120086.jpg


Flattening his hair this time... I measured about .5 - 1 inch from the top for him still to grow, but I'm not sure I had the "true" top of the seat.
P7120087.jpg


You can't see it very well in this picture, but he's just hitting the top slots.
P7120089.jpg


The fit of all the straps
P7120090.jpg


In the car - slightly more room on top for him to grow?
P7120091.jpg


Fit in the car:
P7120092.jpg



Now, the XTSL

I was able to get it quite upright
P7120101.jpg


He's slightly over the second slots
P7120094.jpg


TONS of room to grow
P7120095.jpg


Fit of the straps (I think the chest clip was a tiny bit low, but we weren't going anywhere)
P7120096.jpg


Leg room - he can barely brush the back seat with his legs all the way extended. In the Keyfit, he hangs over several inches.
P7120097.jpg
 
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JerseyGirl'sMama

JerseyGirl'sMama

New member
Only the first 3 pictures work for me...

And just to double check, when you measured his torso, did you measure from his bum to his shoulders while sitting? My 3.5 yr old has a 14" torso, so I am having trouble imagining an 15 month old with an 18" torso.
 
Aurezalia

Aurezalia

Well-known member
JerseyGirl'sMama said:
Only the first 3 pictures work for me...

And just to double check, when you measured his torso, did you measure from his bum to his shoulders while sitting? My 3.5 yr old has a 14" torso, so I am having trouble imagining an 15 month old with an 18" torso.
Click to expand...

No, that was a typo. I think it's about 11".
 
JerseyGirl'sMama

JerseyGirl'sMama

New member
They're all working for me now. He's a cutie, by the way!

It does look like he has a tiny bit of growth room in the Keyfit, but I'd bet he is way more comfortable in the Radian.

You said he is just above the 2nd slots in the Radian, but it looks like he is actually just above the 3rd. In that harness position, you need to move the headwings down as opposed to keeping them all the way up when they are on the 1st and 2nd harness slots.

Also which position is the crotch buckle in? You don't want it in front of him.

Nice upright install! And from what I can see, your install looks great. :thumbsup:
 
Misty-Bug

Misty-Bug

New member
JerseyGirl'sMama said:
They're all working for me now. He's a cutie, by the way!

It does look like he has a tiny bit of growth room in the Keyfit, but I'd bet he is way more comfortable in the Radian.

You said he is just above the 2nd slots in the Radian, but it looks like he is actually just above the 3rd. In that harness position, you need to move the headwings down as opposed to keeping them all the way up when they are on the 1st and 2nd harness slots.

Also which position is the crotch buckle in? You don't want it in front of him.

Nice upright install! And from what I can see, your install looks great. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...


good advice. it looks like the crotch strap comes up and rounds from under his bum to me. It is hard to tell with the cover.

I would expect a lot more room in the radian because it is a convertible seat. Good work
 
Aurezalia

Aurezalia

Well-known member
JerseyGirl'sMama said:
They're all working for me now. He's a cutie, by the way!

It does look like he has a tiny bit of growth room in the Keyfit, but I'd bet he is way more comfortable in the Radian.

You said he is just above the 2nd slots in the Radian, but it looks like he is actually just above the 3rd. In that harness position, you need to move the headwings down as opposed to keeping them all the way up when they are on the 1st and 2nd harness slots.

Also which position is the crotch buckle in? You don't want it in front of him.

Nice upright install! And from what I can see, your install looks great. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Whoops! You're right again! I could have sworn he was above the 2nd slots, but it is the 3rd. Don't know how I miscounted. :eek: I'm messing with the headwings and those suckers are hard to get down!
Crotch buckle is in the middle slot, it's definitely in the right position, I had to pull out the buckle and move it in during the install because the 3rd slot was too far out. It's come out just slightly underneath him - 3rd slot angles in sharply. :thumbsdown:
It is tethered to the floor track of the front seat also, just realized I forgot to take pics.
 
Aurezalia

Aurezalia

Well-known member
myliljunebugs said:
Don't you just love how the Radian works like a dream in Hyundai's? :love: it's like they were made for each other! He's adorable btw!
Click to expand...

It is AWESOME! Is it like this in all Hyundai's, or just certain models? Because I need to get a bigger car soon, and I'll definitely keep that in mind!
Oh, and thank you!
 
U

Unregistered

Guest
it fits great in all hyundais! my 09 santa fe and hubby's 05 tucson both install radians like a DREAM!
 
rosey2007

rosey2007

Active member
Wow that is great to know about how well they install in Hyundai's. I might just have to look at this seat for my new baby(like I need anymore car seats lol).
 
JerseyGirl'sMama

JerseyGirl'sMama

New member
Aurezalia said:
Whoops! You're right again! I could have sworn he was above the 2nd slots, but it is the 3rd. Don't know how I miscounted. :eek: I'm messing with the headwings and those suckers are hard to get down!
Crotch buckle is in the middle slot, it's definitely in the right position, I had to pull out the buckle and move it in during the install because the 3rd slot was too far out. It's come out just slightly underneath him - 3rd slot angles in sharply.
Click to expand...

I can totally see how you can miss that first slot, lol. To help pull the headwings down, undo the velcro just under them, and press on the top to push down.

Sounds like it's in the right position then. :thumbsup:
 
U

Unregistered

Guest
I know this is an old thread, but I am currently infant car seat shopping and own a 2001 Hyundai Elantra GT (4 door hatchback). Will the Chicco Keyfit 30 fit ok in my car without severly limiting space in the front seat? Would you still recommend the Chicco? And is there a better and comparable car seat if it isn't a good fit?
 
Aurezalia

Aurezalia

Well-known member
Unregistered said:
I know this is an old thread, but I am currently infant car seat shopping and own a 2001 Hyundai Elantra GT (4 door hatchback). Will the Chicco Keyfit 30 fit ok in my car without severly limiting space in the front seat? Would you still recommend the Chicco? And is there a better and comparable car seat if it isn't a good fit?
Click to expand...

Oops, just seeing this, so sorry! Yes, the keyfit is the best-fitting seat for the Elantra that I've found.

I may appear to have broken the english language, go ahead and blame my phone. Sent from my Droid
 

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