SKJP has a new name, new seats - Diono RXT

[NannyMom]

When will this be released? I'm excited about this. It could be a birth to backless booster seat.
Wendy

October

So I assume it is LATCHable in booster mode? I hope... otherwise that is a heavy booster. Is the seat itself any bigger than an radian XY?...like higher slots? Or longer seat length for legs? Anyone bring a tape measure by any chance?

They weren't sure if it's latchable in booster mode as the 2 reps hadn't finished reading the new manuals yet. They said they'd find out for me tonight.

Please, someone tell me it has lockoffs.

No lockoffs

I'm thinking that Diono will be the brand that they market under internationally, and SK may still be a brand they use here in NA. Though they may be trying to distance themselves from their "image problems"...

They said they changed the name because 1- their old name was long, and used for other things in the US and 2- Diono is a strong, international sounding name (and even though I kept pointing out "die oh no", they didn't seem to catch on

It is a Radian. The changes are..... the sides at the hip, will flex out wider to give kids more room. There are 4 holes in the cover and in those side hips, for the cup holders (up to 4 cup holders at once). There is also a lap belt guide down by the hips, and a shoulder belt guide on the bottom of the wings (for the Radian R100 and R120 it is at the top corners of the seat).

Current Radian 65SL will be the Radian R100. Harness 5-65 and booster 50-100. THe current Radian 80SL will be the Radian R120. Harness 5-80 and booster 50-120. The current Radian XT will be the Radian RXT. Harness 5-80 and booster 50-120. Their rear facing weight limits will remain the same as current. Except for what i've already mentioned, I didn't notice anything different about the seats.

ETA: They are also creating a foam wedge for children of a minimum weight and age that don't have special needs. It will go under the butt of the RF seat to help make the seat more upright and gain front seat room.

 

[Jessica61624]

October

They weren't sure if it's latchable in booster mode as the 2 reps hadn't finished reading the new manuals yet. They said they'd find out for me tonight.

No lockoffs

They said they changed the name because 1- their old name was long, and used for other things in the US and 2- Diono is a strong, international sounding name (and even though I kept pointing out "die oh no", they didn't seem to catch on

It is a Radian. The changes are..... the sides at the hip, will flex out wider to give kids more room. There are 4 holes in the cover and in those side hips, for the cup holders (up to 4 cup holders at once). There is also a lap belt guide down by the hips, and a shoulder belt guide on the bottom of the wings (for the Radian R100 and R120 it is at the top corners of the seat).

Current Radian 65SL will be the Radian R100. Harness 5-65 and booster 50-100. THe current Radian 80SL will be the Radian R120. Harness 5-80 and booster 50-120. The current Radian XT will be the Radian RXT. Harness 5-80 and booster 50-120. Their rear facing weight limits will remain the same as current. Except for what i've already mentioned, I didn't notice anything different about the seats.

Thanks for all the info!
I'm very interested in how the away belt fits kids with it on the side. I hope the new manual is written better.

 

[jnamommy]

I love the addition of cupholders, but the 50lb minimum for a booster would take it out of consideration for me if I was in the market for a new combination seat or 3in1. I cannot imagine when my kids will hit 50 lbs.

 

[NatesMamma]

The Diono name sounds almost like a Britax rip-off to me. (Not exactly a rip-off, obviously, but more like, "Britax is/sounds foreign, so we want to sound foreign, too.") And I agree that the timing is suspicious, given the recent SL issues. I don't know, though. I feel like changing the name and getting the "new" seats designed would take a while. Maybe this is something that's been in the works for quite awhile and the timing is just coincidental? Hmm...

Either way, I feel like now is the time to buy a Radian. You know, before the new name and cup holder cause the price to go up by $200. The *idea* of a 3-in-1 is good, but it certainly sounds like the booster mode is going to be useless if they stick to a 50# minimum. I'd MUCH rather see a 2 years FF minimum and a 5 years min booster age with detailed instructions on the 5 Step Test.

 

[njkj]

ETA: They are also creating a foam wedge for children of a minimum weight and age that don't have special needs. It will go under the butt of the RF seat to help make the seat more upright and gain front seat room.

This is exciting. I have always wanted a RN but did not want to get it and hate the recline. Now I might have to buy one .

Sent from my Droid using Car-Seat.Org

 

[canadiangie]

A wedge! A wedge! Omg they're offering up a wedge.

Please, someone tell me the wedge is an accessory approved for use on current Radians.

A wedge, folks. Praise the lord.

 

[crunchierthanthou]

a wedge. that won't introduce any opportunity for misuse, I'm sure. they couldn't just offer a smaller boot for the kids meeting whatever requirements the wedge needs?

 

[Jessica61624]

A wedge! A wedge! Omg they're offering up a wedge.

Please, someone tell me the wedge is an accessory approved for use on current Radians.

A wedge, folks. Praise the lord.

Lmfao!!! I hope its good for current ones also!

 

[Jessica61624]

a wedge. that won't introduce any opportunity for misuse, I'm sure. they couldn't just offer a smaller boot for the kids meeting whatever requirements the wedge needs?

I'd even be willing to buy it seperate.

 

[mlohry]

Those top slots would have to be really high if you can't use the seat as a booster until 50 lbs! My boys are skinny and tall. I have never tried a Radian before, so I have no idea how to compare the slots. My very soon to be 7 year old is only 46 lbs.

 

[Kobain's Mommy]

Am I the only one that things of the "dog" from the Finstones when you hear the name? I'm not sure what to think about it. It seems like they'll jack up the price even more and the booster sounds useless.

 

[Brigala]

ETA: They are also creating a foam wedge for children of a minimum weight and age that don't have special needs. It will go under the butt of the RF seat to help make the seat more upright and gain front seat room.

NICE!

Any chance the wedge can be used with the current Radian line?

Will the flexibility at the hips increase the overall width of the seat at all? It would be a shame to have it not fit in quite as tight of a space compared to the current models.

 

[agave]

I wanna wedge now!!! If I could get my current radian more upright it would increase the chances of me getting a second. I really really need that wedge!

 

[vamom]

I have a string bean that is all legs. Fit is radian65 until he was 8. Could still fit it using the exception rule about harness height, but it would be a squeeze. At 7.5 said string bean was diagnosed failure to thrive for a second time, due to his low weight, by a pediatric gastroenterologist. He was 51" or so? 75% for height. His weight - 53# . So I am shocked at how many folks have kids who way even less! But is they don't change the harness height and widen up the shoulder area too, I wonder how long it will work for most kids? I do love the sale monteray we bought!

 

[KaysKidz]

Unfortunately, this would be a total failure in my situation. And I know, not every seat works for every vehicle...yada yada yada...but if the Radian were 1", heck 1/2" wider, it would not fit in hubby's car. We have a 3 across in his Grand Prix, with 2 of those being Radian's. And add me to the list of 50lbs for a booster being unrealistic, by the time my boys hit 50lbs, they will be too tall for the seat in any mode. Not to mention, if it's not any taller...no way will it work for any kid as a booster. And if it is taller, how on earth would it ever work rf'ing? With what we know so far, I think it's going to monumental FLOP...

 

[mom2acrew]

Toddler wedge coming but it sounded down the the road like spring, will be an accessory and potentially retro

Name change will hopefully help parents differentiate between SKJP RN that can not be used as booster and Diono that can be.

 

[Morganthe]

I agree with everyone else on the 50# thing. My 8yo is only 48lbs.

yeesh, going by only weight, dd seems fat with everyone on here talking about liteweight kids. But she's string bean thin, 60lbs, and hasn't fit a Radian by height since she was 5 yrs, 11 mos & 49lbs. :shrug-shoulders: Turns 8 in a few weeks. She gains weight, then grows into it, so 50lbs for a booster was right at the time she outgrew harnessed seats, except for the Regent.

If I had a need, I'd be massively interested in it, especially with a WEDGE! About fricken time, dang it. But no more babies or wittle kids for me. So it's typical... new interesting gear comes out right after she's outgrown it.

 

[Ladyl]

I just see so much potential for misuse in booster mode. I know keep saying this but with such a high weight minimum and low belt guides someone is going to ignore something here.

 

[NannyMom]

I thought it seemed like the wedge would be coming out soon...maybe fall.

The flexability at the hips doesn't necissarily make the seat wider. You can keep them up and have it be the same width, or flex them out and make it wider.

 

[stephpook]

I really, really, really hope the toddler wedge is retroactive to the old Radians. That would mean that I could use my RN65SL RF in my van without having to eat the dashboard (and risking having the seat over-recline). I'm okay for now because my almost 3-year old is a peanut at 25.5 pounds and still well within the 33 pound RF weight limit of my original RN, but there are no guarantees about how big baby #4 will be as an infant/toddler. I may need the higher RF weight on the SL.

Of course a toddler wedge would also mean that I wouldn't have to warn every.single.person who ever sits in my front passenger seat not to recline or push the seat back at all. That would be heavenly.