Buying convertible...all Radian owners, I have a few questions!

Mom2LeahClaire

New member
This is my first post here, although I've been doing tons of looking around. Of course I'm thinking about a Radian because it seems popular, but also because I have a Pontiac G6 and I'd like to be able to fit my sisters booster or other people in the back seat! Plus, I like that its low so I won't bonk her head like I do now, and that she would have tons of leg room and not seem squished. But, the thing is, my 11 1/2 month old is very small, still in 3-6 month clothes. Somebody told me a Radian is "overkill" for such a small child, that she could RF in any seat until she is 4 and that I don't need a Radian. So, do you recommend one for me? Or should I just go with something else (Marathon 70?). The only thing worrying me about the Radian is how difficult it is to adjust the harness and whether it will stick up into my front seat since it will be in the middle. I am SO indecisive with big purchases!
 
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Brianna

New member
Hi and welcome to car-seat.org :)

You certainly have a petite little one! What's her weight? It's unlikely that you would need a Radian to rear face until 4, although there's nothing wrong with buying one if you like it. What year is your G6, and is it a 2 or 4 door?
 

Mom2LeahClaire

New member
Well that's the thing, I like the seat because of the low profile and because it's narrow. Would it be dumb to buy it if I don't need the height/weight limits? Maybe I should try out a Marathon? I can't try a Radian without buying it. If it doesn't work I guess I could return it...

She hasn't been measured in awhile but she's between 16-17 lbs and 27-28 inches I would guess.

I have a 2009, 4 door G6.
 

Phineasmama

New member
Not dumb at all :) If you like the seat, and it works well in your car...then why the heck not?! If she's petite she might just use it when she forward faces up until she's ready for a booster!

I had the older Sunshine Kids radians, and now I have the newer Diono RXTs. In my experience they do work really well in the middle of the back seat because there is extra room for the top of the seat between the two front seats. I love the lower profile for rear facing, it's a lot easier for me to get the kids in and out without lifting them over the deep sides of another seat like a Marathon or MyRide.

Anyways, I think you should just order one from Amazon because they have super fast shipping for one, and for two you can easily return it if you don't like it! And if you don't like it...that's okay too. It's really just personal preference and whether it works well in your vehicle or not. If you don't like the Radian I'm sure there will be something else out there for you!
 

bnsnyde

New member
As an owner of 3 Radians, I'd opt for the Britax any day for the harness adjuster! That being said, I need the Radians for height so I can RF my older kids. My daughter is somewhat tall/average and RF to 3.5 years in the Advocate.

I will also second the opinion that loading a RF kids is pretty easy in the low profile Radian.
 

Brianna

New member
It will last you forward facing about as long as other convertible seats, so your total use of the seat would be comparable to other seats. If you need to fit more children or adults in the car it never hurts to have a Radian in the mix because of how narrow they are. A quick search shows that Radians installs rock solid in the center of your vehicle with LATCH (the anchors are offset though, be sure you're using the right ones per your owner's manual).

That said, it wouldn't hurt to see if you have any interest in other seats. The Radian has some quirks and odd instructions. You must use the rear facing boot for rear facing- no pool noodles allowed (they are on other seats) to achieve a good RF angle. If you turn forward before 40 pounds and the top tether is attached, you must attach Safe Stop to the harness, and remove it after 40 pounds. Other seats don't have extra pieces and rules like the Radian does.

I believe Amazon offers free return shipping, so you could try it and return for free if need be.
 

Phineasmama

New member
Yes, you can, actually you could order it from Kohls.com or Target.com (if target has them?) and also return it to the store. But Amazon does have free return shipping and they let you know once the seat gets back to them and the refund doesn't take long.
 

jjordan

Moderator
As an owner of 3 Radians, I'd opt for the Britax any day for the harness adjuster! That being said, I need the Radians for height so I can RF my older kids. My daughter is somewhat tall/average and RF to 3.5 years in the Advocate.

I will also second the opinion that loading a RF kids is pretty easy in the low profile Radian.

Amen and AMEN to the bolded! And not just for the harness adjuster. I have two radians (for narrowness) and I'm not a big fan. BUT - there are some people who really like them. If you can try one yourself (make sure you install it in your car and really put it through its paces), and also try a few other convertibles, then you can figure out what seat YOU like best. :)
 

Ninetales

New member
Gotta be honest, I only have a Radian because I needed the extra 5lbs for RFing my 2 year old. I don't love it but it does the job. There's nothing wrong with getting one for the width and depth if you need it.
 

lovemybabies924

New member
I don't like the harness adjuster for my skinny 1 year old, but my Britax blvd70 and coccoro are smooooth. The blvd doesn't take up any more room in my accord than the radian in regards to other people sitting next to it. But if u really like the radian try one!
 

laurengt

Active member
I love love LOVE both of our Radians! Even larger adults can fit comfortably next to it in our mid-size vehicles and the top does fit nicely between the front seats. I have the angle adjuster on both of ours now and there is so much room to move the front seats as needed even when I've got a Radian behind one of the front seats.

I say buy one and try it out. It's a great, solid seat.
 

Mom2LeahClaire

New member
Ok, last question! How hard is is really to tighten and loosen the harness? I don't understand this "ratcheting" idea. Is there a video anywhere? It's really what is holding me back. I think I am going to order one from walmart to try and also try a Marathon or Boulevard too and decide. If I don't like the Radian I will just return it to a Walmart store and hope they take it back!
 

Phineasmama

New member
Some people say if you tighten it before you buckle the crotch strap it's easier. For me it's not really an issue, because although it is hard to tighten, I don't have to tighten it again every time I put my child in the seat like I've had to do with some other car seats. The only time I ever tighten it is if she's not wearing a cloth diaper or if she's usually wearing a sweater and then all the sudden it gets warm out.
 

jjordan

Moderator
Ok, last question! How hard is is really to tighten and loosen the harness? I don't understand this "ratcheting" idea. Is there a video anywhere? It's really what is holding me back. I think I am going to order one from walmart to try and also try a Marathon or Boulevard too and decide. If I don't like the Radian I will just return it to a Walmart store and hope they take it back!

It depends on the seat. Mine is nearly impossible. Others say they have no problems with theirs.
 

Kac

Ambassador - CPS Technician
I love my Radian. I've had Graco, Dorel, Evenflo and Britax convertibles before, and this one is my favorite. The 5yo I nanny could still RF in it.
 

tarynsmum

Senior Community Member
Well that's the thing, I like the seat because of the low profile and because it's narrow. Would it be dumb to buy it if I don't need the height/weight limits? Maybe I should try out a Marathon? I can't try a Radian without buying it. If it doesn't work I guess I could return it...

She hasn't been measured in awhile but she's between 16-17 lbs and 27-28 inches I would guess.

I have a 2009, 4 door G6.

Well, your DD is pretty much the same size a mine was at that age (she's 6.5 now), and I just bought my 5th Radian last week, the first one being when she was around a year (I honestly can't remember, lol). P.S., she still fits RFing now. So, there's that. DS is a little bigger than DD was, and built a lot differently (more short and stocky where DD was always lean)

Ok, last question! How hard is is really to tighten and loosen the harness? I don't understand this "ratcheting" idea. Is there a video anywhere? It's really what is holding me back. I think I am going to order one from walmart to try and also try a Marathon or Boulevard too and decide. If I don't like the Radian I will just return it to a Walmart store and hope they take it back!

I've never had a problem with the harness adjustment. :shrug-shoulders: I said in another post earlier that I friend of mine bought a radian last week and texted me in a panic because she could NOT get it tight enough (I troubleshooted and it's cool now). I don't loosen and tighten every time, and when I do it's not like ALLLLL the way loose and then tighten a lot. Basically, when it's super loose/slackened, you can do a long pull, but then when it's closer you do little tugs. I like the little tugs, but then I'm used to it maybe :confused: I don't find it an issue at all.

Lots of stores do easy/free returns (Amazon you just slap a label on it and it's good to go. Walmart/Target/Kohls online you can all return to the store closest to you).
 

simplychels

New member
I drive an 08 G6 and find my car to be a car seats dream. Of the 9 seats I own for DD all (including radians) have been a dream to install!! I do various 3 across' as well and have had other seats installed beyond the ones we own and still never had an issue. With that said the world of car seats is your oyster with this car IMO. Plenty of space for a seat or two plus a non car seat passenger. Just watch your latch connectors and follow your owners manual in that regard. Seatbelt installs are a breeze as well :)

Btw the radian was my favorite rear facing seat. I also had a tiny daughter. At 4.5 she was 28lbs and yeah she still fit rear facing in every seat but the radian just captured my heart. Loved it forward facing too. So overkill or not it was lovely for us. No issues here with the harness it just was a short pull pull pull motion to tighten instead of 1 steady pull. You get used to it.
 

Mom2LeahClaire

New member
I drive an 08 G6 and find my car to be a car seats dream. Of the 9 seats I own for DD all (including radians) have been a dream to install!! I do various 3 across' as well and have had other seats installed beyond the ones we own and still never had an issue. With that said the world of car seats is your oyster with this car IMO. Plenty of space for a seat or two plus a non car seat passenger. Just watch your latch connectors and follow your owners manual in that regard. Seatbelt installs are a breeze as well :)

Btw the radian was my favorite rear facing seat. I also had a tiny daughter. At 4.5 she was 28lbs and yeah she still fit rear facing in every seat but the radian just captured my heart. Loved it forward facing too. So overkill or not it was lovely for us. No issues here with the harness it just was a short pull pull pull motion to tighten instead of 1 steady pull. You get used to it.
I have my infant seat in the middle, and there is just enough room on the passenger side for my little sisters booster, and not enough room on the drivers side for another person to ride. (Since the latches are off center) So I was worried about room with a convertible since they all look bigger than my infant seat! (Eddie Bauer, Safety 1st OnBoard Air base)
 

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