Can anyone compare for me, or point me to a resource that can compare for me, pictorially and verbally, the Radian XTSL, the Marathon 70, and the True Fit Premier for fit and profile once installed?
I currently have a Radian XTSL for DS that I don't feel comfortable using right now. I LOVED that the seat was so roomy-DS's feet didn't even touch the back of my van's seat even if he pointed his toes! And I loved the low profile of the side of the seat when RF; so very easy to get him in and out. He was even starting to climb in and sit down all by himself like a 'big boy' for me before I took it out last week. BUT I took it out because of the issues with SL. I checked mine out and was not comfortable with out easily it loosened with just the flick of my pinky-as soon as DS would have decided for the first time to stick his foot over the edge he could have caught it with his heel and the whole thing would have loosened on me. I also did not like the seat because I cannot get a good install in my '04 Odyssey with the seatbelt RF and only FF in the back bench seat. Not in one of the middle buckets. Only my super great car seat geek friend of mine could and she even said it was a pain to do.
So now I have my MIL's Marathon 70 that I'm borrowing until I can raise funds for a new seat or until the LATCH issue is fixed on the radian (still waiting on the new replacement from the company), whichever comes first. I like the Marathon enough, but I'm not in love with it. The seat is shallow, DS already is bending and propping his legs and he's short. And it sits really high, he can't get up there himself and I feel like I really have to hoist him up. I do prefer the harness adjuster on the M70, however, it's much easier to adjust and then to tuck the tail down where DS can't reach it-it's a fascination of his to play with them. I loved how easy it was to get a good rock solid install on the M70 and I currently have a classic Marathon for DD so I know it'll be a breeze to that a good rock solid install FF as well. Plus, I'm kind of liking the Britax company more and more-kind of like a brand loyalty thing. They've always had stellar CS and now that I'm dealing with SK I can really see a difference.
So now I'm looking into the TFP. It seems like it might be an alternative to look at but without someplace here in town that has one I can go see in person I hate to purchase something and then run the risk of possibly having to send it back because I don't like it.
How does the TFP stack up to the Radian and the M70 as far as fit of ERF toddlers?
What about the profile of it RF? Does is sit high? Low?
Is the seat shallow or deep?
Are the sides of the seat hard for a little one to climb up and over? (My DS is very independent and although I always buckle him, he sometimes likes to crawl up to the seat himself and screams if I do it for him)
And the ARbar. I'm not familiar with them. How do they compare to the RF tethers of the Radian and the M70?
What about the ease of RF install using a seat belt? I've only ever gotten a good install using a seat belt with my Snugride and my classic Marathon (didn't try the M70 but assuming it's just like the classic). The Radian was impossible. What's this one like?
And it would be the greatest thing on earth if anyone has even married the seat with an Odyssey b/c that's the kind of van I have. I hear the Radians are especially picky with the Odysseys and that might be one of my problems. Anyone have experience with a TFP and an Odyssey?
I would love it if I could visually compare them but real-life experience from other moms is just as valuable.
I'm just a little gun-shy about this b/c the only seat I've ever bought not seeing it in person and trying it out in the van was the Radian and that ended in a complete flop. Don't want to make a similar mistake, KWIM?