singingpond
New member
This is my first post to this forum -- a nice uncontroversial topic...
vehicle: '96 Toyota Corolla wagon, got a Radian in order to be able to install 3-across (other seats are Snugride infant seat and a Parkway booster)
installed: center rear seat, RF
comments: Not an easy install -- had to twist buckle stalk 3 full times, plus flip latch plate 180 degrees to keep it from sliding (lap belt only in center seating position). The seat also fit FF in this position, but I think that was a struggle as well. Did not fit outboard RF, because of the tall seat back and unchangable recline angle of the Radian (I was installing for DS who is 2 1/2, so doesn't need 45 degree recline, but the Radian didn't allow less reclined installation). Not sure about FF outboard, as I think that also required multiple twists of the buckle stalk, but the buckle stalk seemed stiffer and harder to twist than the center one, so I wasn't convinced I would be able to get a good install with more persistence. I was also 7+ months pregnant at the time and didn't need the outboard install, so I gave up without being 100% sure if it would work there or not.
overall: I love this seat for its narrow profile and apparent quality and comfort; wish it was easier to install; also, I have to recheck FF install to see if harness is impossible to tighten (DOM is 7/06, and it has the old shallow path on the back of the seat shell -- maybe I'll get to see how good SK customer service is on this issue). The fact that I'm putting this off is a comment on what a pain the install is -- I have to allow a good hour, since the Snugride has to come out too, and it is also a pain to reinstall (literally), since the two seats are so close together in this small car that getting my hand in between them to buckle is very difficult -- I have to reach through the beltpath hole on the SR base with one hand while somehow holding the buckle with other hand and kneeling on the base. Maybe this will be easier now that I'm no longer pregnant, LOL.
vehicle: '96 Toyota Corolla wagon, got a Radian in order to be able to install 3-across (other seats are Snugride infant seat and a Parkway booster)
installed: center rear seat, RF
comments: Not an easy install -- had to twist buckle stalk 3 full times, plus flip latch plate 180 degrees to keep it from sliding (lap belt only in center seating position). The seat also fit FF in this position, but I think that was a struggle as well. Did not fit outboard RF, because of the tall seat back and unchangable recline angle of the Radian (I was installing for DS who is 2 1/2, so doesn't need 45 degree recline, but the Radian didn't allow less reclined installation). Not sure about FF outboard, as I think that also required multiple twists of the buckle stalk, but the buckle stalk seemed stiffer and harder to twist than the center one, so I wasn't convinced I would be able to get a good install with more persistence. I was also 7+ months pregnant at the time and didn't need the outboard install, so I gave up without being 100% sure if it would work there or not.
overall: I love this seat for its narrow profile and apparent quality and comfort; wish it was easier to install; also, I have to recheck FF install to see if harness is impossible to tighten (DOM is 7/06, and it has the old shallow path on the back of the seat shell -- maybe I'll get to see how good SK customer service is on this issue). The fact that I'm putting this off is a comment on what a pain the install is -- I have to allow a good hour, since the Snugride has to come out too, and it is also a pain to reinstall (literally), since the two seats are so close together in this small car that getting my hand in between them to buckle is very difficult -- I have to reach through the beltpath hole on the SR base with one hand while somehow holding the buckle with other hand and kneeling on the base. Maybe this will be easier now that I'm no longer pregnant, LOL.