ExpectantFather09
New member
Hello all,
I will be taking my first vacation by plane with my 5-year old son who is severely disabled (pretty much immobile) with choreoathetosis cerebral palsy. He weighs 42 lbs and is about 44" tall. We're flying United and have received information regarding his special needs, including a car seat for flying. Of course the car seat must be FAA approved, and United allows it to be a maximum width of 17 inches. I've decided to purchase a new car seat for my son to fly in, and also to use in the rental car at our destination.
I have more than one child, and in the past, have used Britax Advocate and Radian XTSL car seats and love them both. I know the Britax Advocates are too wide, so my first thought was to pick up another Radian. But it looks like the Radian models have changed over the last few years, so I had a couple questions I was hoping you all could help with. Bulleted below...
- Are the Diono R100 and Diono RXT essentially the replacements for the old Radian XTSL line?
- The Diono R100 and Diono RXT appear to have the same outer dimensions. Is this a case (similar to the Britax Marathon / Boulevard / Advocate series) where both seats utilize the same outer shell, and the only difference is in the interior? For example I can see that the Diono RXT has head wings and an infant insert. Are there major differences to be aware of?
- Assuming the cost difference isn't an issue, would you go with the Diono R100 or the Diono RXT if the primary purpose is plane travel and use in rental cars? Any major reasons I should consider a different car seat altogether?
- Does anyone have firsthand travel experience with either car seat? If so, I'd love to hear pros and cons. Bonus points if it was on United Airlines, and extra bonus points if it involves any sort of special needs child. (I travel a lot for work so I'm no stranger to travel but will confess to loads of anxiety about how this trip is all going to go )
THANK YOU for reading and for any tips and feedback! For what it's worth, we'll be flying from California to Florida for a visit to Disneyworld, hence my paranoia in making extra sure that I cover every base possible.
I will be taking my first vacation by plane with my 5-year old son who is severely disabled (pretty much immobile) with choreoathetosis cerebral palsy. He weighs 42 lbs and is about 44" tall. We're flying United and have received information regarding his special needs, including a car seat for flying. Of course the car seat must be FAA approved, and United allows it to be a maximum width of 17 inches. I've decided to purchase a new car seat for my son to fly in, and also to use in the rental car at our destination.
I have more than one child, and in the past, have used Britax Advocate and Radian XTSL car seats and love them both. I know the Britax Advocates are too wide, so my first thought was to pick up another Radian. But it looks like the Radian models have changed over the last few years, so I had a couple questions I was hoping you all could help with. Bulleted below...
- Are the Diono R100 and Diono RXT essentially the replacements for the old Radian XTSL line?
- The Diono R100 and Diono RXT appear to have the same outer dimensions. Is this a case (similar to the Britax Marathon / Boulevard / Advocate series) where both seats utilize the same outer shell, and the only difference is in the interior? For example I can see that the Diono RXT has head wings and an infant insert. Are there major differences to be aware of?
- Assuming the cost difference isn't an issue, would you go with the Diono R100 or the Diono RXT if the primary purpose is plane travel and use in rental cars? Any major reasons I should consider a different car seat altogether?
- Does anyone have firsthand travel experience with either car seat? If so, I'd love to hear pros and cons. Bonus points if it was on United Airlines, and extra bonus points if it involves any sort of special needs child. (I travel a lot for work so I'm no stranger to travel but will confess to loads of anxiety about how this trip is all going to go )
THANK YOU for reading and for any tips and feedback! For what it's worth, we'll be flying from California to Florida for a visit to Disneyworld, hence my paranoia in making extra sure that I cover every base possible.