Radian 80?

Has anyone seen/heard the latest on this seat? One vendor (can't remember which) is taking orders but I didn't see an estimated ship date.

When I went to Sunshine Kids and looked at the specs, it appears to be the SAME size as the Radian 65. Can that be right?

[I'm still 'shopping' for a TALL/higher weight limit/FFA approved seat - that isn't labeled "special needs" with a "special needs" price - ala Columbia]

I think the specs are right. Another poster here on the board (Patriot, I think?) called Sunshine Kids and inquired about the size of the Radian 80, and was told the top harness slots are the same height as on the Radian 65. Sure seems a pity for it to be rated up to 80 lbs. without taller top slots, sigh.

That's right. That's what Sunshine Kids told me. According to the CSR at SKJP, there is no difference in harness height. What a disappointment!

It'll sure make it hard to know if you have a 65 or 80. I guess they're responding to the obsesity thing, despite the concept that most of the kids I know outgrown by height way before weight. And, the site doesn't indicate the 80 is FAA approved, yet there's little/no difference in the size of the seat

It would also be interesting to know what if any IS the difference between the two. Are they just doing more testing and changing the labels or what?

The only difference I've found is they're adding the infant insert, which I like, but not worth $100! AJ has about 3" left in his Radian65 and is only 36#. He'll be well out of it by 65#, let alone 80.

Seems manufacturers are taking into account the rising child Obesity issue (which is GREAT!) but forgetting about tall kids (which is not so hot for Leila, LOL)....

Yeah, they are putting the new 10 yo dummy in it to test it, I gather. (or a 6yo dummy with a weighted vest, possibly) It really IS the same seat as the 65 with an extra infant insert (my 7 yo 45 pounder is 'just' too big for it now....)

joolsplus2 said:

Yeah, they are putting the new 10 yo dummy in it to test it, I gather. (or a 6yo dummy with a weighted vest, possibly) It really IS the same seat as the 65 with an extra infant insert (my 7 yo 45 pounder is 'just' too big for it now....)

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A 10 yr old could sit with shoulders below the top slot!?! No WAY!! And if it's not any bigger (wider), it won't work for many heavy kids either. So it's in the same category as the SafeSeat 2 - nice idea, lousy execution. Maybe Sunshine Kids and Graco need someone to lurk on this board. . .

And there's still the FFA thing. The 80 doesn't say it is. . .

Maybe Sunshine Kids and Graco need someone to lurk on this board.

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Ditto that!

After trying out the Radian 65 yesterday with dd, I have to be honest and admit that I'm not that thrilled about it. She loves it. I don't. Rowen's 39 1/4" tall & 34.5lbs -- I just weighed/measured her last week. She's below the second set of slots by about 1 1/2 inches, but the seat bottom area is what concerns me more than the back.

Supposedly, she could have sat rfing until she hit 33lbs. I just can't see it. The seat is just too narrow (not talking depth here) with ridges along the sides for her to have been comfortable for length of time. Doing the zen thing that Piper's doing in her picture would have cut off circulation. Even facing forward, there's not a whole heck of a lot of room for her legs because of the sides. I don't know how many years I'm going to get out of this... probably at least 2. I've already decided it's replacing the borderline Evenflo in hubby's car and also will be used when we do airplane travel. It will be fine as a secondary seat.

If Sunshine Kids are using the same seat up to 80lbs, they're overestimating the width of a normal child's hips through leg area. There's plenty of shoulder room in proportion. The other thing that I noticed is that Rowen is on largest setting for the crotch buckle location. How are they fitting a child that is considerably larger than a (granted she's tall) 3 year old in this for years to come?