Question Time for a new Seat- Replacing Recaro, have Radian, need advice!

[jens-closet]

Hi everyone- it’s been a long time since I’ve been to car-seat.org, but it’s carseat shopping time again. Here are my current specs:

DS- 6.5 years old, 40 pounds, 48 inches tall
Currently rides FF in a Radian XL (2009 purchase date) behind driver side
This is a tall, skinny child!

DD- 4 years old, 32 pounds, 36 inches tall
Currently rides RF in a Recaro Como (2007 purchase date… expiring this fall!) in the middle

We drive a 2008 Honda CRV and need the kids to be next to each other, leaving a seat for an adult on long drives.

So, we need a new seat to replace the huge, bulky Recaro in the middle. Thoughts? I am open to anything, and cost is not an issue. I was thinking about moving DD to the Radian and RF her, then DS to a Frontier… but please share your thoughts and ideas! If you think Frontier, would you say Frontier 85 or Frontier SICT 85 and why?

And, thanks to all of you here at car-seat.org!

 

[nannykates]

Welcome back!

The fr85s have been discontinued they were repaced by the fr90 and pinnicle and the pioneer 70 (with a shorter harness height and lower price point). Those may all be options for you and the 90 seats do have new click tight technology making them easy peasy to install with seatbelt!

 

[MotoMommaNH]

Additionally, if you like the idea of the FR85 SICT you can look at the Pinnacle90 which has the click tight technology and SICT.
Sounds like you have a great solution planned out already for the 4 year old!

 

[jens-closet]

Thanks nannykates and motomommaNH. I see the Frontier 85s still on amazon, are they worth it or is the Frontier 90 going to be better in the long run? What are the disadvantages/advantages of the fr85 vs. fr90 vs. the pinnacle?

I would love to hear someone's opinion about the value of the SICT?

Also, if anyone wants to talk me out of dealing with my love/hate radian for DD, I'm interested

 

[CMeMeC]

I would give the radian to your dd and purchase a booster for your DS. The parkway is fairly narrow, and usually fits skinny kids well. However, I'm not sure about the redesigned parkway.

 

[jens-closet]

Any opinions on my fr85 vs. fr90 vs pinnacle options? Thanks!

 

[nannykates]

I wouldn't get sict with two kids in the mix and a 2 row vehicle, someday you will have 2 forward facers and it will become annoying.

 

[jens-closet]

Thanks for that insight nannykates. It's hard to imagine them both forward facing, but I can see how the SICT would be annoying if they wanted to talk with each other!

 

[MommyShannon]

The FR90 and Pinnacle have a new Click Tight technology that makes seatbelt installs take about 3 seconds. You can also adjust the harness height from the front while installed. It's still a large seat so I don't know how much room it will leave you, but I've read it fits well with radians. I agree that a high back booster would be appropriate too.

 

[Jackie010307]

I just wanted to add, since it hasn't been mentioned yet, that the expiration is from the date of manufacture, not the date of purchase. You put the purchase date so I just wanted to make sure you knew!

 

[jens-closet]

Jackie- important point to remember yes! DOM vs. purchase date. The Recaro DOM is one month prior to our purchase date (we bought it hot off the presses).

I'm leaning towards getting the Frontier 85 at this point, but can still be talked into a Pinnacle or fr90. I like the new install features on the fr90, but honestly, we install in one car only, so that may not be the most useful feature for us.