Car Seats and Configurations
Not loving the MyRide, considering the Radian
We got our youngest DD a MyRide 65. DD was tiny when we got it and I never felt like I had the harness as snug as I would like it. Now that she's bigger it's better, but sometimes I still feel like I can't get it as tight as I would like. We've pretty much always been a Britax family, but the MyRide got good reviews and had the same weight limits as the MA, so we thought we'd save some money. The cover is super cute and I like the cup holders, but otherwise I'm just not a fan. Not to mention, it's usually a big fight to get her into her car seat. I dont' know if that's the seat's fault, though.
I just ordered my big girls Diono Monterey boosters and was coveting the Radian. I noticed that they all seem to be all-in-one car seats now. I think they sound great, but other all-in-ones have the reputation of not being great at anything. Has the Radian come up with a way to do better? How do I decide which model to get? From what I can see my choices are RF to 40 lb, FF to 65 ln, booster to 100 lb or RF to 45 lb, FF to 80, booster to 120; one has an adjustable headrest and more side impact protection. She's small and seems to be following a similar growth pattern to my 6 year old. She's 6.5 and weighs about 42 lb, so she could theoretically still be RF in the bigger Radiens. I just ordered her a booster because she's getting too tall for her MA, even though she's nowhere near the weight limit. My youngest DD is currently 20 months and about 24 lb, which is pretty close to the size her big sister was at the same age. Assuming a similar rate of growth, it seems like the R100 would be fine for her because she'll likely outgrow it by height long before she reaches the weight limit for the harness. I didn't want to buy another car seat when DD hasn't been in her MyRide that long, but but might be worth it for the peace of mind that she's strapped in snugly and if it will last her until she no longer needs a car seat, I might be willing to do it.
Sorry for rambling. I'm sort of thinking "out loud". I was just wondering what the experts thought and if anyone has used both and how they compare.
Not loving the MyRide, considering the Radian
We got our youngest DD a MyRide 65. DD was tiny when we got it and I never felt like I had the harness as snug as I would like it. Now that she's bigger it's better, but sometimes I still feel like I can't get it as tight as I would like. We've pretty much always been a Britax family, but the MyRide got good reviews and had the same weight limits as the MA, so we thought we'd save some money. The cover is super cute and I like the cup holders, but otherwise I'm just not a fan. Not to mention, it's usually a big fight to get her into her car seat. I dont' know if that's the seat's fault, though.
I just ordered my big girls Diono Monterey boosters and was coveting the Radian. I noticed that they all seem to be all-in-one car seats now. I think they sound great, but other all-in-ones have the reputation of not being great at anything. Has the Radian come up with a way to do better? How do I decide which model to get? From what I can see my choices are RF to 40 lb, FF to 65 ln, booster to 100 lb or RF to 45 lb, FF to 80, booster to 120; one has an adjustable headrest and more side impact protection. She's small and seems to be following a similar growth pattern to my 6 year old. She's 6.5 and weighs about 42 lb, so she could theoretically still be RF in the bigger Radiens. I just ordered her a booster because she's getting too tall for her MA, even though she's nowhere near the weight limit. My youngest DD is currently 20 months and about 24 lb, which is pretty close to the size her big sister was at the same age. Assuming a similar rate of growth, it seems like the R100 would be fine for her because she'll likely outgrow it by height long before she reaches the weight limit for the harness. I didn't want to buy another car seat when DD hasn't been in her MyRide that long, but but might be worth it for the peace of mind that she's strapped in snugly and if it will last her until she no longer needs a car seat, I might be willing to do it.
Sorry for rambling. I'm sort of thinking "out loud". I was just wondering what the experts thought and if anyone has used both and how they compare.
I found a good review for the Diono Radian I will post below. Sadly it doesn't make a good booster seat. I would buy it for how long you can use it rear facing and forward facing with a 5 pt harness so the cheaper option of that seat would be better.
I am curious what you mean by the straps not tight enough. I do know that with the My Ride it can be hard to loosen and tighten the harness strap. How to tell the harness is tight enough it to pinch the strap long was top to bottom. If you can pinch it then yes its too lose. I have seen some have the straps too tight you don't want your child to be uncomfortable either. Of course I have seen some so loose you can take the child out with out undoing the car seat. Also I want to point at not all convertibles fit really small babies. The straps need to be at our below the shoulder level, not above that can make it hard to tighten the straps.Dawn
http://carseatblog.com/14805/diono-radian-rxt/
In your case a 40lb rearfacing limit is just fine. I would not rear face a 6 year old. I think rear facing till 4 is fine beyond that is your choice, but you can decide better then. Also nothing wrong with a 6 year old in a booster seat. She should be just fine as long as there isn't any developmental delays and she can follow directions to stay seat properly. I see she is nearly 7 the minimum age that techs agree to start booster training is 5 in a car they are rarely in. Dawn
