I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Radian 65. I would have loved to get the 80, but it was 200 vs 300,, so for now, I have the 65.

It's rather 'narrow', so works well space wise, HEAVY to carry thru the airport though! lol.. get a luggage cart and a bungee cord before you fly with that bad boy!

You can't remove and launder the cover, which is something I REALLY think they need to revamp, but I bought some 'car wipe' things from Blink and they work wonderfully.

Just my .02

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Think big! Change the world! One A.R.K at a time.

We have a Britax also, one of the less expensive models. From what I understand, American standards only require crash testing at 40 MPH and do not require side crash testing, whereas European models are tested at 100 MPH and side crash tested.

Obviously, more testing means more cost, but we decided it was worth it. Bells and whistles and comfort factor in a lot of the cost between models of the same brand, but I think the testing is why there is such a big difference between American and European brands. We only had to buy one and will be able to use it for another child before it "expires."

I just had to take off and wash the cover this weekend (someone got SICK three times in the car ). It was a pain and is all yucky and stiff feeling now. I wish they could be machine washed and dried.

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It's not what you make; it's what you spend.

Thanks for all your advice and suggestions! I had a garage sale on Saturday to sell the old carseat and to make some money for buying a new one. My baby is 6 months, and he is going to be our last baby due to the pregnancy. My hubby did not want me to buy a britax (he said they were too expensive). I went to big lots and they just got in these carseats that go up to 80 pounds, they are convertible from 5 pounds and turn into a booster - and it was $60!!! I was so excited!!!! I forgot the brand (he just put it in the car yesterday) but it is so cushy and nice. It is the nicest one I have ever bought!!

Thanks again for the advice!!

I am glad that you bought one new from the store. As an FYI it is not a good idea to purchase a used car seat unless you know the prior owner. First there is an "expiration" date for most car seats in that they should not be used for more than five years after manufactur. It has something to do with the aging of the plastic involved.

Addtionally a car seat that has been involved in an accident needs to be replaced. There is something about an accident that can compromise the structural integrity of the carseat. If you buy a seat used you do not know if it has been involved in an accident or not.

We used the Britax seats until my kids got to tall to use them. (They didn't go over on weight, but it was the height!!) We switched to highback boosters with belt positioners -- which my son and younger DD still use. My older DD (who is 8.5) is too tall for any carseat that I have seen. So she is sitting in the seat like a big shot now. She is 62 pounds and 54 inches.

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Grace

Wife to Stoney

Mommy of Sarah (8.5), Hannah (7), and John(4.5)