Hi

I'v been doing research into car seats; I need something from time to time and on airplanes. My son is now 18 months and 14 plus kgs and I don't own a car. Nonetheless, I want something durable and of course safe and relatively convenient to drag around for use in cars and airplanes.

I really like the Sunshine Kids Radian 80 with the major disadvantage being that I can't find a retailer in Europe. It ticks all the boxes and seems to be accepted on most airlines as well as having the added benefit of being foldable (I don't mind so much that it's quite heavy if it's foldable and therefore easier to carry)

So first question: does anyone know a retailer that has them?
Anyone have one and want to give more feedback?

Anyone have any great alternatives that can also be used for a long time. With my son's weight, he would be ready for a booster but of course nowhere near mature enough, so I guess a convertible seat is my only realistic option without buying a seat every year.

I have the Radian 65 - DD will outgrow by weight before height - and love it. It is about the size of a booster (unlike the Britax) and it folds flat for traveling. One thing. It is HEAVY. I recently traveled with DD by ourselves and I found it difficult to lug through the airport with carry-ons, etc. There is an optional backpack for it that I will buy before we fly to Switzerland. I don't know what the airports are like in Europe because the last time I was there, it was pre-kid, but the airports in the US don't always have carts at the gate. Security doesn't allow the carts to be taken past the checkpoint.

Of course the weight issue would be the case for anything other than a booster and your son is too young for one of those. The reason the Radian is so heavy is because there is a steel plate in the back. It feels very sturdy.

Oh, I forgot. When DD was 18 months, she found sleeping in the Radian a little difficult because it wasn't as padded as other carseats. You could pack a small pillow. It does fit in airline seats better than the other carseats because it is skinny and lower.

Thanks for your feedback; from what I've been reading, the Radian 80 has a little more padding which is another reason why I really like it.
I figure I've become a weight lifter anyway with my son, so adding a couple of extra kilos one way or the other won't make a difference if it means that I can have him in a good seat.
So does anyone know where I can buy this thing at least in Europe?

Yeah I bought the 65 because it was $100 cheaper.

Maxi-Cosi is the most reliable one ! My husband subscribed a formal research on baby car seat before we made the purchase. (he is an extremely cautious person....) As far as I remember, in the research, they did all the professional test on the impact, security test etc.

we're currently using them for the 2nd level (10kg +)and it's very good. By the way, if your kid is 14kg already, I am not sure but it seems that you don't need a car seat on the plane?!

good luck.

Maybe for safety reasons not but that single seat strap on an airline seat doesn't restrain them very well if they decide they want to be difficult and go walkabout around the aircraft plus it's not very comfortable for you or for the little one if they want to sleep. We have only travelled two hours max with our son but I can imagine it would be hell on wheels if you go long-haul with nowhere for them to snuggle into for a sleep (or get strapped into when they are getting shouty).

Yes; that's exactly my concern. Going from his weight, he'd be in a booster seat and wouldn't really need any special seat on an airplane. But he's only 18 months, so I would prefer for him to be comfortable on a trans-Atlantic flight (also to keep me sane!!!).

I've considered the Maxi Cosi Tobi as an alternative that's available here, but I still like the Radian and would buy it if I could avoid 130 USD delviery fee!

Hi there,
I have travelled with my maxi cosi on a couple of flights. I reckon one which reclines is your best bet. Also, if possible, I would get one which covers a larger weight range as you will find the laws are getting more strict every year on the amount of restraining kids need in a car (a simple booster seat is not allowed until 40kg or age 14 in some places - I think including Switzerland) so you will get plenty of use in a car atleast.

A word of caution though, I have also not been allowed to use my seat on two long haul flights (with Emirates and Singapore Airlines). I argued that the seat was approved for use on flights, but they just simply refused on the day with no real reason and we had to check it in as an extra piece of luggage.

I was travelling business on the Emirates flight too!!!

I would sincerely advise you to go for the lightest one you can - I too am as strong as an ox with 2 little kids, but with another baby on the way, a couple of extra kilos on my last long haul to Zurich was the last thing I could have coped with. Get something that restrains your child from wandering and will keep him safe in turbulence, but something you can happily lift with jet lag, and yours, your husband's and your children's hand luggage.

Hope this helps
Claire

I have a question about car seats that I have not been able to find here on the forum, or while searching several of the links given.

We are going to have visitors next month, who are bringing their 7 mo. old baby, who is not yet 9 kilos. We have a car seat for her to use (bought second-hand from ricardo without a manual), but I'm not sure about whether the seat should be forward facing, or backward facing for her size/age.

I don't feel comfortable relying on the parents knowledge, since a) they are not from Switzerland or a nearby European country and b) the laws regarding children seats are very lax where they are from.

Thanks for any input.

B

Is it a Group 0 or Group 0+ car seat? It will have a label attached telling you the weight for the child. If it is for a child weighing up to 9kg (group 0) or 13Kg (group 0+) then it is rear facing.

Personally at that age, I would never carry a child any other way except for rear facing.

Have a look at the label on the seat and get back if you cannot still work it out.

Thanks so much for the quick reply. The seat says it's for 0-13 kg.

I'll keep it rear facing.

I brought my Maxi-Cosi on board last time we flew and the little one fell asleep quite quickly once in the reclined position. My advice to anyone travelling with a car seat through the airport is to bring a bungee cord (looks like a spider) that you can find at Migros. I used this to attach the car seat to my carry on luggage and wheeled it through the airport. It was the best 5 CHF I have ever spent!

Has anyone tried the Kids Fly Safe restraint? www.kidsflysafe.com
Seems a good alternative to carrying a car seat on long haul flights.