Sunday, November 20, 2011

Diono RadianRXT Car Seat Review and Giveaway!

By Jennifer (Double Duty Mommy) at 12:02 PM

I can't believe it, my daughter turned 7 years old yesterday. I have no idea where the time went but she is so excited about being older. She is allowed to do some more "big girl" things this year but one thing I am not allowing her to do is leave her car seat.

We've tried many car seats and boosters but none really really comfortable for her or has safe as I would like. My daughter is so tiny, the shortest and thinnest in her class. She only stands about 40 inches and she is about 35 pounds.  She eats like crazy so I have no idea where it all goes but her weight is a concern and always has been when it comes to her car safety.
Diono, formerly Sunshine Kids, has come out with a new, highly versatile car seat that has the highest rear facing limit and forward facing harnessed weight and height (57″) limits on a car seat that I have ever seen.
The RadianRXT Convertible Car Seat-Booster Seat-weight limit for rear facing is 45 pounds, forward facing in a 5 point harness from 20-60 and belt positioning booster until 120 pounds!!

The seat itself is almost 30 pounds which is really heavy for a car seat but that's because of the steel frame and aluminum reinforced sides. I figure the heavier the safer so it's a huge plus to me that it weighs a little more then the average car seat... since this isn't your average car seat.
The RadianRXT also folds up really compact and comes with a built-in carry strap so it's great for traveling especially if you have to lug it to the other side of the airport you can just throw it on your back and go.
The steel alloy frame, reinforced sidewalls, SuperLatch system, EPS foam surrounding the head and body are just a few of the many safety features that you get with this seat. A new thing to me was the SafeStop which is an energy absorbing hardness.
I started installing this seat without reading the manual and let me tell you first hand that you should NOT do that. This seat has so many ins and outs and it became quite stressful at times for me to install it but in the end those "bad" things turned into great features that other seats don't have.

We chose to use the seat as a booster and we used the LATCH system. I had no idea why the seat wouldn't tighten... until I read the manual again. To tighten we had to pull the lose strap through the front then I had to place my knee in the chair with my shoulder pressing on the back and pull. Lots of directions but once I followed them the seat would not and does not budge at all. John even tried moving it back and forth and it wouldn't move.
Notice the read writing on the bottom of the seat. That is a flap that contains an Emergency Child Information card underneath. You can write your child's name, birthday, allergy, medial issues and medication use on the card so if an accident does occur. I love that and it makes me feel just that much safer.

The Radian RXT has been NCAP crash tested and is approved by the FAA for aircraft use. My daughter loves her new seat and so do I. I also love that if and when Makenna does grow out of it then Kendall will also be able to use the seat since it has a 10 year experation date on it.  Or if we have another baby then they can use the seat from birth on. Oh, and did I mention that you can fit THREE across in a Sadan type vehical.

Just some of the amazing features include…
» Rear-facing: 5 - 45 lbs

» Forward-facing: 20 - 80 lbs (and up to 57") in a 5-point harness
» Booster to 120 lbs
» Steel alloy frame and aluminum reinforced sides
» Safestop® energy-absorbing harness system
» Adjustable head support, reinforced for complete side impact safety
» Energy-absorbing EPS foam panels on all sides
» Rear-facing tether capability
» LATCH installation up to 80 lb child
» Infant body support cushions
» Memory foam padding for superior comfort
» 5 shoulder and 3 buckle positions for custom fit
» Expandable sides and longer seat bottom for leg support and comfort
» 12 height positions for adjustable head support
» 2 recline positions in forward-facing mode
» Sits low on vehicle seat for easy child boarding
» Fits 3 across in a mid-size vehicle and offers more shoulder space
» Add up to 4 cup holders (1 included)
» Folds flat for travel and storage
» Rubber bottom grips for no-slip installation
» 10 year life

Because I love this seat so much I have asked Diono to allow me to give one away to my fabulous readers and they agreed!

((If you do not see the Rafflecopter form below please click on the post title to open the giveaway page))







**I was sent the RadianRXT by company or PR representative write my honest review. The views are strictly 100% my own. Receiving the product(s) did not influence me to produce a positive review. Any information regarding statistics and safety information comes from the Diono website**
Giveaway is open to USA only. It will end and close on December 18th@ 9:00pm EST. Any entries made after such time will not be counted and will be removed from the list. Winner will be contacted via email & will have 24 hours to respond. If winner does not respond their prize is then forfeited and a new winner will be selected.