Karter - 3 years old, 37lbs, 41.5in. We are officially the owners of a beautiful new Daytona (Red) Diono Radian RXT. I first stumbled across this carseat back in December while browsing through my Facebook Newsfeed, I was not in the market for a new carseat but I was very impressed with all the positive comments this post was getting, so I did a little research. I fell in love! The Diono Radians are a fairly new redesign of a carseat, so that may explain why I never came across it when we were carseat shopping 3 years ago. It didn't take long for me to know that I needed not just 1 but 2 of these bad boys!! I saved up all my pennies over the last few months and was finally able to purchase this carseat for my 3 year old, Karter. If all goes as planned I hope to have another one before my little bun in the oven outgrows the infant carrier. These carseats are definitely top of the market, with some of the highest weight and height restrictions, and longer expiration dates, a Diono Radian can truly be the only carseat you’ll ever need…So in the long run money saving too!
Features that first got my attention:
> Overall weight Limits – 5-120lbs
> Rear Facing Limit – 5-45lbs
> Forward Facing with 5 point Harness – 20-80lbs
> Booster – up to 120lbs
> Steel Alloy Frame with Aluminum Reinforced Sides (vs plastic on most other carseats)
> 10 year Life – 8 year expiration on the entire seat (vs 5 on
most other carseats) and an additional 2 years on the booster.
Features I found out while I was saving up:
> Airplane Approved
> Memory Foam Seat Cushions
> Rear Facing Tether – I’ve always wished I could tether rear facing to take away that extra movement but come to find out there are only about 3 carseat manufacturers that have this feature, Diono is one of them!
> 3 seats will fit in one row – impressive! Might need this feature one day!
> Crash Tested and approved at double the requirements.
Notes I’ve made since I received the Carseat:
> Nicely Packaged – Was not double boxed for shipping, Very little waste –Carseat was in the folded position with all accessories on top, inside of a bag with just one foam wedge for prevent additional movement.
Features that first got my attention:
> Overall weight Limits – 5-120lbs
> Rear Facing Limit – 5-45lbs
> Forward Facing with 5 point Harness – 20-80lbs
> Booster – up to 120lbs
> Steel Alloy Frame with Aluminum Reinforced Sides (vs plastic on most other carseats)
> 10 year Life – 8 year expiration on the entire seat (vs 5 on
most other carseats) and an additional 2 years on the booster.
Features I found out while I was saving up:
> Airplane Approved
> Memory Foam Seat Cushions
> Rear Facing Tether – I’ve always wished I could tether rear facing to take away that extra movement but come to find out there are only about 3 carseat manufacturers that have this feature, Diono is one of them!
> 3 seats will fit in one row – impressive! Might need this feature one day!
> Crash Tested and approved at double the requirements.
Notes I’ve made since I received the Carseat:
> Nicely Packaged – Was not double boxed for shipping, Very little waste –Carseat was in the folded position with all accessories on top, inside of a bag with just one foam wedge for prevent additional movement.
What's in the Box - Carseat in the folded position, Infant Body and Head Support Cushions, Rear Facing Base, Rear Facing Tether attachment, cup holder.
> My first comment - "Cody, come feel it!!" - It is made of Micro-Denier Nylon, which feels like windbreaker material - water resistent and will wipe clean of messes =) Only the Daytona, Cobalt and Shadow come in this material, be sure to see the print/material comparison below!
> Clear Belt Pathways - typically you have to reach through the seat cushions and it's not always the easiest! This seat has specific openings just for the belts that you can see all the way through! And they're clearly labled Front and Rear! My large hands hands had no problems with it!
> Clear Belt Pathways - typically you have to reach through the seat cushions and it's not always the easiest! This seat has specific openings just for the belts that you can see all the way through! And they're clearly labled Front and Rear! My large hands hands had no problems with it!
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> Instructions Manual was tied with lanyard to the top making it easy to access, I ofcourse read it in full before even pulling anything else out of the box! It was very easy to read, has pictures and includes scans for use with smartphones to see video directions.
> Has a built in recline that is adjustable for forward facing- nice little grow with me feature. Easy to adjust. Must be reclined for rear facing base to attached.
> Has a built in recline that is adjustable for forward facing- nice little grow with me feature. Easy to adjust. Must be reclined for rear facing base to attached.
 No Recline |  Recline |
> Side Impact Head Wings are stiff to move up, moves down easier. Says theres 12 positions but they are very tiny click - not to impressed with that.
> Has normal threading for the harness adjustments - I've never owned a no thread carseat, I know there are some out there, that would have been a neat feature to have.
> Has a "SafeStop" attachment - For those who choose to forward face prior to maximum rear facing restrictions this is a awesome feature!! It threads into the harness threading in the back and is designed to absorb energy and reduce impact to smaller forward facing children (Under 40lbs).
> The expiration date is not on the seat, it does show the manufactured date, but I'm a little bummed I couldn't see "Expires: 12/2022"
> Rear Facing Tether - comes with an attachment that you secure to anything that is directly attached to the vehicle frame and then clip the tether to it. Way Cool feature!!
> Has normal threading for the harness adjustments - I've never owned a no thread carseat, I know there are some out there, that would have been a neat feature to have.
> Has a "SafeStop" attachment - For those who choose to forward face prior to maximum rear facing restrictions this is a awesome feature!! It threads into the harness threading in the back and is designed to absorb energy and reduce impact to smaller forward facing children (Under 40lbs).
> The expiration date is not on the seat, it does show the manufactured date, but I'm a little bummed I couldn't see "Expires: 12/2022"
> Rear Facing Tether - comes with an attachment that you secure to anything that is directly attached to the vehicle frame and then clip the tether to it. Way Cool feature!!
Tethered to support bar under front seat.
> Airplane approved and includes instructions for how to install rear facing and forward facing.
> Easy to fold and unfold. Folded position is great for storage and very conveient for travel, ofcourse still heavy because its got that steel frame, but not as bulky as carrying any other carseat through the airport. It did not come with the shoulder or backpack straps, I would definitely want that for the airport!!
> SuperLatch - Super easy!! Love how easy it is to "click" into the anchors and simple button to release them!
> SuperLatch - Super easy!! Love how easy it is to "click" into the anchors and simple button to release them!
> Cupholder - Kinda Flimsy. I installed it on the inner side of the vehichle so it doesn't get knocked out everytime my little guy climbs in. I also gave it additional support by putting down the armrest.
> Has rubber bottom grips – I first noticed this when I was playing with it in the house, it didn’t slide around on the table. Made for a nice easy installation in the car too! Will also be more gentle on car upholstery!
> All the tethers and latches have storage spots on the back of the carseat to keep them nice, neat and organized!
> Has a neat little Emergency Information pocket - with a card to slide in there.
> All the tethers and latches have storage spots on the back of the carseat to keep them nice, neat and organized!
> Has a neat little Emergency Information pocket - with a card to slide in there.
>Sits lower in the vehicle and doesn’t have high walls on it, makes it easier for Karter to get in and out on his own, and when I lift him in I don’t have to lift so high preventing his head from hitting the roof!
> Karter's first comments - "This is soft" "I like my new big boy carseat" - even rear facing he has more space!
> Karter's first comments - "This is soft" "I like my new big boy carseat" - even rear facing he has more space!
Installed Rear Facing with the angle adjuster in my Mini Van.
So far we (as a family) are all very impressed with our Diono Radian RXT...the features, the safety, the whole package! Diono definitely went above and beyond with this one!! I'm very happy to know that my son is very safe in this carseat now, and will continue to be safe in this seat for a very long time! I look forward to buying another one in the near future!!
Comparison of Radian Prints and Fabric Materials:
> Daytona - Micro-Denier Nylon & Mesh
> Cobalt - Micro-Denier Nylon & Mesh
> Plum - Ultrasuede & Mesh
> Rugby - Micro-Mesh Velour
> Shadow - Micro-Denier Nylon
> Spring - Micro-Fiber Velour
> Storm - Micro-Mesh Velour
Comparison of Diono Radian RXT to other Diono Models:
> Radian R100 - 40lb Rear Face limit, 65lb 5-point harness, 100lb booster, no Side Impact Head Wings
> Radian R120 - no Side Impact Head Wings
> Radian GXT - Has Stain Resistent Velour Material, Comes with a waterproof undermat, 10 year life warranty (RXT has 1 year)
> Monterey - No 5 Point Harness, Booster only 30-120lbs
> SanteFe - No 5 Point Harness, Backless Booster 30-120lbs
Additional Accessories:
> Angle Adjuster - For Rear Facing Radian Seats with children over the age one, adjusts the incline to more upright and allows for 4 more inches of space between the top of the carseat and the front seat. Made of dense foam that does not compress, has been crash tested and approved! (Pictured Above)
> Dry Seat - Waterproof cushion that sit in carseat, protects upholstery, prevents having to wash the whole cover, machine washable. Has been crash tested and approved. Wish I had one of these for when I was potty training Karter!!
> Grip It - Full Seat Protector, prevents slipping and sliding of carseat, protects upholstery from scratches and scrapes. Latch Compatable and Crash tested and approved.
> Radian Carry Strap - Shoulder Strap for carrying the seat in the folded position.
> Radian Travel Bag - Waterproof bag with straps, great for travel or storage. Fun fact: it also fits perfectly in a sea bag for you military families!!
Comparison of Radian Prints and Fabric Materials:
> Daytona - Micro-Denier Nylon & Mesh
> Cobalt - Micro-Denier Nylon & Mesh
> Plum - Ultrasuede & Mesh
> Rugby - Micro-Mesh Velour
> Shadow - Micro-Denier Nylon
> Spring - Micro-Fiber Velour
> Storm - Micro-Mesh Velour
Comparison of Diono Radian RXT to other Diono Models:
> Radian R100 - 40lb Rear Face limit, 65lb 5-point harness, 100lb booster, no Side Impact Head Wings
> Radian R120 - no Side Impact Head Wings
> Radian GXT - Has Stain Resistent Velour Material, Comes with a waterproof undermat, 10 year life warranty (RXT has 1 year)
> Monterey - No 5 Point Harness, Booster only 30-120lbs
> SanteFe - No 5 Point Harness, Backless Booster 30-120lbs
Additional Accessories:
> Angle Adjuster - For Rear Facing Radian Seats with children over the age one, adjusts the incline to more upright and allows for 4 more inches of space between the top of the carseat and the front seat. Made of dense foam that does not compress, has been crash tested and approved! (Pictured Above)
> Dry Seat - Waterproof cushion that sit in carseat, protects upholstery, prevents having to wash the whole cover, machine washable. Has been crash tested and approved. Wish I had one of these for when I was potty training Karter!!
> Grip It - Full Seat Protector, prevents slipping and sliding of carseat, protects upholstery from scratches and scrapes. Latch Compatable and Crash tested and approved.
> Radian Carry Strap - Shoulder Strap for carrying the seat in the folded position.
> Radian Travel Bag - Waterproof bag with straps, great for travel or storage. Fun fact: it also fits perfectly in a sea bag for you military families!!
Link to Amazon (Current Version): https://amzn.to/2JTqlO4
Another Model we own: https://amzn.to/34yhBVj
Booster Seat we own as well: https://amzn.to/2NNWqbn
Another Model we own: https://amzn.to/34yhBVj
Booster Seat we own as well: https://amzn.to/2NNWqbn
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