Sunshine Kids Radian 80SL convertible car seat

The team at EliteCarSeats.com tries to stay objective, but we can't hide how much we love the Sunshine Kids Radian 80SL. A true innovation, the Radian 80SL convertible car seat solves a major car seat safety problem: incorrect car seat installation.

Of all the convertible car seats available on the market today, only Sunshine Kids offers a SuperLATCH system that allows the use of LATCH beyond 48 lbs. Now parents can use the easier, more intuitive LATCH system to install their car seat instead of having to revert to more difficult seat belt installation after 48 lbs.

For those who like options, the Sunshine Kids Radian 80SL can be installed using your vehicle's seatbelts.

Standout Features:

• SuperLATCH installs in one minute and allows use of LATCH up to 80 lbs!
• No need to reinstall the seat after 48 lbs
• No seat belt required, no top tether required
• Rear-facing to 45 lbs
• Side Impact Protection
• Forward-facing to 80 lbs

Convenience: The ideal convertible car seat for parents of multiples, the Radian 80SL fits 3 across in most vehicles, including 4-door sedans. When you're on the go, just fold the 80SL in half and sling it over your shoulder for transport. Please know that this car seat is heavy to carry, but still transportable.

Installation: Thanks to SuperLATCH, the Sunshine Kids Radian 80SL installs in just a minute using LATCH and requires neither seatbelts nor the top tether. The Radian 80SL can also be installed using your vehicle's seatbelts.

SuperLATCH incorporates high strength connectors, Steelweave webbing, and the Easy-Tite adjuster, which makes getting a rock-solid installation just a matter of giving a quick pull. These features, combined with the Radian 80SL's steel alloy frame, makes Sunshine Kids SuperLATCH the only LATCH system that can be used up to 80 lbs.

You've probably heard warnings against using LATCH over 48 lbs, but here's the true story: all LATCH anchors in cars meet the same NHTSA requirements, so a LATCH anchor in a Toyota is made to the same specifications as a LATCH anchor in a Ford. Sunshine Kids tested the Radian XTSL to both FMVSS 213 and NCAP standards using only SuperLATCH and no top tether, and passed both tests.

Sunshine Kids and EliteCarSeats.com recommends using Top Tether, but for those with vehicles with no Top Tether anchor, the XTSL does not require the use of Top Tether for proper safety.

Note: SuperLATCH past 48 lbs is only intended for use on vehicles manufactured after September 2005. If your vehicle was manufactured before September 2005, you will need to reinstall your Sunshine Kids car seat after 48 lbs using your vehicle's seat belts.

Benefits for Baby: Sunshine Kids knows that comfort means a lot to kids, and so they equipped the Radian 80SL convertible car seat with memory foam for plenty of cushion.

Because the Sunshine Kids Radian 80SL has a rear-facing limit of 45 lbs, your child can remain rear-facing probably past their 2nd birthday. The 80 lb forward-facing limit keeps your child in a harness longer.

For added safety, the SafeStop harness system prevents serious neck injury for forward-facing children under 40 lbs in the event of collision. Both EliteCarSeats.com and Sunshine Kids strongly recommend keeping children rear-facing until the 45 lb rear-facing limit.

Safety:

• SuperLATCH encourages proper installation
• Side Impact Protection
• EPS foam
• 5-point harness
• Meets or exceeds FMVSS 213 and NCAP

Comparison: The companion to the 80SL is the Sunshine Kids Radian XTSL convertible car seat. The Radian XTSL shows off SuperLATCH, SIP, and a slim profile, and adds an adjustable height headrest and deeper side wings.

If you're looking for another 80 lb limit car seat, check out the Britax Frontier. The Frontier is forward-facing only, but also converts to a booster. The Frontier has a much larger footprint than the 80SL and does not use SuperLATCH.

If you want to go with a lower capacity convertible car seat, The First Years True Fit has a rear-facing limit of 40 lbs and a forward-facing limit of 65 lbs. A removable headrest for rear-facing installation makes the True Fit a great option for smaller cars. Furthermore, the True Fit is rated as one of the easiest to install car seats. Unlike the Radian 80SL, the True Fit does not use SuperLATCH and so requires installation with your vehicle's seatbelts past 48 lbs.

What's the difference between the Radian XTSL and Radian 80 SL?

• The Radian XTSL has a height-adjustable headrest while the Radian 80 has a stationary headrest.
• The Radian XTSL offers amazing side impact protection thanks to 7" deep sides. The Radian 80SL offers side impact protection, but the sides are not as deep as on the XTSL.