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Sunshine Kids Radian 80 convertible car seat

$249.99

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Our Review of the Sunshine Kids Radian 80 convertible car seat

We do our best to stay objective here at TipToeTurtle.com. We might be a retailer, but our goal is to inform and educate you about car seats while you shop. That being said, we're about to make a very bold statement:

"The Sunshine Kids Radian 80 convertible car seat is (probably) the only car seat you will ever need."

We'll get to the "probably' part in a second.*

The Sunshine Kids Radian 80 is the only car seat ever produced that secures a child from birth up until they are 80lbs!!

The Radian 80 is rear facing until your child is 35 lbs.

Once your child has reached 35 lbs. or so, you simply spin the Radian 80 around your child has a comfortable and very safe forward facing car seat with a narrow profile that (and this is another one of Sunshine Kids trademarks) folds up into a slim, 7" thick package. What's more, its v-shaped top tether allows you to use the top tether when in the rear facing position. Only a select few car seats can claim this particular feature. 

Tested again and again, the Radian 80 has Safety Feature after Safety Feature

Not only does the Radian 80 exceed all Federal Safety Standards, it has numerous additional safety measures in place to ensure that your child, no matter what their age or weight, will be totally secure. Along with Recaro and Safeguard, the Radian 80 is one of only a few car seats built on a steel alloy frame; most are made entirely of plastics. While this does make the Radian 80 somewhat heavier than the average car seat, this extra weight adds a level of stability that owners of the Sunshine Kids Radian 65 already appreciate.

This added stability, and a few other safety enhancing features, only improve on the Radian 80 convertible car seat's overall appeal. In addition, the fabrics of the Radian 80's seat are plush and comfortable.

(Note: Sunshine Kids seat fabrics are not machine washable. Hand wash and line-dry only) 

A growing movement amongst car seat safety advocates encourages parents to keep their children in a car seat with a 5-point harness for as long as possible. While the Radian 65 works until kids are 65 lbs, the only seat that secures an 80 lbs kid in this manner is the Britax Regent. Both the Regent and the Radian 80 virtually eliminate the need for a booster seat.

*Bottom Line

If "the Sunshine Kid's Radian 80 convertible car seat is (probably) the only car seat you will ever need," the "probably" part of this statement comes into play when you directly compare the Radian 80 with the Britax Regent.

While the Radian 80 has a very high weight capacity, the seat width is only 10" vs. the Regent's 14" seat.

The Britax Regent may be a bit wider, but it is very bulky, is only forward facing, and does not fold like the Radian 80. Because the Radian 80 is so narrow, you can potentially put three of them side by side in the back seat. Three Regents side by side? Impossible.  

  • Sunshine Kids Radian 80 car seat
    Manhattan
  • Sunshine Kids Radian 80 convertible car seat
    Monaco
  • Sunshine Kids Radian 80 convertible car seat
    Princess
  • Sunshine Kids Radian 80 car seat
    Super Cool
  • Sunshine Kids Radian 80 car seat
    Manhattan without pads
  • Sunshine Kids Radian 80 car seat
    Manhattan with headrest
  • Sunshine Kids Radian 80 car seat
    Manhattan folded
  • Sunshine Kids Radian 80 car seat
    Super Cool folded
  • Sunshine Kids Radian 80 car seat
    Installed rear facing
  • Sunshine Kids Radian 80 car seat
    Safe-Stop and Super-Lock
  • Sunshine Kids Radian 80 car seat
    Radian back
Sunshine Kids Radian 80 car seat
Click here to download instruction manual. (Adobe Reader required)

Car seat specs

Min child weight
5 lbs.
Max child weight
80 lbs.
Rear-facing minimum weight
5 lbs.
Max child weight - Rear Facing mode
35 lbs.
Min child weight - Forward Facing mode
22 lbs.
Max child weight - Forward facing mode
80 lbs.
Max harness weight capacity
80 lbs.
Min child height
n/a
Max child height
53"
Min child height - Forward facing mode
n/a
Max 5-pt harness child height capacity
53"
Min height for booster use
n/a

Car seat dimensions

Product weight
20.5 lbs.
Seat Base / Foot Width
17"
Seat height
28.5"
Interior seat width
11.4"
Bottom to lowest harness slot
8"
Bottom to highest harness slot
18"
Seat weight (without base)
20.5 lbs.
  • One (1) Sunshine Kids Carry Strap included
  • 5 lbs to 80 lbs in 5-point harness – Highest capacity convertible car seat
  • Steel alloy frame – Strongest convertible car seat made
  • SafeStop harness system – Absorbs impact energy in an accident
  • 4-panel system EPS safety foam – Total side-impact protection, more than any other seat
  • V-shaped top tether – Can be used rear-facing
  • 5 shoulder and 3 buckle positions – Proper harness fit for all ages and weights
  • Narrower outside width – Fit three seats across the back seat
  • Infant body support – Converts to pillow cushions for older child
  • Folds to 7 (17.8 cm) thick – ravel and storage convenience
  • Low profile – Easier to get child in and out, plus safer positioning for child
  • Removable cover must be hand washed and line-dried

    • Sunshine Kids Radian 80 convertible car seat Reviews

    Sunshine Kids Radian 80 convertible car seat

    All Customer Reviews

    Average Rating:
    Star Rating
    Highest Rating:
    Star Rating
    Lowest Rating:
    Star Rating
    Number of Reviews:
    109
    Distribution of Ratings
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    Distibution of Ratings
    Submit A Review
    Showing 1 to 9 of 109
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    Great for older babies and up

    4
    Reviewer: Anonymous , Richlands, NC Date: September 04, 2008
    I bought three of these because we are expecting a third baby and we are not ready to buy a different vehicle, so we are stuck with the 4dr sedan for the time being. This seat is very impressive (and heavy) but I was not confident in the angle of recline in the rear-facing position. I think an older baby would be fine, but I just don't want to put a newborn in it, so I ended up buying an infant carrier to use for now.
    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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    crotch strap is under my son

    1
    Reviewer: Anonymous , Tunkhannock, Pa Date: July 13, 2008
    I puchased this seat late last fall and my son who is 5 40 inches tall and 40lbs has been riding in it. He never seemed very comfy in it. The past couple of months he has been crying in it and saying that is privates hurt. I noticed that the crotch strap is under him and wraps around his privates. I contacted customer service and they told me it was fine. I have now taken him out of the seat because he cries so much in it!! I have contacted sunshine kids by email twice and have not received any answers!! I just wish someone could help I spent over $200 on this seat and now can't use it!! Very disapointed in Sunshine Kids!!
    3 of 7 people found this review helpful
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    Seemed good, but now my son is uncomfortable

    3
    Reviewer: Sally , Chicago, IL Date: July 09, 2008
    This seat seemed to be working fine until a couple months after using it. My now 3-year old suddenly started feeling uncomfortable in it- first from the huge tag stitched into the back of it, and now from the fact that the seat is so low that my car's buckle (a '98 Accord) has to stick partially behind the cushion at his back. I don't know what else to do, finding this seat was such a pain in the first place to fit my car and keep my large child (over 45 lbs.) safe in a 5 pt. harness. I think we're going to have to try the new Graco Nautilis, or even more expensive the new Britax Frontier. (We used a Britax Decathalon before baby #2 needed it, so my first was probably a bit pampered too since it's so comfy!) It sounded wonderful, but in the end we are disappointed with this seat.
    3 of 5 people found this review helpful
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    Too Many Parts to Keep Track of

    3
    Reviewer: Heather , Seattle, WA Date: June 26, 2008
    THE GOOD:
    ** Narrow profile
    ** Folds for travel (with a caveat, see below)
    ** My 25 lb, average-size 1 year old seems comfortable

    THE BAD:
    ** Heavy. I know others have said it, but WOW! schlepping this car seat though the airport just about killed us. The folding ability was nice, but the weight was a downer.
    ** Taller than other seats. This seat did not fit rear-facing in our '05 Subaru Outback. Granted, we're both 6' and have the front seats all the way back, but the Radian didn't fit at all...even in the middle seat. It does fit fine in our minivan.
    ** Too many pieces. You need the attachable wedge for rear-facing use. When you then use the seat forward-facing, you have to remove the wedge and hope that you remembered where you stored it when you need to use it again for the next baby. Also, you need to attach a strap onto the back for forward-facing use--a strap that you don't need for rear-facing (correct me if I'm wrong, but that is what the sticker on the side of the seat said. Needless to say, my child is still rear-facing because I can't find the strap at the moment.)
    ** Low sides. This is part of the low-profile benefit; however, my 1 year old loves to swing her legs over the side of the seat. The sides are so low that she can easily do it. She is not able to do this with her Boulevard.
    ** For me anyway, harder to install. I had to have my husband get this seat tight enough in the car. I am able to get the Boulevard tight w/o his help.

    I also received the seat with a defective shoulder strap. Sunshine Kids did eventually replace it.
    OVERALL, an okay car seat, but nothing special. I probably wouldn't order again.

    I'm sorry this review is hard to read--the inability to include line breaks is frustrating.
    5 of 6 people found this review helpful
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    You'll never buy another car seat!

    4
    Reviewer: Justine , Livermore, CA Date: April 25, 2008
    We bought two of these seats - one for my 3 year-old daughter and another for my 7 month-old son. We are very happy with the seats and especially love the following features: 1. 5-point harness for children up to 80 lbs. We initially transferred my 35 lb. daughter to a booster seat and she looked so unsafe in it. This 5 point harness looks very solid and I love that she can be in the seat until she's 80 lbs. 2. Narrow. This seat is so nice and narrow. I could easily fit three of these in the second row of my Pilot. 3. It folds! My husband folded this seat and easily carried it around the airport with the included shoulder strap. 4. Padding for infants - my son looks so comfy and safe in his Radian 80. The Princess print is also absolutely adorable. My only complaint is that the straps can be a little difficult to adjust in the forward-facing position since they are so snug up against the back of the seat. However, it is getting easier as I get used to adjusting it.
    6 of 6 people found this review helpful
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    Best Seat Money Can Buy

    5
    Reviewer: Kevin , Incline Village, Nevada Date: April 02, 2008
    After our little boy started reaching the 20lb mark, we had to start looking for a big boy car seat. Wanted one that could keep him rear facing as long as possible and also converted well into a forward facing toddler seat/booster that kept him in the 5pt harness as long as possible. After lots and lots of research and we settled on the Radian 80 in Super Cool. We love it. Was nervous about the strap complaints, and it is slightly tougher for the rear facing mode, but honestly we had to work a little bit with our infant carrier and it isn't much harder to get the strap on the radian 80 tightened. We have it rear facinging in the middle seat of our 05 pathfinder and it fits great, better than his garco infant carrier fit. The seat looks like it was built to match our interior. Don't think it will work for rear facing in the non-middle seats as it angles sharply and will hit the backs of the front seats. We bought the optional travel case for it as well to protect it for airplane trips. The carry bag is built really well. Also an unadvertised feature is how all of the latch straps are nicely integrated and stowed neatly within the seat when traveling or not in use. (each strap has its own compartment) Honestly after seeing our friends britx boulavard seat, I anticipate this seat lasting our child much longer. 4 and 5 year olds don't want to sit in a "baby seat". This thing works great with our 9 month old infant and will satisfy his big boy aspirations later on! Honestly the Radian is build like a tank, and isn't that the point? When I went to Babies R' Us to check out all the seats, they all were build from plastic, which is ok I guess, but I really like the weight and tough feeling that this seat offers. Every seat has its tradeoffs, and I think this one has the fewest tradeoffs of all car seats. Hope this helps you out!
    11 of 11 people found this review helpful
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    Great Seat

    5
    Reviewer: Anonymous , Pinehurst, NC Date: April 01, 2008
    I did lots of research before deciding on this car seat. My family members all have Britax and love them. However they take up the whole back seat and other passagers were uncomfortable. Once the decison was made on the Radian 80, Elite Car seats was prompt and professional about getting the purchase to our home. I installed the car seat in both our cars both foward and rear facing to make sure that it fit tightly and that I would be satisfied with the seat. The seat was easy to install and with the tips on getting it tight that the instruction book included, it fits nicely in both cars. My child is 7 months old and very long. He seems very comfortable in the seat and it is easy to get him in because it is lower then other car seats. And the best part is that he can look up and make eye contact with me in this seat.
    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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    Love this seat!

    4
    Reviewer: Anonymous , Sumter, SC Date: March 30, 2008
    We love this seat. My daughter calls it her beautiful princess chair. It's heavy but easy to install, and because of its slimline design, it fits very well in my Malibu. I researched lots of seats before choosing this one, and I am very satisfied with our decision. We plan to use it for as long as possible because we really do believe that a 5-point harness is the safest way for our child to travel. The only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars is because the cover is not machine washable and can only be spot cleaned. However, I checked out the manufacturer's website and a replacement cover can be purchased if necessary.
    3 of 4 people found this review helpful
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    Will buy it again

    5
    Reviewer: Anonymous , Avondale, AZ Date: March 28, 2008
    I needed to move my 3 year old out of her Britax Roundabout for my baby. She was upset but loved the fact that she could pick the cover. The seat was delivered extremely fast. The directions were clear. I loved the fact that most of the items for the carseat have a storage place in the back of the seat. My daughter fits great in it, with lots of room to grow. The groin harness is in the middle slot, and she is very comfortable. She does have a slim build. I also love the look of it. It is very sleek and "stream line" ( as much as a carseat can be). I plan to use this as her car seat until she no longer needs any type restraint, other than a regular seatbelt. I feel like I found the perfect carseat. It was also listed on the American Pediatric As. There is one negative, no cup holder for the sippy, but I will still buy another one when my baby outgrows her current seat.
    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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