based on 55 reviews
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Sunshine Kids Radian80 SL Convertible Car Seat Description
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 85 lb limit car seat, check out the Britax Frontier 85. 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?
Sunshine Kids Radian80 SL Convertible Car Seat Details
- Rear-facing: 5 – 45 pounds; Forward-facing: 20 – 80 pounds (53″) in a 5-point harness
- Steel alloy frame and aluminum reinforced sides folds flat for travel and storage, includes convenient carry strap
- SuperLATCH installation up to 80 pounds – no seat belt required with SafeStop energy absorbing harness system
- Energy absorbing EPS foam panels for side impact protection sits low on vehicle seat for easy child boarding
- Fits 3-across in a car; Infant pillow support and memory foam for superior comfort
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Sunshine Kids Radian80 SL Convertible Car Seat Customer Reviews
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4.2
out of
5
based on
55 ratings.
532 user reviews
Sunshine Kids Radian80 SL Convertible Car Seat, Sport
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 85 lb limit car seat, check out the Britax Frontier 85. 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?
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(5.0 out of 5)
Love these seats! 3 In a Row!
5 stars
Reviewer: Mariah Milan , Austin, TX Date: January 07, 2011
I love this carseat because it sits lower than a Britax. I have a tiny Scion XB and those darn Britax seats sit so high up that I was accidentally bumping my kids heads’ all the time. I love how this seat keeps them in a 5 point harness until they’re 80 pounds. I have my 4 year old front facing, my 2 year old rear facing, and my 10 month old rear facing all in the back of my Scion XB. This seat is heavy duty. I wouldn’t recommend any other seat to family and friends. Regarding the comment about cleaning… I haven’t ever seen a childs carseat that is easy to clean – they are all a challenge
Love these carseats!!
5 stars
Reviewer: Lori , Seattle, WA Date: October 07, 2010
I bought 2 of these seats for my kids (ages 4 & 5) and just recently bought another for my 3 year old because I love them so much! I have not used them in the rear facing position so I haven’t had to use the extra base piece included. I prefer the Britax MarathonMini in the rear facing position because the Marathon/Decathlon sit higher, and have more padding & recline for a smaller child. I chose these seats because I wanted booster seats with a 5-pt harness so that my kids could do their seat belts and I wouldn’t have to worry as much about whether they were buckled in properly, as I did with the highback booster where the seatbelt from the car had to be threaded through the carseat near the shoulder and then pulled all the way out to ensure that it locked. We also have the Compass B510 booster seat which folds, but the kids don’t like having to use the car seatbelt (and it gets dirty quickly) so we much prefer the Sunshine Kids Radian 80SL. These seats are great for kids who don’t need to/prefer to be forward facing. The bottom of the seat sits lower so it takes up less space when my 4 kids are getting in and out of the car. I love that I can use the latch system in my car, in addition to the top tether, so that the seats don’t move around once they’re installed. I will say that these are HEAVY seats and not the best if you plan to take them out often at daycare/school, etc. They are great if you plan to install them in the car the kids’ primarily ride. As for washing, I have found them just as easy to launder as my Britax Marathon & Decathlon. As for the foam piece on the inside of the seat, I have been able to rinse it out in warm soapy water and just line dry. To keep the seat covers looking nice, I have not put them in the dryer. Overall, I’m very pleased with these seats. I like the fact that they fold and we have sent them as checked luggage in the Sunshine Kids carrying bag (sold separately). Yes they’re heavy but we have always just checked it with luggage, and not tried to carry it through the airport or use it on an airplane. I bought the seatbelt extender for $15 for my older kids, but noticed a very minimal difference compared to the seatbelt that comes with the carseat so I didn’t buy it on my latest carseat purchase. I don’t think it’s worth the additional $15 because my kids are a little thinner than average in size. My kids all love these carseats and feel like big kids in them, and still have their independence when it comes to buckling themselves because the 5-pt harness is so much easier for them than the seatbelt from the car. And the 5-pt harness is more peace of mind for me!
Don’t believe the hype
1 star
Reviewer: Anonymous , Charlottesville, VA Date: September 29, 2010
This seat may get great reviews for safety but at the cost of comfort for your child, ease of daily use for the parent and the hassle of a really hard clean. The forward facing seat does not recline enough to create anything other than a 90 degree angle which is extremely uncomfortable for my child. The seatbelt (points 3 & 4 of the 5 point harness) are always slipping under the child so parent has to dig them out every single time. Cleaning is horrific. What type of planning when into the mesh seat cushion of the radian 80SL Sport? Not the parent of a messy toddler. I’ve had this seat for two months and hate it. What a waste of a lot of money.
Great Solid Seat!
5 stars
Reviewer: Kelly , Colorado Date: January 28, 2010
My husband is certified by NHTSA in car seat and passenger safety. He installs car all brands of car seats for parents and grandparents for one of our local police departments. Additionally, he handles a lot of car accidents and is an accident re-constructionist. So, he has seen car seats, after they’ve been through an accident. This was pretty much the only seat for our daughter. The solid steel frame is what sold me. It may be heavier than other seats at 26 lbs, but I’ve traveled by air and didn’t have too much of a problem getting it checked in. If you can’t carry 26 lbs through the airport, you’re in trouble when your child reaches that weight! Besides, we are in the car driving around doing errands more than we are carrying the seat at the airport. I bought this seat because of how safe my daughter would be in the car, not how convenient the seat would be to haul around when we travel. We were given another seat as a gift for our second car. It is a different brand and it doesn’t even compare to our Sunshine Kids seat. The clip across the chest on the gift seat is so flimsy compared with our Sunshine Kids seat. Also, the seat belt release at the bottom (which tightens or loosens) is much easier to operate on the Sunshine kids seat. My husband has experience with all the seats and he stands by our purchase so much that we have another baby on the way and he already plans to buy another Sunshine Kids seat! I completely agree!
straps get lost but fit 3 in a row!
4 stars
Reviewer: Anonymous , Fishers, IN Date: September 20, 2009
I purchased these seats because we needed to fit 3 convertible seats in the backrow of a trailblazer. IT WORKS and this was our only choice (that I found)and I did a lot of research. I have one foward facing (britax marathon) and 2 rear facing (radian 80). The seats do not fit well rear facing because they are too long but it is manageable. I have the rear facing seats in the middle and behind the passenger…. Because the seats fold, I think the straps get “lost” easier….I have to dig to get the straps out often. It is annoying, but like I said we didn’t have much choice. I am very pleased with the safety of the seats. They are very secure and are tight (one seat is used with latch, the other with the seatbelt, both have the top teather attached). My babies are too small to use the headrest so when they fall asleep their heads really fall to the side. (they seem to be comortable, but it bothers me!). We have not gone on a long car trip in them yet. I am pleased with the purchase, but I would have liked to puchase another britax marathon. We really like the marathon, but we needed something to fit 3 across. The marathon britax is 2 1/2 inches wider than the radian. My complaints are minimal and the ones I do have are minor. The safety is #1. They are very secure and are made well. My babies will grow and soon be tall enough to use the headrest. Soon I will be able to turn them around. The straps can be properly positioned with a little care before you put the child in the seat.
Accident Tested
5 stars
Reviewer: Anonymous , Colorado Springs, CO Date: June 24, 2009
We were rear-end by a semi truck two weeks ago. We had our almost six-year-old in a Radian 80. Our two-year-old was in an Evenflo Triumph Advance with the “convenient” sliding harness tabs. My older son didn’t have a scratch on him. My toddler however sustained a pulled muscle in his neck (moderate whiplash)and multiple large bruises on his thighs/shoulders which even took off some skin through his jeans. All because of the harness that was loosened and slipped down with the force of the collision. We are normally uptight about their seats not budging and having their harnesses snug, so this just convinced me that we needed another Radian. My older son has always loved his and hasn’t had any problems and can get out of the seat by himself. He did however appreciate the longer buckle strap when we finally replaced it. I am more convinced now than ever that having our kids in five-point harnesses AND having their seats installed properly is the best protection we can provide our boys. We haven’t tried this seat rear-facing, but I think it would work in our 4-Runner, at least in the center position. As a forward facing seat, it is extremely easy to install on our firmer, Toyota seats. And still, my husband is the ONLY person I trust to install it with his 210 lbs and perfectionist personality. I personally don’t think that investing in my kids’ safety takes 2nd place to convenience. You want a car seat that will provide your kids the best protection. That means it is probably best practice to NOT plan on switching it between vehicles on a daily basis and complaining about the weight! I personally liked traveling with it because the weight was in a smaller “space” as the Radian folds and wasn’t awkward at all. I ordered two RadianXT models within a couple hours of our accident (had just gotten one about a month ago for our trip to Moab to keep our older son from trying to lean over in his booster in our Wrangler)Both boys absolutely love them and aren’t bothered by the larger side wings. Sitting lower in the back seat also gives the older kids more room between them and the back of the front seat. Bottom line: Don’t make my mistake and go for the convenience of a store-bought seat. The return shipping insurance makes this so easy to try.