This helps to fit 3 car seats across the backseat. We recently upgraded our three year old to the new Diono Radian 3 RXT. Buy 2 of these in order to carry your folded up 3RXT like a backpack. Diono Radian 3RXT Review. The stated size range for children using this seat as a booster is 50-120 lbs and under 57 inches tall, which Diono estimates to be around age 10. As a matter of fact, they have over-engineered the safety features. This review will cover the basics and point out the updates to the new Diono 3RXT. The forward-facing recline lowered as is necessary for all forward-facing children weighing more than 25 lbs. There are fewer opportunities to catch or snag straps or accessories on the back of the seat when moving it around. This is plenty of rear-facing capacity for the vast majority of children out there. Features like rear-facing tethering, thick padding, and solid construction make the Radian 3RXT a smart purchase. Things we love about the Diono radian® rXT. You’re Probably Making These Car Seat Mistakes Right Now, Child’s shoulders should be at or above 4th harness strap slot, 35 pounds (rear-facing) & 40 pounds (forward-facing), Narrow profile works well for 3 across (most mid-sized to large vehicles), Includes cloth cover for back side of car seat, Harness straps must be rethreaded to change height, Kids may outgrow forward or booster mode well before listed size limits, Width at widest point (shoulders): 16.5 inches, Lowest harness height (w/o insert): 8 inches, Crotch buckle slots: 2.5, 5, and 7 inches. The 3RXT still has this feature, but I felt it was a lot smoother and easier to tighten than previous Radians I have owned. Diono puts us, parents, at ease with their extensive safety standards and durability. †some state laws have higher minimum age or weight requirements for riding forward-facing – find your state law here. Back when my son, Felix was still an infant, I was given the opportunity to review the Diono Radian RXT Convertible Car seat – which I absolutely loved. Its high height and weight limits accommodate big kids both rear- and forward-facing, yet it takes up less space than many of its competitors. Learn how your comment data is processed. If you’ve got big hands, you’ll have trouble fitting the seat belt or SuperLATCH belt through the belt path; it can even be challenging for average sized hands, although with practice it gets easier. Diono recommends machine washing in cold water with gentle detergent on the gentle cycle and laying flat to dry. The belt fit and geometry is otherwise very good and even earns it an IIHS Best Bet rating as a booster, but the IIHS doesn’t measure booster fit with real, moving kids. The shoulder belt guide is approximately 3” below her shoulder, and she is physically unable to actually sit in the 3RXT because her shoulders do not fit between the headwings. My youngest child is four and our rear-facing days are numbered, but I’m going to be totally honest – if I were starting over today this would be a factor in my decision. I’m trying to decide if I should compromise on the ARB and get the Graco or if I should get the Clek Fllo that has ARB but a smaller RF weight limit. On the driver’s side, the seat belt is mounted to the frame of the vehicle. Machine washable cover – this is huge for all the messes! Diono Radian 3 RXT. ◦ 5 harness slot heights Jun 18, 2019 - A review of the Diono radian 3 RXT convertible carseat. We’ll talk more about that below. He is small: 46 lbs and 47 inches, so maybe he will make it to 10 before needing a new seat, but I’m unsure. Is the Diono Radian RXT safe? I was not able to find guidance for this in the manual, but when I contacted Diono I was informed this has not changed – always use the harness covers for forward-facing children. She is tall for her age, at just under 56 inches, and weighs 76 lbs. For dependability and a proven safety record, the Diono Radian 3RXT is hard to beat. ◦ Rear-facing tether capability Rear-facing LATCH weight limit: 35 lbs. The harness height still adjusts from the back of the seat. It’s so useful. If it’s not easy to install for you, it’s likely that you’ll end up making mistakes in the installation at some point in the future. ◦ Highback booster: 50-120 lbs., 40-57” tall, and child’s shoulders must be at or above the 4th set of harness slots. All 3 kids were in 3RXT seats, and none of them had a scratch. Most forward-facing children will be over 25 lbs., or will be soon, so that means you should simply plan on lowering it before installing the Radian FF. Newborn doll with body insert but without head support insert. This seat does not have an adjustable recline, which means infants with little to no head control may slump unless you have car seats that are very flat and level. Jun 19, 2019 - A review of the Diono radian 3 RXT convertible carseat. 56″ tall child cannot physically squeeze into the 3RXT to test it out as a booster. I would strongly advise taking pictures of your set-up and sending them to Diono for clarification that the anchor point you’re using is suitable. Presenting The Diono Radian RXT – Review. Easy peasy. Forward-facing LATCH weight limit: 40 lbs. I was wondering what your thoughts were on its lack of an anti-rebound bar or tether given that it is intended to keep kids rear facing as long as possible. In some special vehicle/carseat pairings, you can get it tight by pulling the LATCH strap tail straight up along the side of the carseat, but it’s rare. While this is easier on the eyes, it does make some adjustments more challenging. I could not find instructions for using LATCH in booster mode in the manual, but our contact at Diono assured me that this is still allowed as it has been in previous models. Thank you to Diono for supplying the 3RXT used in this review! They can be bulky, uncomfortable, or too big to provide a snug fit for a newborn. The straps alone should fit at or below the shoulders in rear-facing mode. It has the ideal level of safety without making the car seat even bulkier than it needs to be. The switch from forward to booster may be a toss-up depending on your child’s size. The Radian also comes with a set of memory foam harness pads. Seat weight: 27 lbs. Also, the top of the child’s head must be 1.5” below the top of the car seat for rear-facing, and the tops of their ears must be below the top of the car seat for forward-facing. She wanted to be in a booster seat like some of her older friends. weight limit) Some of the adjustments to straps and the top tether must be done through the back cover, which can be a pain. Radian RXT is one of the few 3-in-1 car seats that we’d always be happy to recommend. ◦ Padded Cover: A thickly padded cover, plus the memory foam in the bum area, makes for a comfy seat. This is normal for this car seat, and in fact isn’t unusual for car seats in general. I’d love you opinion. Read the manual thoroughly. weight limit means that heavier children will be able to stay in the seat longer before moving to a booster. My 6 year old Huggable Images doll represents a 48” tall 46 lb. ◦ Rear-facing: 5-45 lbs., height 44″ or less, and at least 1.5” of carseat above the child’s head* The effort was worth it to keep the child safe, but I expect better design and utility for that kind of money. One father reported that their family was in a serious roll ever crash. In the past Diono has said it’s OK to tether to the seat the child restraint is installed on, but I’m not sure what criteria they might have for a suitable anchor location. This doll is supposed to represent an average 16 month old child. Once you’ve done it a few times, it’ll get easier. While it is about average for the ease of installation no matter what direction or method you choose, the low ease of use score will impair your daily experience enough to cause chronic frustration. https://amzn.to/2Dbcf6I, There’s also the Nuna Exec if price is no concern! We have a previous review of the recently discontinued RXT and the basic features and functions are very similar. This can leave the seat too upright for small babies. It is either easy or difficult; there doesn’t seem to be a middle ground with this carseat. Lovingly engineered with the famous Diono Steel Core and now rear facing for even longer, expect 10 years of safety from just one car seat. For dependability and a proven safety record, the Diono Radian 3RXT is hard to beat. It features the same EPS foam, the same folding mechanism, and the same steel reinforcements. Thank you for your comments. Inflatable Seat Belts Car seats are like furniture in our cars and we see them every day for years. Diono Radian 3QX can be used in rear-facing mode longer for up to 50 lbs child. I tried the RXT in two very different seating positions in my car. In booster mode, we have more mixed results. Every seat since October 2017 has been fixed to resolve the problem. and standing 39″ tall, still has plenty of room to grow before she would need to switch to forward-facing in this seat. From the beginning, the Diono Radian car seats have had a ratcheting harness adjuster which tightened with a tug-tug-tug motion. No other compensation was provided. Some manufacturers such as Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge don’t allow it in any of their vehicles. When it comes to keeping kids safe through car seats, the name of the game is best practices. The Diono Radian® 3RXT is the original 3 across All-in-One convertible car seat, trusted by over a million parents to protect their child from birth to booster (5 - 120 lb.) Cannot get my 3QX tight enough. It is heavy, and it is also quite arduous to set up for the first time, but all-in-all, it’s a very user friendly seat, and the security it provides is unparalleled. Diono requires 1.5 inches of shell above the child’s head when rear facing in the radian 3R/3RX/3RXT, and this book is a touch over 1.5 inches thick. It does not come with a carry strap like the older RXTs used to, although Diono assures me the ones they sell on their website as an optional accessory will work. It consists of Safe+ newborn travel high wedge, Safe+ 2-in-1 infant positioning liner and Safe+ steel anti-rebound bar that provide superior protection for rear-facing baby. weight limit for the harness (this is more realistic than the previous 90 lb. Learn the positives and negatives of this carseat before purchasing. The SuperLATCH connectors are the deluxe IMMI push-on style connectors, similar to the push-on connectors on other seats. You can tell just by looking at the Diono Radian 3RXT that it’s designed to have a slim frame and fit multiple in most back seats with ease.. And although it looks like a car seat that’s meant for older babies and toddlers only, it actually starts out as a rear facing car seat for children up to 45 pounds, keeping them in the rear facing position for longer than … A larger newborn may or may not fit well. These are the rules you must follow to restrain your children safely. It is hard for me to imagine any child approaching the stated upper height limits of the seat, even one with a shorter torso and longer legs, fitting into this seat safely. The Lap Belt Cushion is not required for use on an airplane where the only type of installation is a lap-only belt. They create award-winning products and most importantly, are a family-centered company. This does not include Mercedes vehicles, inflatable seat belts found on aircraft, or any other inflatable seat belts. Huggable Images newborn doll with body and head inserts provide an acceptable fit for this doll. Since it’s a very tall seat, you may have to run the passenger or driver’s seat up uncomfortably close. She likes the seat and the low sides make it easy for her to sit criss-cross. Diono 3RXT with Huggable Images Toddler, rear-facing with Angle Adjuster in a 2015 Expedition. These items are optional and you can remove them at any time. The Safe Stop is never used rear-facing. Mad props to Diono for giving some extra thought to the back side of a convertible car seat. All opinions expressed are those of CarseatBlog. All opinions at CarseatBlog are those of the individual author for informational purposes only, and do not necessarily reflect any policy or position of Carseat Media LLC. Since the Radian seats are some of the narrowest on the market, you won’t have any problems fitting one in a plane seat AND the tray table will be able to come all the way down for a forward-facer. Secondhand Car Seats: Can I buy one? diono Radian rXT Fits to Every Child. Diono is a great brand to go with. Due to its height, it may lessen front passenger legroom considerably. ◦ Full wrap cover makes for neat and tidy storage of unused straps and accessories on the back of the seat. ◦ Can be installed with Ford Motor Company inflatable seat belts. I agree it is not a good value for a 7-year old who is nearly 50 pounds and in some cases not even for a larger 4-year old. If you find this seat (or any all-in-one seat) still works for you during the booster stage, consider that a bonus. Allows forward-facing children from 20-65 pounds in a 5 point harness – it also fits 3 car seats across. For $300+ the cushion spacer for raising the seat along the front is not included. ◦ Installation: Often more difficult depending on the vehicle, with a higher learning curve due to the various features. Be patient and be prepared to tighten, rest, and tighten again in some vehicles. ◦ Low and narrow footprint means it’s more likely to fit in tight spots. My Huggable Images toddler doll’s shoulders were even with the 3rd slots. Many parents miss this in the manual and don’t see the Safe Stop strap under the back cover. Children who are shorter and stockier, and children who have longer legs and shorter torsos, are more likely to be able to use this seat as a booster than children who are long and lean or who are taller in the torso than in the legs. Forward-facing Installation Installation of the Radian 3RXT in the rear-facing position is the same as previous Radian models. Simply Saline Baby Nasal Relief Review admin Baby Gear Lab November 16, 2018 January 11, 2019 http://www.babygearlab.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/4-17.jpg 135 310 The RadianRXT is a highly versatile car seat that could be the only seat you’ll ever need. Use the slots at or below the shoulders for rear-facing, above for forward-facing. ◦ The manual leaves a lot of unanswered questions which led me to contact the company for clarification. Some info on the seat and accessory labels is vague or missing info, as are some sections of the manual. Harness height: 9”, 10.5”, 12”, 15”, 17.5” ◦ Low LATCH weight limits. The bottom zips up to provide access to the manual pocket (note the manual icon) and the back of the harness. The rear-facing capacity of this seat has not been the highest on the market in several years, but it’s still respectable and will comfortably fit most children in a rear-facing position until about age four. Newborns, on the other hand, may not fit snugly enough, as the lowest harness straps may not fit at or just below their shoulders. You then attach it between the harness straps and splitter plate. 2021 Graco Contender 65 & Admiral 65 Convertible Carseat Review: Contend with This! The general problem with booster mode on the radian 3RXT is that it has a 50 pound minimum. This is particularly a problem on sloped vehicle seats in which the edge of the seat near the front of the car is higher than the edge near the rear. Safe Stop Load Limiter: This small strap that is attached to the back left of the carseat when you first receive your Radian is called a load limiter. Once it’s installed properly, you’ll have a super sturdy seat, but it’s definitely not as intuitive as other car seats. ◦ Folds flat for travel and storage Other than that, the 3RXT is nearly indistinguishable from the RXT once its cover has been removed. I have a seat belt system in my vehicle that is pretty much ideal for installing a Radian. What I did to get it tight was tighten the best I could, unbuckle, carefully straighten the seat belt in the buckle so I could take a little more slack out, then kneel into the car seat and re-buckle. Parents have also loved the fold-flat feature for easier transport while traveling. It’s got one the narrowest profiles on the market and will fit 3 across in most mid to large-sized vehicles. https://fave.co/2D9FrLD. The manual helpfully reminds the user to check to ensure the vehicle belt retracts properly in booster mode. A popular choice in the convertible car seat category, the Diono Radian RXT offers premium rear-facing capabilities alongside a narrow profile that makes it a fit for nearly any car.With top-tier safety features, its easy to see why countless parents love this seat. Sharing our mission to regain use of our truck with four kids and two car seats. CarseatBlog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Same goes for the side LATCH straps. Many children, however, especially ones that are somewhat lightweight for their height, will be too tall to physically fit into the seat by the time they reach the minimum booster weight of 50 lbs. The low profile sides are also really nice for self-sufficient toddlers and preschoolers to climb in and out of the seat on their own. 14” at widest point at shoulders, 14.5” at widest point at thighs Rear-facing mode with a 4 year old, 39″ 36 lb. Which is better Diono or Britax? The shoulder belt guide for booster mode has been redesigned so it’s more likely to promote proper retraction of the seat belt – something the manual helpfully points out should be checked for with each installation (this is good advice for all highback boosters). Some of the EPS foam is black instead of white. It significantly reduces the length of the crotch strap, though Diono offers a longer strap if you call and request one, and reduces the height of the harness slots because it’s a piece of 1″ thick EPP foam with memory foam on top. She fits well but does not have a lot of growing room left in this booster at that size. Diono Radian 3 RXT Review. There are other testimonials as well from various crashes that show this seat protects kids in many types of accidents. My 100th percentile older child outgrew her RXT RF at age 3 years 7 months, and in terms of capacity I’d expect the exact same from the 3RXT. Diono Radian 3 RXT is introduced as all-in-one convertible car seat that can be used in 3 different modes : rear-facing, forward-facing harness and booster. ◦ Booster mode will be useless for the majority of children, and of limited usefulness for the rest of them – does not live up to its marketing claim of being the only seat you will need up to 57” or 120 lbs.. Crotch strap depth: 3.5”, 5.5”, 7” I am concerned that you are finding the LATCH strap too short to use rear facing. My petite four year old, weighing in at 36 lbs. Tip: If you’re having issues with getting 3 to fit across, some parents suggested using seat belt installations for all the seats, since the placement of the LATCH anchors could make the fit too snug. Installation and seat adjustments can be confusing with this seat. For compact cars, it’ll be a toss up. This made getting a tight installation much more challenging, although I was able to accomplish it after several tries. © 2007-2021 Carseat Media LLC, all rights reserved, 2019 Diono Radian 3RXT Review: Diono Updates the Classic Folding Carseat. There are some minor differences which are not easy to photograph clearly. It’s an aesthetic improvement over rear-facing seats that have black plastic and all the ugly stickers showing. No one tests car seats like we do. For narrow backseats or 3-across situations, you simply can’t beat the width of the 3RXT. Our 4 year old 39″ 36 lb. In terms of the rear-facing tether, its use is optional but if it is used it must be done correctly. Its purpose is to increase the amount of time over which your child feels crash forces. There’s only one fixed angle for rear-facing with this seat. Diono is a company which originally planted its roots in 1999 in the city of Seattle, but now has expanded to over 54 countries across the globe. A high-back booster seat is a very reasonable option for a 7-year old unless the child has special concerns. You need to pull the tail end of the LATCH strap in parallel with the LATCH strap in order for it to tighten. Same goes with booster mode. For installation advice, please visit our forum at car-seat.org or contact a Child Passenger Safety Technician in your community.