I returned yesterday from a regional CPS Conference in Lancaster, PA that was well attended and very informative. I had the pleasure of chatting with Russ from Sunshine Kids while I was there and he showed off the new SUPER LATCH (SL) lower anchor connector that will debut in a few weeks on all new Radian SL models (65, 80 & XT). SUPER LATCH will allow consumers of these new Radian SL models to use the specialized LATCH attachments up to the full weight capacity of the Radian carseat (up to 65 lbs for Radian65 SL and up to 80 lbs for Radian80 SL & Radian XTSL). However, this will be allowed if, AND ONLY IF, the vehicle was manufactured after Sept 1, 2005. This is very important to note because if the vehicle was made prior to this date then you will NOT be able to use the SUPER LATCH system up to the full weight capacity of the Radian SL model. In these cases it is imperative that you default to the vehicle manufacturers’ listed weight limits for lower anchors which is usually 40 or 48 lbs. This is due to the fact that there was a regulatory change in vehicle LATCH anchor testing (FMVSS 225) that required the lower anchors in vehicles to pass a tougher “pull test” after this date.
Additionally, Radian80 SL & RadianXT SL models will also be rated to 45 lbs in the rear-facing position which is a first for any US manufacturer.
UPDATED TO ADD – SUPER LATCH RETRO-FIT KITS FOR EXISTING RADIAN MODELS WILL NOT BE OFFERED CONTRARY TO WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY REPORTED.
Here is a video of Russ showing the new Sunshine Kids SUPER LATCH lower anchor connector:
I just got off the phone with Sunshine Kids (todays date 3/24/11). They said the only seats that qualify for the 45 rearfacing weight limit are the xtsl and the 80 sl manufactured after SEPTEMBER of 2009 not 2008. I called because mine was manufactured in June of 2009 and I wanted to know if mine was in the new weight bracket and the lady I spoke with said no it is ONLY good to the 40 lb weight limit which was retro active to AUG of 2008. Hope this clears up some confusion for people.
FYI – this blog post has been updated to reflect SKJP’s decision NOT to offer SuperLATCH retro-fit kits to consumers with post-9/2008 Radian80 & XT models.
Kecia and Wendy – I just read the FMVSS 225, which is the LATCH standard for vehicles. Both the LATCH manual and Sunshine Kids are correct about the dates for tougher pull test standards. There was a phase-in year for the new standard. For vehicles manufactured 9/1/04-9/1/05, approximately 90% of them had to meet the new standard, and the remainder could meet the old standard. Since we have no way of identifying which vehicles might have been in the 10% or the 90%, using 9/1/2005 guarantees that all vehicles will meet the new standard.
FMVSS 225, in case you want to dig through it yourself: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2008/octqtr/pdf/49cfr571.225.pdf
This makes me want to kick and cry. My seat was manufactured in June 2008 and purchased in Aug 2008. I was so freaking close! So close….
So why on earth would I need a new harness to RF to 45? The harness itself holds to 65/80 FF, which is a whooooole lot more than 45 RF. Weird.
I don’t want one, but it’s… well, it’s odd.
The LATCH belt has a new tilt-lock mechanism on it instead of the push-button locking mechanism for tightening it. It’s a lot smoother to pull tight and harder for the LATCH belt to double-over on itself as you’re pulling it tight. The LATCH belt itself is also thicker.
I’m confused because the healthcheck website listed it as an “easy pull” system that lets you install the seat in less than 1 minute. Is there any “new” way to tighten it? If it’s the same base and the same tighten mechanism, is really hasn’t solved the install issues which is the big problem with these seats. I sure know in my two cars I can’t install it in less than 1 minute! Please tell me they did SOMETHING to make the install easier other than upping the LATCH limit?
Holy crap, that thing looks lethal. I think it might bite me. I’m frightened. Hold me!
Well, I guess since the heaviest kid that might RF in my car is about 33 pounds, I’m good with my 40 pound RF Radian 65.
BOBANDJESS99 – GOOD CATCH!!! Apparently, the 65SL is still only rated to 40 lbs rear-facing. Ugh, this is so confusing! Off to edit the blog entry….
NANNYMOM – No idea how much these SL components will cost but Darren and Heather can ask the SKJP people tomorrow if they know. I’m guessing it won’t be cheap but certainly cheaper than buying a whole new Radian SL.
Any ideas on how much the conversion kit would cost?
KECIA- Thanks for clarifying that for me. It didn’t sound right that it would turn a 65 into a 80SL, but I hadn’t heard of the 65SL so I was confused. But apparently I didn’t look around enough since BOBANDJESS99 saw 65SLs.
BOBANDJESS99- Maybe they are essentially the same seat, with new latch. And they only tested with the new latch to 45 RF, not the old latch. So to prevent more confusion (because isn’t there enough already?!), they didn’t want to say ‘You can use a post 9/08 seat to 45RF with seatbelt, but only to 40RF with latch’ if you don’t order the new latch.
OK – the harness, I get, but WHY do you have to buy the new latch connectors? If you wanted the aboility ot USE them at the higher weight limits, I get it,m but what if you are perfectly content (or, if your vehicle was made prior to 9/05, you HAVE to) use the seat belt? what good is the new LATCH system then?
ALSO..on the healthcheck site where these seats are available for pre-order, the radian 65 SL’s, are NOT listed as having a 45 lb limit, only 40..are we sure the 65SL’s have a 45 rf limit?
NANNYMOM – you won’t be able to convert a Radian65 into a Radian80 by upgrading to the new SL harness and LATCH connectors. You can however upgrade a Radian65 into a Radian65 SL buy purchasing those new components *if* the Radian65 was made after Sept 1, 2008. ETA: The Radian65 SL will still only be rated to 40 lbs rear-facing. I have no idea if they plan to discontinue the original models but Darren and Heather can ask when they meet with SKJP tomorrow at ABC.
WENDY – Both the 2009 & 2007 editions of The LATCH Manual reference the tougher pull test so this news isn’t just coming from SKJP. However, there is conflicting information as to whether the tougher standards went into effect on 9/1/2005 or 9/1/2004 (as reported in the LATCH Manual) so until we clarify we’re sticking with the more conservative date.
This is making it harder to resist. I am getting more and more tempted to buy one for my daughter. I wish they had cuter covers like Britax though.
Well, this will at least make it so parents can wait and see if their kiddo needs the extra 5lbs RF or if they outgrow it by height first. I could get a Radian 65 now and see where we are when DS gets close to 40lbs. I think I like it.
So SKJP now has 8 Radians. We talk about Britax having too many convertibles, at least you can usually tell them apart. Are they discontinuing the original RN 80 and XT to be replaced with the XTSL and 80SL? Or will they still be making the regular ones?
I’m still nervous hearing about these changes to LATCH bars in cars from SKJP, and not from the car companies themselves. However, I think the new LATCH connectors are cool, and I’m psyched that a 45 pound seat is really coming. Though nervous that people will start using any Radian to 45 pounds rear facing, without reading their DOM, or getting the harnesses and LATCH required.
So, If I have a post Sept 2008 Radian, and get the new Harness and LATCH to RF to 45 pounds, it will be the SL and can be used to 80 pounds? If it’s a Radian 65, does the new harness and LATCH make it an 80?