Sunshine Versus Brio
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Category: Product Reviews
Forum Name: Product Reviews
Forum Description: Cot or bassinette? Which pram is best for you? How about nappies? Check out our Product Reviews board to find out what other Mums and Dads think and share your thoughts!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=32964
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Topic: Sunshine Versus Brio
Posted By: myonlineself
Subject: Sunshine Versus Brio
Date Posted: 19 April 2010 at 9:55pm
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Right - I've been going around in circles researching car seats! I had finally decided that I'd go with the Brio Zento - but then someone told me about Sunshine Kids Radian XT SL.
Anyone have any information or opinions on how these two car seats compare? Both do extended rear-facing which I'm keen on. One complication is that the Sunshine isn't available until July.... and I need one now, however, I do have a friends one I can use in the meantime to fill the gap (capsule harness is getting very difficult to do up with my chubby, cloth-nappy-wearing baby)! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: Mamma2N
Date Posted: 19 April 2010 at 10:32pm
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Personally after reading up about both seats I would go for the Radian. It does Rfing to 20kg and 5 point harnessing (FFing) to 36kgs. It has adjustable head-rest as well which the Brio doesn't have. I have heard of many children outgrowing the Brio in both height and the seat becoming too snug well before hitting the 25kg mark.
If you order the Radian and pay before the end of April you get a discounted price of $400 with free shipping.. Brio to my knowledge is around $560-600. With that extra $200 odd you could purchase a Cosco Scenera (BOTM stock this, also The Warehouse) to tide baby over till July and potentially use this as a second seat or sell once the Radian arrives. Have a look on TNN at the carseat forum if you haven't already - there is loads of info about the Radian - if you ask this question over there I'm sure you'd get a very detailed answer 
For me, the Radian wins hands-down 
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Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 19 April 2010 at 10:44pm
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I think I just spotted you over there, and I'm always a bit hesitant posting links to another forum, but http://thenappynetwork.org.nz/forum/viewtopic.php?f=80&t=64739 - this thread over at The Nappy Network might be handy (Rochelle is the car seat queen!).
(It's at the bottom of the first page, then over the page for comparison with another couple of seats) ------------- 
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: Delli
Date Posted: 19 April 2010 at 10:48pm
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I also want to know the answer to this! Have seen TNN thread. But no closer to deciding. Would really want to try the seat in our car before purchasing so a bit hesitant about pre-ordering. I guess it depends on whether or not Jude grows out of his capsule before the Sunshine carseats get to NZ or not.... If he does then I guess we go with the Brio. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 19 April 2010 at 10:56pm
I'll just quote Rochelle's comparison between those two, for the record:
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Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
rochellej (on TNN) wrote:Posted By: NovemberMum
Date Posted: 20 April 2010 at 12:47am
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after reading the difference between the Brio and the Sunshine I am glad now I didnt get up getting the Brio..I like that it (sunshine)forward faces with a 5 point harness to 36kgs. I dont like the idea of having to put an 18kg child in a normal adult seatbelt (even with a booster seat) ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 20 April 2010 at 10:38am
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Wow that sounds like a really interesting alternative. I don't think we can wait until July though especially as the Brio only just fits rear facing in our car so I doubt this one will sadly.
One question I would have. If the Sunshine has a very narrow profile would it not have the same issues with outgrowing in the shoulder area? Also the Brio FF until 25kgs. The FF to 18kgs is with the 5 point harness. After that it can FF as a booster seat. Still not quite the 36kgs of the Sunshine though (that's impressive!) ETA: Just followed the link from TNN to the international Sunshine site and the FF is to 29.5kgs according to that. Where is the extra 6kgs coming from? Is it due to different safety standards in NZ? - mind you with my titchy children it probably wouldn't matter. -------------  
 
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Posted By: MamaT
Date Posted: 23 April 2010 at 11:01am
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Where can you get the Sunshine from?? -------------  
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Posted By: Mamma2N
Date Posted: 23 April 2010 at 11:10am
Send an email to sales@skjp.co.nz If you pay in full before the end of this month you pay $399 which includes free shipping, delivery in July. Otherwise $499.
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Posted By: MamaT
Date Posted: 23 April 2010 at 12:36pm
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Ahh, excellent thanks. Now to continue with my convincing DH -------------
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Posted By: NovemberMum
Date Posted: 23 April 2010 at 1:20pm
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I managed to convince mine all I have to do is pay now :) ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Delli
Date Posted: 28 April 2010 at 8:08pm
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I've tried searching it (I've spent the whole day today researching actually - its exhausting!) but there seems to be conflicting views on whether a Sunshine Radian XTSL can fit RF in a Subaru Lagacy Station Wagon 1998. I just wish there were some around to try out before we buy.
Just thought I would post here in the hope that perhaps someone knew for sure if the Radian can be successfully installed our car. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Mamma2N
Date Posted: 28 April 2010 at 8:48pm
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Try looking through this thread http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=18235&page=11 - Radian Install Thread
on www.car-seat.org I haven't read through it but you could always ask on there too, I'm sure you'll get a good reply
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Posted By: Delli
Date Posted: 28 April 2010 at 9:06pm
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Tried that website quite a few times today :)
Have decided to order a Radian. it seems to fit in the middle seat of a Subaru Forrester which DP says is set on the same wheel base as the Legacy. The Forrester may have a little more head room than the Legacy but the spaces between the seats should be the same. We are due for a new car next year anyway - so by the time we need to move it to the side seat if we have more kids - it shouldn't be a problem. One more question. With all this talk (in other threads) about faking I was just wondering where I would go to find out if this distributor of carseats is a legitimate company. Of course - I am sure she is for real! But it would be nice to have some proof (other than satisfied customers on public forums ) before I transfer $400 to her bank account....
I'm sure there is some website that you can go to to check out the legitimacy of companies but can't quite remember what it is. Thank you! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Mamma2N
Date Posted: 28 April 2010 at 9:18pm
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She is affiliated with Sunshine Kids As in she is essentially their NZ distributor. I'm sure if you enquired with the US company, they would confirm this.
Not sure where you would find that sort of info otherwise - but she is fairly well-known in the carseat trade and the first shipment has already landed and been delivered to their new owners. And you have till Friday to get in for the $400 deal. 
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