Child Seat Advice
Discussion
Apologies if this has already been covered in the thread but it is pretty long and the search didn't turn anything up.
My wife is due in October so we have started looking at prams. My wife's first choice is the Graco Evo travel system as it is by far the lightest we have found. She has recently sold her much loved GTV for the practicality (and working air con) of a 2007 5 door Civic.
We went to Kiddicare to try the Graco Car seat out with the Junior baby base on the rear seat of the Civic. It was far too upright in the base. With just the seat secured by the belt it was also too upright but it was suggested we could buy what looks like pipe lagging to prop the back up. When I suggested using the pipe lagging with the base I got a similar response to if I'd suggested securing the baby to a roof rack. I'm not sure what the difference is between propping up a seat and a base.
We saw that Brittax do an isofix system that includes wedges to raise the rear of the seat but my wife is really against the Brittax travel system as it is much heavier. She also found it difficult to remove the Brittax seat from the base.
Any help would be much appreciated.
John
My wife is due in October so we have started looking at prams. My wife's first choice is the Graco Evo travel system as it is by far the lightest we have found. She has recently sold her much loved GTV for the practicality (and working air con) of a 2007 5 door Civic.
We went to Kiddicare to try the Graco Car seat out with the Junior baby base on the rear seat of the Civic. It was far too upright in the base. With just the seat secured by the belt it was also too upright but it was suggested we could buy what looks like pipe lagging to prop the back up. When I suggested using the pipe lagging with the base I got a similar response to if I'd suggested securing the baby to a roof rack. I'm not sure what the difference is between propping up a seat and a base.
We saw that Brittax do an isofix system that includes wedges to raise the rear of the seat but my wife is really against the Brittax travel system as it is much heavier. She also found it difficult to remove the Brittax seat from the base.
Any help would be much appreciated.
John
Have you tried the Maxicosi Cabriofix? Has option of Isofix or belt restraining for the same base (with a foot support into the footwell) and is probably the most common in terms of infant carriers that buggy manufacturers design to fit onto their frames.
You may not use it a lot on the frame anyway, although with a winter baby you might use it more than we did with a May born! It's handy in some circumstances anyway.
Bugaboo Cameleon deals usually include the option of a Cabriofix setup, but the cost is fairly spectacular compared to cheaper options so depends on budget and boot space.
You may not use it a lot on the frame anyway, although with a winter baby you might use it more than we did with a May born! It's handy in some circumstances anyway.
Bugaboo Cameleon deals usually include the option of a Cabriofix setup, but the cost is fairly spectacular compared to cheaper options so depends on budget and boot space.
Cheers all for the suggestions. The Britax was still fairly upright. The Maxi Cosi Famlifix base with a Pebble seat fitted perfectly in both my wife's Civic and my e46 touring. Really easy to use with the lights to indicate correct fitting and the adjustable angle.
In terms of chassis for it I think the current order is Micralite Toro, Bugaboo Bee and finally the Uggababy Cruz. Think it'll probably be the Toro, which is not without fault but is a quirky, interesting design that is very light and seems reasonably robust. Anyway won't ramble on as it's not a pram thread.
John
In terms of chassis for it I think the current order is Micralite Toro, Bugaboo Bee and finally the Uggababy Cruz. Think it'll probably be the Toro, which is not without fault but is a quirky, interesting design that is very light and seems reasonably robust. Anyway won't ramble on as it's not a pram thread.
John
therealpigdog said:
Any recomendations for a seat for a 1yr old in an Isuzu Rodeo Double Cab (2012, but not the new D-Max). Our little one is going to have to give up her Max-Cossi Pebble (brilliant btw) to her brother who is due to arrive soon, and so we need to get her a new seat.
We had a look at the seats in Mothercare at the weekend and quite liked the Britax Xtensifix (actually, we quite liked all the Britax range, but that was the one they were pushing) - but the fitter there had doubts about its suitability because when it is used as a Group 2 seat it has to use the belt rather than the isofix, and she was concerned that the belt buckle rode too high. She was going to get in touch with Britax for their thoughts, but Mrs TRPD suggested I also ask here given the wealth of knowledge (thanks by the way - your help is very much appreciated).
Following the advice from this thread, we'd prefer to stick to Britax or Maxi-Cosi as they seem to be the safest seats - don't mind forward or rear facing (obviously if rear-facing is safer, then prefer that though), and want to use the isofix (and top tether) seeing as it is fitted so makes sense to use it.
Obviously I don't want to spend money unnecessarily, but cost really isn't an important factor given that it is my daughter's safety at stake. I'm not overly bothered about having to change the seat when she hits 4yrs old as I understand (from previous posts on here) that the seats that go up to 12yrs old (such as the Xtensifix) are a bit jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none.
Thanks for all the help.
P.S. Wholly recomend the Pebble for either an A6 Avant or Isuzu Rodeo (being the cars we have used it in most) - the family fix base makes life incredibly easy.
OK, so we ruled out the Extensafix and went and had a test with a Britax Duo Plus, which fitted perfectly and met all our needs.We had a look at the seats in Mothercare at the weekend and quite liked the Britax Xtensifix (actually, we quite liked all the Britax range, but that was the one they were pushing) - but the fitter there had doubts about its suitability because when it is used as a Group 2 seat it has to use the belt rather than the isofix, and she was concerned that the belt buckle rode too high. She was going to get in touch with Britax for their thoughts, but Mrs TRPD suggested I also ask here given the wealth of knowledge (thanks by the way - your help is very much appreciated).
Following the advice from this thread, we'd prefer to stick to Britax or Maxi-Cosi as they seem to be the safest seats - don't mind forward or rear facing (obviously if rear-facing is safer, then prefer that though), and want to use the isofix (and top tether) seeing as it is fitted so makes sense to use it.
Obviously I don't want to spend money unnecessarily, but cost really isn't an important factor given that it is my daughter's safety at stake. I'm not overly bothered about having to change the seat when she hits 4yrs old as I understand (from previous posts on here) that the seats that go up to 12yrs old (such as the Xtensifix) are a bit jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none.
Thanks for all the help.
P.S. Wholly recomend the Pebble for either an A6 Avant or Isuzu Rodeo (being the cars we have used it in most) - the family fix base makes life incredibly easy.
Then a curveball was thrown. My parents have a Britax TriFix and also a Britax VersaFix at home which they are happy to let us have (my nephews have grown out of them - they live local to my parents so they bought the seats for their car). Obviously free is a good saving, and we know that they've not been in an accident etc.
I'd like to test them out - but I don't want to waste the time of the sales people at Mothercare (who have been brilliant) if I'm not going to buy one from them. So the big question is, if my parents bring the seats up, what should I be looking at to make sure they fit properly? They are both Isofix with top tether and Britax seem to imply they are universal and should fit.
Is it down to personal choice between the two, or is one better than the other?
Hello,
This is my first post so hello to everyone
I read through the thread and there where great information about child seats.
I have a 11 month son and i am looking for a group 1 car seat.
My car is an opel/vauxhall corsa ecoflex.
After searching and reading information around the internet i finally came down to two car seats.
Britax trifix
Besafe izi comfort x3
I would like your opinion about those car seats compared to Jane Exo Isofix.
The reason for this question is that in my country (Greece), Britax Trifix costs 400 euro (around 340 pounds), Besafe costs 470 euro (around 400 pounds).
Ordering those car seats online doesnt make a big difference in price.
Yesterday i found on sale the Jane Exo Isofix at 170 euro ( around 145 pounds)
The price differnce is quite big so if the Jane Exo is quite good, compared to the Britax and Besafe, and at the price of 170 euro a great deal.
What is your opinion?
Keep up the good work
Manos
This is my first post so hello to everyone
I read through the thread and there where great information about child seats.
I have a 11 month son and i am looking for a group 1 car seat.
My car is an opel/vauxhall corsa ecoflex.
After searching and reading information around the internet i finally came down to two car seats.
Britax trifix
Besafe izi comfort x3
I would like your opinion about those car seats compared to Jane Exo Isofix.
The reason for this question is that in my country (Greece), Britax Trifix costs 400 euro (around 340 pounds), Besafe costs 470 euro (around 400 pounds).
Ordering those car seats online doesnt make a big difference in price.
Yesterday i found on sale the Jane Exo Isofix at 170 euro ( around 145 pounds)
The price differnce is quite big so if the Jane Exo is quite good, compared to the Britax and Besafe, and at the price of 170 euro a great deal.
What is your opinion?
Keep up the good work
Manos
therealpigdog said:
OK, so we ruled out the Extensafix and went and had a test with a Britax Duo Plus, which fitted perfectly and met all our needs.
Then a curveball was thrown. My parents have a Britax TriFix and also a Britax VersaFix at home which they are happy to let us have (my nephews have grown out of them - they live local to my parents so they bought the seats for their car). Obviously free is a good saving, and we know that they've not been in an accident etc.
I'd like to test them out - but I don't want to waste the time of the sales people at Mothercare (who have been brilliant) if I'm not going to buy one from them. So the big question is, if my parents bring the seats up, what should I be looking at to make sure they fit properly? They are both Isofix with top tether and Britax seem to imply they are universal and should fit.
Is it down to personal choice between the two, or is one better than the other?
You should look out for buckle crunch as described above, which prevents the seat to be installed safely. Also regarding the Trifix and Extensafix: Top tether points. Both must be installed with top tether. You need a special attatchment point for the tether.Then a curveball was thrown. My parents have a Britax TriFix and also a Britax VersaFix at home which they are happy to let us have (my nephews have grown out of them - they live local to my parents so they bought the seats for their car). Obviously free is a good saving, and we know that they've not been in an accident etc.
I'd like to test them out - but I don't want to waste the time of the sales people at Mothercare (who have been brilliant) if I'm not going to buy one from them. So the big question is, if my parents bring the seats up, what should I be looking at to make sure they fit properly? They are both Isofix with top tether and Britax seem to imply they are universal and should fit.
Is it down to personal choice between the two, or is one better than the other?
Personally, I would go for the Extensafix IF it can be installed safely after 18 kg with the seatbelt.
If not, then Trifix
3rd. place on my own list: Duo Plus; it´s an old seat, and the others have some new decent features on them.
hadenough! said:
Our boys just passed 6 months and 20 lbs, we're looking for a forward facing seat to fit in an e30 touring and a cayenne. I'm drawn to recaros but think that's mainly based on aesthetics. Any advice / suggestions appreciated.
You should use the infant seat for as long as the weight is okay and the head does not stick above the top of it. The advice to turn forward facing has changed recently to minimum 15 months because it is proven safer to keep them rearfacing in the car for much longer.MANOS78 said:
Hello,
This is my first post so hello to everyone
I read through the thread and there where great information about child seats.
I have a 11 month son and i am looking for a group 1 car seat.
My car is an opel/vauxhall corsa ecoflex.
After searching and reading information around the internet i finally came down to two car seats.
Britax trifix
Besafe izi comfort x3
I would like your opinion about those car seats compared to Jane Exo Isofix.
The reason for this question is that in my country (Greece), Britax Trifix costs 400 euro (around 340 pounds), Besafe costs 470 euro (around 400 pounds).
Ordering those car seats online doesnt make a big difference in price.
Yesterday i found on sale the Jane Exo Isofix at 170 euro ( around 145 pounds)
The price differnce is quite big so if the Jane Exo is quite good, compared to the Britax and Besafe, and at the price of 170 euro a great deal.
What is your opinion?
Keep up the good work
Manos
You get more bang for your money if you buy Besafe or Britax or Maxi Cosi for that matter. They are involved in research and do a lot of crash testing on their seats. This is my first post so hello to everyone
I read through the thread and there where great information about child seats.
I have a 11 month son and i am looking for a group 1 car seat.
My car is an opel/vauxhall corsa ecoflex.
After searching and reading information around the internet i finally came down to two car seats.
Britax trifix
Besafe izi comfort x3
I would like your opinion about those car seats compared to Jane Exo Isofix.
The reason for this question is that in my country (Greece), Britax Trifix costs 400 euro (around 340 pounds), Besafe costs 470 euro (around 400 pounds).
Ordering those car seats online doesnt make a big difference in price.
Yesterday i found on sale the Jane Exo Isofix at 170 euro ( around 145 pounds)
The price differnce is quite big so if the Jane Exo is quite good, compared to the Britax and Besafe, and at the price of 170 euro a great deal.
What is your opinion?
Keep up the good work
Manos
Besides this, the guidelines of when to turn to forward facing has changed to minimum 15 months.
I have an 04 Merc. e-class without isofix. Bought the Maxi Cosi with the base - brilliant combination so far. I also bought some seat protectors for the leather - working out really well.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Diono-Ultra-Mat-Seat-Prote...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Diono-Ultra-Mat-Seat-Prote...
Hi there,
wondering if you could please help me as I am becoming slightly deranged over this choosing the next car seat business !!
Have been researching for a few weeks now as we are quite desperate for our 10 and a half month old son(weighing 10.1 kgs) to move into his next seat as his head is reaching over the top of his current 0+ mutsy safe to go seat. would of bought better if Id know more at the time.
I think I want him to go rear facing - I just want the most safest option for him.
I have been to local dealers and kiddicare and mothercare and spoken to road safety officer and am now TOTALLY CONFUSED - some say rf is safest and others say ff is just as safe if you buy as good seat and it all depends on if you have an accident on where your hit to which is the safest seat to go for.
I drive a skoda fabia 2001 has isofix and hubby has subaru type ra 1997 - but dont really want baba in his car so it just has to fit mine. One local dealer has tried britax max fix in my car and they say it fits - but I think it overhangs on the base and I cant find my car to fit it on the britax fit page. Have been looking at the recaro polaric but difficult to find a dealer locally the same with the Klippan kiss. Also been looking at the ff cybex phallas and the kiddy energy pro and the kiddy guardian pro 2.
If you could please help me and advise what would fit in my car and be the safest it would be very much appreciated.
And I do apologise for such a long post,
Many thanks
wondering if you could please help me as I am becoming slightly deranged over this choosing the next car seat business !!
Have been researching for a few weeks now as we are quite desperate for our 10 and a half month old son(weighing 10.1 kgs) to move into his next seat as his head is reaching over the top of his current 0+ mutsy safe to go seat. would of bought better if Id know more at the time.
I think I want him to go rear facing - I just want the most safest option for him.
I have been to local dealers and kiddicare and mothercare and spoken to road safety officer and am now TOTALLY CONFUSED - some say rf is safest and others say ff is just as safe if you buy as good seat and it all depends on if you have an accident on where your hit to which is the safest seat to go for.
I drive a skoda fabia 2001 has isofix and hubby has subaru type ra 1997 - but dont really want baba in his car so it just has to fit mine. One local dealer has tried britax max fix in my car and they say it fits - but I think it overhangs on the base and I cant find my car to fit it on the britax fit page. Have been looking at the recaro polaric but difficult to find a dealer locally the same with the Klippan kiss. Also been looking at the ff cybex phallas and the kiddy energy pro and the kiddy guardian pro 2.
If you could please help me and advise what would fit in my car and be the safest it would be very much appreciated.
And I do apologise for such a long post,
Many thanks
Edited by becky77 on Thursday 22 August 18:16
There's an element of truth to the whole rear or forward facing vs direction of impact argument, and how that links to the design of the seat. However you are much more likely to have a high speed frontal impact (where the combined impact force relates to your own speed plus that of the opposing vehicle) than be rear ended at anything like the same change in speed, since both vehicles will have been travelling in the same direction and even if stopped it's nothing like a head on.
We bought a forward facing seat despite the potentially additional safety of a rear facing seat.
Your child is still fairly light to be moving forward facing so if you want to move him on now I'd say a rear facer is a better option. If you can borrow/acquire a bigger 0+ seat that'll take his height until 13kg that would work too.
This comes up quite a bit and there's lots of links to test results and web sites if you look back over a few pages in this thread.
We bought a forward facing seat despite the potentially additional safety of a rear facing seat.
Your child is still fairly light to be moving forward facing so if you want to move him on now I'd say a rear facer is a better option. If you can borrow/acquire a bigger 0+ seat that'll take his height until 13kg that would work too.
This comes up quite a bit and there's lots of links to test results and web sites if you look back over a few pages in this thread.
becky77 said:
Hi there,
wondering if you could please help me as I am becoming slightly deranged over this choosing the next car seat business !!
Have been researching for a few weeks now as we are quite desperate for our 10 and a half month old son(weighing 10.1 kgs) to move into his next seat as his head is reaching over the top of his current 0+ mutsy safe to go seat. would of bought better if Id know more at the time.
I think I want him to go rear facing - I just want the most safest option for him.
I have been to local dealers and kiddicare and mothercare and spoken to road safety officer and am now TOTALLY CONFUSED - some say rf is safest and others say ff is just as safe if you buy as good seat and it all depends on if you have an accident on where your hit to which is the safest seat to go for.
I drive a skoda fabia 2001 has isofix and hubby has subaru type ra 1997 - but dont really want baba in his car so it just has to fit mine. One local dealer has tried britax max fix in my car and they say it fits - but I think it overhangs on the base and I cant find my car to fit it on the britax fit page. Have been looking at the recaro polaric but difficult to find a dealer locally the same with the Klippan kiss. Also been looking at the ff cybex phallas and the kiddy energy pro and the kiddy guardian pro 2.
If you could please help me and advise what would fit in my car and be the safest it would be very much appreciated.
And I do apologise for such a long post,
Many thanks
Rearfacing is without question safer. That isn´t up for debate. The manufactorers don´t debate that either. Here is a good explanation written by one of the leading experts in the field - a Swede/American Robert Bell. The reply is based on correct installation (that´s where isofix comes in)of both systems. It touches both rearfacing vs forward facing as well as isofix vs seatbelt installation:wondering if you could please help me as I am becoming slightly deranged over this choosing the next car seat business !!
Have been researching for a few weeks now as we are quite desperate for our 10 and a half month old son(weighing 10.1 kgs) to move into his next seat as his head is reaching over the top of his current 0+ mutsy safe to go seat. would of bought better if Id know more at the time.
I think I want him to go rear facing - I just want the most safest option for him.
I have been to local dealers and kiddicare and mothercare and spoken to road safety officer and am now TOTALLY CONFUSED - some say rf is safest and others say ff is just as safe if you buy as good seat and it all depends on if you have an accident on where your hit to which is the safest seat to go for.
I drive a skoda fabia 2001 has isofix and hubby has subaru type ra 1997 - but dont really want baba in his car so it just has to fit mine. One local dealer has tried britax max fix in my car and they say it fits - but I think it overhangs on the base and I cant find my car to fit it on the britax fit page. Have been looking at the recaro polaric but difficult to find a dealer locally the same with the Klippan kiss. Also been looking at the ff cybex phallas and the kiddy energy pro and the kiddy guardian pro 2.
If you could please help me and advise what would fit in my car and be the safest it would be very much appreciated.
And I do apologise for such a long post,
Many thanks
Edited by becky77 on Thursday 22 August 18:16
http://www.sikkerautostol.dk/2010/09/isofix-vs-bil...
If you take a look at a map of England and all other countries for that matter, it looks like a giant spider web. Those little fine lines are roads with close and fast going oncoming traffic. That is your risk of a serious frontal impact, where a rearfacing car seat is most often more effective than forward facing seats. Next in line is side impacts, and no wonder about that because these roads lead to other roads. Pre-impact braking is part of what makes the rearfacing systems safe in this type of collision. Those two types of impacts are the serious ones.
Then we have rear impacts. The majority of these happen at low speeds and the fact that the cars are heading in the same direction alone makes a huge difference in the outcome of these impacts. The cars are put in motion or pushed forwards as opposed to being stopped very abruptly which is the case in frontal impacts. Naturally the forward facing child is in the better system with regards to neckloads. If you have a small car, then they will be closer to point of impact, small cars usually have small trunks and thereby little crush zone. But then again, they mostly happen at low speeds so...
The Fabia is listed on the Britax Dualfix car list. The seat is just as compact as the Maxfix. You need a compact seat for that car as it isn´t very roomy inside.
Other options are some belted ones that might be good choices for you as well.
Axkid Minikid
Britax Hiway 2
Britax Maxway
These can be put in the middle seat too as they have a narrow base. They are also good choices for old cars too.
If you go for a forward facing car seat - then get a harnessed one instead of one with an impact cushion.
Now, this does not mean that children in forward facing seats are certain to become seriusly injured or even killed in crashes. They offer protection too and save childrens´ lives. That is not up for debate either!
Couldn't agree more with the above - it's a shame we don't have decent stats centrally on the presence/appropriateness/use/quality of fit/basic accident configuration to back up the considered opinions. All we really know from existing accident statistics is that the middle rear seat is the safest, but also the least likely to be occupied. The old lies, damned lies and statistics quote.....
The basic accident data collected by police at the road side (known as STATS19) has an imposed limit on fields with the hope that if it's completed correctly you do at least get some information, rather than a 1/4 completed longer form. Even seatbelt wearing by adults appears and disappears as the data is difficult to check for accuracy
The basic accident data collected by police at the road side (known as STATS19) has an imposed limit on fields with the hope that if it's completed correctly you do at least get some information, rather than a 1/4 completed longer form. Even seatbelt wearing by adults appears and disappears as the data is difficult to check for accuracy
Thank-you both - Lena and Adrian, Im very grateful for your concise and informative replies. I had looked through the past posts - but my brain was begining to turn to mush !! Looks like it will be the Britax Dual fix for us - you've put my mind to rest in regard to rf. thanks again, Rebecca
F.A.O. anyone using a Nania/Teamtex Trio/Kiddicare Maxi SP
They're one of the few seats small enough to fit in some sports cars but apparently Which really don't like them following their more rigorous crash tests.
"As a rear-facing Group 0 for children up to 10kg it scores 56%.
As a forward-facing Group 1 for children of 9-18kg it scores only 36% because of poor front and side impact results.
But it scores 0% for Group 2."
Details here: http://www.which.co.uk/news/2013/06/which-advice-r...
Obviously better than nothing but it's certainly food for thought.
They're one of the few seats small enough to fit in some sports cars but apparently Which really don't like them following their more rigorous crash tests.
"As a rear-facing Group 0 for children up to 10kg it scores 56%.
As a forward-facing Group 1 for children of 9-18kg it scores only 36% because of poor front and side impact results.
But it scores 0% for Group 2."
Details here: http://www.which.co.uk/news/2013/06/which-advice-r...
Obviously better than nothing but it's certainly food for thought.
Hello, according to various sciency pictures, blood tests and a wife who is changing shape and moaning about lost bellybuttons, we are due to have a child in December. Yay, etc 
Car-wise, we have a MINI from 2003 (non-ISOFIX) and my Audi S4 from 2010 (ISOFIX everywhere except the drivers seat). We'd like to stick a "permanent" seat in the MINI as my wife prefers not to carry babies around in infant seats and would rather transfer the baby directly to a carrycot (we've found one that fits in the MINI boot). As such, we were hoping to find a seat we can use rear-facing when the baby is small/young and then turn around when it's older. Something like the Britax First Class Plus. My questions are thus, would one fit in the back of the MINI? (we can't switch off the passenger seat airbags) and what other options are there?
I refuse to bow to peer pressure and buy a ginormous people carrier just because I have one child - the MINI is perfect for driving and commuting in Holland.
For the Audi, I'll most probably fit an ISOFIX Recaro infant carrier, followed by matching car seat because Recaro
Car-wise, we have a MINI from 2003 (non-ISOFIX) and my Audi S4 from 2010 (ISOFIX everywhere except the drivers seat). We'd like to stick a "permanent" seat in the MINI as my wife prefers not to carry babies around in infant seats and would rather transfer the baby directly to a carrycot (we've found one that fits in the MINI boot). As such, we were hoping to find a seat we can use rear-facing when the baby is small/young and then turn around when it's older. Something like the Britax First Class Plus. My questions are thus, would one fit in the back of the MINI? (we can't switch off the passenger seat airbags) and what other options are there?
I refuse to bow to peer pressure and buy a ginormous people carrier just because I have one child - the MINI is perfect for driving and commuting in Holland.
For the Audi, I'll most probably fit an ISOFIX Recaro infant carrier, followed by matching car seat because Recaro
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