Child Seat Advice

[fatvik]

Cheers boobles
-FV

[fatvik]

Hi Boobles,

I did the "shove where the baby's shoulders would be" trick and the seat stuch fast to the base so I am a happy bunny.

Thanks for your help.

-FV

[boobles]

fatvik said:

Hi Boobles,

I did the "shove where the baby's shoulders would be" trick and the seat stuch fast to the base so I am a happy bunny.

Thanks for your help.

-FV

Excellent. Always happy to help where possible. Goodluck with it all & all the best.

[Backtobasics]

Couple of quick questions if thats ok. Can the forward facing (infant at 9kg's plus) car seat be put in the front seat with the passenger air bag turned off? (looks like the answer is yes, but the kid is safer in the rear) and whats the safest forward facing seat on the market at the moment? (currently using a maxicosi pebble with a isofix base)

cheers

[boobles]

Backtobasics said:

Couple of quick questions if thats ok. Can the forward facing (infant at 9kg's plus) car seat be put in the front seat with the passenger air bag turned off? (looks like the answer is yes, but the kid is safer in the rear) and whats the safest forward facing seat on the market at the moment? (currently using a maxicosi pebble with a isofix base)

cheers

Hi,

Yes you can use a child seat in the front so long as the airbag is switched off.
In the back is always the better option where possible.

Take a look at the link for an idea of what to buy or avoid. I can't really comment because it would be more than my jobs worth to start giving out info like this.


http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&am...




http://search.which.co.uk/search?p=R&srid=S8-U...

Please don't be alarmed if people can't see the child seat that they have purchased in these reports. It doesn't mean you have bought an un-safe one.

Edited by boobles on Thursday 6th October 07:25

[gibbo37]

Backtobasics said:

Couple of quick questions if thats ok. Can the forward facing (infant at 9kg's plus) car seat be put in the front seat with the passenger air bag turned off? (looks like the answer is yes, but the kid is safer in the rear) and whats the safest forward facing seat on the market at the moment? (currently using a maxicosi pebble with a isofix base)

cheers

Hi, if you already have the Maxi-Cosi Pebble with a Familyfix base, then you should be looking at buying the Pearl as the next stage seat. It fit's on the base you already have, (providing you bought the Familyfix base & not the Easyfix?)

[Backtobasics]

Thanks guys, appreciate your help.

[suedee100]

Hi, I have a 2008 Fabia estate & need to replace child seats used for my grandchildren (currently 5 of them aged 3 months to 8, and still expanding!) They spend quite a bit of time with me in different combinations & it would be really helpful to 'optimise' the seat suitability across age groups.. I know I'm asking the earth but to start, what would fit my Skoda? I am currently looking at the Britax Evolva or Kiddy Guardian Pro. It goes without saying I would never fit them all in but is it possible to get three seats in the back at all, or would I have to have the eldest on the front seat? My primary concern remains their safety - we may just have to limit car trips but as I live in a village without public transport I do need some seats. Any thoughts or recommendations would be really welcome so thanks in advance.

[gibbo37]

suedee100 said:

Hi, I have a 2008 Fabia estate & need to replace child seats used for my grandchildren (currently 5 of them aged 3 months to 8, and still expanding!) They spend quite a bit of time with me in different combinations & it would be really helpful to 'optimise' the seat suitability across age groups.. I know I'm asking the earth but to start, what would fit my Skoda? I am currently looking at the Britax Evolva or Kiddy Guardian Pro. It goes without saying I would never fit them all in but is it possible to get three seats in the back at all, or would I have to have the eldest on the front seat? My primary concern remains their safety - we may just have to limit car trips but as I live in a village without public transport I do need some seats. Any thoughts or recommendations would be really welcome so thanks in advance.

The Guardian Pro would be my choice, as it is a Group 1/2/3, meaning it is suitable from around 9 months up to around 12 years.
It's also very lightweight, has an impact cushion rather than a harness (Group 1 stage) and really does grow with the child. Comes out very highly in all the test results too.

[boobles]

gibbo37 said:

suedee100 said:

Hi, I have a 2008 Fabia estate & need to replace child seats used for my grandchildren (currently 5 of them aged 3 months to 8, and still expanding!) They spend quite a bit of time with me in different combinations & it would be really helpful to 'optimise' the seat suitability across age groups.. I know I'm asking the earth but to start, what would fit my Skoda? I am currently looking at the Britax Evolva or Kiddy Guardian Pro. It goes without saying I would never fit them all in but is it possible to get three seats in the back at all, or would I have to have the eldest on the front seat? My primary concern remains their safety - we may just have to limit car trips but as I live in a village without public transport I do need some seats. Any thoughts or recommendations would be really welcome so thanks in advance.

The Guardian Pro would be my choice, as it is a Group 1/2/3, meaning it is suitable from around 9 months up to around 12 years.
It's also very lightweight, has an impact cushion rather than a harness (Group 1 stage) and really does grow with the child. Comes out very highly in all the test results too.

The gaurdian pro does come out high in crash test results but they only measure chest accelerations at R44 level aswel as head excusions. I.E they measure how far the head travels forward in a crash. Other seats do offer more protection than the sheild version & other manufactures test with the "Q" series dummy at the development stages of the product to ensure not only does thier seats pass the basic "R44-04" level, but they also go behond this with the "Q" series dummy which measure alot more parameters such as neck force, pelvis force, chest compression & lots more. They can't do this with the "P" series dummy which is used to get the "basic" R44 stamp.

Edited by boobles on Friday 7th October 13:49

[Mr Purple]

Hi , any ideas on a forward facing rear child seat in a DBS - bit tight in there
cheers

[gibbo37]

boobles said:

The gaurdian pro does come out high in crash test results but they only measure chest accelerations at R44 level aswel as head excusions. I.E they measure how far the head travels forward in a crash. Other seats do offer more protection than the sheild version & other manufactures test with the "Q" series dummy at the development stages of the product to ensure not only does thier seats pass the basic "R44-04" level, but they also go behond this with the "Q" series dummy which measure alot more parameters such as neck force, pelvis force, chest compression & lots more. They can't do this with the "P" series dummy which is used to get the "basic" R44 stamp.

Edited by boobles on Friday 7th October 13:49

The way I understand it is in a traditional car sat with a five point harness, the child is 'pinned' back against the seat, and in the event of a frontal impact the head and neck of the child take most of the force. Where as with an impact shield, the force is distributed more evenly through the torso, meaning less risk of brain and neck injuries.

[boobles]

gibbo37 said:

boobles said:

The gaurdian pro does come out high in crash test results but they only measure chest accelerations at R44 level aswel as head excusions. I.E they measure how far the head travels forward in a crash. Other seats do offer more protection than the sheild version & other manufactures test with the "Q" series dummy at the development stages of the product to ensure not only does thier seats pass the basic "R44-04" level, but they also go behond this with the "Q" series dummy which measure alot more parameters such as neck force, pelvis force, chest compression & lots more. They can't do this with the "P" series dummy which is used to get the "basic" R44 stamp.

Edited by boobles on Friday 7th October 13:49

The way I understand it is in a traditional car sat with a five point harness, the child is 'pinned' back against the seat, and in the event of a frontal impact the head and neck of the child take most of the force. Where as with an impact shield, the force is distributed more evenly through the torso, meaning less risk of brain and neck injuries.

Can't say that I have ever come across this in 17 years to be honest.

[Dw1]

boobles said:

Hi,

The only thing we found for that age group that fitted into an Elise (not a VX220 but has the same seats) was a Britax Evolva 123.
You would have to remove the harness & use it as a "high back booster" which means you would use the car seat belt in the same way as just a booster seat, but it does fit. The seat itself would last until the child was approx 12 years old.



http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&am...

Hi boobles
I'm in exactly the same situation as Badgerade and have a vx220 (hi badgerade , you'll find me on .org).

I tested the evolva 123 at the weekend, i've got two questions;
1. There looked like a fair gap between the back of the chair and the back of the child seat, is that ok?
2. I've read about submarining in booster seats that just use the seat belt rather than a harness in Elise seats - is this true or just Internet rubbish and a three point belt is fine?. It sounds like your advise is not to use the harnesses.

[boobles]

Dw1 said:

boobles said:

Hi,

The only thing we found for that age group that fitted into an Elise (not a VX220 but has the same seats) was a Britax Evolva 123.
You would have to remove the harness & use it as a "high back booster" which means you would use the car seat belt in the same way as just a booster seat, but it does fit. The seat itself would last until the child was approx 12 years old.



http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&am...

Hi boobles
I'm in exactly the same situation as Badgerade and have a vx220 (hi badgerade , you'll find me on .org).

I tested the evolva 123 at the weekend, i've got two questions;
1. There looked like a fair gap between the back of the chair and the back of the child seat, is that ok?
2. I've read about submarining in booster seats that just use the seat belt rather than a harness in Elise seats - is this true or just Internet rubbish and a three point belt is fine?. It sounds like your advise is not to use the harnesses.

Hi,
When you say a gap, do you no roughly how much of a gap?
"submarining" can happen with booster seats but it's not just related to seats without the harness, other seats can also do this. If your child is approx 4yrs or over 18kg, you would have to use the Evolva 123 in booster mode. Another words you take away the harness & use the 3pt car seat belt around your child which will hold the child & child seat in place exactly how it would work on you or me. If the child is under approx 4yrs old or between 9 to 18kg in weight, the harness must remain in until the child has reached this weight.

[Dw1]

Hi,
Wow that was a quick reply, thanks!
At the most concave part of the seat in the middle, half way up, I'd say about two inches away. At the base it sits well in the seat and the sides nestle into the curved protruding sides of the bucket seat. The top of the child seat touches and rests at the sides but is about half an inch away from seat at the middle at the top.

I guess though if you tested it in your Elise it must be ok.

Cheers

[gibbo37]

boobles said:

Can't say that I have ever come across this in 17 years to be honest.

Fair enough, but I guess it makes sense if you think about it?

[Elsieboo]

Good afternoon. I hope you can help, my daughter is just 3 and currently in a maxi cosi xp priori but is at the very top of the weight limit at 38lbs. I really want an isofix next seat and am currently deciding between the britax kidifix or maxi cosi ferofix. The britax one has little arm rests but not sure if this is a big thing or not. We have a 2011 ford focus.

Would you recommend either car seat as the preferred choice?

Many thanks for any help
Julie

[boobles]

Elsieboo said:

Good afternoon. I hope you can help, my daughter is just 3 and currently in a maxi cosi xp priori but is at the very top of the weight limit at 38lbs. I really want an isofix next seat and am currently deciding between the britax kidifix or maxi cosi ferofix. The britax one has little arm rests but not sure if this is a big thing or not. We have a 2011 ford focus.

Would you recommend either car seat as the preferred choice?

Many thanks for any help
Julie

Hi,

Both seats are fine & it would really come down to your personal choice if I am honest.

They are both good/safe seats, but I would choose which one was the easiest to install & don't forget that not all child seats fit into all cars. Are you able to pop along to Halfords or Mothercare because they can fit them to see if they are suitable or not & this could make your decision alot easier.

[Elsieboo]

Thank you so much for your quick reply. Getting hold of the ferofix is really difficult with it being so new. I did go to a halfords and they said it was a web exclusive but that if it was isofix then it should fix all isofix cars, is that not necessarily true?

I believe both britax and maxi cosi websites say that they are compatible but I can only get hold of the ferofix online. I am really nervous about her being in the next stage car seat for some reason as she was only 3 last week but I know her weight means she needs it. I'm driving myself crazy.

There are lots of good reviews for the britax but I keep wondering if the maxi cosi with it being new will have something better added or should I leave it until it has been which tested??

Honestly I'm probably getting myself worked up over nothing!

Thank you for taking the time to help

Julie