Child Seat Advice
Discussion
astroarcadia said:
Its seems our child as outgrown his maxi-cosi cabriofix.
Wife keeps banging on about a rear facing seat for the next stage and how it is safer, more common in Europe etc.
Is there any truth to this? What are the disadvantages, if any of a rear facing seat and if they are safer why do we not favour them in the UK?
On the back of Lena's advice 1 or 2 pages back, we went and tried a few seats, and bought a MaxFix - fits in Becs' Golf and my Civic saloon with JUST enough space for me in the front-passenger seat...so I'd expect it to be OK in a Freelander. Not as cheap as the Max-way, but more adjustable and easier to adjust, plus a lot easier to transfer between cars.Wife keeps banging on about a rear facing seat for the next stage and how it is safer, more common in Europe etc.
Is there any truth to this? What are the disadvantages, if any of a rear facing seat and if they are safer why do we not favour them in the UK?
So far, so good - it's reasonably easy to get J in and out and looks very well made, only two downsides are:-
(Minor) - the shoulder belts don't always sit outside the seat
(Major) - with the seat in the rear n/s position, the "over the shoulder" viz from the driver's seat is pretty minimal...but that applies to all rear-facers.
Jane make some great stuff! It's pricey but is very good quality and hard-wearing.
The Strata car seat is a big, deep seat which boasts a five point harness for extra security and a one handed release button for moving the handle.
Points I make when advising someone about a Strata is that it is fairly heavy, so it's definitely worth popping in to a retailer to try it for size and weight.
Also, the routing for fitting a Strata is different to most infant carriers. The lap belt goes underneath the seat when installing instead of above and over baby. This can be not so straight forward when using it everyday as getting the belt in to the retainers can prove fiddly. But, like most of these things, it's getting in to the routine of becoming used to it.
If you do find it a struggle with the seat belt then there is always an Isofix base named the "Strata Platform" which can be used. It's an Isofix only base with a support leg - so underfloor storage in the car is a no no. It can be had for around £140, but if used everyday it's worth it's price tag.
Hope that helps
[/quote]
Hi SooperDan,
Thanks very much.appreciate the info very good of you. will defintly be getting the isofix base. best start saving some more.
Hi James
Congrats on the baby
Boobles can´t reply in this thread unfortunately, but you can drop him a message via his profile.
SooperDan just might have the answer for you too.;)
I don´t know the Jane products very well.
[/quote]
Hi lenats31
Thanks very much for the reply will send him a message.
Hi Guys,
I am looking for a group 1 seat for our daughter. We have a Britax babysafe II at the moment and I would like to stick with the brand [Eclipse or SAFEFIX plus is what I have in mind], would you always pick one of these two over the other? and if so, why?
Do you think the MaxiCosi offer much better protection than Britax? Or are they both pretty decent? I went for the babysafe on recommendation by the ADAC you see.
We have only seen the Kiddi and the Cybex online and working them with the car seat belt each time we want to get baby in and out seems a faf so we have put those aside for the moment.
My wife would prefer a seat that swivels - All I have heard about these is that fixed seats are much much better at impact protection. Keeping with the same brand, how would you rate/mark out of 10 between the Axiss and the Priorifix? Would you always pick one over the other?
We have a 2011 Yaris and according to the website, the two Britaxs I mentioned should fit fine in the car.
Thank you.
-FatVik
I am looking for a group 1 seat for our daughter. We have a Britax babysafe II at the moment and I would like to stick with the brand [Eclipse or SAFEFIX plus is what I have in mind], would you always pick one of these two over the other? and if so, why?
Do you think the MaxiCosi offer much better protection than Britax? Or are they both pretty decent? I went for the babysafe on recommendation by the ADAC you see.
We have only seen the Kiddi and the Cybex online and working them with the car seat belt each time we want to get baby in and out seems a faf so we have put those aside for the moment.
My wife would prefer a seat that swivels - All I have heard about these is that fixed seats are much much better at impact protection. Keeping with the same brand, how would you rate/mark out of 10 between the Axiss and the Priorifix? Would you always pick one over the other?
We have a 2011 Yaris and according to the website, the two Britaxs I mentioned should fit fine in the car.
Thank you.
-FatVik
We have two group 0+ car seats for our twins. My wife insists on removing the shoulder pads as they keep falling off when the straps are undone. Is it safe to do this? Do the pads have any safety function, or are they purely for comfort?
Car seats are Nania BeOne. They are rather cheap (but narrow enough for three across the back bench). The shoulder pads are not connected or integrated to the shoulder straps, as they would be on more expensive car seats.
Car seats are Nania BeOne. They are rather cheap (but narrow enough for three across the back bench). The shoulder pads are not connected or integrated to the shoulder straps, as they would be on more expensive car seats.
swamp said:
We have two group 0+ car seats for our twins. My wife insists on removing the shoulder pads as they keep falling off when the straps are undone. Is it safe to do this? Do the pads have any safety function, or are they purely for comfort?
Car seats are Nania BeOne. They are rather cheap (but narrow enough for three across the back bench). The shoulder pads are not connected or integrated to the shoulder straps, as they would be on more expensive car seats.
The shoulder pads should not be removed. In an accident - like a frontal accident (most happen at high speeds) the child moves into the seat and most likely upwards in it too and into the shoulder pads. The harness will pull through until until the child is completely stopped. Car seats are Nania BeOne. They are rather cheap (but narrow enough for three across the back bench). The shoulder pads are not connected or integrated to the shoulder straps, as they would be on more expensive car seats.
fatvik said:
Hi Guys,
I am looking for a group 1 seat for our daughter. We have a Britax babysafe II at the moment and I would like to stick with the brand [Eclipse or SAFEFIX plus is what I have in mind], would you always pick one of these two over the other? and if so, why?
Do you think the MaxiCosi offer much better protection than Britax? Or are they both pretty decent? I went for the babysafe on recommendation by the ADAC you see.
We have only seen the Kiddi and the Cybex online and working them with the car seat belt each time we want to get baby in and out seems a faf so we have put those aside for the moment.
My wife would prefer a seat that swivels - All I have heard about these is that fixed seats are much much better at impact protection. Keeping with the same brand, how would you rate/mark out of 10 between the Axiss and the Priorifix? Would you always pick one over the other?
We have a 2011 Yaris and according to the website, the two Britaxs I mentioned should fit fine in the car.
Thank you.
-FatVik
Hi FatvikI am looking for a group 1 seat for our daughter. We have a Britax babysafe II at the moment and I would like to stick with the brand [Eclipse or SAFEFIX plus is what I have in mind], would you always pick one of these two over the other? and if so, why?
Do you think the MaxiCosi offer much better protection than Britax? Or are they both pretty decent? I went for the babysafe on recommendation by the ADAC you see.
We have only seen the Kiddi and the Cybex online and working them with the car seat belt each time we want to get baby in and out seems a faf so we have put those aside for the moment.
My wife would prefer a seat that swivels - All I have heard about these is that fixed seats are much much better at impact protection. Keeping with the same brand, how would you rate/mark out of 10 between the Axiss and the Priorifix? Would you always pick one over the other?
We have a 2011 Yaris and according to the website, the two Britaxs I mentioned should fit fine in the car.
Thank you.
-FatVik
If you want a forward facing seat I would get one with a 5-point harness for safety reasons. I know Boobles would have suggested this too.
I am sure your car has 3-point isofix system. This means there will be a third anchorage point somewhere on the back of the backseats. These might be covered with a small lid showing a childseat and an anchor. Have you looked?
In that case you have more options such as the Versafix and the Safefix with top tether strap.
The Eclipse seat is an older car seat model. it is seatbelt installation only. That isn´t bad provided that it is installed correctly all the time.
I don´t know if there is much difference - if any difference between the Britax and the Maxi Cosi seats. If there is, then I don´t think it is anything big.
Regarding the swirvel function that a few seats have; in my honest openion - and that is just a personal openion, this function is a waste of money onless you have backache troubles. You have to twist your back a bit in order to fasten the harness, so might be usefull to those with back problems. other than that it is useless IMO. You can put a child into them in the same way that you would with a seat that swirvels. Sooner or later baby will be able to climb into it.
lenats31 said:
fatvik said:
Hi Guys,
I am looking for a group 1 seat for our daughter. We have a Britax babysafe II at the moment and I would like to stick with the brand [Eclipse or SAFEFIX plus is what I have in mind], would you always pick one of these two over the other? and if so, why?
Do you think the MaxiCosi offer much better protection than Britax? Or are they both pretty decent? I went for the babysafe on recommendation by the ADAC you see.
We have only seen the Kiddi and the Cybex online and working them with the car seat belt each time we want to get baby in and out seems a faf so we have put those aside for the moment.
My wife would prefer a seat that swivels - All I have heard about these is that fixed seats are much much better at impact protection. Keeping with the same brand, how would you rate/mark out of 10 between the Axiss and the Priorifix? Would you always pick one over the other?
We have a 2011 Yaris and according to the website, the two Britaxs I mentioned should fit fine in the car.
Thank you.
-FatVik
Hi FatvikI am looking for a group 1 seat for our daughter. We have a Britax babysafe II at the moment and I would like to stick with the brand [Eclipse or SAFEFIX plus is what I have in mind], would you always pick one of these two over the other? and if so, why?
Do you think the MaxiCosi offer much better protection than Britax? Or are they both pretty decent? I went for the babysafe on recommendation by the ADAC you see.
We have only seen the Kiddi and the Cybex online and working them with the car seat belt each time we want to get baby in and out seems a faf so we have put those aside for the moment.
My wife would prefer a seat that swivels - All I have heard about these is that fixed seats are much much better at impact protection. Keeping with the same brand, how would you rate/mark out of 10 between the Axiss and the Priorifix? Would you always pick one over the other?
We have a 2011 Yaris and according to the website, the two Britaxs I mentioned should fit fine in the car.
Thank you.
-FatVik
If you want a forward facing seat I would get one with a 5-point harness for safety reasons. I know Boobles would have suggested this too.
I am sure your car has 3-point isofix system. This means there will be a third anchorage point somewhere on the back of the backseats. These might be covered with a small lid showing a childseat and an anchor. Have you looked?
In that case you have more options such as the Versafix and the Safefix with top tether strap.
The Eclipse seat is an older car seat model. it is seatbelt installation only. That isn´t bad provided that it is installed correctly all the time.
I don´t know if there is much difference - if any difference between the Britax and the Maxi Cosi seats. If there is, then I don´t think it is anything big.
Regarding the swirvel function that a few seats have; in my honest openion - and that is just a personal openion, this function is a waste of money onless you have backache troubles. You have to twist your back a bit in order to fasten the harness, so might be usefull to those with back problems. other than that it is useless IMO. You can put a child into them in the same way that you would with a seat that swirvels. Sooner or later baby will be able to climb into it.
Their seats are much the same in terms of safety, as Lenats say the differences are minimal. The Max-Cosi Tobi, however, has something which no Britax has and that's inertia locking harnesses, meaning the harnesses work much like a standard seatbelt. Quite impressive, I reckon.
Hi Lena, Hi Dan,
Thank you very much for your advice.
I've just checked and the Yaris does have what looks like a ISOFIX point behind the seat towards the bottom. I am pretty sure this is what the tether will hook into. We will have a look at the MaxiCosi Tobi before we decide.
Thank you again.
-FatVik
Thank you very much for your advice.
I've just checked and the Yaris does have what looks like a ISOFIX point behind the seat towards the bottom. I am pretty sure this is what the tether will hook into. We will have a look at the MaxiCosi Tobi before we decide.
Thank you again.
-FatVik
DaKid said:
Just discovered this thread, and really hope someone can help
We're expecting a little one in September, and my wife is very keen on the Maxi Cosi Elea pushchair. To go with this, we wanted to get the Pebble and FamilyFix base from the same manufacturer, but although I have ISOFIX points in my S6 Avant ('06), the base is listed as not passing crash testing in that car. I'm presuming this is to do with the relatively deep bucket seats in the back, as it "fits" otherwise.
Can anyone suggest an alternative that means we can still get the Elea pushchair and also use the rear, passenger-side seat to fit it in?
Many thanks for any advice people can offer.
I would write Dorel/Maxi Cosi about this. Their car lists have been known for not being up to date. The manufactorers don´t test their seats in all cars. If a car seat retailer finds that a certain seat fits in a car that is not listed, they may send photos of the seat installed in the car to the manufactorer, who will then update the car list.We're expecting a little one in September, and my wife is very keen on the Maxi Cosi Elea pushchair. To go with this, we wanted to get the Pebble and FamilyFix base from the same manufacturer, but although I have ISOFIX points in my S6 Avant ('06), the base is listed as not passing crash testing in that car. I'm presuming this is to do with the relatively deep bucket seats in the back, as it "fits" otherwise.
Can anyone suggest an alternative that means we can still get the Elea pushchair and also use the rear, passenger-side seat to fit it in?
Many thanks for any advice people can offer.
Edited by DaKid on Saturday 25th May 10:22
I have just googled your car to locate the isofix points. I found them in the exact same place as the Audi A4 estate which I have seen a number of times. I tried to upload some photos but the program this forum is using is utterly useless.
So here is the link. Just look at how high up the isofix points are!
http://www.sikkerautostol.dk/wp-content/uploads/20...
The high position of the isofix points in the car levels the car seats. They do get a decent angle in the car. SO it has nothing to do with the shape of your back seats. I think it has a lot to do with the above.
Edited by lenats31 on Saturday 25th May 21:39
DaKid said:
Thanks. Perhaps you could explain to me why - if the car seat clicks into place properly - it makes any difference as to the safety from one car to the next? Surely if the ISOFIX points are correctly secured and the front leg is touching the floor, it will just be ok? I don't understand why my car is apparently an unsafe fit despite everything clicking into place.
I don´t think it has anything to do with safety. I think the car list is not up-to-date/incorrect. This has happend before with Maxi Cosi. I would mail Dorel/Maxi Cosi about it.Maxi-cosi have always been rubbish at maintaining their vehicle fitting database. Neither of my Audis are listed for Isofix install with either the Cabriofix or Priorifix we used until recently. What is interesting is that in 2 different Audis from similar era (2002 and 2004 but both in production about the same times) they give very different fit.
Having been involved in legislation/testing in the past I took the view that since the only installation check the manufacturer does is static anyway (no dynamic testing in each model required for obvious cost reasons) and I was quite happy both were well restrained and properly attached to Isofix I would make my own mind up as to their suitability.
On a related subject I've found that the quality of knowledge in high street establishments seems to have taken a nose dive in the last few years - unless you're a well informed customer you could be told black is white with absolutely no idea if they're right or not! They also don't carry much physical stock these days.
What I find more worrying is that when your child gets to 18kg weight limit of the group 1 seats there's so little you can find on the market that you can actually find in stock to try in your car for group 2. To try 3 out of 4 high back boosters we were considering required a 130 mile road trip to a shop with examples on the shelf. After Google Chrome translating ADAC test reports to get some idea of test results we ended up with a BeSafe iZi Up X3 Fix - I particularly liked the fact the centre part of the seat back moves relative to the base and headrest as you adjust it, rather than just the headrest popping up and everything else staying put. Not a cheap seat at £160-170 but they'll be in it a whole lot longer than the previous 2 combined so I reckon it's worth the money. Our now 3 year old loves it but he was in it earlier than I would've liked - the perils of being 98th percentile for weight! He did at least wait until he was 3 before deciding he can now unfasten his seat belt himself when it's time to get out of the car.....
Mini rant over lol
Having been involved in legislation/testing in the past I took the view that since the only installation check the manufacturer does is static anyway (no dynamic testing in each model required for obvious cost reasons) and I was quite happy both were well restrained and properly attached to Isofix I would make my own mind up as to their suitability.
On a related subject I've found that the quality of knowledge in high street establishments seems to have taken a nose dive in the last few years - unless you're a well informed customer you could be told black is white with absolutely no idea if they're right or not! They also don't carry much physical stock these days.
What I find more worrying is that when your child gets to 18kg weight limit of the group 1 seats there's so little you can find on the market that you can actually find in stock to try in your car for group 2. To try 3 out of 4 high back boosters we were considering required a 130 mile road trip to a shop with examples on the shelf. After Google Chrome translating ADAC test reports to get some idea of test results we ended up with a BeSafe iZi Up X3 Fix - I particularly liked the fact the centre part of the seat back moves relative to the base and headrest as you adjust it, rather than just the headrest popping up and everything else staying put. Not a cheap seat at £160-170 but they'll be in it a whole lot longer than the previous 2 combined so I reckon it's worth the money. Our now 3 year old loves it but he was in it earlier than I would've liked - the perils of being 98th percentile for weight! He did at least wait until he was 3 before deciding he can now unfasten his seat belt himself when it's time to get out of the car.....
Mini rant over lol
boobles said:
Hi Adrian. If you don't mind me asking, who did you work for when you were involved in legislation/Testing? 
DfT on policy, legislation and research management (around the end of Isofix negotiation before R44:04 and NPACS, which never happened much to my regret) before I moved on to other things. Got involved in the child safety weeks and spent time at Mothercare on Purley Way advising people on installation - always entertaining!Before that at TRL although not directly with the CRS team - mainly accident investigation/analysis and primary safety
Adrian E said:
DfT on policy, legislation and research management (around the end of Isofix negotiation before R44:04 and NPACS, which never happened much to my regret) before I moved on to other things. Got involved in the child safety weeks and spent time at Mothercare on Purley Way advising people on installation - always entertaining!
Before that at TRL although not directly with the CRS team - mainly accident investigation/analysis and primary safety
Fantastic... Would you have known Mark Pitcher from your time at TRL? Before that at TRL although not directly with the CRS team - mainly accident investigation/analysis and primary safety
You may have left before he started though. We have a great working relationship with TRL.
Edited by boobles on Thursday 30th May 14:43
Hiya
Name doesn't ring a bell, although I was a customer of TRL for a number of years after working there! Mainly Marianne and Dinos, supported by Richard Lowne, when I was involved Saw what was at the time their new CRS rig getting commissioned and we used it for quite a lot of testing. All before they moved buildings!
Does Farid still work for Britax? Remember him from Renault days!
This is going way off topic so maybe should take up on e-mail to reminisce?
Name doesn't ring a bell, although I was a customer of TRL for a number of years after working there! Mainly Marianne and Dinos, supported by Richard Lowne, when I was involved
Saw what was at the time their new CRS rig getting commissioned and we used it for quite a lot of testing. All before they moved buildings!Does Farid still work for Britax? Remember him from Renault days!
This is going way off topic so maybe should take up on e-mail to reminisce?
Adrian E said:
Hiya
Name doesn't ring a bell, although I was a customer of TRL for a number of years after working there! Mainly Marianne and Dinos, supported by Richard Lowne, when I was involved Saw what was at the time their new CRS rig getting commissioned and we used it for quite a lot of testing. All before they moved buildings!
Does Farid still work for Britax? Remember him from Renault days!
This is going way off topic so maybe should take up on e-mail to reminisce?
We know Marianne & Dinos very well & yes Farid does still work for Britax... Enough said I think. Name doesn't ring a bell, although I was a customer of TRL for a number of years after working there! Mainly Marianne and Dinos, supported by Richard Lowne, when I was involved
Saw what was at the time their new CRS rig getting commissioned and we used it for quite a lot of testing. All before they moved buildings!Does Farid still work for Britax? Remember him from Renault days!
This is going way off topic so maybe should take up on e-mail to reminisce?
Hi everyone, my boy is on the verge of outgrowing his current child seat and I would welcome some advice about what to get for him next! He is just over 2.5yrs, and weighs 16kg, so I guess I should be looking at one of the 9mth - 12yrs car seats. He is in a Maxi-Cosi at the moment, a 9mth - 4yrs one.
It will mostly get used in my LS400, and about 25% of the time in my wifes Mk1 Focus 5-door. Neither car has isofix, and I think I would prefer a seat without a detachable base unit, as they seem to be heavier but I don't see what advantage they offer.
I suppose the big issue is height really - he's almost 1m tall, and his shoulders are pressing up on the straps in his current seat. Me and the missus are quite lanky as well, so we have the front seats all the way back, which limits space in the back seats. So we need a nicely compact child seat that can accommodate an extra-large toddler for the next few years! I guess any of the "normal-sized" seats would be fine, but I have no idea what makes/models are best and I don't trust Halfords to give impartial advice. Does anyone have a suitable recommendation?
It will mostly get used in my LS400, and about 25% of the time in my wifes Mk1 Focus 5-door. Neither car has isofix, and I think I would prefer a seat without a detachable base unit, as they seem to be heavier but I don't see what advantage they offer.
I suppose the big issue is height really - he's almost 1m tall, and his shoulders are pressing up on the straps in his current seat. Me and the missus are quite lanky as well, so we have the front seats all the way back, which limits space in the back seats. So we need a nicely compact child seat that can accommodate an extra-large toddler for the next few years! I guess any of the "normal-sized" seats would be fine, but I have no idea what makes/models are best and I don't trust Halfords to give impartial advice. Does anyone have a suitable recommendation?
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