Car Seat Mega Thread! Please post all your car seat questions here!

Millem · 20-10-2016 08:18PM

The_Pete_Fella wrote: »

I've been onto him today alright and they have the Recaro zero1 on display only problem is his next available weekend appointment is the 5th of Nov..
from looking at there FB page etc, they amount of models they have on display is unrivaled from my previous experience any where else in the country.

Pete I bought from them over the phone. They are so experienced they were able to advice based on percentiles of my son and make and models of our cars. I also bought a car seat that you can't buy here

newtoboards · 27-10-2016 01:49PM

I currently have a maxi cosi two way pearl for my son. He's just turned 3 but he's just over a metre in height and I need a new booster seat for the next stage. Does anyone have any opinion on the seats with the bar across the middle versus using the seatbelt. I clearly want him to be as safe as possible but I'm often a tad over protective when it comes to his safety and don't want to be a crazy with what I choose.

jlm29 · 27-10-2016 02:37PM

newtoboards wrote: »

I currently have a maxi cosi two way pearl for my son. He's just turned 3 but he's just over a metre in height and I need a new booster seat for the next stage. Does anyone have any opinion on the seats with the bar across the middle versus using the seatbelt. I clearly want him to be as safe as possible but I'm often a tad over protective when it comes to his safety and don't want to be a crazy with what I choose.

Firstly, I don't think you can be too over protective when it comes to car safety!!!
For a child that age, I would be reluctant to just use the seatbelt! I don't know anything about the seats with the bar though. I would probably buy a 25kg seat with a five point harness and a taller shell!

jlm29 · 27-10-2016 02:41PM

newtoboards wrote: »

I currently have a maxi cosi two way pearl for my son. He's just turned 3 but he's just over a metre in height and I need a new booster seat for the next stage. Does anyone have any opinion on the seats with the bar across the middle versus using the seatbelt. I clearly want him to be as safe as possible but I'm often a tad over protective when it comes to his safety and don't want to be a crazy with what I choose.

Firstly, I don't think you can be too over protective when it comes to car safety!!!
For a child that age, I would be reluctant to just use the seatbelt! I don't know anything about the seats with the bar though. I would probably buy a 25kg seat with a five point harness and a taller shell!

neacy69 · 27-10-2016 02:53PM

newtoboards wrote: »

I currently have a maxi cosi two way pearl for my son. He's just turned 3 but he's just over a metre in height and I need a new booster seat for the next stage. Does anyone have any opinion on the seats with the bar across the middle versus using the seatbelt. I clearly want him to be as safe as possible but I'm often a tad over protective when it comes to his safety and don't want to be a crazy with what I choose.

This was recommended to me by my local baby shop as the next stage to the Maxi cosy axis cos it has a 5 point harness, an option to recline and some head support.

http://www.halfords.ie/kids-zone/car-seats/child-car-seats/britax-evolva-123-child-car-seat

jlm29 · 27-10-2016 06:10PM

neacy69 wrote: »

This was recommended to me by my local baby shop as the next stage to the Maxi cosy axis cos it has a 5 point harness, an option to recline and some head support.

http://www.halfords.ie/kids-zone/car-seats/child-car-seats/britax-evolva-123-child-car-seat

The only thing about that is that the harness only goes to 18kg. After that the seatbelt is used. I know the op didn't say what her child weighs, so it might suit!

annoyedgal · 27-10-2016 09:19PM

Apologies if this has been covered, I've scrolled through last few pages and head is spinning!
Looking for a recommendation for a rear facing seat, preferably that rotates and will hold up to 25 kg. Like the look of the britax dual fix and jolie 360 but they only take up to 18 kg.
I have a very tall and heavy 10 month old who is now bursting out of his infant carrier. Thanks in advance!

Millem · 27-10-2016 09:47PM

annoyedgal wrote: »

Apologies if this has been covered, I've scrolled through last few pages and head is spinning!
Looking for a recommendation for a rear facing seat, preferably that rotates and will hold up to 25 kg. Like the look of the britax dual fix and jolie 360 but they only take up to 18 kg.
I have a very tall and heavy 10 month old who is now bursting out of his infant carrier. Thanks in advance!

Annoyed gal I think you will only get a seat installed with seat belt and tethers for 25kg

don't know any such that can swivel.
My son is very heavy for age and reached 18kg at 2 and a half ish

None on my seats swivel, my son climbs in himself.

annoyedgal · 27-10-2016 10:01PM

Oh right! So I might be better getting a less expensive rear facing iso fix option that doesn't swivel if I need to replace it again in a year and a half. My son is also v heavy and can see him reaching 18 kg well before 4! Did you have to replace your seat again after 18 kg?

jlm29 · 27-10-2016 10:13PM

annoyedgal wrote: »

Oh right! So I might be better getting a less expensive rear facing iso fix option that doesn't swivel if I need to replace it again in a year and a half. My son is also v heavy and can see him reaching 18 kg well before 4! Did you have to replace your seat again after 18 kg?

The heaviest limit for a swivel is the nuna rebl@ 19.5kg, but there's a huge issue with them, as it has failed some German safety test. Otherwise they're all 18kg.
I have a long heavy baby, and just bought a 25kg rear facing seat to avoid having to buy another in a year or two if he exceeded 18kg sooner rather than later

Millem · 28-10-2016 06:24AM

annoyedgal wrote: »

Oh right! So I might be better getting a less expensive rear facing iso fix option that doesn't swivel if I need to replace it again in a year and a half. My son is also v heavy and can see him reaching 18 kg well before 4! Did you have to replace your seat again after 18 kg?

Yes that's what I did!

Keep in mind shell height too.

annoyedgal · 28-10-2016 07:50AM

Do you mind telling me what you got and if you'd recommend it, thanks! Looking to future proof too if possible!

quote="jlm29;101485288"]The heaviest limit for a swivel is the nuna rebl@ 19.5kg, but there's a huge issue with them, as it has failed some German safety test. Otherwise they're all 18kg.
I have a long heavy baby, and just bought a 25kg rear facing seat to avoid having to buy another in a year or two if he exceeded 18kg sooner rather than later[/quote]

jlm29 · 28-10-2016 08:22AM

I have an ax kid mini kid. I only had it in for a couple of weeks, he still fits in his infant carrier, so I've gone back to using that for now, just because it's handy!
The minikid is great though, the head rest adjusts with the straps, the tethers are self adjusting, and it's reasonably easy to install (the worst part is attaching the tether straps).

Millem · 28-10-2016 08:48AM

Annoyed gal what car do you drive? That will depend on your seat!

If you drive a golf size or smaller I recommend a britax max way. A lot of seats are very big! If you have underfloor storage you will only be able to buy a two way elite (I have one), a minikid or a radian5 (which looks like something out of transformers!!!).

I have tried two out of the 3 above and they take up more space. You can have them upright and they will take up less space but IMHO not suitable position for younger child as they will flop forward if fall asleep.

annoyedgal · 28-10-2016 09:10AM

Thanks for the help guys, I've an ix 35 so space should not be an issue. I'll have a look at the mini kid and dual fix now. I thought picking a buggy was hard....until now ðŸ˜…

rainbow kirby · 28-10-2016 09:25AM

The Radian 5 also scored poorly, but not quite as bad as the Nuna Rebl on the same test.

Millem · 28-10-2016 11:02AM

annoyedgal wrote: »

Thanks for the help guys, I've an ix 35 so space should not be an issue. I'll have a look at the mini kid and dual fix now. I thought picking a buggy was hard....until now

Oh listen I hear you! Don't know what an ix35 is like in back. I bring my seats abroad with me and rent cars and surprisingly the new peugot 206 left more leg room in the front than a Mazda 3?????

dingbat · 09-01-2017 02:19PM

Hi folks. I need a new carseat for my solidly-build 8mo and I've a couple of really basic questions.

-- Can one get a car seat that is both backward-facing *and* swivels for easy loading of baby into said car seat?

-- Baby will be transported semi-regularly in three different parental and grandparent cars (75% in one, 20% in another, 5% in the third). For the newborn seat we manage with two isofix bases and, on the rare occasion when the third car was needed, use a seatbelt. Do 9mo-4yr seats work in the same way?

Thanks. I'm flying blind here.

rainbow kirby · 09-01-2017 02:50PM

Swivel seats can be quite expensive - minimum £250. You'd be looking at something like the Cybex Sirona or the Joie Spin. If you're in Dublin go down to Tony Kealy's, if you're in the north or borders then the In Car Safety Centre in Belfast is worth a visit.

Some seats have isofix as a part of them, some have an isofix base and others are belted. It's easier to move belted seats between cars - I've been able to set up my son's Joie Every Stage (belted 0+/1/2/3 seat) in MIL's relatively old Almera with no issues.

jonnybravo · 09-01-2017 05:03PM

Anyone have any recommendations for an iSize Isofix car seat for an 11 month old tall baby boy. Head is spinning from all the different options out there. Safety is the primary issue.

rainbow kirby · 09-01-2017 05:15PM

jonnybravo wrote: »

Anyone have any recommendations for an iSize Isofix car seat for an 11 month old tall baby boy. Head is spinning from all the different options out there. Safety is the primary issue.

Not iSize (and you probably don't want it for a tall boy, my son is 99th percentile for height and will probably hit the 105cm limit just after his 3rd birthday according to the chart in his red book) but the Axkid Rekid is isofix to 18kg and then belted to 25kg.

jlm29 · 09-01-2017 07:22PM

dingbat wrote: »

Hi folks. I need a new carseat for my solidly-build 8mo and I've a couple of really basic questions.

-- Can one get a car seat that is both backward-facing *and* swivels for easy loading of baby into said car seat?

-- Baby will be transported semi-regularly in three different parental and grandparent cars (75% in one, 20% in another, 5% in the third). For the newborn seat we manage with two isofix bases and, on the rare occasion when the third car was needed, use a seatbelt. Do 9mo-4yr seats work in the same way?

Thanks. I'm flying blind here.

If your baby is "solidly built" I wouldnt bother with a swivel. The highest weight limit for a swivel is 19.5kg. I'd be more inclined to buy a 25kg seat such as the axkid minikid, in the interests of longevity and value for money! I also have a solidly built 13mo baby, and find putting him into the minikid very straightforward. Rear facing seats in general are easier to get little ones in and out of than forward. You can buy extra tether straps to make moving the seat easier. There's another seat called the two way elite, which is another 25kg seat, and more budget friendly. Axkid also do the rekid which is isofix to 18kg, and belted thereafter, but is bulkier than the mini

Monaou2 · 10-01-2017 12:01AM

OP you sound like us a few months ago!!

For what it's worth - we got the Recaro Zero 1 seat - does until age 4 seemingly. We find the swivel a big plus - personally I wouldn't change back to non-swivel, but that's just me. Seat has isofix so interchangeable - but think it can't be used with seat belt.

No denying it's pricey - but hopefully it will be worth it if it last a few years.

Got it from a crowd in Galway that seemed to do good enough price and free delivery.

Speedy2009 · 15-01-2017 04:42AM

Hi

Does anybody have 3 car seats in a 5 seater car?
We need to change our car due to mechanical issues and have no3 on the way!
We can't afford an SUV and I would prefer a good size hatchback / estate than a 7 seater.
Online I see recommendations for the Skoda Superb and Mercedes estate but these don't seem to have 3 isofx points anyway, the Picasso does but Citroen seem unreliable!

Anyone have experience getting car seats into these cars or have other car recommendations?

Now I see The next question is on the type of car seat that will fit in side by side, our maxi cosi takes up a lot of space so looks like we will have to change those too ðŸ˜’ Any suggestions?

Apologies if this has been covered already, but I can't see any recent threads on this....

sillysocks · 15-01-2017 10:46AM

Speedy2009 wrote: »

Hi

Does anybody have 3 car seats in a 5 seater car?
We need to change our car due to mechanical issues and have no3 on the way!
We can't afford an SUV and I would prefer a good size hatchback / estate than a 7 seater.
Online I see recommendations for the Skoda Superb and Mercedes estate but these don't seem to have 3 isofx points anyway, the Picasso does but Citroen seem unreliable!

Anyone have experience getting car seats into these cars or have other car recommendations?

Now I see The next question is on the type of car seat that will fit in side by side, our maxi cosi takes up a lot of space so looks like we will have to change those too ðŸ˜’ Any suggestions?

Apologies if this has been covered already, but I can't see any recent threads on this....

I've heard of people with three seats in a Superb but it probably depends on what age your kids are and what stage seats they use?
I was looking in a local shop lately at Maxi cosi vs other baby seats and they are all much the same size if you use an ISO fix base. They're narrower without the base but it would probably be a pain putting the belt on each time if you will be in and out if the car a lot.
For the next stage and booster seats there's quite a variety of widths available so worth looking in a shop at them, but it's not even just the width at the widest part you need to look at-it's kind of like a jigsaw and some just fit better side by side.
I'd say your best bet is to try somewhere like Tony kealys if you're in Dublin who might be able to advise what Cars they've fit three into and what seats they used.

jlm29 · 15-01-2017 10:49AM

Speedy2009 wrote: »

Hi

Does anybody have 3 car seats in a 5 seater car?
We need to change our car due to mechanical issues and have no3 on the way!
We can't afford an SUV and I would prefer a good size hatchback / estate than a 7 seater.
Online I see recommendations for the Skoda Superb and Mercedes estate but these don't seem to have 3 isofx points anyway, the Picasso does but Citroen seem unreliable!

Anyone have experience getting car seats into these cars or have other car recommendations?

Now I see The next question is on the type of car seat that will fit in side by side, our maxi cosi takes up a lot of space so looks like we will have to change those too ðŸ˜’ Any suggestions?

Apologies if this has been covered already, but I can't see any recent threads on this....

Your options are very limited! A superb has a lot of room length wise, but width wise you won't gain extra space. I asked one of the rsa guys at the check it fits, and he said you wouldn't fit a person between the car seats, even with no car seat. Are you looking to buy a newer car? The new shape mondeo has buckets of room, a friend of mine has a besafe infant carrier (isofix) and a minikid (belted), and some kind of britax forward facing seat in one.
You could also look at a smaller mpv, like a cmax. I had one on loan from a garage last year and had a maxicosi with base, a high back booster, and I definitely had space for a third.
I'm having the same dilemma at the moment (except I'm not pregnant!). My car is too small, and I need to change, but I don't need an mpv, but equally I don't want to have to change again if I had a third!

jlm29 · 15-01-2017 10:55AM

A diono radian five is one of the narrowest group one seats, btw! And I think a britax adventurer is the narrowest hbb.

sillysocks · 15-01-2017 11:19AM

jlm29 wrote: »

A diono radian five is one of the narrowest group one seats, btw! And I think a britax adventurer is the narrowest hbb.

Also depending on the ages of the other children the Britax Advansafix is quite narrow too, and lets you use the harness til they are 25kg (most seats are only 15/18kg). Part of he problem we found fitting in three seats was not being able to get at the seatbelt buckle between the seats easily so the Advasafix means you're doing up a harness rather than needing to put on the seatbelt.

jlm29 · 15-01-2017 12:06PM

sillysocks wrote: »

Also depending on the ages of the other children the Britax Advansafix is quite narrow too, and lets you use the harness til they are 25kg (most seats are only 15/18kg). Part of he problem we found fitting in three seats was not being able to get at the seatbelt buckle between the seats easily so the Advasafix means you're doing up a harness rather than needing to put on the seatbelt.

Exactly! I was only saying to someone recently that they should reverse the seat belts, so that they buckle on the outside!

mirrorwall14 · 15-01-2017 12:24PM

From what I read there are very few cars that will take three across and usually only because one of them is a booster. I recommend you join some of the big Facebook groups and post there as you'd have a wider audience

Car Seat Mega Thread! Please post all your car seat questions here!

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