recaro vs maxi cosi.

[StateofConfusion]

I'm expecting dc 3 and I'm somewhat confused by how much everything appears to have changed wrt carseats.

I've read up alot on erf and me and dp have decided we will be doing this however we still want an infant carrier first for many reasons, so I'm not interested in a large seat at this stage, ill be back next year for opinions on that

We've settled on either the recaro young profi plus
maxi cosi cabrio which we had for dd and was supposedly the 'best' then.
and the new cosi pebble

We do not have isofix in our car (multipla) so cant have a base for the recaro, are bases for maxi cosi safer or more convienient? The impression kiddicare gave me were they are safer for people who dont make the time to strap the seat in well every time. But ofc they wouldnt answer me as it could loose or gain them £££. The reason i liked the pebble was it has a recline when on the base but i see now thats a isofix base so is the pebble any better than the cabrio?

What do people have/have used. and what would you recomend. Somethings making me lean toward recaro as they make racing car seats so maybe they have an edge on safety.

clueless really?

[lagoonhaze]

Just to confuse you....Britax babysafe and base. Seat lasts longer than the cabrio. Its 3cm or inches bigger. Truthsweet measured it. Means it lasts longer.

However we have used the cabrio with no problems on comfort with a base brought for £70 from mothercare (price matched to amazon)

Pebble I believe only fits the family fix base which is £££££.

Isofix isnt safer but means there is less room for error. I do love the base as at times we are a family of six. Its also been invaluable at soon runs. Alternatively have a look at the klippan kiss. I know its a big seat but its also a infant carrier. If you are going to be paying circa £150 plus for a seat/base option it may work out cheaper long term.

[StateofConfusion]

I did look at the britax babysafe, but its ruled out as bugaboo still havent released adaptors and i want a quick click onto wheels option for the school run as were useless enough getting there on time with two it wont be used like that any other time but i would like that option.

I will go armed with tape measure to see which of the 3 are biggest as thats a good thing to consider, id like to use it as long as possible as i did with dd and ds.

[lagoonhaze]

Yep click on wheels vital!

[StateofConfusion]

i just wish a retailer would be honest, i dont want to buy a base if its not safer, nor do i want to get the pebble as its the most money on the idea more £ means safer, unless it truly is the safest and lasts longest.

[nancerama]

I went for the Maxi Cosi Cabriofix. I'm sure it was the lightest of all the seats available, and I figured that would make a big difference once DS got bulkier. The Cabriofix seems to have better side protection than the Pebble too.

I would very much recommend a base. The Easybase for the Cabriofix has red/green indicators on all the moving parts. Once the indicators are green you know it's installed properly and safely. On the few occasions I used the infant carrier without a base it never seemed very secure in comparison.

[nancerama]

Sorry, I meant to add, if installed properly, I don't think a base is any more or less safe. BUT, once a base is installed properly, you know that the seat is fixed properly every time. On a rainy day you will be so grateful for a base.

[StateofConfusion]

thank you nance i suppose with the base its no different to the older dcs seat in that i just have to check the belts still tight etc frequently, and your point about rainy days is a very good one as the big two hop in get belts on and i just lean from my seat and tighten and straighten them, bit trickier with an infant seat. dp would rather the cabrio as we had one before and liked it alot, but we didnt own a car back then so the base is something we've never encountered.

[queenofthepirates]

I had a Recaro and it's done us well. We don't have a base but that's fine.
Plus side, she's still in it at 16mo, washable covers and it's easy to adjust the straps. It also fits into a Maclaren XLR buggy (although it's a faff IMO)

Cons, it weighs a ton making it almost useless to carry DD in.

Oh and I can adjust the recline without any problems.

[mybootsaremuddy]

I would have said the Britax Babysafe untill I saw you have ruled that out(we have 3 for our tiny 2.4yr old and 14mth twins and its FAB).

In your case I would go for the Cabrio. I would recomend getting the base as well. Like someone has already said its great on rainy days or those times where you are in a rush and therefore run the risk of not fitting the seat properly (know someone who did this and their seat tipped when going round a bend!). At least with a base its just a case of click on click off with the seat and only takes seconds. Our friend now has the base after her little scare and just checks every few days that its still tight.
Its also easyer to get them in and out of the seat with the base as they get older and you have left seat in the car, as there is no lap belt across the base to try and 'contort' them through!

[StateofConfusion]

I emailed bugaboo last night as there's been rumours for some time about them doing britax adaptors, so figured its worth a check.

At the moment the cabrio is in the lead as it has the base, although I'm not ruling out the recaro incase its a bit longer as I like to use the infant seat as long as possible.

Thank you for all your comments, far more informative than any shop :)

[justforinfo]

The recaro does last a bit longer as it has a slightly larger back height than the maxi cosi, however, when fitted the plastic parts the lapbelt fits through bend when the seat belt is fitted tightly (properly) from what i've found. The maxi cosi is very sturdy and I would defo get the base too, godsend when you're rushing!

Can you fit a cybex Aton to your pram? They do really nice seats too :) and the base is dual ISOfix and seatbelt, you can use one or the other :)

(just to confuse you more!!! Sorry!)

[StateofConfusion]

I've not heard of that one, will have a google on the laptop tomorrow.

Maxi cosi is winning as the base seems a sensible idea, strapping 3 dc in in the rain won't be fun will it.

[justforinfo]

Not in the slightest!!! I also found with the Recaro, the side impact protection is "doubled up" and looks great, but squishes a baby's shoulders when they get bigger, again, this is just something I have found over the last few years selling this seat :)

[auburntrees]

Have always had recaro seat for my son, safest option in my opinion...

[justforinfo]

Recaro sing and dance about how amazing they are, but when you strip them down they're really no better than any others - safest option is the Britax without doubt, it has D-SIP side impact protection which is 35% safer than any other infant carrier (more info available on their website)

However, for the OP - IMPO I think the Maxi Cosi and Seatbelt base is the best option :) as the Britax doesn't fit the pram

[StateofConfusion]

Really wish the bugaboo would take a bloody britax!! Ds and dd have britax evolvas which won for me for the sips and huge 'winged' headrest.

That said this babies seat will be in the middle of the car in either front or rear (we have a fiat multipla) if that makes any difference, doubt it but I'm just rambling.

Think for the sake of the base the maxi cosi is a winner. Will go check them in the car and have a good look and play before I finalise though. :)

Thanks everyone x

[justforinfo]

Glad you've decided :) And the seat belt base will fit in the middle, Multipla's are a dream for getting car seats in! (They also fit extended rear facing in for when your LO outgrows the infant seat ;-) )

[StateofConfusion]

justfor that was our main reason for buying it :)

[StateofConfusion]

Horray! The britax baby safe has bugaboo adaptors now!

And a trip to kiddicare with a brilliant advisor has meant were sold on the britax babysafe, me and dp had a play with it and they are fantastic, the headrest is fantastic, thanks for the advice :)