Group 1 seat that is easy to transfer (not too heavy or bulky)

[INeedNewShoes]

DD is 18m (10kg) and in my car travels RF in a GB Vaya.

I need a spare car seat to use in other people's cars as the Vaya is too awkward to move between cars.

It would be a bonus if she could rear face in it as I am aware that this is safest but really the priority is that it is straightforward to fit and is as compact as a Group 1 can be as it will need to fit in a Fiat 500 and a small Citroen (can't remember which). I'd rather buy a FF that other people will fit correctly than a ERF that has a higher chance of being fitted wrongly (a lot of reviews on the RFs talk about them being trickier to belt in).

This will be for short journeys only (20 minutes max) so I'm not too worried about recline.

My budget is £100.

I'm going round in circles. I'm tempted by the Joie Elevate because it is compact, light and folds down when not in use and will be good as the spare car seat for the whole of DD's car seat career, but the niggle in my mind is that you can tell by looking at it that it is not as structured as non-combination Group 1 seats. Also it only FF.

I've wondered about the Britax Eclipse or First Class. Then there's the Joie stages or Joie Tilt.

I have now spent HOURS going round in circles looking at specs and reviews and I just need someone to trundle along and give me advice before I go potty.

Please help!

[sleepismysuperpower1]

have a look here at the harmony merydian 2 in 1 x there are reviews on the page too

[teaandbiscuitsforme]

I'd go for the Stages. You really don't want to compromise on rear facing.

The Britax Two Way Elite is a very compact seat but it is more expensive (about £180)

[INeedNewShoes]

Thanks for your responses.

I've never heard of the Harmony brand which makes me wary especially coupled with the low price...

Regarding the Joie Stages, my reservations are that I read somewhere that it requires quite long seatbelts and that there was a safety recall at some point (though I imagine that issue must have been resolved for them to continue selling them).

[teaandbiscuitsforme]

Harmony is not a good choice. It's made a brand called Nania and only just passes the most basic tests in order to be able to sell it. Brands like joie, Britax, Maxi Cosi etc test to a much higher standard.

I'd recommend joining the Facebook group 'car seat advice uk' and researching the Stages. I know there is an issue with the fit if the car has long buckle stalks but it is one of the most universal fitting seats. No seat will fit every car it the Stages is one of the ones most recommended for people who frequently use taxis etc.

[Cupoftchaiagain]

Eclipse is pretty good. We have the britax prince for similar reasons for my mum, we also used it when travelling

[IrishMamaMia]

The Joie stages. It's rear and forward facing, simple and quick to fit in a range of cars using most seat belts . I'm on a car seat safety Facebook group and they recommend it if you regularly use taxis etc.

[IrishMamaMia]

*meant to add that I own one as we don't have a car and have been really happy with it. I can fit it safely under time pressure and my toddler is happy in it.

[INeedNewShoes]

Thanks everyone for your advice. My last niggle about the Stages is that Which? failed it in their crash tests in forward facing Group 1.

Am I right in thinking I can ignore this if I keep DD RF until 18kg as that way she'll never use Group 1 FF?

[teaandbiscuitsforme]

That was the Every Stage rather than the Stages. And yes there's no need to forward face because she can rear face to 4 (or 18kg) and then you would move her to a high back booster.

[IrishMamaMia]

@teaandbiscuitsforme is correct to the best of my knowledge. The Which review is out of date as far as I can tell.