Isofix or not for car seats?

[Enigmasaurus]

We’re looking at 3 kids in car seats by the end of the year and have been thinking about an appropriate car for this (I’ve had another thread about that).

Speaking to some friends recently who have two slightly older children who are almost out of car seats, and they can’t understand why we’re keen to have isofix compatible seats. To me, it just feels more secure and safe in the event of a crash. They feel the data are not that convicing and that we are potentially spending a lot of money (buying a new car) that we don’t need to spend.

So, AIBU in insisting on isofix seats?

In answer to your question then....

if you'd prefer to put your son in an Isofix Seat which is less safe over an ERF belted seat which is a lot safer then in my opinion your being unreasonable.

If you read the research for Isofix vs belted (which you claim you have) then youl see it's no safer than a correctly fitted belted seat.

So if you buy from a reputable retailer who can teach you to correctly fit a belted seat and check it for you then that quashes your reasons for choosing Isofix.

The fact your prepared to spend hundred on his next stage car seat and favour Isofix over safety is baffling and yep unreasonable.

Decent study of the relative safety:

www.which.co.uk/reviews/child-car-seats/article/isofix-baby-car-seats/are-isofix-baby-car-seats-safer

Isofix vases are great when they’re babies and you’re carrying the group 0 seat around. That’s really convenient.

But once you’re past that point, convenience isn’t an issue. And it’s equally safe to use seat belts.

You won't find an ERF that will last for your 4 year old that is isofix, isofix can only be used with a harness until 18kg. If you want a harness after 18kg, you will need to use a seat belt to secure the seat, RF or FF. That's why ERF comes into the question. You asked if isofix is safer, and the answer is it is only safer in that it can aid fitting, but if your child is between 18-25kg, then it's never 'safest available' because safest available is ERF, which is only belted at that weight.

Then I would head to a specialist retailer, and try the seats, with an open mind that you may find one that suits, if you actually have an open mind. But if you've already decided, then you've decided.

Isofix is no safer then a CORRECTLY belted seat. Key word correctly. It's piece of mind if you're not confident fitting with a seat belt.

We have a mix as it suits our needs.

So pick what makes you happy and means your requirements.

The concord reverse plus is isofix ERF to 23kg so there is an option past 18kg if that helps anyone.

MyKingdomForBrie Saying 'I would if I could' means people try and problem solve. Saying 'I want this' means people don't waste their time on someone who doesn't want them to problem solve. She doesn't have to sit with a child screaming every journey, there are a plethora of options, but OP doesn't want them, which is fine. But the choice isn't 'ERF and screaming vs FF not screaming' or all drivers in some countries with small children would need ear plugs. Children vary, but so do seats. OP asked if she was bu to only want isofix because it's safer. If she wants the safest available seat, then she doesn't want isofix. Except she does want isofix, and is willing to make that compromise. She is nbu to make that compromise, but it is bu to think that's the safest option.

www.carseatadvice-uk.com/rear-facing-or-forward.html#

I would recommend speaking to the incar safety centre. They are VERY knowledgeable about all car seat options and they give advice over the phone and free home delivery if you cannot get to one of their showrooms

incarsafetycentre.co.uk/

To fit three seats correctly and without rubbing against each other, you're going to need a car that has three full seats anyway, and you'll find that often means three isofix points.

I see loads of pics of car seats touching each other when people squish three in and they really shouldn't be.

You've got seat Alhambra, vw sharan, ford s max, peug 5008, Citroen c4 grand, peug sw something, just off the top of my head. There are some surprise smaller cars that have three isofix points too but word of warning, test the seats, as we found some fitted our three and some didn't, even though they had three isofix points.

@BeansandSausages seats can touch but shouldn't put pressure on each other.

But yes definitely need a car with three full size seats to achieve 3 across the back.

The Concord seat is only until 105cm, though, and OP's child is very nearly there from what she said.

Thank you for answering the question patience. I have read the research. And agree that a correctly fitted belted seat can be as safe. But 80% of people get it wrong. That’s a huge percentage!

I can’t / wont / whatever ERF DC1 as I’ve already explained. But am open to ERF DC2 and he is in an isofix iSize seat that will allow that (until the age of 4 apparently. Unless he starts screaming incessantly too).

We’re not at 18kg yet though I will bear that in mind flakes. We may choose to forgo the harness / replace the seat at that point (and consider what options will work). He may well be somewhere close to / over the 135cm height for needing a car seat at all by that point though (although we wouldn’t not have one!)

m.youtube.com/watch?v=tuZFVPv3Rpk

Seat belt fixed ERF is always safer (5 times safer in fact) than forward facing isofix seat

As far as I am aware the only benefit to having isofix in a HBB is that it secures the seat if the child isn't in it.

Fishfinger thank you for that auggestion bt flakes is right. I have a tall but skinny child. He’s over 105cm but under 18kg currently.

Thanks @patience- yes I meant more the kind where you can see one is squashed in and the others are wonky. Just do not fit.

Then there's the plain faff of getting to the belt socket when they're older!

Have you looked at Joie tilt OP? Belted but easy to install and seem to have way more legroom than my big bulky erf number.

Beans those are some of the cars we have looked at. 3 seats in the same row would be ideal though I’m open to having them staggered across two rows if needed.

And yes, as stated several times, I know that ERF is safer. Even with a belt. (Contrary to what flakes has said I am not saying isofix is the safest option when compared to ERF belted seats). But I cannot do it with DC1. I hope to with DC2/3. Some kids will some wont. What I am saying is that DC2 is already in a ERF capable seat until hopefully age 4 which is isofix compatible. And meets the iSize regulations. DC3 hopefully will be too. Just not an option for DC1 (for my sanity and ultimately his safety!)

Abso I will speak to the In Car Safety people - thank you.

Beans I will look at the Joie - thank you. We will need a thirs seat once DC3 is out of the group 0 seat so will be looking around soonish anyway. Though we may just end up with the same one we have for DC2..

No probs, my two year old is in ours, my older boys have all been in HBB by 4. I think I remember reading that isofix is no safer for a HBB, just more convenient.

@GoToSleepLittleBear - try looking at the Diono Radian 5 or the Britax Two Way Elite.

The best website to go on is the In Car Safety Centre, and they will give email advice too.

Recaro Young Sport Hero for your 4 year old side impact protection,5 point harnesss upto 25 kg and reclines though only slightly. My 95th centile 2 year old has one in my parents truck (no isofix points) plus we take it on holiday with us in a padded travel bag. It’s fitted with the car seatbelt so isn’t isofix but is an excellent seat and once fitted is rock solid and so so easy to fit and move from car to car,it does upto 12 years old and is a higher level safety tested seat. We had literally no budget when we chose it we were happy to spend any amount and this won for us. He’s at a difficult age for buying car seats at 4 because most go upto 4 with harnesses then from 4 go onto high back boosters without a harness but like you I want a 5 point harness for as long as possible hence choosing the Recaro.

GoToSleepLittleBear look at the Recaro Young Sport Hero it’s a new out seat (they’ve updated the prvuius model which had a similar name) fits all your criteria for around £200!

Muncheys thank you - will consider that as the next step when DC2 starts to get too big for their current seat.

The excalibur is actually designed for the harness to be used until 25kg (I had forgotten this) and up to 36kg without a harness (theoretically up to aged 12). Though is forward facing obviously.

I tried the spread across two rows @enigma and it just didn't work for us. Might do for you of course! All across the middle means the boot is free for the many tons of crap my dc generate.

Have you looked at the britax Two way elite? They 5 point harness to 25kg erf or FF. Very easy to move.

As an aside, we have 3 seats across th back in a kadjar, a baby seat, plus two high backed boosters. Both of the HBB isofix, but only to hold them in the car really as they are held in by the belt as isofix won't go past 18 kg on its own. Will look for the name