Best Stage 1 car seat for occasional use...HELP!

[jumpinghoops]

Hi- I have not very much time to make a decision about this before we go on a long trip in the car with my almost 11 month old.

We use cars very occasionally as we live in London- but when we do journeys are long-6/7 hours to visit MIL. We need a stage 1 car seat that will fit with just seat belt, no base (in hire cars) but want it to seem a sturdy as possible this way IYSWIM? As journeys are long, as comfy as possible so she can sleep.

Recommendations greatfully recieved, this seems MUCH more of a minefield that bog standard MaxiCosi Cabriofix-for-all at Group 0 stage!!

Many thanks
JH

we have a britax eclipse( was £89) which we have been very happy with,theres also the britax prince which is similar and about £59. the main difference is that you cant recline the prince while its fitted,you have to install it reclined.
theres also the maxi-cosi priori which is pretty popular too.
the biggest issue is making sure it fits your car safely.you could go to halfords/mothercare etc and get them to see what fits your car (personally i would then buy online as usually much cheaper)

we bought our eclipse from kiddicare,cant reccommend them enough :)

But if we are using different cars every time we travel (through hire company), how will I know if the one we buy fits them all?

sazm-also, thanks for help so far, will check those out...

can you not hire a carseat from the company,along with the car??

theres also the kiddy comfort seats which are very lightweight (quite expensive though) they use an impact cushion instead of a 5 point harness,but are very light and easy to fit,and fit in most cars.
a similar one is the cybex pallas - only flaw with it,is that it needs quite a long seatbelt.

I use cybex pallas for grandparents car it is fab and DS loves it.