pebble or cabriofix??

[LunaWilliams]

I went to halfords last night and their "expert" left a lot to be desired. He couldn't even find the isofix on my car even though it comes as standard. I said is this easybase defenitly alright in the middle there "oh I don't know I have to check on the website" yeah thanks for that I spent all day looking at this, you are about as much use as a chocolate tea cup.

Anyway he also didn't know what the difference between the pebble and the cabriofix was. "maybe the material" he ventured. Thanks a lot for you help its been a complete waste of time. So i'm asking you girls instead.

Any insight, what is the difference between the pebble and the cabriofix on the maxicosi seats?

The pebble seems to be the new version of the cabriofix except that the isofix base that you buy can be used for larger seats too so you only ever need to buy one base and keep popping new seats on as your DC gets older.

I had a cabriofix and a base (before the pebble was around), then the base had to hang around the house unused when the next car seat came along at 9/12 months.

If your isofix clips haven?t been used before they may have a cover over the top of them that needs removing.

TBH isofix are so easy you don?t need to go and get one fitted, johnlewis had a list of cars that the base would fit, mine has fitted in about 6 different makes of car so far (not all mine!).

LunaWilliams - I don't like saying on here where I work but i'm irritated at the poor service you recieved...I work for halfords and interested to know what store you went to - and i'm sorry for the lack of advice.

There are pro's and con's for each seat:

Cabrio & base:
Pros:
achieved an 'EXCELLENT' rating on which best buy - which no other child seat has been given
Performed better than other similar seats in crash tests
Fantastic side impact protection
Can be used with the travel system (also this seat can be used with the familyfix base!)

Cons:
straps are a pain in the backside to move up and only have 1 more level

Pabble and familyfix base:
Pros:
can be used on the same base as the group 1 pearl
head support and cushion for newborns is well padded and not as restrictive as the cabrio's head hugger
straps are easy to move on 3 levels with a sliding mechanism in the back of the seat - no pulling straps out and risking getting them twisted!

Cons:
support leg on the base beeps every time you take the carry cot out (in my experience!) and needs to be re-adjusted

My Advice....
cabrio and easyfix!

When you need the group 1 seat when baba is 13kg's you may want to consider a group 1 rearfacing seat. You can get these from birth too so it is worth doing research into them!

They are 5 times safer than putting baby forward facing and as you have isofix will be easy to install and very very safe! www.rearfacing.co.uk this is a website with lots of info on rearfacing seats!

Justforinfo, thanks very much! I went to Halfords in New Malden on the A3 close to Kingston if that helps.

Thats a brilliant summary I will have a look at the rearfacing seats for the next step up.

Many thanks
xx