Besafe izi combo versus Britax Max Way

[Redrussel]

My DS is 13 months and soon to outgrow his infant seat.
We have a Golf with Isofix which is the car he spends most of the time in, however we also have a Transporter van which we use for holidays which has no Isofix.

We were looking at the Besafe Izi Combi belt fix but were told that it doesn't perform as well in the crash tests as the Isofix version, due to the weight of the seat, hence hasn't passed the Plus Test.

So, the two options we are currently looking at are to get the Besafe Isofix version, and when we need to use the van for a holiday, suck it up and spend some money on another seat to use in the van.

Or, we're looking at the Britax Max Way. This is a fair bit cheaper and could be used in both vehicles, as well as in friends' cars etc as it's belt fix. But there are some features that concern me a bit. The main one is that the recline can't be adjusted while driving. I can't tell from the literature whether that means the seat has to be unbuckled from the car in order to adjust the recline, or whether it just means that the child has to be out of the seat to do it.

Any input on either seat would be good. The Max Way is currently looking better and better but it just looks a lot more basic than the Besafe, though that's based on looking at photos only!

Thanks,

Ruth

[HappyAsASandboy]

You could use the izi combi isofix forward facing on the rare occasion you need the seat in the van?

I have izi combi isofix seats. I use the rear facing in our main car, but when I need to put them in our three door second car, I use them forward facing attached with the seatbelt. The isofix bats retract into the seat when you use the seat forward facing and the belt install is quick and easy :)

[kernewek79]

I agree, the Izi Combi is a proven seat and is quality. I would also go isofix as the fitting of belt ERF seats can be a right pain and very easy to get wrong as it tends to be complicated. As already said, turn it around if you need to. Its not a bad seat forward facing and it doesn't sound like you will be doing it very often.

[lagoonhaze]

I would (and did) buy an axkid over those two seats. We have a second hand besafe too. Its not as good or will last as long as the axkid.

[lagoonhaze]

Although axkid doesn't allow you to change recline once installed but its installed on full recline anyway

[kernewek79]

"Its not as good or will last as long as the axkid."

What do you base that on? Okay, yes the Axkid will last longer but the BeSafe is proven in the UK market (smaller cars in general) and performs well in side impacts, a common issue with ERF seats. I'd be interested to see the data on the seat, that's all.

[lenats31]

The Izi Combi can be used forward facing from 9-18 kg hence the lack of Plus Test approval. Plus Test is a guarantee - if you will (there could be a better wording for it)-that children wont be exposed to dangerous high loads on the neck. izi Combi was never Plus tested unlike the Izi Kid seats.

The Maxway recline can sadly not be changed while driving. However it will likely last a bit longer in child height. Weightwise it will last longer.

Go to a retailer who can show you how to fit them, and see the room each one needs in the car. Believe me, you don´t want your knees in the gloveroom.

[lagoonhaze]

My personal experience. My 5.5 yr old fits the axkid. If I was spending money I would want it to last as long as possible. I like the way the axkid is rock is my car belted. The besafe fits but the axkid feels more secure. I like the self adjusting tethers and how the harness adjusts itself.

[lagoonhaze]

I've also had the mobi. Seen the polaric, twe, fair bimbo and all the britax seats. I think the build of the axkid rivals all of them.

[nocake]

We have a Maxway. You can adjust the incline with the seat in the car but you have to loosen off the tethers before you do it.

But I would echo lenats31's comment about trying the seats in your car. We wanted a Besafe Izi but it would only fit in our Seat Leon with the front seat too far forward to sit in. The Maxway is more compact.

[Redrussel]

Ah, maybe I was confused re the Plus test thing. The retailer I spoke to said that the isofix version passed the plus test but that the belt version hadn't. That concurred with a couple of other websites.
I don't really want to use the Combi forward facing with the belt as if we take the van on holiday we will be driving for really long periods, although it will only happen once a year or so. However if we're doing long journeys I want him rear facing.
Maybe I'll look at the Axkid then, but we wanted one that had passed the Plus Test, hence why looking at the Max Way and the Besafe.
Anyone have the Max Way?

[lagoonhaze]

The axkid mini has passed the plus test but its only rearfacing.....

[lenats31]

That the belted Besafe Izi kids have not passed is incorrect.

www.ntf.se/konsument/bilbarnstolar.asp

[lagoonhaze]

And also just to clarify only seats that exclusively rearface can pass pass plus test.

[AuntPepita]

Maxway has passed the plus test here

[marzipananimal]

we have the BeSafe (non Isofix). I like it but although you can adjust the recline with child in seat, it doesn't recline very far at all - DS's head sometimes lolls forwards when he falls asleep (fortunately he doesn't seem to mind)

[Redrussel]

Maybe we'll look at the Axkid mini as well then. That looks good.
Thanks for the ideas everyone.