Confused about which isofix base to buy

[nickla27]

Hi everyone - I am after a bit of advice / info if possible. We are expecting our first and have just started looking into the rather confusing world of car seats. I know that I definitely want a 0+ car seat to start with as I plan on using it with the pram. I think we are going for the maxi cosi cabrio fix. What I am confused about though is what isofix base to buy. I think we have 2 main choices - either the basic base which will only last for this car seat, or either a family fix or a 2-way fix which will last for this car seat as well as the next one up.

I know that both the family fix and 2-way fix cost more than the smaller one, but it would save us having to buy another base later down the line. I am also aware though that if we get either of these 2 bases we are commited to buying the pearl (I think this is the one anyway) which is a more expensive seat than some of the others. If I were to get the basic iso fix base what would the next step be? Is there a similar cheaper basic base for the next size car seat?

Hopefully this ramble makes some sort of sense as I really want to get my head around the best / most cost effective options.

Many thanks in advance,
Nicola

I would buy the cheapest base, because as you say if you go for the family fix you are committed to maxi Cosi for a long time! There are loads of other good seats around and you'd be better off either getting a carrier, such as the cabriofix, now and then getting the next stage when your baby is ready (there's no rush though - they don't need to move up until they are 13kg or their head is at the top) or if you decide you don't want to get a seat to attach to your pram (babies shouldn't spend too long in car seats anyway so whenever possible it's better to take them out of the seat and lay them flat) get a 0+1 seat such as the Britax Dualfix or First Class that will last you for years. Whatever you decide go for an option that allows your baby to rear face for as long as possible which is the safest way for him or her to travel. I hope that all makes sense!

Oh and I should add that most group 1 seats don't need a base - they come as one unit.

You could always not buy a base and see how you get on without one. I never had a base, and didnt find it a faff fitting the carseat in and out without it. Then, if you are struggling or would prefer the convenience, you could pick one up post birth.

I agree, you don't need a base, it's just for convenience. And most of the Group 1 seats don't have a base anyway, you don't need to have the ability to take a Group 1 seat off the base and carry it out of the car with the baby in it - the seats are too big and the babies are too heavy!

There are loads of good Group 1 seats out there, you really need to stick with rear facing until the age of 4 years, so by tying yourself in with a Maxi Cosi base you'll only have the option of one seat (the 2 way Pearl). Britax, BeSafe and Axkid make better seats that that one. And if you have a heavy baby/child you might be limited to only 2 1/2 years of rear facing because ISOFIX seats only have a weight limit for the child of 18kgs. A seatbelted rear facing seat can be used up to 25kgs.

Also, what happens if you have another baby whilst DC1 is still in the Group 1 seat on the base? You'd then have to buy another base to use with the infant carrier.

We bought a maxi cosi cabriofix and the easyfix base, this base is only compatible with the cabriofix and I was quite annoyed when I realised this. However, it turns out it wasn't a problem because all of the better seats had their own isofix base built into the seat anyway. When I looked at the pearl it was tiny and no where near the quality of a lot of the other seats. I've gone with a Brittax for our next seat and I'd choose any of the Brittax range over the peal. Like Alice suggested, check the ERF seats and the rules.