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Car seats

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Original poster

BeSafe iZi Combi X4 ISOfix versus Concord REVERSO

48 replies

Altron · 23/02/2015 21:37

Hello
My first post here and was hoping anyone could help with choosing one of the above - both are erfs, and have the safest testing of all the car seats, but I can't find any reviews of the concord at all as it's so new. I like the idea of it as it's so light, my 72 yr old mum will be able to lift it in and out of the car - I'm just a bit worried that when the little one won't have enough legroom - not as much as the BeSafe - but then there's the problem that the Besafe may not fit in our little Skoda fabia (well, it will, but will we be really squashed..?
Anyway...any thoughts would be very gratefully appreciated - also, if there's anyone with either of these who live near Shrewsbury, we'd love to see them and see if they fit in the car..?
Thanks!
Al

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Adventuredad · 01/04/2015 12:35

Dualfix is not a good choice in cars with vehicle seats sloping more than usual. Reverso is a better choice. Reverso is quite compact but the knobs for changing recline are located behind the seat so the seat will need a bit more space due to this.

Isofix in general are not great in cars where seats slope more than usual since the installation is rigid and can't be changed like seat belt installation.

If one wants to maximise space then slide back of the front seat against the car seat. Slight issue is that recline can't then be changed without moving front seat forward a bit.

Most compact Isofix seat is Triofix/Triofix Recline. It will be a better fit in the Polo. Select the Recline model since the basic model doesn't have recline. If you prefer a belt with seat belt then use Britax Hi-Way which is almost as compact as HW. It has the higher 25 kg RF weight limit and will last to age 4 or about 110 cm. If you decide for the HW then make sure the wedge is included so it's not too upright:-)

Original poster

Altron · 29/04/2015 15:32

Update.... Well we sent off for three - the Combi X4 and the Triofix Recline and the Concord Reverso and played with all of them, putting them in each car to see which would fit best. The Besafe seems by far the most substantial seat - very comfortable and secure, pretty easy to fit (although heavy) and not too difficult to get the little one into and out of. It was a bit too large for our Fabia, but fitted well in the Golf estate (we've since been on a trip round scotland and it was perfect - also a high sitting position so a good view. The Triofix was the most expensive and also felt the cheapest - flimsy sides and not much to it. Also it was pretty awkward to fit and the recline was rubbish - you have to remove the seat to recline it..crazy idea. It also wobbled a bit. It would fit in the Fabia but only left enough legroom in the front for a small person. The Reverso felt very different to a standard seat, neat, light and looks pretty good. The advantage of a three point harness is that it's very easy to clip the little one in. Even with the steep slope of the Fabia seats, it still manages to not be too upright. The recline function doesn't work that well in a small car, but with flatter rear seats and more space it would be very comfortable, although the recline knob is a bit stiff.
So we kept the BeSafe Combi and the Reverso and returned the Triofix and are very happy - the Besafe in the Golf (mostly used for linger journeys) and the Reverso in the Fabia.
Hope this helps...

OP posts:

Original poster

Altron · 29/04/2015 15:35

Just to say we used (Jayne at) Securatot who were really helpful.

OP posts:

vonbrizon · 04/05/2015 11:43

hi I'm glad I found this disscussion. I'm hesitating too between besafe and reverso. We've got quite a big car - citroen C8 so there should be enough space. but I haven't foud this car on the reverso's carfitting list even though there is isofix (should I check with concord?).

I wanted to ask how much legroom the two carseets have. have one more then the other ? and how about reclining ? if you had to decide between the two which one would you choose ?

we use car almost every day for short journeys, only during holiday we do long (1500km) journeys. we do not need to put it frequently in ontother car so the weight doesn't bother me.

Scootagal · 10/05/2015 22:45

Ooh I have exactly the same issue! Our car isn't on the car list either so not sure what to do....there's a new besafe seat coming out that's plus tested and isize that I'm also considering but keen on the reverso due to the light weight. Emailed concord about car list but haven't heard anything back :( let me know if you hear anything!

vonbrizon · 11/05/2015 12:16

I sent an email a week ago and I didn't have any reply yet. I've ordred it anyway because it's much cheaper than besafe. So I let you know if it fits...

Original poster

Altron · 13/05/2015 10:08

It doens't seem to matter if your car isn't on the list - ours wasn't and I sent a photo to Securatot who then send it to concord who then say 'that looks ok'...! Seems that's the way it's done. The legroom on both are about the same - but if you have a biggish car then 'd probably plump for the BeSafe as you can increase the leg room as your baby grows - I think the concord may be a little squashed for a 3 - 4 year old. The recline on the BeSafe is easier and quicker to use than on the concord - the concord just raises and lowers the post, whereas the BeSafe actually tilts the seat more efficitvely.
Hope this helps!

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vonbrizon · 13/05/2015 10:26

so the reverso has arrived. It fits in the car even thought it's not on the car fitting list. I'm little bit disspointed.

first impressions :

the belt is great - it closes very high (almost undre the neck) so the little one can't wriggle out (with the baby seat he was doing it, turning completly in the seat)
high - child can see through the window
light

in our car it's quite upright - depends on the isofix not on the seat - we've got gap about 5cm under the seat.
It doesn't recline ! there is a button which can 'recline' the seat a bit but it's not safe anymore because the button is only for the right-safe position of the seat and only in one position it's green - see photo from the instructions. although I don't know how much it compromises the security. I'm going to recilne it when the little one sleeps
fitting is not so easy

BeSafe iZi Combi X4 ISOfix versus Concord REVERSO

vonbrizon · 13/05/2015 10:29

thanks Altron. it's too late. We've got the concord. And I think that besafe might be better....I'll see if I can return it.

vonbrizon · 13/05/2015 11:46

few photos

Original poster

Altron · 13/05/2015 11:59

Sorry about the delay!! I'm sure they'll take it back...

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Laquila · 13/05/2015 14:09

Just wanted to say that we have the BeSafe IZi Combi Isofix in a Nissan NoTe and I love it - good recline, very sturdy and feels very well-made. Also like the fact that it sits so high up.

We have a Joie Stages in my parents' car though, so I'm worrie to hear that it's been recalled, as a pp said?? I knew which.com had given it a bad review, but that didn't worry us too much. Can anyone shed any light?

Laquila · 13/05/2015 14:11

Just googled and it was from back in summer 2013, so not an issue for anyone who's recently bought a Stages. I'll stop panicking now!

Scootagal · 13/05/2015 15:50

Ooh interesting - thanks for the update vonbrizon - I was tempted by the Reverso due to the light weight thus giving in theory a bit of a longer time to use it (height allowing...) now thinking the BeSafe might be better...argh...confused...but whether or not to go for a cheaper BeSafe rather than the newest (As I've been told they're all much the same shell and can all be considered plus tested..although who knows on that front)...and why they all must be called such similar things I have no idea!! Just to add to the confusion I think! :D

vonbrizon · 13/05/2015 18:21

and two photo of my 5 year old (105cm tall) in the seat.
interesting reverso is cheaper in my country than besafe.

Scootagal · 14/05/2015 22:00

Awww cute! Looks happy anyway!!! That's really useful as it looks bigger than I thought in that your 5 year old doesn't look huge in it. Think I need to go see them in person! Reverso is cheaper here too. Ah sorry - I just realised what you meant - I meant a cheaper/older Besafe seat rather than the newest version which is more expensive than some other besafe seats (and I was told by an expert that the shells are the same).

vonbrizon · 16/05/2015 08:16

Scootagal - actually he is quite small. He is only 105cm tall which is the max height for this seat (that was the reason why I tried it)...and that should approximately correspond to 4 year old child. so hopefuly his little brother will fit in when he is 4-5 as well.

SJB1974 · 05/07/2015 11:46

Altron - what did you get?

I love the x4 combi, but we were struggling to squeeze are wriggling 15 month in and out, our back of the car slants!! - so I went to John lewis to try it again, just to make sure, and was going ooo yes that works....then realised it was the besafe ikid!!!! - they haven't even got that on line!! So need to try the x4 combi - back at mamas n papas again.... was interested in the reverso....especially as says is cooler...securetot told me no more room for legs in the reverso than the 2 way pearl (but 2 way pearl quite low for looking out of window).

How high is the reverso?
what's the material like on it - it kind of looks like that stuff that is stretchy that you find on bean bags these days :(
How much leg room did you find it had?
Is it cooler?
Does it front face too, in case we want to switch her round in a couple of years (unlikely too)

Cheers

Sonia

SJB1974 · 05/07/2015 11:51

Sorry Altron - I couldn't see the rest of the thread - but can see it now - might just bite the bullet & order both concord & besaf

Original poster

Altron · 08/07/2015 22:43

Hi Sonia
The reverso material is pretty stretchy - good though. Difficult to say about legroom at the mo - it's much easier to put our 14month old in than the besafe and she loves it (so she can wriggle more!). The reverso is cooler than the besafe too and about medium height. It's only rear facing too.
Hope that helps!

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Patfola · 09/07/2015 07:14

We pondered over the besafe and the concord and went for the besafe. The deepest recline position was acceptable in or skoda Fabia vrs although the psssenger in front wasn't able recline the seat quite as much any longer. We recently bought a new car, Honda Civic and it fits like a glove and the recline Is only set to the halfway mark but daughter is very comfortable. Head rest adjustments and leg room adjustments have made this the most adaptable car seat and therefore the best vhoice for us. The britax dual fix has a deep bucket seat so no recline options needed. It also had a swivel. If the besafe had a swivel it would amazing. I'm relieved we went for it even with a Fabia vrs and disagree with some people that have said it wasn't at all suitable for that car. That said a bigger car is a better fit so I guess it depends on how long you intend to keep the car and the car seat. Btw I haven't found one seat yet that prevents daughters head from lolling forward while asleep. That would be a small miracle is there was a seat that prevented this from happening.

SJB1974 · 13/07/2015 21:50

Thanks for all your advice...I suddenly had a brainwave about the besafe combi - well the ISOFIX base moves out to make more room for legs....so moving the seat away from the back of the car....which then gives more room for getting the tinker in and out of the car.....went and tested my theory - BINGO - loads of room - probably the most room - and was only out on the first click! :)

So getting the besafe combi x4 defo feels like its the best seat for long term rear facing seats at the moment.

Will be ordering on Wed, as I need it to arrive on Friday or Monday - will post pics when I order :)

Thanks for all your help :)

bringmelaughter · 13/07/2015 21:58

Also to be considered is that the besafe izi plus goes up to 25kg rather than 18kg.

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