Feeling scammed by ERF seats

[Springandaprayer]

My two children turn five and three in May. The oldest is in a Britax Maxway Plus and the youngest in an Avionaut Sky. Having spent hundreds on these seats it now seems they are outgrown! My littlest is only two, and is 98cm and about 17kg. Hardly ERF.
She'll go into the britax as it's got a longer shell, but what HBB should I get for him? He's 110cm and about 22kg.
So disappointed that the independent retailers I used didn't mention that they wouldn't get anywhere near the 125cm advertised 😢 I've attached pics in the hope that the seats aren't actually outgrown and can last a bit longer.

(pics under review)

I honestly thing 125cm rear facing isn’t going to suit most people

We did rear face until 4 years. I think it’s good to face rear longer than previously. He’s always been tall but still fitted the maxi cosi mica from 0-4 years so it was well worth it.

But my almost 6 year old has now been in a maxi cosi high back booster since he was 4. I think there’s not a huge amount of difference between brands tbh if it’s a know brand at hnb stage. Ours is maxi cosi rodi fix pro2. It has expanding sides for later and is supposed to fit kids up to 150cm. Ds is 118cm, and 18kg and seems to be comfortable in it.

You can get folding hbb option now which might suit if your moving seat around. I found the last year he goes a lot more in others cars for play dates so a easy to move seat handy.

Sounds stupid but have ypu looked on YouTube? It looks like you can create quite a bit more space, but that the seat mustn't touch the seat in front, which might be your biggest barrier.

I love our cybex. It was well rated on ADAC. So maybe have a look there if you're doing research

I think they’re meant to dangle their legs over the side . You could look at the ERF Facebook groups for advice

Their heads are starting to poke out, yes. Are the headrests at their full extension?

Unless you mean their squashed legs? If so, this is normal for ERF and is not a problem. They are very bendy! Unless they are complaining of pain or something?

@BarbiesDreamHome and @Plankton89 - sorry I wasn't clear - I'm not concerned about their legs, that's fine. It's the fact that I'm now finding out that once their heads are level with the top of the shell of the seat (not the headrest) then the seat is outgrown! I thought it was when their eyes were level with the top of the back, or 125cm, whichever came first. They are nowhere near that but are maxing them out anyway. Very frustrating.

@bertiebotts do you have any tips or advice? Sorry to tag but can see you've been very helpful on other threads.

It's when their eyes are level with the top of the headrest - so still some room x

Neither of these are outgrown, it’s eyes level with the top of the shell. You’ve got miles to go.

I thought it was eyes level with the top of the back too, TBH, sometimes including the headrest. And you have ages until they hit that in either seat. Has the advice changed? Where have you seen this? Is it someone trying to sell you a more expensive seat by any chance?

In the event of doubt, always refer to the manual in any case. Britax Max Way Plus says:

"Once you reach the top slots your child may continue to use the seat until their eye line is above the top of the seat shell."

Avionaut Sky gives only the 125cm height limit and saying the straps should not be lower than the child's shoulders. Not sure if version Q / 2.0 matters, as could not find a separate manual.

If you are happy with your own retailer, you could always check with them, as they often have training directly from the brands, and another good source of advice is also Britax or Avionaut directly via their customer service. I would be REALLY wary getting advice off the internet from any other source, and I include myself in that. I appreciate that I do know more than most people about car seats and people see me as an "expert" (I prefer enthusiast!) but I could be any old random person making stuff up, and I do see so-called car seat "experts" getting it wrong sometimes. (I imagine they would also say some things I say are wrong). I do try to give info which is as correct as I can and am happy to back up claims with sources, but just a reminder about not everyone being who they say they are etc. If you can't trace info to its source it might be speculation, or someone adding 2+2 and getting 5. HTH

Thank you, I really appreciate your help. I've also emailed Britax and Avionaut to try and get their view, as unfortunately it is the independent retailer I bought the seats off who said that they would be outgrown when their heads come out the top. Totally get what you're saying re randoms on the internet, it's just hard when the retailer is trying to sell you a new seat and the manuals (like the avionaut one) aren't totally clear. Shouldn't be so hard to make sure they are safe! X

Ah fingers crossed they give you the go ahead to keep using the seats

It’s definitely eyes at the top of the head rest so plenty of room. The in car safety centre are brilliant for advice, rather than listening to views on the internet. We made it to ages six and seven in axikid minikid seats.

Both kids look fine to me
I have minikids - DS got to 7.5yo, he's actually 8 now and still neither 125cm or 25kg but he was starting to be a bit broad shouldered for it. They really do slow down growth so the 22kg child will probably not be 25kg for a while.

Hi all, to update - Britax have confirmed it's eyes level with the top of the seat shell, and Avionaut have said that it's as long as the straps are not dipping below the shoulders. Thanks for all your help, happy to see we've got a while left!