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Original poster

Which RF car seat?

11 replies

ceb80 · 07/01/2010 15:22

Having spoken to the lovely ladies at the Essex Car Safety place they have recommended the Britax 2 way elite, Brio Zento or possibly the Nodic Secura for mine and DH's cars (Old Nissan Xtrail and BMW X3)
Has anyone any experience of these seats as we are going to have to move the seat around alot and would like to go for the easiest to fit. I am hoping to get to try them in my car but don't fancy the 2 hour journey in the snow at the moment!
DS is a chunky chappy, 24lbs at 9 months if that helps

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needanamefast · 07/01/2010 15:29

we love our britax 2 way elite. v comfy, and you can get extra straps to move between cars. i think it was a bit of a pain to fit the first time but we did it ourselves without help of ICSS, but once got hang of it really easy

GhoulsAreLoud · 07/01/2010 15:32

We've got the 2 way elite as well and also think it's great.

We move it from my car to DH's and back at least once a week (normally use his car at weekends) and it hardly takes any time once you know what you're doing.

We've got a tethering kit in each car which makes it quicker (think extra tethering kits are about £15)

greensnail · 07/01/2010 15:36

We have the Be Safe iZi Combi which we find very good. We move the seat between cars quite frequently and this was the easiest one to move that we looked at.

Original poster
ceb80 · 07/01/2010 15:41

Good reports on the 2 way elite then. greensnail apparently the Be Safe isn't suitable in my car so that one is out,thanks though.
Anyone tried the Multitech or Nordic Secura?

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TruthSweet · 07/01/2010 16:05

We've got both the Nordic Secura and the Two Way Elite.

The TWE is only reclinable on installation and if I recall correctly only has two settings. We have only ever used the upright setting as DD1 was too heavy for a recline when she went in to it (would have been over 13kg).

The Secura has a shorter back (hence wouldn't be used for as long if you have tall children) but reclines easily by pressing a lever under the front of the seat. It is more like a 1st Class in terms of size of seat. I would say the Secura is more suitable for a shorter than heavier child and the TWE is more for a taller than lighter. I hope that makes sense (i.e dumpling vs string bean if you excuse the comparisons).

They are both pretty easy to fit but as the TWE can be installed forward facing as well that might be the better option (i.e. if it just won't fit in a friends car rearward it might fit forward) and I believe it can be installed with just a lap belt and the tethers.

TruthSweet · 07/01/2010 16:05

We've got both the Nordic Secura and the Two Way Elite.

The TWE is only reclinable on installation and if I recall correctly only has two settings. We have only ever used the upright setting as DD1 was too heavy for a recline when she went in to it (would have been over 13kg).

The Secura has a shorter back (hence wouldn't be used for as long if you have tall children) but reclines easily by pressing a lever under the front of the seat. It is more like a 1st Class in terms of size of seat. I would say the Secura is more suitable for a shorter than heavier child and the TWE is more for a taller than lighter. I hope that makes sense (i.e dumpling vs string bean if you excuse the comparisons).

They are both pretty easy to fit but as the TWE can be installed forward facing as well that might be the better option (i.e. if it just won't fit in a friends car rearward it might fit forward) and I believe it can be installed with just a lap belt and the tethers.

Original poster
ceb80 · 07/01/2010 19:51

Truthsweet DS is def more dumpling than string bean! So far anyway, I guess there is time for him to grow upwards aswell as outwards.
It's looking like the 2way elite is coming out on top so will try to get down to Essex and trial it in my car.

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thisisyesterday · 07/01/2010 19:56

ceb, from what you've said i'd recommend the 2 way elite (we have a besafe izi combi and a 2 way)
the 2 way elite is very easy to install and move, it's lightweight and it has a longer life than the zento or the secura.

it can be turned forward facing, and used as a highback booster so ought to be fine until your son doesn't need a car seat any more.

i like the look of the multitech better than the 2 way elite, but i've heard a lot of people have buckle crunch problems with it, lovely looking seat though, l8ike the evolva 1-2-3 only rear-facing.
in fact, if you can fit the multitech into both cars i'd be tempted to go for that because I htink it has better side impact protection)

Original poster
ceb80 · 07/01/2010 20:32

Hmm, throwing another into the mix there this is! The lady on the phone did say because the seat belts in my car are not recessed that buckle crunch may be a problem but did not say it in relation to the multitech. Will have to investigate that one now!

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thisisyesterday · 07/01/2010 21:36

milton keynes in car safety centre is fab too, dunno if that's any closer for you?

Original poster
ceb80 · 08/01/2010 21:27

Just bit further than the Essex one unfortunately!

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