Isofix bases vs seatbelts

[AbFabT]

Hi

DH and I are looking to get a carseat for our new arrival. I'd done some reading and thought the Isofix bases looked like a good idea for added sturdiness, but when we went to look at carseats in a shop, the lady said in her opinion, seatbelts are safer, as in the event of a crash, there is a little more 'give' in them, whereas with the Isofix bases, a crash would jolt the child more. This made sense to us, but I wanted to see what you all thought please.

Thanks.

Did you know that you can attach ISOFIX bases by seatbelt too? We did this in DH's van which has no Isofix bolts. This gaves us the convinience of the base, with the give of the seatbelt. We did use the base on Isofix bolts in my car, and I was always a bit concerned about the rigidness of the set up.

I chose Isofix and would never go back to a belted seat now.

There is so much more margin for error when fitting a seat with a belt. Not to mention it being a complete pain in the arse. It's fiddly and time consuming and in the event of a sideways shunt, the last thing you want is any 'give' in the seats movement!

The stats often quoted for incorrect installation with seatbelts are often unbelievable. Much harder to get an incorrect installation with isofix. We do have isofix and there is a little bit of give in the fixing, it isn't completely rigid.

Yes you can get bases which are attached via a seatbelt, that isn't ISOFIX though, ISOFIX is a trademark referring to the attachments present in newer cars.

I would have thought that the "give" in the seatbelt would have been factored in when designing the ISOFIX system, no?

Have you got ISOFIX points in your car? Because if not then the base is only really a consideration from a point of convenience rather than safety, IMO.

The woman in the shop is insane and should not be allowed to sell car seats. Safety tests have proven that isofix is much much safer than one attached by a seat belt.

Many many thanks, that really helps. I'll discuss with DH but I think the idea of fixing the Isofix with seatbelts, ensuring no errors (!), might be the way we go.
Do need to consider the sideways shunt though.

Wasn't too worried about the seatbelt alone being a PITA as we don't drive much at all.

Thank you.

Posted before I saw the previous two posts.

BB, yes, we do have the ISOFIX points.

CSWS, yes, I wasn't sure, hence why I wanted to check here. Pre-visit, I'd been thinking ISOFIX was the way to go. Looks like it is then.

I am coming to this pretty clueless, have pregnant-brain so if someone just wants to tell me what to do, that would be great!

Am thinking the Maxi-Cosi Cabriofix Carseat With EasyFix Base Isofix as the Maxi-Cosi fits on the pram system I am wanting, and seems to get very good reviews.

abfab- where were you given this stupendously crap advice[shock}?

seriously- as long as the isofix is fitted correctly, then you don't use the seatbelts.

you definitely have isofix in the car?

If you fix the base with seatbelts then that isn't Isofix. IsoFix is the clips attaching to the points in the car. If you're going to belt the seat then there's no need for you to pay out for IsoFix.

Lionstar's right too. IsoFix-ed seats aren't totally rigid. They do move a little.

if you just want the ease of use of a base, you can get a non-isofix base too

Hm, I see I have more research to do!

We definitely have Isofix points, yes.
So you are saying JUST Isofix but not seatbelts?

I am a bit happier knowing they aren't so rigid. I was initially thinking they looked like a good idea.

What do you think of the carseat I am thinking of please? (Maxi-Cosi Cabriofix Carseat With EasyFix Base Isofix)

That's the one we (and most of the people we know) have. It's a great seat, and the wedge for the newborn stage makes them look much more comfortable than some seats I have seen. DD lasted in hers until 18 months (DS will be lucky to make a year in it though)

You cannot fit ISOFIX with seatbelts. You can fit a base with a seatbelt, or you can fix it with ISOFIX.

ISOFIX is brilliant. The carseat is attached to the rigid frame of the car. Yes, the baby may have a jolt if there is a crash, but in a rear facing car seat this is not a problem as long as they correctly strapped into the seat.

The ISOFIX maxi cosi base was brilliant for us - I could drop the car seat into the base, and know it was properly fitted without worrying about strapping it in. Convenient as hell as well.

HTH

Did you get it with the EasyFix Base?

Thanks, that does help, yes, Jareth.

Thank you.

Ah yes - Easyfix is the maxicosi base that you fit with a seatbelt (couldn't remember the name). There is the other one which is the isofix one which is the one we've got. It also has a leg that braces it against the floor.

I thought EasyFix was the fixed base???

www.bambinodirect.co.uk/details1.asp/ProductID/904/maxi-cosi-cabriofix-carseat-easyFix-base.html
"Easyfix Base
The top of the range base which fits into the car using either Isofix fixing points or a standard three point seat belt arrangement. Cabriofix car seat attaches easily to the base using a click system."

Jareth, you're thinking of the EasyBase. if it has the word "fix" in the title, it's isofix.

Have you thought about the Britax seats AbFab?

PS, yes, don't bother with seatbelts when you have isofix bases.

Thanks, dID.

Not ruling them out, but the pram I like only adapts for:

• Peg Perego
• MaxiCosi
• Graco

What would Britax offer me than the MaxiCosi doesn't?

that not than

I had the same confusion when I was expecting DS, OP.

different ID - They've changed the names, but as far as I can tell this one is the seatbelt only option, and this is the isofix version (see the yellow clips at the back?)

OP - Go with easyfix, if you can attach it with seatbelt and/or isofix. The base is SO convenient; you'll be very happy with it

HTH

Peg Perego and Graco are really popular in the USA but never win any awards in the mother and baby magazines or the which report for safety.
The new Mamas and Papas Anton is very good according to which, but Graco products usually get slated in reviews.

OP, which pram are you thining of?

They rate just as highly on safety as Maxi-Cosi; are slightly cheaper in general; when you need to adjust the shoulder heights for the straps, you don't need to thread them through the back of the seat and on a personal note, I prefer the way they balance when being carried- although I haven't carried one with a baby in it.

The woman in the shop is insane and should not be allowed to sell car seats. Safety tests have proven that isofix is much much safer than one attached by a seat belt. just to repeat CSWS!

If you are in any doubt consult Which safety tests, ISOFIX always come out safest and that deosn;t even account for sloppily fitted non-isofix seats.

Many thanks, Everyone. I feel quite convinced by you all.

Jareth, it is SO confusing, I feel like my head will explode! I just want to know which is the safest base system, and which seats are safest and most comfortable for the baby. Think I'm getting there!

mamatomany, thanks - haven't heard the other two talked about so much here. Will be happy to hear if the MaxiCosi is rated highly by Which.
Kewcumber, really good to know, so thank you so much for that.

Thanks for that, dID, I'll shop around and try and get a good deal, if we end up with the MaxiCosi. Definitely don't have money to burn, but we don't mind spending where it is important.

Jareth, the pram I have my heart set on is the Stokke Xplory. Megabucks, I know, but I figure you get what you pay for, and hopefully we'll have more children and get our money's worth.