Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Joie car seats

18 replies

Lucky2023 · 09/04/2024 15:00

Hello
Is anyone able to shed some light on the Joie 360 GTI car seat please and how this differs from the other Joie car seats?
I emailed them and this is what they wrote:

The main differences between the i-spin 360 and the Spin 360 GTI are;

Spin 360 GTI -
R129/i-Size certified
360 degree spin
Integrated Isofix base
Usage from 40cm to 105cm/19.5kg
One manual SIP
Spin button is at the front same as the spin 360 (hand under when r/f)

i-Spin 360 -
R129/i-Size certified
360 degree spin
Integrated base
Smart Ride lock off to prevent use fwf before 15 months
Clear indicator located at the top of the load leg easier access
Two auto engage SIP
Usage from 40cm to 105cm/19kg

Are they big differences I should be concerned about?

Thank you

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
HappyCaroline · 09/04/2024 23:26

I'm searching the same thing but with this info I can shed a little light on it as we already have the i-spin. From what I remember the GTI is designed for smaller cars, this means a few compromises have been made on the user friendly safety features but the build of the seat and ability to protect a child in a crash are identical.

Differences are as follows:

  1. ISOFIX fixtures always turn green when correctly fitted into place giving peace of mind that the seat is safe. On the GTI the green indicator for the foot is positioned quite low down and it's quite small. On the i-spin it's at the top and very obvious.
  1. The i-spin has a larger base which includes the smart lock. This means anyone using the car seat cannot accidentally use the seat forward facing which is handy if well meaning grandparents use it or even if you just "forget" and decide heck we'll just forward face from today even though he's only 12 months old. It's supposed to prevent accidentally FF before 15 months of age (the legal limit) - but the universal and undeniable advice is to rear face as long as possible and the safest way to use ANY spin seat is rear facing until your child grows out entirely. So if everyone is well versed that you NEVER want to FF, then there's no reason for this feature. You'd hope if everyone involved knows it's a big no no they won't "accidentally" forward face "too early". There is no reason to forward face before aged 4 and it's becoming much more common to rear face up to 7 years as happens in places like Sweden. It's a personal preference but it's indisputably 5 x safer.
  1. The ispin has x2 auto side panels. Whenever I buckle my son in, if they are pushed in they automatically pop out. Having 2 means they are always on the side you need them - the door side. If the GTi is manual you'll need to ensure it is out every time and is on the correct side of the seat. This won't be a problem if the seat is stationary but if it moves your need to remember to check it is both on the right side and pulled out.

That's literally it. I'm tempted myself now to buy it as it's £50 cheaper.

HappyCaroline · 09/04/2024 23:48

Also found this review which sheds some light on the button comment 👍 my mum has the original Joie spin (the R44 instead of R129 model) and has never complained about the front button. You would need to push your hand between the seat to access it whilst rear facing which isn't ideal but personally isn't a deal breaker. It clearly was for the reviewer below 🤷‍♀️.

"Joie spin GTI 360
I bought this & returned it the next day. The isofix button broke & wouldn't stop being depressed which meant I couldn't adjust the isofix so it was nice & secure and sturdy. Also in rear facing position for my baby the swivel button was right underneath the seat & I'd have to squeeze my hand down through the seat and to swivel to get my baby out. Really badly designed. I've seen the joie ispin 360 car seat has the button on the side which makes much more sense so I will be purchasing that car seat for an extra £60!!"

And if there's any confusion - whilst I don't see much difference between the GTI and i-spin models (both R129), I wouldn't be tempted by the old Joie spin model which is done to old regs and won't be sold after September. If you own it, it's perfectly safe but I don't see the point in cutting corners on the latest safety regs to save a few pounds. The latest regs include things like side impact.

Lucky2023 · 10/04/2024 10:37

Thank you so much to you both for your helpful informed.
Please can I clarify what is meant by side panels? Are they attached to the seat? Pardon my ignorance I am a first time mum and baby isn't here yet :-)

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Lucky2023 · 10/04/2024 12:21

Lucky2023 · 10/04/2024 10:37

Thank you so much to you both for your helpful informed.
Please can I clarify what is meant by side panels? Are they attached to the seat? Pardon my ignorance I am a first time mum and baby isn't here yet :-)

Information *

OP posts:
HappyCaroline · 10/04/2024 16:31

I'm only 6 months in so don't worry!

The side panels on the i-spin pop out like little plastic ears (sorry terrible description). From what I can see the GTi is just manually clipped in. They are hard to describe but are just palm sided bits of plastic which are meant to take the first impact in the case of aside collision and are part of how the seats get their R129 accreditation. The best thing to do would be the Google "installation videos" and you'll see them.

Also - Google the Joie i-spin Liverpool FC model 😆 Joie sponsor Liverpool FC and it looks like they released a pretty smart looking embroidered model which is now selling for £149 online! I think we will end up getting and unpicking the embroidery or just covering it up 🤷‍♀️ latest gadgets, best seat, £100 off.

Lucky2023 · 10/04/2024 20:52

Your post made me laugh out loud because I've seen this one! My hubby is an Arsenal supporter and doesn't have it within him to sell his club like that :D

I am kidding, I reckon I could persuade him.

So with the GTI the side panels are manual does that mean you need to physically insert them yourself?

OP posts:
HappyCaroline · 11/04/2024 18:56

Yeah you just click then into place. They stay where they are unless you need to move the seat to a new position

Lucky2023 · 11/04/2024 21:58

We've just ordered the Liverpool FC one XD
That model is the one that is highly popular isnt it?

OP posts:
HappyCaroline · 12/04/2024 23:26

Yes it's an excellent car seat, even when fully priced it's very competitive.

I've spent all evening delicately removing the embroidery, definitely a job but I'm quite pleased with it. Your poor hubby! I felt like all the eyes of Coventry were judging me when the LFC box landed on the doorstep 😅

BertieBotts · 14/04/2024 10:29

They are much of a muchness. The Liverpool one linked is probably the better out of the three mentioned on this thread.

I have the GTi and it has some of the ease of use/safety features of the i-Spin, but is based on the R44 version.

Compared with the R44, the GTi has extra side impact pop out things (act as a combined brace/crumple zone) and a switch/button to press when you turn it forward facing to discourage doing this too early. That's literally it. Everything else is the same as the original 360 Spin.

The i-Spin (what you have) has the GTi features and also better handle placement to spin the seat, a less bulky insert, extra recline setting and memory foam headrest which offers better side impact protection.

All three have extended rear facing (up to approx age 4), suitability from newborn, several recline settings, isofix fitting, spin function, fairly compact fit, support leg, decent frontal safety score, adjustable insert which has multiple parts to remove to give a better fit at different ages, fairly tall shell meaning it fits long-bodied children.

If you're having it for a newborn, it's worth knowing it takes a bit of confidence to get a good fit for a newborn baby with this seat. I'd also install it in your car and check the angle with the newborn insert in and the seat fully reclined. If it's steeper than 45 degrees from flat, then it is too upright for a newborn and shouldn't be used - ideal angle for a newborn car seat is between 30-40 degrees, up to 45 degrees is OK.

Watch the videos on youtube by Rear Facing Toddlers, as she explains the harness and inserts very well - the harness on this seat has large, bulky pads which have grippy plastic rubbery stuff on the back. This needs to be placed properly over the child. If you simply fasten the seatbelt and then tighten it, you'll generally find that the pads "grip" onto the first bit of clothing they reach (which is the edges of their shoulders/arms) and the belts end up too wide in a V shape, sometimes not actually containing the shoulders at all, which is a serious problem. A newborn is often so small that the pads seem bigger than their entire body! But it's important to get the fit right. Their knees also tend to scrunch up when they are really really first born, so it can be a bit tricky to do a 5 point harness and not get their legs caught in it. A bit fiddly. Take your time and be patient. Don't be afraid to reach under the baby with your hands/arms and reposition them - you want to line their shoulders up with the straps. If they are getting upset and that is stressing you out, take a deep breath and give them a cuddle then start again.

You CAN get a good newborn fit in this seat - I've seen it done - but it's not as easy as it is in an infant carrier.

If you find the angle is too steep or all the adjusting sounds too much hassle you could opt for something basic like Joie i-Snug or Maxi Cosi Cabriofix (which should be compatible with your pram) or Joei Juva (which is not) for the first few months until baby has a bit more head control (3-4 months) and then move to the Spin seat.

Lucky2023 · 19/04/2024 11:53

Thank you so much for your fantastic information! Xxx

OP posts:
HappyCaroline · 22/04/2024 13:53

Had to post the outcome 👍 RIP LFC

Joie car seats
Lucky2023 · 22/04/2024 18:41

That looks beautiful! How did you stick those on? Are they stitched on?

OP posts:
HappyCaroline · 22/04/2024 19:01

Iron on 😄 I did unpick the majority of the LFC logo first as it indented the fabric and I didn't want it to impact the hold of the applique

Lucky2023 · 22/04/2024 19:27

Well done! That looks absolutely fantastic :-D

OP posts:
pixieeyes · 11/07/2024 20:26

@HappyCaroline I've just come across this thread and seen your amazing handiwork with the car seat! I'm thinking of getting the LFC one too. Where did you get the appliqués? Thanks! Blush

HappyCaroline · 14/07/2024 11:31

Just on etsy 😃 they were about £10 off the top of my head

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread