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Original poster

Forward facing car seats - the best?

18 replies

Callisto · 04/07/2006 11:52

I am looking for a forward facing car seat in the 9month to 4years range and want to know which are the safest. I can't have the isofix seats but I am favouring britax at the mo - the eclipse or renaissance. Which online is currently offline so I can't get a safety review. Does anyone have any recommendations or know of any other up to date safety reviews for car seats?

OP posts:

katzg · 04/07/2006 11:54

new which report here

katzg · 04/07/2006 11:54

june 2006 one

LIZS · 04/07/2006 12:00

It wasn't as comprehensive in terms of number of seats tested as the 2005 one so you may need to refer back. Maxi Cosi Priori and Britax Duo Isofix (which can also use a seat belt to retain it) usually score well.

Original poster

Callisto · 04/07/2006 12:05

Thanks so much. The rules and regs all change in September but that all seems to be when and where a child seat has to be used and not about the standard of the actual seats.

I shall read through the report - thanks again Kat and Liz.

OP posts:

hub2dee · 04/07/2006 20:54

Juat bought Maxi Cosi Tobi. It's very good.

misdee · 04/07/2006 21:01

hub its very good, is that all you have to say? i was hoping for a more in-depth report, as it scored quite high IRRC on which? report.

hub2dee · 04/07/2006 21:09

It does what it says on the can. Straps are held out of the way. The seat belt routing is excellent and has a built in tensioner to give you that extra . The buckle has a red / green indicator to show when it's tight enough etc. etc. etc. It's very good.

misdee · 04/07/2006 22:13

yes. how do the straps stay out of the way tho? dd3 keeps trying to jump out of her seat whilst i fiddle with the straps.

Tatties · 04/07/2006 22:24

We have a Britax Renaissance. It's good, came highly recommended by the specialist in Mothercare.

hub2dee · 04/07/2006 22:25

Straps stay out of way because of semi-rigid kind of bendy insert in the shoulder harness... this can be moulded to a curve as you tighten the harness, but when the buckle is released they kind of spring back. For dd (12 months) we need to wrestle her hands through them when we take her out, but putting her in the seat is fantabulous because the rigidity in the shoulder hardness area means the straps are sprung open and the seat is clear IYSWIM.

You are welcome to hit the A1 and come play if you like.

It's a very good seat, as I said.

misdee · 04/07/2006 22:27

yes, i want to come and play with your seat and your sox

errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr thats sounds wrong somehow.

hub2dee · 04/07/2006 22:29

I haven't got Sox. I've got 'Auto Shades'... but you can play with both. Don't worry, it sounds so much more wrong that it actually would be.

misdee · 04/07/2006 22:31

tha autoshades dont sound as appealling.

hub2dee · 04/07/2006 22:32

Maybe the sox are too thin though ? We'll have to see how soupy does...

... I might be a set anyway though...

Original poster

Callisto · 05/07/2006 21:03

I like Britax but the Maxi Cosi does score so well. Hub2dee - has yours got the isofix system? My car doesn't take it unfortunately but all which said was that is scores less highly without the isofix.

OP posts:

hub2dee · 05/07/2006 22:23

The Tobi is NOT an Isofix seat. Seatbelt atachment only. Mine is TIGHT TIGHT TIGHT.

tassis · 05/07/2006 22:31

We have the renaissance. it's very good. i like the tension adjuster lever. bit fiddly to attach until you know what you're doing, but then a doddle and always seems to fit in tightly unlike a cheaper britax (freeway maybe?) that we bought for our 2nd car.

Only down side is that it's quite high up, which was great when ds was first in it at 9 months or whatever, but quite a pain to lift a strapping great 2.5 year old up (esp if you're pregnant). Now he's 3 he can climb up himself and so I'm loving it again!

gailyb · 11/07/2006 16:55

I had the Mamas and Papas Protec which attaches at the top and bottom of the seat so it's a reall tight fit. Bought it 2 years ago and at the time it won all of the tests around Europe.

It's VERY easy to move between cars if you need to (one of the reasons I bought it).

My DD is now 3 and has outgrown it, but she is the height and weight of an average 4 yr old !!

Go to Halfords / Mothercare and try a few in your car and let little one sit in to see what's best for you.

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