Isofix Car Seats - somebody explain PLEASE!!

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OK, I get the idea of having a base fixed into the car and the seat just slots in and out but, does the base fit a range of car seats or, everytime your child gets a bit bigger and you need to buy a new seat, do you also need to buy a new base? If this is the case it seems very, very expensive although I do recognise the safety aspect of this system. Just wondered if anyone could keep me right.

This tells you more about Isofix and what they are, as doe sthis with a couple of images.

the base is for the infant seat and will fit that seat. then at 9months+ they move onto the 2nd stage seat, then after 4years the 3rd seat.

atm the three seats i know of in those ranges are

britax isofix cosy tot (birth to 13kg)
britax duo isofix(13kg-4years old)
jane indy plus(4years plus)

the base is only for the baby one. the next size up isofix seats just click straight into the car. I suppose the point of the base with the stage 1 seat is that you want to take the seat out of the car with the (sleeping) baby in it or put the car seat onto a travel system or something.

so yes, it is very very expensive. I didn't get isofix for the baby seat (since only for 6 months and i don't tend to drive babies around much) and did for the stage 2 (since they are in it for years and spend more time in the car)

Isofix (aka Latch) is a sort of strap with a pin on it that can be attached to just about any carseat. The strap is welded to the body of the car. My car doesn't have isofix (1998 model) but the newer ones do. Google isofix to find out more.

Basically the car itself has a couple of hooks behind the two back seats. These are usually hidden away between back of the car seat and the base of the car seat you can get plastic guiders to hook onto these to make fitting quicker and easier. Although on newer models of cars they are visable with black guiders around them - this is then VERY easy to use.

The Isofix car seat then has fixings ont he back, like a metal grabber. This is pushed onto the car fittings and the seat grabs onto the metal bars. The car seat is then pushed back into the seat, and all is ready to use.

Isofix car seats are the same as normal car seats. There is a first stage seat, taking you up to about a year old. Then there is a second stage seat, going up to approx 4 years. And you can also buy a booster seat (with back that is removable) which will last you till the child is 11 years old or thereabouts.

AFAIK it is only the first stage seats that use a base, on to which the car seat fits. The second and third stages do not have this system.

Maxi Cosi do Isofix versions of infant carrier and Priori.

Hi everyone, thank you for all the great info. on Isofix seats. I certainly didn't realise that stage 2 & 3 didn't need a base - I think all your advice has probably saved me a fortune! Thanks again

Try Kiddicare, they often do them a lot cheaper than anywhere else. They are the safest car seat you can buy so well worth it.

Whilst I think isofix is great, I wouldn't buy the Britax Duo. Not v.padded or comfortable at all compared to the Maxi Cosi Priori (non-isofix) we also bought, doesn't recline as far back & the polystyrene back support has snapped in half whereas Maxi Cosi in brilliant nick & we end up using it for long car journeys so ds can be more comfortable. But it was the only one recommended by Which when we were looking & I wanted something safe for my supermini. I'd definitely buy the Maxi Cosi Priori Isofix over the Britax (and we may have to if the Britax keeps falling apart!).

I have the Britax Duo - not had any issues with it

also dont forget that independant tests have found non isofux stage 2 seats such as maxio cosi rodi / britax highliner to be safer than the jane Indy that is isofix!

We had the Britax Duo also and found it great.

Is the Jane brand Spanish?

Another Britax Isofix user here - had no problems and would def. recommend it