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Kezzag or anyone else with access to the Which car seat report... please help Aitch as she is a total duffer about this sort of thing.

70 replies

AitchYouBerk · 24/03/2007 12:24

i just bought a new car! and i need a new car seat for dd 15months. would someone mind having a peek at the isofix best buys for me? much appreciated, mwah, mwah, mwah...

OP posts:
SlightlyMadSpringBunny · 24/03/2007 18:26

Will have a look for you when DTDs are in bed if no-one else has replied...

Twiglett · 24/03/2007 18:30

ooo whilst your at it could you look at high back booster seats for me .. pretty please

is the maxi cosi rodi still a very good seat?

RustyBear · 24/03/2007 18:36

Last report was last June - Maxi Cosi rodi wasbest buy for children from 20kg - scored 71%, only minus is set cover is hand wash only.

They go by weight Aitch - how heavy is DD (I can't remember how heavy a 15 mo girl should be - it's 16 years since I had one!

If i can remember the log on I'll have a look at the website for later info

PoppyCock · 24/03/2007 18:41

pah! nothing is hand wash only in my house, it all goes in the machine. am aitch btw, but am going to find it hard not to be poppy as i think it's a delightful name.
brilliant, thanks ever so... will now go off and investigate the universe's cheapest maxi cosis.

PoppyCock · 24/03/2007 18:42

hang on... wasn't there a new report just last week or so?

RustyBear · 24/03/2007 18:46

I haven't got the April issue yet - maybe you have Poppycock?

RustyBear · 24/03/2007 18:47

Ok, just realised Poppycock=Aitch, so obviously you haven't got it, or you'd be looking at it... [d'oh]

Twiglett · 24/03/2007 18:49

thanks RUsty

already have one for DS ... I think the reason its handwash is that the cover doesn't f'in' well come off

need to get booster for DD soon

Aitch like the new cock name

PoppyCock · 24/03/2007 18:57

oh i see. yes i am aitch but keep it under your hat as plan to wreak havoc this eve...

RustyBear · 24/03/2007 19:00

Sorry I'm confused - I thought it was Twiglet who wanted to know about the Maxi Cosi Rodi- it's not an isofix - apparently not many 15kg+ ones are.

Isofix best buys are Britax Cosy tot 0-9 kg, Britax Duo Plus 9-15 kg
The only isofix one in the 15kg+ group is the Jane Indy Plus which doesn't have a third support, so is no safer than non-isofix ones

I can't find my which site details so I'm waiting for them to email me with a reminder.

Twiglett · 24/03/2007 19:01

sorry didn't mean to confuse .. DD is going to need a high back booster soon and DS already has the maxi cosi rodi and I wanted to check it was still judged one of the best

PoppyCock · 24/03/2007 19:03

i'm rubbish at weights, but she's still in her first car seat which was for o-13 i think. (gawd, i bet she's bigger thn that though... haven't weighed her for a month). so it'd be a question of getting the longest-lasting one, presumably.

RustyBear · 24/03/2007 19:04

Just had a closer look at the website - there is a report on there dated Mmarch 2007, which is definitely not in the magazine (which is where i was checking) - but I can't access it until I get my password.
Will let you know.....

KezzaG · 24/03/2007 19:12

Hi, here is the paste from the 2007 report, I have just taken out the newborn ones. Does this answer your one too Twiglett?

Only other way to check those now on the best buys is to type a name in and get the report, so let me know if there are any more. I will be on til the football finishes

WHICH:

Safety standards for child seats continue to rise, so some of the seats we recommended last year are no longer Best Buys.Safety standards for child seats continue to rise, so some of the seats we recommended last year are no longer Best Buys.
Britax Duo Plus Isofix
Price: £169
Score: 70%
The Duo Plus is designed for children from around a year old to about four (9 to18kg). It can be used in Isofix mode, with two- or three-point (using top tether) mounting, or a three-point adult seat belt to secure it.

It is well made and easy to use with clear instructions. Padding is excellent and leg and head support is good.

Britax Hi-Liner
Price: £55
Score: 71%
This is a forward facing booster with back rest that uses the three-point vehicle belt to restrain the seat and the child. It is designed for children aged about four to 12 (15-36kg).

It is very easy to use, offers very good leg support and excellent padding. While the idea of having one seat for several weight categories is often seen as a compromise, this one does a good job of bridging the gap. Crash ratings are pretty good, with low loads imparted to the child in both front and side crashes. The Hi-Liner has a very high back, which can foul on the car?s head restraints. Stability of the seat can be improved on some cars by turning or removing the vehicle headrest, to allow the high backrest to sit more squarely onto the seat back.

Concord Lift Evo
Price: £80
Score: 71%
This seat is a booster with backrest, designed for transporting children from four to 12 years (15 to 36 kg). It uses the three-point adult seat belt to secure both the seat and the child.

It has excellent padding and gives good leg support and the child has an excellent view out of the vehicle.
Concord Lift Evo PT
Price: £90
Score: 74%
This seat is a booster with backrest, designed for transporting children from four to 12 years (15 to 36 kg). It uses the three-point adult seat belt to secure both the seat and the child.

It is light weight and very easy to install and it offers adequate front crash protection. Side crash protection is good and is aided by the unusual side ?wings? on the seat, which extend downwards to provide extra protection for the child?s abdomen. It?s also possible to adjust the seat?s recline angle, which makes it more likely that you?ll be able to get a good, snug fit whatever the rake of your rear seats. The tall back is good for taller children but in some cars it touches the head restraints ? which may need removing to allow the seat to sit flat against the car seat-back.

Concord Lift Protect
Price: £80
Score: 72%
This seat is a booster with backrest, designed for transporting children from four to 12 years (15 to 36 kg). It uses the three-point adult seat belt to secure both the seat and the child.

Slightly cheaper and subtly different from its stable-mate the Evo PT, this seat has large side ?wings?, which give excellent head support, and the base offers good leg support. It is light weight and very easy to install and it offers adequate front crash protection. Side crash protection is good and is aided by the unusual side ?wings? on the seat, which extend downwards to provide extra protection for the child?s abdomen. The tall back is good for taller children but in some cars it touches the head restraints ? which may need removing to allow the seat to sit flat against the car seat-back.

Maxi Cosi Priorifix
Price: £229
Score: 74%
A seat for children from one year up to about four years (9 to 18 kg), this seat can be fixed using Isofix mounts or seat belts, and has a support leg which rests on the car floor for additional stability. The support leg needs a flat, solid floor, so it won?t suit all cars - always refer to the manufacturer?s guidelines before buying.

It is well padded and provides good leg support, and it has a very high back, allowing tall children continued use up to the point where they reach the weight limit.

Maxi Cosi Rodi XP
Price: £95
Score: 72%
This seat is a booster with backrest, designed for transporting children from four to 12 years (15 to 36 kg). It uses the three-point adult seat belt to secure both the seat and the child.

It?s possibly the easiest to use seat we?ve ever tested, scoring top marks for every aspect of handling. As with many seats in this weight category, the tall back is good for taller children but in some cars it touches the head restraints ? which may need removing to allow the seat to sit flat against the car seat-back.
Maxi Cosi Tobi
Price: £165
Score: 70%
A seat for children from one year up to about four years (9 to 18 kg), this seat is installed using the seat belts.

It is one of the easiest seats in this weight category to use and it?s unusual in that the harness retracts the straps sideways when undone, so they don?t end up behind the child when they are placed in the seat. It has excellent belt routing and easy size adjustment on the child. The buckle?s tension indicator shows green when the strap is secure. The seat is well padded and offers good leg support.

Britax Evolva 2-3
Price: £72
Score: 71%
New for 2006, the Evolva 2-3 Ultra looks very similar to the Britax Kid but beneath the surface there are subtle changes. It?s a booster with backrest, designed for transporting children from four to 12 years (15 to 36 kg). It uses the three-point adult seat belt to secure both the seat and the child.It isn?t as light weight as others in the class, but the instructions are clear and it is easy to install.

Like most seats in the class it has a high seat back which can touch the car?s head restraint on some cars. In this case, it can be helpful to remove the head restraint to allow the seat to sit flat against the car seat back. Padding is excellent and it offers very good leg support and front crash loads are low. Thanks to the high side bolsters, side-impact protection is particularly good ? you can adjust the headrest height as your child grows.

SlightlyMadSpringBunny · 24/03/2007 20:18

It seems my services are nolonger required

Wallace · 24/03/2007 20:22

While we're at it, can some one look at the best combination seat for me? You know the ones that are from birth, then can be turned round and used until about four?

Loopymumsy · 24/03/2007 20:32

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SlightlyMadSpringBunny · 24/03/2007 20:37

As far as I can see they only reviewed one 0+1 seat:

Britax First Class SI

This seat is relatively unusual as it is designed to try to cater for children from new-born up to about four years (0-18kg). It is designed for use in rearward facing mode with babies up to about 9kg, then forward facing mode for heavier children. Children over 13kg must always use the seat in forward facing mode. The idea of having one seat for several weight categories is a good one in theory, but in practice it is usually compromises performance for at least one of the groups.

This one is easy to use, with an added advantage that it can be used with cars that have shorter than average seat belts. It is well padded, offering good head and leg support, but in a front crash the loads imparted to the child are higher than we?d like to see and there are certainly seats in both weight groups that will protect a child more effectively.

Pros: Useable with cars where the seat belts are shorter than average. Machine washable cover. Easy to use.

Cons: Unduly high loads in a front crash. Finish quality is not as good as others.

Price (£) 110
Total score (%) 52
Availability Widely available
Features
Specification
Weight groups 0-18kg
Seat categories 0+; 1
Weight (kg) 7
Integral harness Yes
Part of a travel system No
Converts to a booster No
Ratings
Comfort
Comfort
Good
Performance
Front crash
Poor
Side crash
Good
Overall safety
Acceptable
Fitting and using
Fitting in car
Good
Belt routing
Good
Buckling up
Good
Daily use
Acceptable
Instructions
Good
Correct use
Good

RustyBear · 24/03/2007 21:01

Good thing Kezza & slightlymad are here, because Which still haven't sent my password reminder.....

fizzbuzz · 24/03/2007 21:06

Sorry to do this.....any info on best seat from 9kg upwards?

Wallace · 24/03/2007 21:12

Thank you. The reason I want a combination seat is so that I can keep ds2 rear-facing for as long as possible, but that one only goes up to 13kg rear-facing anyway (he is 8 months and 10.5 kg)

Argh, can't think now whether it would be better to buy a combination seat now and keep him rear-facing until 13 kg (he would be at least one). Or keep him in dd's old seat until 9 months then buy a forward-facing one with a better rating?

Loopymumsy · 24/03/2007 21:14

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Wallace · 24/03/2007 21:16

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Loopymumsy · 24/03/2007 21:18

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