Car seats - can someone post a link to Which report?

[melrose]

I know I ahve seen it on here before but cannot find it. About to buy next one for DS aged 3.5 and want to know which they rate. Thanks

Just in case nobody comes good on this, I will try to remember to check back on this thread. I have just photocopied the latest Which report on car seat and could either read it out to you on the phone or (gadzooks, organisation required) make a copy and post it to you.

btw, Melrose was one of the 'houses' at my secondary school. I seem to remember they won everything

Lio can you just tekll me which booster thingy they thought was best (or top 2/3) Thanks!

I don't think a link will work, as you have to log in, but the top 4 booster type are:

BRITAX EVOLVA 2/3 (ISOFIX)
Price: £110
Score: 77%
This Best Buy seat from Britax did well in our tests, with a 'Good' overall crash safety rating. It's very similar to the Ultra model, but unusually for a seat in this group, the Evolva 2/3 uses Isofix.

Although the Isofix mounting for the base doesn't actually improve safety, it's more convenient to use than the Ultra version, which isn't held to the car except when the belted child sits in it.
Price: £95
Score: 75%

MAXI-COSI RODI XR
This booster seat with backrest is one of the easiest-to-use seats we've ever tested, scoring top marks for every aspect of handling.

Designed for children from 4 to 12 years (15 to 36 kg), it uses the 3-point adult seat belt to secure both the seat and the child.

BRITAX EVOLVA 2/3 ULTRA

Price: £90
Score: 74%
A highly-rated seat that performed well in our safety tests, this Best Buy from Britax is very similar to the Evolva 2/3 ISOFIT model, except it's not secured to the car with Isofix mounts.

Our experts thought this seat was suitable for children aged 4 to 12. There are good instructions and it's easy to carry.

Concord Lift Evo PT
Price: £95
Score: 72%
The Concord Lift Evo PT ? a Best Buy in 2006 and 2007 ? is comfortable, provides good leg support for the child, and it's easy to move from car to car ? something worth remembering if you're a two-car family.

This seat is a booster with backrest, designed for transporting children from 4 to 12 years (15 to 36 kg). It uses the 3-point adult seat belt to secure both the seat and the child.

They also say
"Seats to avoid
There are four seats we recommend you avoid:

Chicco Max-3S
Mamas & Papas Pro-Tour
Recaro Start
Little Shield Combi 123
All except the Mamas & Papas Pro-Tour use the adult seat belt for a 9kg child (around 9 months), which means they don't provide adequate protection.

The Mamas & Papas Pro-Tour recommends removing the backrest for children heavier than 22Kg, thus turning it into a booster seat. This offers no protection from side impacts.

The worst seat we tested was the Little Shield Combi 123. It uses a nylon strap with stud fixing as a seat belt guide, which isn?t strong enough to contain the forces of a severe accident. You might notice how light it is (1kg). That?s because it?s made from expanded polystyrene and would offer little protection from side impacts."
There's a pretty horrific video of a side impact collision test - luckily it was only a dummy

Pipped to the post

They do say that a booster (as in just a cushion, as it were, without back/side support) is perfectly legal, but offers no side protection in the event of a side impact-type crash. We decided to go for the Maxi Cosi Rodi XR.

Thanks. Seat will be there all the time 9buying one for each car) So guess if child not in they move around? Do any recline as my DS alway sleeps in the car?

The MC Rodi XR reclines as I think does the XP with base. Don't think others do.