car seats - what did the Feb 08 which report say?

[katz]

esp on boosters

bump

Feb 2008 magazine has pushchairs, but not car seats as far as I can see.
I'll check the website.

Link to Nov results here

There is a Feb update on the website, best on the list is

"Britax Evolva 2/3 ISOFIT
? Price: £130
? 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."

The non-Isofix version scores 74%, with the
Maxi Cosi Rodi XR coming in between at 75%

"Maxi Cosi Rodi XR
? Price: £95
? Score: 75%

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."

That is great info Rusty, very useful!

thank you rustybear!

vamillapumpkin is your junie nearly ready the next size car seat too?

That's just the group 2/3 results btw - the
top scoring three were all for younger children:

"Maxi Cosi Cabriofix with Easyfix base
? Price: £200
? Score: 82%

Our testing has become even tougher since we made this a Best Buy in 2006, but it still passed with flying colours ? achieving our first 'Excellent' child seat result.
Crash protection is excellent, and the instructions are clear."Crash protection is excellent, and the instructions are clear.

It scores 82 per cent only with its Easyfix base (an Isofix system) so if yours doesn't have this, go for another Best Buy."

"Britax Cosytot Isofix
? Price: £165
? Score: 79%

The Best Buy Britax Cosytot Isofix was the first seat for newborns to use Isofix mounting system. It's easy to install and offers excellent stability ? protecting children well in front and side crashes.
Designed for babies from birth to about a year (13kg), this rearward-facing seat uses a support leg that rests on the car floor rather than a strap for the third mounting point. The support leg needs a flat, solid floor, so it won't suit all cars ? always refer to the manufacturer's guidelines before buying."

"Recaro Young Profi Plus with base
? Price: £169
? Score: 78%

This Recaro seat is designed for babies from birth to about a year (13kg) in rear-facing modes. It offers great protection in Isofix mode, although it's not as safe when used with the adult seat belt.
It comes with a base which is secured using the Isofix mounts, and has a support leg that rests on the car floor rather than a strap for the third mounting point. The support leg needs a flat, solid floor, so it won't suit all cars ? always refer to the manufacturer's guidelines before buying."

Yes. She is about 16kg. Her current seat goes up to 18kg so no mad rush but have started homework

Look here for my debates .

thanks for that link,

my junie is only 14kg but since we changed her meds she is piling on the pounds so won't be long.

you have the maxicosi seat, is that the one with the plastic bit which hooks under the seat? is that removable?

rustybear - one more quick question, do the graco seats still come out badly?

Yes. The plastic bit is just so that the recline bit works. We have it fitted in the car but never use the recline. I think the plastic bit needs to be on the base of the seat but the plastic bit that hooks through the car's seat doesn't need to be used....I would check instructions though to be absolutely sure.
Does that make any sense at all??

The plastic bit is in two halves. The bit on the base should be used I believe but the other bit that hooks through does not need to be used as it only allows for the recline feature.
Any better???? .

ah thats useful to know, because we ended up returning one because our car seats are a funny shape and the join between the back and the seat is about 6 inches up and there was no where to fit the plastic bit under but if its not necessary then i might try and get one of those.

I will try and find instructions and report back!

thanks.

Don't seem to have any reports on Gracos, katz - this is the complete list of reviews on the website:

Bebe Confort
? Creatisfix
? Hipsos Safe Side
? Iseos Safe Side Isofix
Britax
? Cosytot Isofix
? Duo Plus ISOFIX
? Eclipse SI
? Evolva 123 Ultra
? Evolva 2-3
? Evolva 2/3 ISOFIT
? Evolva 2/3 Ultra
? First Class SI
? Hi-Liner
? Rock-A-Tot Plus SI
Chicco
? Key 1 X-Plus
? Key 2-3
? Key1 Isofix

Chicco
? Max-3s
Concord
? Ion
? Lift Evo
? Lift Evo PT
? Lift Protect
? Trimax
Cybex
? Solution Plus
? Solution S
Jane
? Matrix Cup
? Matrix Pro
Little Shield
? Combi 123
Mamas and Papas
? Alto
? Primo Viaggio
? Primo Viaggio SIP
? Pro Tec
? Revo

Mamas and Papas
? Pro-Tour
Maxi Cosi
? Cabriofix with Easyfix base
? Priori SPS
? Priori XP
? Priorifix
? Rodi XP
? Rodi XR
? Tobi
Phil & Teds
? Bebe Car Seat
Recaro
? Start
? Young Expert
? Young Expert Plus with base
? Young Profi
? Young Profi Plus with base
? Young Sport
Silvercross
? Explorer

thanks, think its going to be a toss up between the britaz evolva 2/3 and the maxi cosi. your reports are very useful, so thanks again

Yes, you can use it without the 'anchor piece'. But I think you still need the 'comfort base' on the bottom as this helps it fit to the seat shape apparently.
Lots of notes that 'The comfort base system merely serves as an aid and does not contribute to securing the car seat etc etc.

Graco seats are shit. In my humble opinion...

thats good, theres an independent shop near here so will go and have both fitted and see which DD2 likes best, she'll want an orange seat but like you vanilla dd1 will want a pink seat!

You will get happy flowers I bet if you go for the Maxi Cosi . Indian spice has orange and pink. Ebay has all the colours to look at. Yes I am obsessed.

Actually there's a bit more info if you click the product name...

"Maxi Cosi Rodi XR
BEST BUY

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.

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 ? these may need removing to allow the seat to sit flat against the car seat-back.

It's well padded, and offers good leg support and a comfortable ride for the child. Head support is good, and risk of injury is low in side crashes. In a front crash this risk is relatively higher, though still acceptable.

Pros: Very easy to use, child has an excellent view out of the vehicle, good finish quality

Cons: Seat cover difficult to remove

Contact details:Maxi Cosi 0208 236 0707

Price (£) 95
Total score (%) 75 Best Buy
Availability Widely available on the high street and online. High-street retailers include Toys R Us, Halfords, and Mothercare
Features
Specifications
Seat categories Group 2/3
Weight groups 15-36kg
Weight (kg) 4
Part of a travel system No

Ratings
Comfort 5/5

Performance
Front crash 3/5

Side crash 4/5

Overall safety 4/5

Fitting and using
Fitting in car 4/5

Belt routing 5/5

Buckling up 4/5

Daily use 4/5

Instructions 4/5

Correct use 5/5"

Were you interested in the isofix version of the britax evolva or the non-isofix?

OR the new Lily Pink!!!

was thinking isofix but the percentages are so close that the extra £50+ is not worth it.

And I just read from Rusty bear (I think, thank you) that the Isofix doesn't make it safer, just easier to fit....