Concorde Ultimax vs Britax First Class

[usernametaken]

I'm down to 2 seats to chose from.
Does anyone have nay experience of either seat?
How are they for installing?
Do they look comfortable enough for a new born? Do they recline enough for a new born
Is there enough room for a rear facing 2.5yr old to sit comfortably?
Would you recommend an alternative?
Many thanks.

Hello! Just moving the discussion of the BeSafe Izi Combi from here.

Thank you! The problem is having such a small car (Ka) with what seems like, a very short seat belt. I huge problems fitting DD's Evolva 123 in the back.

Hello again

When DD outgrew her infant carrier at 7 months we looked at the options and, at the time, could only find the two you mention. We saw and fitted both of them in the car and the Britax was just too large for our car (Audi A3 Sportback).

We were pretty happy with the Ultimax, it fitted well and the sealtbelt routing meant it was possible to get DD in and out (something that was nigh on impossible with the Britax), but DD wasn't happy on long journeys by the time whe was about 15 months (we drove to Burgundy so about 8 hours in the car. Once we got there it took us over a week to be able to put her back in without tears and tantrums ) She was also starting to look big in it. By the time she was 19 months we'd replaced it with the BeSafe Izi Kid, and then promptly drove her to Scotland (also about 8 hours) - and this time she was absolutely fine the next day. I dont' know whether its because its higher (so she can see out the window), because she's got more leg room or whether its just a more comfortable seat for her.

If I were using it for a newborn, I'd go for the Concorde - as NorktasticNinja says the BeSafe is pretty upright. But don't be suprised if your DC becomes unhappy in it RF before they outgrow it in that position.

wrt the sealtbelt length, the BeSafe will require much less sealtbelt as it doesn't route around the back of the seat - which happens for both the Ultimax and the Britax. The BeSafe feels much more secure than the Ultimax did.

Have you come across the contact details for the Essex County Council InCar Road Safety Team (here)? They were very helful when we were trying to decide what to buy (even though we're in Hampshire) and have no vested interest in trying to do anything other than keep your DC safe.

Good luck

Also meant to say, the Essex ladies offer a try before you buy service, and so have fitted a lot of car seats in a lot of different cars. They may well be able to tell you whether any of these seats will fit in a Ka and, if so, what impact that has on the front passenger.

Good point Tangle I can definitely see DD getting sick of being RF before outgrowing her RF seat. She's only 16 months so thankfully it's not an issue yet.

TBH I see it as a real bonus that the Besafe Izi Combi can also be used FF although, of course, it's best to keep to RF for as long as possible (at least until 2 1/2).

I don't think it was RF she was sick of, though - she's just turned 2 and is still happy as anything in the Izi Kid.

From a purist's point of view dedicated RF or FF seats will be considered as safer than ones that turn around (there's less that can go wrong!), but that does rely on your DC being happy to stay RF until they're ready for the next size up. I REALLY don't want to have to tell DH we need to buy another Grp 1 seat...

Thank you! DD rear faced until just past 2yr in her Britax First Class but now there seem to be so many other options available compared to 4yrs ago when we bought her seat. She is now 4 and still in the Britax but it is getting old and battered looking. She has an Evolva 123 too in DH's car. Luckily she is still small so will be harnessed for the forseeable future. Finding her the next car seat will be interesting as I still want her harnessed past 18kgs! That is a whole new thread though!
The Essex link will be worth a ring, thank you for that link.

This is trying to remember quite a way back now, but I think the IziKid takes up less space in the car than the Britax First Class did. The Essex ladies can probably give you a definitive answer on that, though