Group 1 car seats (Infant)

Mike Scib · Post by **Mike Scib** » Sat Nov 19, 2011 8:34 pm

Looking for some recommendations on infant car seats to keep my little one safe in the car as she (Megan) is now almost ready to move out the baby seat already!

Been around the shops today to have a look at a few and quite liked the Concord Transformer T Pro with its impact cushion. It is German built so has to go through side impact protection tests.

Currently have the Maxi Cosi Cabrio fix with the Isofix base which has been excellent.

Car has isofix with the 3rd anchor point in the boot.

RDH · Post by **RDH** » Sat Nov 19, 2011 10:34 pm

We've got a Kiddie Infinity Pro, similar to the link you've posted, it was Which's Best buy. Easy to move between cars for grandparents to borrow etc.

Mike Scib · Post by **Mike Scib** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 12:04 am

Cheers. I take it you have no issues with the Impact Cushion or the lack of harness then?

http://www.kiddy.de/en/kiddy-innovation ... hield.html

RDH · Post by **RDH** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 12:21 am

No issues at all, Ruaridh's just about to move up to the next stage.
We've also got a MaxiCosi Axis in Laura's car as she finds it easier to put him in facing her and spinning it round if you know what i mean?
The convenience of having a moveable seat for the other car that the grandparents can borrow it's great!

offshorematt · Post by **offshorematt** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 2:49 am

Seems questions on kiddy seats can be usefully addressed to Boobles on PH? He set himself up as a free advisor a while back and seems to be pretty clued up (certainly qualified)?

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topi ... t%20Advice

Stevoraith · Post by **Stevoraith** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 9:12 am

We've got one for each car- the Recaro Young Sport is in my BMW and in Kats Octavia we have a Maxi Cosi Tobi.

The Recaro looks nice and gets good safety reviews.
The Maxi Cosi isn't anywhere near as cool looking but it is by far the better seat.
The straps are spring loaded so when you put the child into it the straps don't get trapped down behind them, there's no chance of them getting twisted etc. There's also an indicator which turns green when you've got the straps tight enough which is useful, and it's got a good recline on it which the Recaro doesn't.

Both seats are fairly straight forward to install and remove but I wouldn't want to be doing it every day.
Isofix would be worth it if you are changing the seats regularly but as i said, we have two so they don't get taken in and out very often so no need for isofix.

I personally wouldn't be happy with one of those impact cushions rather than a harness but that's for individuals to make their mind up on.

The only thing I'd say about that is that if there's a big cushion across their stomach area, does it not make it a bit awkward for them to play with toys etc while they're in the seat?

If I was buying another seat there would be no hesitation for me: Maxi Cosi Tobi

xtreme · Post by **xtreme** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 11:31 am

Got 2 maxi cosi Tobi and def recommended as above!

Easy to fit securely, kids get in and out easily with the straps that spring out the way, and reclines well.

Looked at isofix but preferred the Tobi seat

rossybee · Post by **rossybee** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 1:15 pm

Recaro Start ftw

Been well documented on many an occasion here...

xtreme · Post by **xtreme** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 2:26 pm

Got a recaro start as well but would use the maxi cosi every time

Stevoraith · Post by **Stevoraith** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 2:58 pm

My perception is that the Recaro has been designed by someone who is good at designing seats. It looks good, is nice and safe and seems comfortable for the little ones.
The MaxiCosi on the other hand has been designed by someone who has kids. The features such as the spring loaded straps and the 'tightness indicator' are genius and make life so much easier.
If I didn't have the MaxiCosi I'd be recommending the Recaro but I can't honestly do that since the MaxiCosi is so much easier to use.

rossybee · Post by **rossybee** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 3:57 pm

I am now past that stage, so more than happy to bow to current knowledge

/argumentative teenager* at home faction

*female

Post by **campbell** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:06 am

Had some kind of Maxi Cosi handmedown initially for Eilidh but by the time James was ready to graduate from the baby seat we'd picked up a pair of Recaro Young Sports. Purely because they matched the existing trim and Recaros of our then Golf GTI *.

They are excellent seats, operate from Group 1 through 3, yes really, as they adapt in stages: full harness and inset seat bolster initially, then the harnesses can come out (and seatbelts can be used round the whole chair + child), then the bolster can go etc. Brilliant for the kids dozing off as they've excellent "wings" for their head and they also have good height which gives them a view out the window and avoids the need for DVD players on the headrests as a result

Oh and here's a test they don't do in Which? I can confirm they can be deconstructed almost completely for purposes of removal of vomit and other detritus. Quite a lot of screws to be removed but this only served to underline the strength of the construction. 5 stars from here.

Campbell

* - this is of course not the entire story by any means

In fact we nearly had Rossybee's Young Starts with integral speakers, and he did a lot to commend Recaro's range in general.

point n squirt · Post by **point n squirt** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:21 am

Im just getting into this just now[one in the oven] its a mine field keep the good advice coming.We are looking at prams the transformer type ones that do the lot but im completly put off by the build quality on most if not all, mostly the wheels are made from soft foam do they last in the real world. I think air filled tyres look a better option but thats not going down well with Mrs Squirt.Baby kicked for the first time during the last lap of the F1 Qually sesh as we were shouting at the telly.

Mike Scib · Post by **Mike Scib** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 3:09 am

offshorematt wrote:Seems questions on kiddy seats can be usefully addressed to Boobles on PH? He set himself up as a free advisor a while back and seems to be pretty clued up (certainly qualified)?

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topi ... t%20Advice

Cheers for the link Matt

Boobles replied.....

"The impact shield does pass the current R44-04 standard, but thats as far as it goes. The R44 tests are the basic requirement & all thats measured is chest accelerations & they monitor where the head goes. We have seen with certain shield products that as soon as you start to measure other accelerations such as neck forces & a few more, the shield system can fall short compared to products with harnesses. In short, yes the shield system does pass the minimum requirement but most harnessed seat's go behond that...."

Think i might stick with the Maxi Cosi now! As said i have been very happy with our Maxi Cosi Cabrio fix. Will look into them some more tomorrow....

Surely Isofix is safer then just using the set belts? I know it won't be moved about so its not quite like a baby seat however our baby seat is so much more secure when fitted to the Isofix base than when fitted with out in my van (yes fitted correctly and the seat does not need to be on the base)

point n squirt wrote:Im just getting into this just now[one in the oven] its a mine field keep the good advice coming.We are looking at prams the transformer type ones that do the lot but im completly put off by the build quality on most if not all, mostly the wheels are made from soft foam do they last in the real world. I think air filled tyres look a better option but thats not going down well with Mrs Squirt.Baby kicked for the first time during the last lap of the F1 Qually sesh as we were shouting at the telly.

Congrats firsty!

We looked at a load of prams before we settled on the icaddy Peach Blossom mainly for the simple fact it was so easy to put up and down, even one handed! Comes with different adapters so you can use it with the carrycot and stroller obviously or even both at the same time

Also adapters so you can use it with the Maxi Cosi Cabrio fix which we found to be excellent as it saves disturbing the little one if sleeping. Would also recommend getting the Isofix base as it is so much easier to lift in and out

As for the foam tyres, never had a issue with them.

With regards to the Recaro prams/car seats; ever since trying out the Recaro pram (the one i wanted as soon as i seen it for the badge

) i was left very disappointed as it was so difficult to put up and down! Also form the comments above it seems they are just not as good as others out there.

Stevoraith · Post by **Stevoraith** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 10:04 am

I thought exactly the same abou the Isofix mike as we also had the Isofix base for the cabriofix.

My best advice would be to try and find a small independent shop near you who can try different seats in your car(s).
There's one near us and the woman showed us how to tell if a seat fits a particular car and she also convinced us we didn't need Isofix although I can't remember the reasons. What you will notice though is that the larger seats actually grip the seat belts so feel more secure than the little infant carrier one which the belt just wraps around.

In terms of travel systems I'd recommend iCandy too. We've got an apple (which is slightly bigger than the peach and has air-filled rubber tyres!) and it's been great.

Scottish Elises