Cybex Pallas/ KIddy Guardian / Jane Exo / Concord Transformer

ds1980

Ok the nightmare has hopefully been narrowed down to the four seats.

I am keen to get a stage 1, 2 & 3 seat. Seems pointless to me getting anything else and these 4 are the only ones that are for ISOFIX cars. I'm still not 100% if they are all interchangeable with a non ISOFIX car which we need but i definitely know that the Cybex is.

Am currently trying to find a Cybex stockist (looks like Mamas and Papas are running through current stock as a new one is due in anytime soon) so I can try it in our cars.

Does anyone have any experience of these seats and if so could they offer their opinion.

I am not interested in any other seats from Britax, Maxi, Graco etc.

Ta

ds1980

meritaten

er - I dont have a bluddy clue what the op is talking about - I thought at first they were on about some game for the Xbox!

pinkclouds

I have two Concord car seats - a group 1 and a group 2/3. I can't recall the exact seat names but the group 1 is a non-isofix and the group 2/3 has an optional isofix strap. The group 1 is a bit of a pain because the harness doesn't release as easily as my Maxi-cosi group 1 isofix (again, can't recall the exact seat name). The group 2/3 is very nice - the bit that you thread the seat belt through has a catch to stop it coming out and it's got lots of side padding/wings that make it look/feel safe. On the whole, I would endorse Concord as a good brand.

However, I do not have any group 1/2/3 seats and would not recommend that type. The amount of yuck stuff that ends up on car seats is huge - from throwing up to toilet accidents, and that's not even counting the day-to-day mess from muddy shoes and crumbs and the like. I reckon you might actually wash car seat covers once or twice but that's it. (When you first take the covers off, you'll realise it's quite a chore and then odds are you'll eventually lose some tiny critical bit that's needed for reattaching the cover... or maybe that's just me!) At some point, you'll end up saying "sod it, let's get a new car seat" and the extra lifespan capacity will be wasted. I'd recommend getting a group 1 isofix in whichever brand you prefer. It'll last about 3 years, by which point it will be thoroughly well used and you'll be glad of a clean new seat.

Of the other 3 brands you mention, I'm pretty sure one SIL has a Jane car seat that she likes (although I might be thinking of a stroller instead...). And I've heard good things about the Kiddy seats, with the cushion support. Have no knowledge of Cybex though.

ds1980

Very helpful. Duly thanked. never even thought about it like that! You mums are so practical!

Just to add to the mayhem I have been told that there is some imminent legislation that is to say that all children up to 4 years will be required to travel in rear facing car seats! No idea how this would be implemented or enforced but it means more investigation is needed to ensure we don't get stuck with a redundant car seat.

I cant find any info online at present but the lady i spoke to was pretty adamant there was something due very soon.......grrrr

Hakudaryu

Hi there,
I currently have a kiddy guardian pro for my 18mth old and have used it from him being 9mths! I and he love it, we have two cars and found it really difficult to find an Iso fix that would fit in both.finally found the kiddy, and boy am I glad we did. Although you have to take the covers off to wash them I have never had a problem getting them back on. Most of the time I just brush it down as my little boy is a really good traveller. The recline is enough for comfy sleep with really good head protection.
We often do a 4 hr ride home to parents and have never had any complaints from the back lol.
It's also really light so easy to transfer from car to car and the best bit is you don't have to fuss with strapping it in again as its just the seat !

We bought with the intention of using it until he is to big for it and still do however he is only 18mth, and if it does only last until he is 6 ish and could really do with a new one I would still say it was worth the money and defiantly consider the next option from kiddy.

I hope this helps a bit, good luck

Js_Other_Half

We have the Concord Transformer XT with isofix - but for ages 4 upwards http://www.amazon.co.uk/Concord-Transformer-Booster-Seat-Pepper/dp/B0044ADE00/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1325714410&sr=8-2 . I would second the comments about build quality.

I see they also do something similar to the kiddy pro for the 9 months upwards agegroup? It has isofix too http://www.kiddicare.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/productdisplay0_10751_-1_126321_10001

ds1980

Thanks,

We bought the Cybex Pallas Fix yesterday after realising our lasses car has isofix as well so that was a bonus.

The 4 mentioned i think are all the sameish as far as i can see so went with the one i instinctively thought.

We were advised not to take covers off so we'll see how the missus gets on with it but im sure theyll be fine through the wash.

Had confirmation about the legislation............there is nothing due but there are some pressures about introducing rear facing car seats based upon a BMJ paper in 2009.

http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/latest/rearfacing.htm

izzywizzy2010

i also use the cybex pallas for my little girl and we love it

bylromarha

stage 1,2,3 car seats are fine for long term use.

DS got his Kiddy pro (from germany) in 2005. Still using it today and only looks a bit faded from the sun 7 years on.

isie1980

I know you have narrowed down your choice but you did mention rear facing legislation, and I couldn't not mention that not only is legislation coming in 2013 for rearfacing to 2 years I think, but it is far safer for children to be rearfacing as long as possible. The seats are expensive but hold the child up to 4-5 years old (18kg some seats, some go to 25kg).

My seat of choice is the Britax Two Way Elite from the In Car Safety Centre in Milton Keynes. My son is only 5 months and about 16lbs so he has a while in his infant carrier yet, but the Two Way Elite looks light and simple enough to fit to also move from car to car.

Check out https://www.rearfacing.co.uk and carseat.se (Swedish site in English, rearfacing til 2 is the law over there).

isie1980

Just noticed you've bought one so sorry for possibly redundant post above.