Do I need Isofix or not? new MPV - new child seats

peachespeaches

Im just about to buy a nearly new MPV and noticed that many of them have Isofix tags on the seats. I dont have an isofix car seat or a base.

I was going to buy new car seats for both kids: and thought about a group 1,2,3 for each, suitable to age 11, or perhaps a 2+3 for the older child. Then the Isofix complication clicked in. Ive read its the safest way to fix the car seats in, so I thought I would look into it. I found that some seats you bought a separate base and some had the base included. However, all were over £100, some even £200 :eek:.

Unbelievable I thought.

Have I understood the concept of Isofix correctly? Do you need a special Isofix base which somehow attaches itself to the car and then your car seat goes on top of that? Is it really so bad to have an appropriate car seat just fixed in the usual way with the adult belt? I have a fairly old Klippan seat which is for 0-4 years and I have kept this because it reclines and it also avoids buckle crunch as the buckle isnt touching the seat. Also it fits my old volvo. I want to replace it and replace the 5 year olds booster with a full size seat with back in, but I am so confused about Isofix I now dont know what to do.

I do know I dont want to spend £400 on two car seats though!

Advice please?

winnie81

Isofi x is far, far superior and they really don't move at all and you always know they are correctly fitted.

What age are your kids? its usually newborn carriers that have a separate base not the older seats. We have a Bebe Confort Iseos Isofix seat for DD whos 18mths and thats just the seat no base. We are also going to be buying another the same for our youngest when she needs a 9mth+ seat.

This is the seat we have

http://www.kiddicare.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/productdisplayA_822_10751_-1__9977_10001_

Have a wander around Mothercare and Halfords as not all seats have separate bases bu I would really recommend you having Isofix if you possibly can

Claire x

Sorry I misread the ages of your little ones theres the Evolva seat and Jane Indy for boosters without bases if I remember correctly

dawnybabes

I have the Britax Evolva Isofix for my 5yr old , much safer seats as they don't budge at all and once in you don't need to worry about them. i paid about £130 for ours (had them about a year now), they recline and covers come off ok to wash. Only bad thing is Lo can't fasten his own strap as its quite tight getting it in the holder (but he somehow can undo it when we arrive :-( .....)

patchwork_cat

HI
I am afraid that I am really not up to date with Isofix car seats, I do have 2 children 10 and 14 and to be quite frank both mine would only use a booster from about 5-6 not a proper car seat and my son wouldn't even use that from 8. I have managed to keep my daughter in one longer because of the law, but alas she knows the legal heights and her height, so goodbye booster!

It would be a real shame to spend £200 to have a screaming battle every time you wanted to go out in 6 months time.
If you do go for the Evolva they are £100 in Halfords online at the moment

daveyjp

Tried to buy an Isofix seat last year and gave up in the end - very expensive and none of them fitted my car properly, despite info saying they would.

Went for belt fastened ones and learnt how to fit them properly.

code-a-holic

I have a passion for car seats! I could talk about them all day..... also pushchairs!
My mpv also has the isofix option but i couldnt justify paying out for new car seats when my current ones were months old and did the job just fine. I have read many articles and guides on car seats and taken advice from experienced mothers to make sure my car seats fit perfectly. From what i have seen the car seats in my car seem to be fit better than isofix car seats i have seen in other cars.
When fitting a car seat you should alays kneel in the seat yourself and push it in to the car before pulling the straps. a well fit car seat will leave dents in the actual seat of the car! pull the top of the seat forward - it should not budge, a isofix seat i tested did move.
Dont get me started on mothercare and halfords fitters.... i've been told by them its not possible to get a car seat fully secure and they always tip forward. :mad:

Sorry to preach...... i always seem to when it comes to child safety! I transport my 2, 3 and 5 yr olds and other peoples children very often and very particualr about car seats after i never took the time to learn how to fit properly and in a accident we had seat belt buckle on my sons car seat. and he ended up on the other side of the car

Gingham_Ribbon

Have a look at this thread.

If the seat is correctly fitted, one with a belt will be perfectly adequate. If you're getting an isofix one, check it doesn't need an additional tether.

achtunglady

We have an isofix seat fitted in a renault scenic and to be honest, if fitted correctly it is solid, no shifting or moving and peace of mind, no amount of money can give you that.
Our old car didnt have the isofix and we were forever having to adjust the old seat, but with the isofix one theres no faffing about once its in place correctly. My mum bought it for us and it was £149 from kiddicare.com.

I always have a phobia of ordinary childseats straining at the seat belt and the buckle coming undone in the event of an accident whereas the isofix seats are attached to the seat itself.

smitchy73

I've only just came across this thread. My wife and I first discovered Isofix when we were in holiday in the States, however, over there its called the 'latch' system, although in theory it is the same, there are three anchor belts, two go in to the front side of the seat and the third is longer tether which goes over the seat and latches on the bar on the rear of the seat, we had one of these which we purchased while on holiday and this is where it gets scary, it cost $50 from Costco in San Francisco, we brought it home.

Have a look at some sites over there and you may find you can purchase it and have it sent over alot cheaper than buying here.