Isofix bases - worth it or not?

[Kumagoro]

You can get bases which are held in by the belt which are easy to fit. They are a lot cheaper than isofix bases.

For example

http://www.preciouslittleone.com/pro...-base---black/

[rox0r]

Given that the majority of IsoFix bases cost as much as the car seat, I have skipped over them. The car seat will be used 6 months before a new one is needed requiring a new isofix base.

Not quite true, the Easyfix base only allows up to 12 months but the FamilyFix base allows group 1 seats aswell.

[Zak33]

dont be offedned anyone.. but the issue with seatbelt holdings as that they have low lateral impact stability.

ISO fix has no movement in any plane.

This Graco, held in with belts, shows what I mean

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yV3gO0dftE

it is NOT the one discussed.. but the principle is that, seatbelts just cant lock solid.

and carrycots are very top heavy.

[Million]

But do you want the chair to remain fixed in place to pass the maximal deceleration force onto the baby's body? Also, if there is significant lateral passenger space intrusion from a 'T-bone' type collision, the isofixed seat is going to be hit, not pushed to the side like a seatbelted one. Correct me if I'm wrong, please, my brain hurts from revision

[phil4]

We've both an isofix seat (maxi cosi pebble) and non-isofix (maxi cosi priori xp). In our cars. Very infrequently need to move them, so no convenience personally. Isofix seat rattles a heck of a lot, and while not in a crash and therefore scientific belt seat feels a lot more securely fixed.

That video shows a seat only fixed by a lap strap by the looks of it. Ours uses the shoulder strap too.

Btw kid is ~2yo

I am of the opinion that isofix is primarily to reduce mistakes and to make it more convenient. Our base even has led lights and beeps to tell you if you've connected it all correctly.

[Kumagoro]

That video looks like the seat belt had not been tightened at all.

[sexyhyde]

I think mine is an easyfix, it is seatbelt restrained and it is very solid. 6 months in and I couldn't be happier with it. Mine isn't top heavy either as the base appears to be heavier than the seat and my 6mo. With regards the video - I've never attached it to a sofa, only a car.

[sexyhyde]

OK. Update on the easyfix (seatbelt restrained base) after the missus decided to drive into another car. The base held up very well, really nice and secure. Son (6 months) was perfectly fine. Have been using the base in numerous vehicles over the past week and half, which I thought I'd get tired of, but its much easier than the seatbelt round the car seat method and more secure too.

[newh]

Our car doesn't have ISOFIX, so we didn't have a choice. Getting the seatbelt right each time is a bit of a faff, but just another 60 seconds on top of 15 minute process of getting the wean out the house. Interestingly, the seat we ended up with scored better for safety in the Which magazine tests without the ISOFIX base than with it.

[Preacher]

We had the maxi cosi cabriofix (everyone seems to), and the non isofix base. It was so much easier to just clip in and out than to mess with a seatbelt, especially in the rain. Strongly recommend to any expectant patents!

[dmlk]

I think of iso fix as an extra safely point.

I had a baby seat that used a seat belt clamp system that the base connected to the car and then the carseat fitted to this with the child in a 5 point system. I felt this was more solid than the iso fix as the clamp tighted the base to the car using the seat belt. There was no messy seat belt around the baby.

For my 5year old we have a iso fix so the child seat was attached to the car but the seat belt is used around the child and seat. I felt in this was better as the seat belt would only have to deal with the childs momentum.

Iso Fix as their uses.