Hi All,
I'm getting completely confused about iso-fix bases for an infant car seat.
Are they worth it? Either for safety or convenience.
It doubles the price of the car seat we're buying, so if it's no safer, I'm probably happy with the inconvenience. All the stores we've asked in are carefully non-committal in their answers, basically refusing to come down either way.
Cheers - Andrew.
They told me I was gullible ... and I believed them.
If your car doesn't have isofix anchor points it's useless to you.
They are no safer, but convenient and quicker to use.
If the base can be left in they are superb as the traveller/car-seat clips into the base and you don't have to faff about with seat belts.
If you need to remove the base constantly (swapping cars etc) then I'd stick with standard belt fixing.
stytagm (10-09-2012)
For cases where a seat has been tested both with a base and strapped in directly, it can (but does not always) improve safety.
The seat we bought - a Britax Baby-Safe Plus SHR II, is rated as significantly better by independent reviewers Which? when equipped with its optional ISOFIX base. The base also makes for a MUCH easier usage - since you just jab the button on the front to release the seat.
Interestingly enough, there's also a non-ISOFIX, belt-based base for that seat, which gives the button-based benefits to non-ISOFIX vehicles (http://www.britax.co.uk/car-seats/ca...fe-belted-base)
stytagm (10-09-2012)
never went down the isofix route so its personal choice.
Capitalization is the difference between helping your Uncle Jack
off a horse and helping your uncle jack off a horse.
stytagm (10-09-2012)
Isofix every time. No need to check and pull seat belts, hoping its in the right place. Isofix fastens securely into the car and the seat fastens to the base. No fuss.
stytagm (10-09-2012)
Thanks everyone - I'll have a look at the safety ratings of the seat my wife likes with and without the base.
We've one car, and it has the fittings so convenience is tempting, but it is big chunk more money.
They told me I was gullible ... and I believed them.
Gonzo - Are you happy with the normal fittings? My brother didn't bother and insists on telling me it's money for old rope. Have to admit I'm more tempted than before to get the base, but the jury's still out.
They told me I was gullible ... and I believed them.
If I may add my 4 penneth please:
ISO fix is both more rigid, more convenient and safer in more trials than not. There are certainly ionstances where being looser in the car might help a little person... but in others, being bolted in super tight is the only way to crash. So.... I go with the fact that my rally cars have all had me bolted in tighter, not looser.
ISO fix,..... is at it's finest for newborn with carry cots that clip into the ISO fix base.. you leave the base, with it's metal foot down into the footwell, and unclip the carry cot in a split second.
Second thing to know: ISO fix stiuff sells VERY WELL on Ebay second hand.. so if you buy new. .. KEEP THE BOX AND LABELS etc in the loft... cos with good photo's you'll get loads of your hard earned money back when you're done.
Third... and critical for CAR SEATS (ie not babies, but front facing seats wioth straps)... when ISO fix is fitted properly and pushed right back on it's ratchets ir RUINS the rear seat of your car. It is so powerfully squished into the rear seat that it WILL ruin leather, imprint the foam and potentially trash the seat.
So.... go onto amazon and buy a rear seat protector... Halfords also sell them.
Once myt lad reached the age and height for a booster seat (ie where the car's own seat blet goes around HIM and not the car seat..ie it has no straps of it's own) I stopped with the ISO fix as I believe a little lateral movement is not too bad.
But for the first 3+ years, my most preciuous cargo was in ISO fix. Every time. And it;s ALL Sold for good money afterwards
Originally Posted by Advice Trinity by Knoxville
stytagm (17-09-2012)
Was in the same dilemma myself about a month back, went for the Maxi Cosi Priori XP, not the isofix one. Just a personal choice I guess but no problems installing it so far.
As as has been suggested by others, one of the big safety features of ISOFIX is that it's VERY hard to get it wrong compared with twisting and pulling seatbelts all over the shop. In short, less potential for human error.
i have 2 car seats for the sprogs and both are seatbelt fittings.
as long as the belts are tight, the seats are fine. The time saved with iso might be seconds, after 2 and a half years with the seatbelt option, i can do it with my eyes shut.
Bonus with the belt type is i have 2 cars so its easy to put either seat in either car. Even better when kids go to visit Grannys or Aunties.
with the first kid I just secured with seatbelt, with the second I got an isofix (or similar) base and would thoroughly recommend them. Very secure, very quick worth its price solely for the time it has saved in two months. second hand prices are good too so I'll be getting most of my money back once the nipper has outgrown it.
I would guess that for anyone with back problems / missus had a caesarean, the Isofix is a good idea to save you having to bend over into the car leaning across the seat to do up the belt etc. Myself, I'm not yet convinced I need one, and I'm glad I have a few more months to think about it!
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.
If it improved safety I would be tempted but there is no evidence of them being a significant improvement for the cost. I'd pass unless convenience is a winner for you.
just think, the money saved will help when you upgrade to Haswell later in the year...
dont forget the stuff sells well second hand.. so it's not a total 100% cost.
In fact... I bought all mine 2nd hand and then resold it.. and tbh... we're in profit!
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
Reply With Quote
