Baby seat for Octavia VRS

[bobski]

Hey,

About to take possession of my new baby (and for once, not a car).

Can anyone recommend a baby capsule/seat? I know there's a large number of options available, but I'm also asking in case anyone out there has had problems fitting them into an Octavia.

Thanks in advance,
Bobski

[newformula]

Strategy 1 - take car to baby store who are willing to let you try as many as you like in your car.
Strategy 2 - (my preferred) - buy as many different seats as you like the look of from Target, Big W, and anywhere else with a good return policy. Try them all at home, take your time and then those you don't want, take them back for a refund.
Strategy 3 - just leave the baby at home

Child seats are complex beasts - helps if you understand them fully before committing a couple of hundred $$ or more.

[woofy]

Actually Step one take a look at CREPS....it has up to date car crash ratings. Next step is to get the one that will suit both the car and also get the best longevity, ie ones with adjustable head rests can keep the kids in them way longer (top height marker is the guide).

The Aus standards are about to change again along with potential legislation so allow for the child to be in a seat 8 yrs plus. We got a Safe N Sound convertible AHR Meridian as it had at the time good ratings for both baby mode and toddler mode and my tall thin daughters could stay it in well past 4 yrs old. We then got a 6 month to 4 yrs plus booster seat (S n S AHR Maxirider) when our older child was well old enough and number 2 came along. Got a 2nd for my car and I now have a Maxicosi Air that lets you have kids past 4 stay in a harness longer and had good ratings in the UK, but the recent CREPs showed it wasn't as good as many others. Funny enough that didn't make it cheaper.

Go based on CREPs first, the most expensive isn't necessarily the best, and get the best long term solution, not the cheapest like my parents and most grandparents go for. Generally some of the better seats are not sold in dept stores, but not always. Baby bunting here in VIC is good for testing seats and do good deals.

I should add all of the above seats fit no probs into our Octavia, with two either side of the car, there isn't a lot of room in between them though. In our wider Santa Fe there still isn't much room, but boosters later on in life fix that. Also get a big thick towel to put between the seat and the carseat it helps it sit better and stops the upholstery of the car getting damaged.

Lastly, it seems simple enough, but if you get free fitting as part of the deal get them to show you the tricks, the main mistake people make is making the tether strap tight and then running the seatbelt through. SKodas (unlike my Mazda 6 and most Subarus) don't have locking retractable belts....ie where you pull it all out and it locks and ratchets back in. So you may have to get a locking clip or clamp to keep the seatbelt tight so the seat doesn't move side to side. We are getting or already have ISOFIX coming in which solves that and is in Skodas as the seat locks into the inbuilt latches stopping that movement.

[candy_wagon]

Actually Step one take a look at CREPS....it has up to date car crash ratings. Next step is to get the one that will suit both the car and also get the best longevity, ie ones with adjustable head rests can keep the kids in them way longer (top height marker is the guide).

The Aus standards are about to change again along with potential legislation so allow for the child to be in a seat 8 yrs plus. We got a Safe N Sound convertible AHR Meridian as it had at the time good ratings for both baby mode and toddler mode and my tall thin daughters could stay it in well past 4 yrs old. We then got a 6 month to 4 yrs plus booster seat (S n S AHR Maxirider) when our older child was well old enough and number 2 came along. Got a 2nd for my car and I now have a Maxicosi Air that lets you have kids past 4 stay in a harness longer and had good ratings in the UK, but the recent CREPs showed it wasn't as good as many others. Funny enough that didn't make it cheaper.

Go based on CREPs first, the most expensive isn't necessarily the best, and get the best long term solution, not the cheapest like my parents and most grandparents go for. Generally some of the better seats are not sold in dept stores, but not always. Baby bunting here in VIC is good for testing seats and do good deals.

I should add all of the above seats fit no probs into our Octavia, with two either side of the car, there isn't a lot of room in between them though. In our wider Santa Fe there still isn't much room, but boosters later on in life fix that. Also get a big thick towel to put between the seat and the carseat it helps it sit better and stops the upholstery of the car getting damaged.

Lastly, it seems simple enough, but if you get free fitting as part of the deal get them to show you the tricks, the main mistake people make is making the tether strap tight and then running the seatbelt through. SKodas (unlike my Mazda 6 and most Subarus) don't have locking retractable belts....ie where you pull it all out and it locks and ratchets back in. So you may have to get a locking clip or clamp to keep the seatbelt tight so the seat doesn't move side to side. We are getting or already have ISOFIX coming in which solves that and is in Skodas as the seat locks into the inbuilt latches stopping that movement.

+1 for great advice there Woofy!

If you purchase one from somewhere like Baby Bunting they often include pro seat fitting in the purchase price, or at worst it might coat $30. Some hospitals actually require a certificate of compliance from a registered fitter before you leave with baby.

As for which seat to buy. Adopt the old philosophy of nothing is too good for your new bub so get the best you can. Besides, they will be in them for years if you look at a convertible.

We opted for the Safe n Sound Meridian AHR which has been great. Our boy is 2 (but the size of a 3 year old) and is more than happy. They cost between $400-500.

Good luck with the baby, hope everything goes well.

[2009fsi]

We are getting or already have ISOFIX coming in which solves that and is in Skodas as the seat locks into the inbuilt latches stopping that movement.

ISOFIX would be terrific, but I fear vested interests among current seat manufacturers here might have a bureaucrat or two in their pocket. It has been about THREE YEARS since they first signalled an intention to allow ISOFIX in Australia. In mid 2011 it looked to be a certainty for 2012.....but, yet another bureaucratic hurdle was found.

I reckon my grandchildren will be married themselves before this comes to pass, going by the history so far.

[bobski]

Very good advice, thanks Woofy Information is power and you've filled in some blanks. I'd discovered the "CREP" website, but was not sure how it'd go with the Octavia.

The safe n sound seem to be a popular choice, got speaking to a bloke at work with a Golf, and he opted for the same model and he'd also actually fitted it to an Octavia to see how it went. Will definitely be getting it professionally fitted (and will watch intently to take the guess work out of it).

Thanks again

[kamold]

I read a bunch of reviews of seats and decided on the Safe n Sound AHR. Son is now 2 and the seat is still adjusting upwards and suiting well.

Safe-n-Sound Meridian AHR Car Seat - Britax AU

All other advice above is sound also. Just adding my personal endorsement of this particular model. Bought it from ebay (best price I coud find) and it was manufactured the same month I bought it. Can't remember the seller.

[Scarfies]

Baby seat for Octavia VRS

cough/ we bought an ISOFIX maxicosi from the UK and a bigger one (Swedish), fits to ~5 y.o.) last trip to NZ and are about to get something for the up! (second car) probably the latest ISOFIX Britax model, the Trifix. Screw waiting a million years for ADR, these imports are demonstrably safer in every measure. I'll wear the fine, and legal expenses fighting it/cough

(That was a long cough)

[woofy]

The ISOFIX are better in that less people get the fitment wrong, eg the wobbly hair scenario I mentioned above but tests have shown a properly fitted Oz model exceeds the O/s Isofix systems just there is more variability in fitment here.

We also still use the top tether some ISOFIX countries don't. Whenever it does get here they will still use that as well. I wish more cars had the locking rear seat belts though. We were told our Hyundai could do it despite not getting it to work in the showroom and it doesn't so have to use the painful clips. The meridian has lock off s built in for forward facing but not rearward for some odd reason.

Maxicosi I found overrated after getting one. Sure it has easy adjust, but it bombed badly in the CREP results despite maxi cosi having a good rep in the UK and it rattles like crazy and they have disabled the recline mechanism I guess to pass ADRs. For the price of them and the assurance of high safety based on the UK perception they need to be knocked down in price here somewhat. The importers are by far the worst mob to deal with and provide zero support for any of their brands. Infa secure and safe n sound are still pretty much the gold standard.

[bobski]

While they seem easier to fit, I'm concerned about the liability of having a crash using ISOFIX. Until the ISOFIX is legalised, I'll get the best quality Aus standard seat. I'm an expert in areas of IT, not baby seat engineering. You either have faith in the system or you don't.

From what I've read and seen in the videos, buy the best quality seat and fit it properly in the car, which I will do Thanks again all

[Inego]

While they seem easier to fit, I'm concerned about the liability of having a crash using ISOFIX. Until the ISOFIX is legalised, I'll get the best quality Aus standard seat.

It's an interesting area. I'm aware of people who've had isofix seat replaced by their insurer post accident, but the children had not been injured.

Unfortunately, I don't believe in this system, and agree that it appears that vested interests have held back isofix, including the current specific ban.

[woofy]

One thing to keep in mind is that only really Infa secure are active in getting seats into CREPS. The testing facility is actually Britax (Safe N Sound and others are made by them) so some brands don't always show up in the CREPS for ages, if at all.

As I mentioned, people raved about the Maxicosis in the UK and how safe they are etc etc, and the baby shops here promote them as you can have kids way past 4 in a harness still in them, as standalone harnesses aren't recommended anymore (one of the reasons we got the SnS Maxirider). When the Maxicosi came out, its score is pretty ordinary, and we wished we got a Babylove combo which have a good rating in both harness and booster mode.

Looks like the AHR Meridian has actually climbed up the charts with the tougher testing now so would be my pick with a newborn. Our older model has been awesome and it has the lockoffs in forward facing mode. Its still in the Skoda after 4+yrs and before that was in a Mazda 323. Be prepared to keep it rearward facing for at least 12mths, I think that will soon be mandatory so you will lose some legroom if you put it behind the front passenger. If you put it in the middle you will find it a bit inpractical as both seats would move forward potentially to fit it. Now the Meridian can just adjust the harness/headrest position without taking it out, you probably only need to get it fitted once and just leave it.

[Ocy_RS_TDi_Kombi]

Until ISOFIX seats are legalised in AUS you shouldn't use them. If your child is injured in a car accident and you have ISOFIX seats, you are 100% responsible for any injuries your kids sustain and will be fined by the police. In legal eyes its the same as the child being unrestrained. Dumb I know as I think the ISOFIX seats are better.

Both our kids are in Safe & Sound Highliner Boosters now and over the last 6 years I've become accustom to fitting the baby/booster seats in various cars. Fitting the seats in the Octavia is pretty easy and the seat belt base easy to plug into. Mondeo's are crap cause the rear seat is contoured for adults so the seat belt base is right where the baby/booster seat sits.

[cbay]

I read a bunch of reviews of seats and decided on the Safe n Sound AHR. Son is now 2 and the seat is still adjusting upwards and suiting well.

Safe-n-Sound Meridian AHR Car Seat - Britax AU

All other advice above is sound also. Just adding my personal endorsement of this particular model. Bought it from ebay (best price I coud find) and it was manufactured the same month I bought it. Can't remember the seller.

I've got the Meridian and Maxi-rider for my boys (they're both height adjustable, and the meridian can also be rearward facing for 0-6mths). Longevity is something to take into account, and keep in mind that both of these seats are beasts. The rear middle seat is no longer usable (comfortably).

[zach]

ISOFIX may not be far away as VF Commodore has built in ISOFIX anchor points