Baby seat for Octavia VRS

[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

[Twin_Dad]

Oue twin 17mth boys are in SnS AHR Maxirider's in the wife's car and in mine they are in .....(not sure). The ones in my car were the convertables and they will not last much past 2 years due to size. We didn't really know what we were looking for when we got the ones in my car but the SnS's we were much better educated and I would recommend them.