Maxi-Cosi travel system (isofix) MKV GTI

[brisgtimkv]

child seats (sorry bazzle).
we ordered the Maxi-Cosi:
- easybase isofix base
- cabriofix capsule
- cabriofix rain cover
- priorifix car seat
- mura 4 pram

pictures sorted.

i'm not going to get into the legality or otherwise of isofix child seats, except to say i've done my research
and being a self centered gen-y have opted for the best and safest travel equipment we could
manage for our boy.


the seat before putting it all in. somehow a bird managed to crap *inside* the car on the left side of
the seat, right in the gap between the bottom and back of the seat. if i ever find that bird...


this is the base. it'll be living here for a while. there are little isofix locking claps that clip into your
isofix points. you then grab the handles on the base and force it back against the seat back, ratcheting it in.
once you have done this the indicator at the top of the floor leg will go green. you then extend the leg until
the indicators on the foot go green. once attached it is absolutely rock solid. about as much movement as
your car seat. having checked out a seatbelt base system there is no comparison between the two in terms
of the firmness of the attachment.


the seat then clicks into the base. you lift it in, it clicks, locking in two metal rails and that's it, rock solid.
we went for a blue colour. it's a bit less blue than the flash makes it seem and it fits in well with the car's
interior. we've gone rear facing, because it's safer. the seat is attached on the kerb side of the car, for
obvious reasons.


lifting the seat out involves grasping and pulling a handle on the base and lifting it out. it seemed easy
with an empty seat. add 5kg of baby and i suppose we'll see.


this is a side view of the rear passenger area. you can get an idea of how big everything is. with the carry
handle upright, the capsule is clear of the front passenger by 4 to 5 inches. the passenger seat is far
enough back for me to sit in and i'm 183cm.


this is the pram, folded up in the boot without the seat. the capsule slots into the pram as you'll see. plenty
of room in the boot. i'm in two minds about a cargo net but a boot scuff plate and a liner look like a good
idea. we went with a 4 wheel pram for stability so we can walk and run with it. it seems to roll pretty well
but time will tell. the wheel axles require monthly maintenance with a graphite lube. they are removable.


the pram outside and unfolded. folding and unfolding it is easy and the wife can lift it out of the boot
without trouble. i wouldn't call it especially light though, hence the scuff plate being an idea.


pram with the capsule clipped in. the pram is quite maneuverable. the large rear wheels handle steps well
and the small front wheels make it maneuverable. the rear wheels have suspension. the handle extends far
enough to make it comfortable for me to push and i'm reasonably tall.
the pram has a carry area underneath it. about enough for a reusable shopping bag and a half.


this is the pram with the seat it comes with. he'll probably use that after he grows out of the capsule. no,
the playboys aren't going. if you don't like them, take it up with the wife. it's her subscription. brilliant
articles, hit and miss on the chicks.


a side view of the pram with capsule, sun shade up.

i took the car around the block with the pram and capsule in it. didn't notice any rattles under load on a
hill or just trundling about. didn't notice anything going over rough bits of road either. i'll be leaving it all
in the car for the next couple of weeks to see what it's like to get along with. so far it's certainly worth
the hassle to get it all over here and cost wise wasn't significantly more expensive than getting it here.
less than the regular price of an apr tune, which is also worth the money so that's not a dig in any way.

we didn't want to have to change to a bigger car or (urgh) an suv just because we were having a kid
so we needed to find something safe, quality and small enough to fit our car. i think we managed that
but we'll see as things go on.

[bazzle]

we ordered the Maxi-Cosi:
- easybase isofix base
- cabriofix capsule
- cabriofix rain cover
- priorifix car seat
- mura 4 pram

cross posted on golfmkv.com because i can't be arsed sorting the pics out...

Im guessing your talking about Child seats?

Bazzle

[goodfella]

Did anyone catch Today Tonight last night? They had an article on the ISOFIX child seat debate.. and in interviewing the Transport Minister, even he got the laws wrong.

I think that ISOFIX accreditation in Australia isnt too far off!

[Maverick]

Did anyone catch Today Tonight last night? They had an article on the ISOFIX child seat debate.. and in interviewing the Transport Minister, even he got the laws wrong.

I think that ISOFIX accreditation in Australia isnt too far off!

I think it will be, they had the chance to add in isofix last year but choose not to (I posted a heap of info why in the gofmkv australian forum) and the ADR is not due to be reviewed for another 5-6 years and even than the process of changing it will take 2-4 years.

In the meantime nothing to stop anyone from importing from overseas, even NZ allow isofix so that could be a good place to import from.

[NickZ]

I am of the complete belief that ISOFIX is a superior system to the current Australian standards. However, should the worst happen, and your child is in hospital after an accident, can any claims against CTP be denied because your child was in an illegal restraint system? That would be the only thing that would stop me from adopting ISOFIX.

[Maverick]

I am of the complete belief that ISOFIX is a superior system to the current Australian standards. However, should the worst happen, and your child is in hospital after an accident, can any claims against CTP be denied because your child was in an illegal restraint system? That would be the only thing that would stop me from adopting ISOFIX.

Look at it another way, you get hit in the side and the useless Australia restraint means your childs head hits the window with such force they end up in a body bag. How would you deal with the knowledge that you passed on the much safer ISO fix system and your child might still be alive now if you had purchased it?

ISO fix is better in all areas and the ADR's are useless, better your child is alive and have CTP issues (perhaps) than be attending their funeral.

[Dyldo]

freaking hard hitting, but damn true. I'd be fine with the isofix stuff.

Look at it another way, you get hit in the side and the useless Australia restraint means your childs head hits the window with such force they end up in a body bag. How would you deal with the knowledge that you passed on the much safer ISO fix system and your child might still be alive now if you had purchased it?

ISO fix is better in all areas and the ADR's are useless, better your child is alive and have CTP issues (perhaps) than be attending their funeral.

[DerekZ]

G'day everyone,

Love the forum and informative information about all aspects of VW. I have been looking into car seats for my kids and have decided I want to get some ISOFIX booster seats to take them from age 3 up to 8-10. Looking at Chicco Key Ultrafix 3/3 or Britax kidfix. I see a few of you have purchased and imported ISOFIX seats - where from? How much? Have you heard which is best for kids over 20kg?

Thanks,

Zac

[PhillipAudiDealer]

Just a side note would anybody have a spare Isofix Child seat laying around they would be willing to sell, lend or even rent me for a month in July. I need to go to visit the HQ and areas and taking my then 12 month old Daughter.. Pm if you can help...