To ISOFix or not ISOFix

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Mon 2 Apr 2007 10:39
To ISOFix or not ISOFix - UncleR
In the market for a forward-facing car chair (9months +) for my E46 3 Series Touring.

Our car has ISOFix anchors so my immediate choice was towards one of these but I see that they are consderably more expensive. My main criteria is safety (obviously) and assume that as the ISOFix utilises anchor points to the car's chassis it provides a better, and safer set up (?). I have read on this very board that ISOFix may not be as easy as I might think.

What is the general view? I'd be interested in opinions of others, what they chose (ISOFix or not), why etc... It's going to last us at least 4 years so I want to make the right purchase.

Thanks
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Mon 2 Apr 2007 10:49
To ISOFix or not ISOFix - chukter
Have to say that Isofix is absolutely brilliant and makes the old belt anchorage system seem archaic. For my grandaughter, I use a Britax Duo from Halfords in my E46 (approx £80) and it is excellent., Keep well clear of BMW`s own offering as they are a ridiculous price and there is nowt wrong with the Britax anyway.
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Mon 2 Apr 2007 11:19
To ISOFix or not ISOFix - Murphy The Cat
Yes, yes, yes and yes again.

It's completly foolproof and keeps your mind at rest.

BTW, £80 for a Britax Duo is a very good price. Also, be aware that Britax recommend that you should have some extra foam padding if you use a Britax Dou Isofix seat in a BMW (why ? I don't know).


MTC
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Mon 2 Apr 2007 11:32
To ISOFix or not ISOFix - Altea Ego
As long as your isofix car anchors fit the isofix points on the seat (some dont - so much for standards) then Isofix is the way to go, other fitting methods are rarely done properly and subsequently not as safe as you think.

Take your car and child to a place where they will let you try them in the car.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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Mon 2 Apr 2007 12:32
To ISOFix or not ISOFix - UncleR
Thanks for these responses.

@chukter - You got my hopes up there but checking their website the Britax Duo is £189.99 at Halfords. £80 sounds too good to be true!
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Mon 2 Apr 2007 12:52
To ISOFix or not ISOFix - daveyjp
Trying to find an Isofix seat that fitted an Audi and a Toyota proved impossible - despite the literature saying the seat should fit both. We would have had to buy one for each car.

We eventually bought an 'archaic' seat belt fastened chair for the Aygo and it doesn't move at all. Audi have given us a car seat as part of my new car deal, but it's also belt fastened.

The whole Isofix system is flawed as only the seat fixings are standard - seat backs, squabs and car floor construction vary and can cause problems.

If you find one that fits and you are keeping the car until the child outgrows the seat they are excellent. If you are likely to change your car before the child is large enough for the next stage seat be wary as Isofix seats are not necessarily interchangeable and you could end up using seat belts anyway or buying a replacement Isofix seat.

Britax have just updated their range of Isofix seats, but expect to pay around £200.
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Mon 2 Apr 2007 13:17
To ISOFix or not ISOFix - Falkirk Bairn
Agreed there are too many variables in the ISOfix seats - a benefit of the belt anchored seats is that if you do have to change cars or a relative or friend / hire car needs to use their car the belt mounted seats can move from one car to another

We ended up with my son & DiL buying 2 x Isofix and the grandparents buying belt mounted - 2 isofix @ £!60 and 2 belted @ £80
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Mon 2 Apr 2007 14:15
To ISOFix or not ISOFix - ajsdoc
You can still fit isofix seats to non-isofix cars with seat belts ( at least with mine you can). I agree with posters above it is the foolproof fitting that is the key with isofix, belted seats are Ok but I'm sure I read that well over 50% are fitted incorrectly.
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Mon 2 Apr 2007 14:42
To ISOFix or not ISOFix - charlesb
I went with non-ISO, even though my Touran has ISOfix. the cost differential was too much. If they want to encourage ISOFix, they need to bring the cost down. It was double the cost of the standard seat.

I've had experience with 2 brands now for a 9months - 4 years. Had both for around 2 years now. The Britax has a really fiddly belt system, and the harness clip is tedious at times to get on with a wriggling child.

The Maxi-Cosi is better in that respect and the seatbelt setup is really easy to do (almost foolproof). The Child Harness is less tedious, but it has a disadvantage that when taking the child out of the seat, unless it is well out of the way, the buckle can catch in the child's clothing (several ripped Jeans/T-shirts)

But overall on my 2 years with them, Maxi-Cosi would be my choice again.

Charles
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VW Bora (51) 2.0 SE
VW Touran (54) 1.9 TDI
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Mon 2 Apr 2007 17:46
To ISOFix or not ISOFix - chukter

>>>You got my hopes up there but checking their website the Britax Duo is £189.99 at Halfords. £80 sounds too good to be true!>>>>>

Streuth - We actually bought our Britax Duo approx 4 years ago during a January sale and all we paid at that time was £85 !!!!!

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Mon 2 Apr 2007 18:28
To ISOFix or not ISOFix - Murphy The Cat
This page from the Britax website may clear up some of the ISOFIX compatability points that have been raised.

www.britax.co.uk/cms_downloads/Britax_Duo_Plus_ISO...f
MTC
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