[Libertine]

Need some advice!

I'm about to return a hired capsule and need to purchase a new seat for DD2.

The girls are mainly transported in a 2000 Rav4. I have DD1 (who is 4) in a Hipod Senator.

So I now need a birth - 4 year convertible seat (need from birth rather than 6 months as she was a premmie snd is small). I was all set to buy the Infa Scure Neon however now DH has thrown a spanner in the works by asking me to research isofix seats as his Suzuki Swift has those fittings and I believe they are safer? It's unlikely that the girls will travel in the swift UNLESS my car breaks down etc but I suppose it gives us more options. Money is an issue.

To complicate matters we might replace the rav in 4/5 years.

So do I spend the extra $ on an isofix seat? If so which one?

Any help much appreciated!!!!

[lsolaBella]

Isofix is illegal to use in Australia.

It is against EB rules to discuss illegal items.

Australian standards is currently under review to include ISOFIX but even when it is approved, there will be generally a 12m lag before seats are approved for use. It is not just a case of bringing in a seat from overseas.

This post has been edited by lsolaBella: 28/02/2013, 10:22 AM

[roses99]

Are they even legal in Australia?

[dadathome]

isofix has long been delayed in Austrlaia on the basis that, when both are fitted properly, there is little or no difference in safety performance between isofix and equivalent seats under the current Oz standards. Of course leaving aside the research that isofix seats are considerably more likely to be fitted correctly.

I suspect that I won't have kids in car seats by time Oz standard isofix seats are available.....even though evry car I've own for the last 15 years has been isofix equipped.

[lsolaBella]

Actually dadaathome, research (including Aussie) is that rigid isofix IS superior in side impact crashes. uS Latch flexible belts is no different to a correctly installed Aussie seat.

[Libertine]

Isofix is illegal to use in Australia.

It is against EB rules to discuss illegal items.

Australian standards is currently under review to include ISOFIX but even when it is approved, there will be generally a 12m lag before seats are approved for use. It is not just a case of bringing in a seat from overseas.

Ah ok, sorry. Google this morning told me Isofix was set to be made legal this year. Tbh the first I'd heard of it was when DH mentioned the fittings.

Just guilty of ignorance ;-) not trying to discuss doing something dodgy lol.

[dadathome]

Thanks Isolabella. I must have been confusing the studies. Or perhaps the media and Oz manufacturers were too

Just guilty of ignorance ;-) not trying to discuss doing something dodgy lol.

There have been some EB moderation slapdowns under earlier policies. In the past, there had even been discussions on the practical consequences of importing isofix seats and some of the better overseas stores.

[lsolaBella]

I have read he proposed standard change and am not happy as they are allowing either flexible belt or rigid ISOFIX. As flexible belt is cheaper and lighter I will suspect more of these type of seats will be made available, which is a shame, as it is the rigid ISOFIX which is superior (that is assuming same seat shell, just different fittings. Just because a seat has ISoFIX it does not make it a superior seat. In UK Which? Testing (like our CREP) some of the Isofix seats performed very poorly).

Dah I have sent you PM with link to research

ETA: also not happy as they are only doing ISOFIX for kids up to 4yrs. Booster seats will not have isofix. Having used isofix boosters I think this is silly.

This post has been edited by lsolaBella: 28/02/2013, 10:52 AM

[lucky 2]

http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/forums/ind...howtopic=935288

After consultation with EB Administration it has been decided that topics or posts that request information or recommendations for use of these seats in Australia will need to be removed from view.

The forum rules prohibit discussion of or encouragement to undertake illegal activities.

QUOTE

Dangerous and Illegal Behaviour
Discussion of dangerous or illegal activities is not tolerated, be it criminal or civil. This includes (among others) talking about evading police and fines. This also includes (among others) discussing downloading TV/music/games, for more see Privacy & Piracy below.

While it is ok to discuss child restraints and latch systems that not available in Australia, any reference to using them in Australia will need to be removed.

The reasons for restriction in posting are legally based and directed by EB Administration.

Talk about ISOFIX by all means but refrain for encouraging their use in Australia and posting information on how to access and use them in Australia.

Hopefully change will come soon, I'd love to use ISOFIX in my VW, but that's life.

lucky 2

[lucky 2]

ETA: also not happy as they are only doing ISOFIX for kids up to 4yrs. Booster seats will not have isofix. Having used isofix boosters I think this is silly.

What? That sounds ridiculous, I thought that would be part of the advantage of ISOFIX, so we would be able to safely seat children up to their early teens.
Now I will never get to use ISOFIX, considering I have a child in a booster.