ISOFIX - what carseat do you use?

[lilblakduk]

We have ISOFIX and are looking to upgrade our 'didnt know what we were buying' carseat that doesnt have ISOFIX:confused: dont know why we didnt look into it!!!

What advice / pros and cons can you give me on the carseat you use. We will be purchasing two, one for a 2.5 year old and one for a newborn.

[SorenLorensen]

i just replied to your question in your other thread but i will let you know here too incase you miss it

there are not seats that meet the aus standards that use ISOFIX.

it sucks but will be brought out here sometime, just not yet....

there are some peopel that have imported seats from overseas but arnt aus standard....

hope that helps answer your question

[lilblakduk]

there are not seats that meet the aus standards that use ISOFIX.

there are some peopel that have imported seats from overseas but arnt aus standard....



Just shows i really havent looked into it. Wow why have it in cars then?

Are they allowed to sell them in Aus even though they dont comply?

CRAZY!

[ShadyCharacter]

I use the ISOFIX system (also answered in your other thread).

The system would be in your car because it either a) isn't manufactured in Australia or b)is manufactured in Australia but exported to other countries.

What type of car do you have (out of curiousity).

And no, you can't buy the seats in Australia, you need to order them from overseas.

[SorenLorensen]

i think it is mostly european cars that have it (not only though just most)

ISOFIX is made as part as the chassie (sp) it is not something that can be added on later so when a car comes of the production line it is in it, regardless of what countrie the car is destined for.....if any of that makes scence

[lilblakduk]

What type of car do you have (out of curiousity).



Subaru. I think Subaru sell carseats with IsoFix actually now that I am thinking about it! Might have to have a look.

[mamachops]

ISOFIX allows the car seat to be virtually directly attached to the car chasis, as opposed to long straps that get fed through to an anchor point. It tends to ensure that the seat remains stable (whereas straps can loosen over time).

I have ISOFIX in my VW Golf, but as I already had a pricey Aussie Safe'nSound seat, I haven't changed.

The ISOFIX car seats meet and exceed Aussie standards in most cases, that's not why Aussie seats don't have it.

[ShadyCharacter]

The ISOFIX car seats meet and exceed Aussie standards in most cases, that's not why Aussie seats don't have it.Can you tell me which seats do then? I have looked a lot, and never found a single ISOFIX seat that meets Australian Standards :confused:

[mamachops]

If you go to the Britax website, you'll find that they are the same company as Safe'n'sound, but UK based.

You won't find an ISOFIX car seat that states that it complies with Australian safety standards, because the standard is based on the use of a strap and anchor point (IYKWIM), and therefore they aren't comparable in that sense.

If you contact the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, they can probably explain better.

[ShadyCharacter]

Uh yeah, I know what you are saying, I use an ISOFIX seat myself because I believe it is safer, but the OP was asking for a seat that actually does comply with Aus standards... I thought you were saying there was one. I misunderstood you :)

[anna&oli]

I love the Maxi Cosi range. I have the MAxi Cosi Cabrio for bub#2 due in Nov. They also have other seats fo rthe older children, bu ti am yet to research them as i have the Maxi rider for DS1. I too believe they are the safest options available!!!

Anna

[Tam-I-Am]

Although I'm aware the ISOFIX actually exceeds Australian Safety Standards - it doesn't actually adhere to them...ie the Australian legislation doesn't recognise or recommend them - therefore they're not sold in Australia.

If you DO put an ISOFIX carseat in your car, please be aware that your insurance company will NOT cover the seat, or any injury that your child suffers if an accident occur.

[shanz]

To my knowledge the seat isnt covered but the child is. I could be wrong.
Its like if i was in an accident and dont have a seat belt on, arent I still covered?

[Tam-I-Am]

Not sure, but you could be right :)

[ShadyCharacter]

I posted this in another thread, but will repeat it here (I have a maxi cosi).

As far as the seat itself goes, the insurance company told me that they *may or may not* cover the seat in an accident.... by a weird logic that was explained to me, if the seat IS damaged, they possibly wouldn't replace it, but if it is NOT damaged (because it should be replaced after an accident anyhow), they will. I guess they figure that not being Aust Standards could contribute to it being damaged easier? Not sure. They would cover it under fire or theft also.

For the record, I have had to claim two seats on insurance (one after a car theft, and one after an accident), and with the theft, I just sent them the receipt from the original purchase and they reimbursed me - I doubt they checked on the what sort of seat it was too much. With the second, the insurance company just told me to go replace it, I sent them the receipt for the new one and they reimbursed me... the assessor then destroyed the old seat himself. No idea if he had a single clue if it was Aus Standards or not.

Finally, I did ring my third party insurer, and they told me the child WOULD be covered for any injury, just as a person not wearing a seatbelt would.

HTH :)

[SorenLorensen]

i think a main part of it is....
we are required by australian law to use a seat that meats our standards....

but i can name quite a few laws that we all break every day with no actions being taken on us.

and just becuase it is the law does not mean its right, i think a parent putting their child in an ISOFIX seat (as long as it has the 5 point harness) is in no way putting their childs safety at risk and that is what who ever it is who decideds "aus standards" needs to hurry up and work out

[leebeeag]

I sent an email to britax.com.au asking them about the isofix and they sent me this back..please note i also asked about getting nice fabrics for our kids car seats like they have overseas and they also included their answer in the email.

Thank you for your email, I do agree with some of your suggestions, but
unfortunately the conservative market request plain covers to match
interiors of the car trims, this is why you will only find the plain
covers
on the market.
Most of the fully imported cars today come with the devise called
Isofix,
but to date this has not been passed through parliament (the Australian
Government), this need to be passed through parliament before it can be
tested through the Australian Standards, Leigh this has been some time
in
the making and hopefully it will be approved in the years to come, once
this has been approved, Britax will be ready to manufacture to the new
standard.

now all we have to do is nag our local polititions about hurrying up and changing the law.

[GIZMOE]

Hello,

I was speaking to the owners of a baby shop in Mitchel ACT and she said that the Maxi Cosi Range was being released in Australia next Jan or Feb 08!

If this is correct then obviously they will meet Australian standards.

BTW I know Anna and I know that she would never put her child in any risk. I know for a fact that she does a lot of reasearch on every item she purchases.

[shanz]

It should have it in the car user manual, or on the back part of the seats on my car there is a little round thing about the size of a button that has ISOFIX written on it.

It is great that the Maxi Cosi Range will be available here soon!

I was talking to a frien about this a few days ago and she raised a valid point, that I would love some more info on.
IF you had an accident and the child was hurt could you be charged with negligence for not having them in an Approved seat??
Just thought someone might know, or know who to ask.

[ShadyCharacter]

The Maxi Cosi's have 'meant' to be available here for a couple of years now.... we keep getting promises from their distributors (the name escapes me right now), but it never seems to happen.


IF you had an accident and the child was hurt could you be charged with negligence for not having them in an Approved seat??
I highly doubt it, but I don't know for sure. At the end of the day, if my son is safer, I don't really care either :no:. IF you were charged, I think you could pretty safely argue that you were acting in the childs best interest.

[shanz]

Thanks Shady, I was feeling the same anyway, that is DS is safer I could argue the point, just thought I would throw the question out there and see what others thought.
Was actually hoping you would see it, as you seem very knowledgeable about this kinda thing.

[anna&oli]

Thanks Aim-

That would be excellent if they are going to be released here in the near future. I spoke to Dorrell a couple of months ago- they are the ones who distribute the maxic soi range, and at that point they had no idea when the maxi cosi poroducts would be released to comply with Aus standards., They have just released the US version, which has a 5 point safety harness, but no ISOFIX fittings. I could be very wrong, but i wouldnt be holding your breath for anything to be released here in Aus in the next yer or so.

This is the email i received from them

Dear Anna,

Thank-you for your enquiry.

The maxi-cosi car seat capsules are currently being redesigned and
re-tooled to be able to meet the Australian standards. We do not have a
release date at this stage , however it won't be before 2009.

Regards,

Leana Nagel
Personal Assistant - Nursery Division
TGA Unlimited P/L
6 Expo Court
Mount Waverley , VIC 3149
Australia.
Ph : +613 9562 8114
Fax : +613 9562 8056
www.tgababy.com.au

-----Original Message-----
From: Becky Smith [mailto:b.smith@uk-dorel.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 9:29 PM
To: tgababy@tgaunlimited.co.au
Subject: FW: Distributin in Australia


Good afternoon,

Thank you for your enquiry.

I have forwarded your e-mail to our agents in Australia.

Kind Regards,

Becky Smith
Dorel UK
Customer Services.

Tel: 01842 763281
Fax: 01842 762062