Can anyone recommend a booster seat?

[cgaunt01]

Hiya-

My 20 month old DD is currently in a convertible car seat that goes to 18 kg. So we are starting to look at what she will need next. Ive had a look around and all the boosters on the market and now i am just confused. anyone got any advice for us?

ta in advance...

[zenifa]

We've recently put DD1 (who is 2.5yo and 14kg) in a Safe n Sound Maxi Rider, booster seat, that goes up to 26kg and are very happy with it :yelclap:

[MummaBear03]

We've recently put DD1 (who is 2.5yo and 14kg) in a Safe n Sound Maxi Rider, booster seat, that goes up to 26kg and are very happy with it :yelclap:
I'm so happy with these that my DD has 2 of them! They are also good because once you take the 5-point harness off the H harness weaves through it and attaches to the seat and the seat remains bolted in. They have the anti-submarining clip in it so that comes with the seat which stops them slipping down.

[2sweetgirls]

I definitely recommend the maxi rider/ explorer, the explorer is just the more basic version, no cup holders or arm rests.

I am pretty sure the explorer has a higher head rest though.

There are a few other bolted in boosters on the market that go up to 26kgs.

[MummaBear03]

I definitely recommend the maxi rider/ explorer, the explorer is just the more basic version, no cup holders or arm rests.

I am pretty sure the explorer has a higher head rest though.

There are a few other bolted in boosters on the market that go up to 26kgs.
I'm pretty sure with the Explorer you have to unbolt the seat to have the harness bolted in though, you can't have both bolted in once you switch to a H harness. That's what made me go with the Maxi Rider, unless they have a newer model out since then.

[Reidymac]

I'm pretty sure with the Explorer you have to unbolt the seat to have the harness bolted in though, you can't have both bolted in once you switch to a H harness. That's what made me go with the Maxi Rider, unless they have a newer model out since then.

;) Sorry, You a bit wrong there.

The Explorer is a newer model. You might be thinking of the 1st Maxirider which was superseded by the Maxi 2 for the very reason that it had to be unbolted from the anchor to accommodate the H harness. The Explorer is 6cm taller than the maxi 2, and 6 cam thinner, has an extra row of shoulder strap holes and rated as the safest booster on the market in the 2007 Racv tests (actually rating higher than the maxi 2). There are some great new boosters on the market and it is worth taking a look at what best suits your needs. But personally I would recommend Safe and Sound either the Maxirider 2 or the Explorer.:thumbsup:

[preciousbabyboy]

I dont have a maxi rider, but i have heard they are really good. :) However I spent heaps on the kids seats that they have had since birth so i wont be getting one. Just making the most of the ones i have then a foam booster with a harness if you can use those? Both DS's will stay in their 5 point harness seats til they are 5 as they are quite little.

[MummaBear03]

;) Sorry, You a bit wrong there.

The Explorer is a newer model. You might be thinking of the 1st Maxirider which was superseded by the Maxi 2 for the very reason that it had to be unbolted from the anchor to accommodate the H harness. The Explorer is 6cm taller than the maxi 2, and 6 cam thinner, has an extra row of shoulder strap holes and rated as the safest booster on the market in the 2007 Racv tests (actually rating higher than the maxi 2). There are some great new boosters on the market and it is worth taking a look at what best suits your needs. But personally I would recommend Safe and Sound either the Maxirider 2 or the Explorer.:thumbsup:
I have a Maxi Rider, not a Maxi Rider 2 and the 2 I was looking at were the Maxi Rider or the Explorer. This is about 3 years ago now when I bought the first one, the second one was bought about 18 months ago. Neither of them is a Maxi Rider 2 and both are the same. I asked at the baby shop about the Maxi Rider 2 and she said they only have the original one.

[missie_mack]

We bought a maxi rider recently after having issues with my 18 month old taking his arms out of the standard 5 point harness. It was the safest option we could find and we are pretty happy with it as I didnt want a foam one and it starts at a earlier weight than most too (cause I have a featherweight) I also like the fact we can use it as a 5 point harness or the h strap :) I bargained my way to getting it for $290 :goodvibes:

[Reidymac]

I have a Maxi Rider, not a Maxi Rider 2 and the 2 I was looking at were the Maxi Rider or the Explorer. This is about 3 years ago now when I bought the first one, the second one was bought about 18 months ago. Neither of them is a Maxi Rider 2 and both are the same. I asked at the baby shop about the Maxi Rider 2 and she said they only have the original one.

:) Sorry MummaBear03, I certainly didn't mean to offend you. I don't believe I am an expert by any stretch of the imagination but I do own an original maxi rider, a maxirider2 and 2 x Explorers so I have a pretty intimate knowledge of these 3 seats and did lots of homework before buying each one thats all. :yes:

I was actually correcting your information about the Explorer so that the OP didn't get the wrong info re: its ongoing use of the anchor point. The original maxirider is no longer on the market so a lot of people just refer to the newer model (the 2) as the maxirider. The seat with the arm rests/ cup holders and stayes anchored with the H harness is a maxirider 2. The origional didn't have those or the double anchor fitting thats all. I can post a photo of the 3 seats side by side if you want to compare and see the evolution. No harm intended


ETA: I wouldn't recommend a 2nd hand seat but examples of both maxiriders are always on ebay (lots of the origional model for sale)

[little mermaid]

I have both a Maxi-rider and an Infa Travalle/vario kid. But if you child is over 18 kilos I would highly recommend the Infa vario as it was rated the highest in the latest safety testing. I much prefer the Infa to the Maxi-rider. The Infa booster seat anchors into the car and can be used with a H harness too.

[~mia&ryan~]

We got a maxi rider last week for DD. Its fantastic and had all the features we wanted. She loves it!

[Widget]

We have a HiPod convertible booster seat from 8-26kgs as DD1 (20months) was getting too big for the convertible toddler seat.

I can't remember which particular HiPod seat it is, but it was what I was looking for - a booster seat with a harness and still on anchor point - only one I've found (I didn't have the $$ to go looking in baby shops to spend over $300) so not sure if they have the same kind...

I love it. Only problem with it is that you need to get a Safe'n'Sound Protecta Harness if you want to use the booster feature with the harness. DD1 was too big (tall) for the toddler seat and we are using the original harness with the HiPod and she has SO much more shoulder room!

It also has an adjustable headrest, can be in upright or recline...

It works for us...

[Seacretsquirrel]

I am looking at getting a booster for our 15 month old (9.25 kg) when we have our next baby (TTC at the moment) I am considering the Phil&Ted tott xt which is from 9 months to 11 yrs, with the 5 pt harness, and the back can be removed (much) later to be just a booster. Does anyone know anything about it??
Thanks

[little mermaid]

I am looking at getting a booster for our 15 month old (9.25 kg) when we have our next baby (TTC at the moment) I am considering the Phil&Ted tott xt which is from 9 months to 11 yrs, with the 5 pt harness, and the back can be removed (much) later to be just a booster. Does anyone know anything about it??
Thanks

I have never seen it in Australia. Is it a New Zealand car seat?

[Seacretsquirrel]

I think so but as with all the phil and ted's stuff we can get it ordered in here (or so the baby shop said) I am still researching, and am not sure about the safety standards although I believe Aust and NZ are pretty much the same when it comes to standards. I saw it on the P&T web site and it looks great as it can be converted to a booster cussion when the kids are too big for the harness but too short for an adult seatbelt. and for around the $260 mark pertty good value too (price converted fron NZ dollars)

[mitty]

:goodvibes: Just wanted you to be aware that the first maxi rider is still on the market....so make sure you buy the maxi rider 2. I have seen it at two different baby shops, they are selling cheaper than the second one.

My son is in a Hi Pod convertable baby seat--he is 22months old and is very tall for his age---he is still only in the second last strap stage for the seat belt.
You must have a big child to outgrow it at 20 months?

[Young_Mum]

We recently purchased the maxi rider 2 for DD. Yet to install it but after reading reviews and asking around I think it was the best and safest option.


But if you child is over 18 kilos I would highly recommend the Infa vario as it was rated the highest in the latest safety testing.

If the testing you are referring to here is the one done by choice.com.au, they tested the older version of maxi rider, and not maxi rider 2. :)

[Widget]

My son is in a Hi Pod convertable baby seat--he is 22months old and is very tall for his age---he is still only in the second last strap stage for the seat belt.
You must have a big child to outgrow it at 20 months?

Was this for me? DD1's shoulders were being dug into with the straps in the top slots of the convertible toddler seat so we had to put her in a bigger seat she is really tall for her age - takes after her father who is over 2m...

Maybe the HiPod has a different strap positioning to BabyLove?? DD1's in HiPod now, she was in BabyLove before...

[Stargazer Lily]

We recently purchased the maxi rider 2 for DD. Yet to install it but after reading reviews and asking around I think it was the best and safest option.



If the testing you are referring to here is the one done by choice.com.au, they tested the older version of maxi rider, and not maxi rider 2. :)

The Infa Vario Kid beat the Maxi Rider II in Booster Mode in the most recent RACV tests.

That Choice test is very out of date now as yes you are correct it refers to model I of the maxi rider which is inferior to the II and should no longer be sold. (inferior side protection and you cannot attach a harness to the anchor strap)

In response to the OP question, I would second Little Mermaid's suggestion of the Infa Vario Kid if your child is close to 18kg. That seat is suitable for 14-26kg and around $200 cheaper than the Maxi Rider. :thumbsup:

The Maxi Rider II is great if you are looking for a larger baby seat, in that it has the inbuilt harness for up to 18kg, and can then be converted to a Booster once over 18kg.

But if you are happy with your current baby seat and then just looking for a Booster for when baby is 18kg (or at least over 14kg) I'd go for the Infa seat with a Protecta Harness.

One other point to remember when looking at seats is that with every Booster you need to purchase either a H harness or Protecta harness seperately. This will add either $40 or $60 to the cost.

HTH

oh and also wanted to point out that the Maxi Rider II is a very large seat and many people find them simply too big for their car, especially if trying to fit them alongside other carseats.
The Safe n Sound Explorer is a great alternative as Reidymac pointed out as it is narrower, as is the Infa Vario.