Britax Regent / Maxi rider

[tickle]

So what are the major differences?

From what I can see you can actually use the 5 point harness for a really long time with the regent? Do you eventually use the seat belt, like a regular booster seat?

Does anyone have any links to safety reports on them that I can compare?

[onemummmy]

The regent is not approved for use in australia yet it has not been tested that I know of to our standards in safety. The maxirider you use the 5 pt harness to 18 kilos then use a harness with the adult seatbelt. I read on here that the explorer is actually better?

[tickle]

I already have a maxi rider, so I know how they work. I was just looking at ordering a Regent from the US and looking for any overseas safety testing that had been done on them. My youngest needs to go into a bigger seat (she's in a convertible baby seat).

Thanks anyway. I might see what the Explorer is. :)

[onemummmy]

Its the same as a maxirider just no cupholders etc. You cant bring a seat in from the USA and use it, its illegal unfortunately and your insurance will be affected by it.( I think its up to each insurer?) They dont have the same anchor system as we do for some reason. Overseas safety testing is very lax compared to here, they dont even do side impact testing in the USA:confused: If ur daughter is in a baby seat she would prob fit into a maxirider now? they take til 26 kilos and the new one has a headrest that you can adjust to make the seat taller.
I tried googling the regent safety tests but couldnt find anything sorry

[Shakey]

the explorer is basically a naked version of the maxirider, still really good safety wize, just doesn't have to extra bits and peices like the cup holders

[SorenLorensen]

Thanks anyway. I might see what the Explorer is. :)
the explorer scored better in the safety test then the maxi so there must be something thats different....and for the better.

i was looking at the regent as well.
i just sent of an email to DPs cousin asking him about it. we are probably going to get a new car this year or the next and the car im looking at has ISOFIX in it so i just want to see all my options.
he is in england but is a pretty high up sales rep guy thing-o (:laughing:) and works in conjuction with an american branch.
i asked him for all the info he can find so i will let you know what he comes up with.


(looks like we are all thinking about car seats today, its funny how one thread can make you think :detective:)

[onemummmy]

soren, the isofix apparently is not very good, I read recently that the capsules that used isofix compared to the base like we use failed safety tests..

[tickle]

I'm a bit torn about it actually. I couldn't get her the Explorer, if it doesn't have the cup holders, she will whinge about how her brother has a special seat and she doesn't. :rolleyes: I read that they were exactly the same safety wise?

I was keen on the Regent as it is made by the same company and seems to keep them safer for longer. You can keep them in that 5 point harness up to 36kg, which is fantastic! I will look into the anchor stuff now.

Thanks. :)

[onemummmy]

here is the link to where the explorer did better than the maxirider. http://www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/Internet/Primary/road+safety/child+safety/child+restraints/child+restraint+evaluation+program+(CREP)/

my adobe isnt working for some reson but if you click on the link at the bottom it will come up

When I rang safe and sound she said yeah they are identical safety wise its just the explorer is not as fancy pants or plush.
I hope by the time I need one they will have the regent or similar here(hopefully at least 3 years from now)

[tickle]

I just did a bit more research for anyone who is interested and I have read (although not from Britax, so not sure how good the info is), that the Regent has the same shape as the old Maxi Rider, which did not do as well as the current one in side impact tests.

Thanks for the link onemummy, I'm just having a look now. The Infa Vario kid does really well with the boosters, huh?

[onemummmy]

oh really? (about the regent):detective:


Yeah I saw that Infa seems to be catching up to safe and sound :thumbsup:

[leebeeag]

I have two britax regents and they DO anchour exactly as all australian seats do(with a versa tether) but they also have the isofit(latch)system.

they can accomadate a child up to 36kgs whom is less then 134cms tall.

these are fantastic seats and i wouldn't purchase anything else for a higher weight harnessed seat..other than the new released britax Frontier which has an adjustable headrest. It looks alot like our Maxirider III AHR model.

[leebeeag]

here is a photo of my two regents when i recieved them a yr ago.DS1 (then 6yrs)is on the second highest harness slot and DS2(then 2yrs) is on the bottom slot.
http://http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb65/leebeeag/boysnewcarseats022.jpg

this is what they look like in my Toyoat carolla sx seca-notice not much room between the seats-maybe 10cms.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb65/leebeeag/boysnewcarseats022.jpg

this is what they look like in the Territory.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb65/leebeeag/carseatsinfordterritory023.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb65/leebeeag/carseatsinfordterritory022.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb65/leebeeag/carseatsinfordterritory021.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb65/leebeeag/carseatsinfordterritory020.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb65/leebeeag/carseatsinfordterritory017.jpg

DS1 id now 7yrs and is 119cms DS2 is 3yrs and is 105cms
hope this answers a few questions for a few of you that have messaged me.

[kerilyntaryn]

Online petition started - paper copy to follow.

Link: http://www.petitiononline.com/AU2008/petition.html (http://www.petitiononline.com/AU2008/petition.html)

"To: Standards Australia & car seat related companies
"With the pending law changes for child restraint use in Australia requiring children under 4 years and 20kgs to be restrainted in a 5 point car seat, as well as children 4-7 years to be restrained in a booster seat, as well as parents and caregivers who want their children restrained by the integral harness for longer than 20kgs, this petition hereby requests Britax Australia (sold in AU & NZ) to import or manufacutre a car seat that allows children to be restrained longer than 4 years and 20kgs, as parents would like and aside from the 18kg limit currently set by AU standards.

By signing this petition, you join the movement in requesting/wanting Britax AU to import or manufacture a child restraint (similar to the Britax Regent or Frontier) for children to be harnessed beyond 18/20kgs. "

Sincerely,

The Undersigned "

Please add your name (to the link above), let your friends know and spread the word around, does anyone know how many sigs we should aim for?

Thanks.

[kerilyntaryn]

This is a petition to get a better seat for Australia

[leebeeag]

I have signed.. and ill pass itonto all the other parents i know thats for the info.

[kerilyntaryn]

Thanks. please pass it on to as many as possible

[SorenLorensen]

oh really? (about the regent):detective:


hmmmm, yeah. if that is true i think i will just hold off until one is made for our standards.
we ended up getting DD2 a hi-liner and while it is not a 5 point harness (uses a protecta) i am happy and confident with it. she is almost out of her 5 point harness in her maxi II so i didn't want to spend extra money on another one (for DPs car) considering i wont be using the 5 point harness so i went with a seat that offered the same as the maxi would if it were to be used with a harness. side protection to me is rather important and the hi-liner is up there on our safety chart

[kerilyntaryn]

bumping this up