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View Full Version : Car Seats - Maxi-Rider vs hipod Barcelona


MrsMiggins
10-11-2006, 12:35
As you all know we're expecting our second bub in March, and we've been sussing out the situation re: car seat options.

At our recent expedition to our local baby store, the Maxi-Rider car seat was recommended to us for our older bub. Apparently it can be used from 8kgs (Claire is now just under 10, so no worries there).

I have also been eyeing off the hipod Barcelona Booster seat.

Both seats have arm rests (the Maxi-Rider's are retractable, and I believe the hipod's are too, but am not 100% sure - would appreciate clarification!) and a cup holder, which we would find really useful.

The price of the Maxi-Rider made me baulk a little (around about $390 from memory), but DH is very keen on it & once that happens, all considerations of economy go out the window! :rolleyes:

I've just received some junk mail & see one store has the hipod Barcelona on sale for $169, down from $229, which seems far more reasonable to me.

Can I ask for some feedback from any bubhubbers who've used either/both these seats?

TIA! :thumbsup:
Lirael
10-11-2006, 12:42
NONO NONONONO
the maxi rider is in a league of its own. its $359 BTW:)
the hipod CANNOT be used with ANY type of harness at all!!!!! this is straight from the company themselves!
you can only use a lap sash seat belt.
I have 2 maxiriders for my kids and they are well worth the price:yes: they have 5 point harnesses and anti submarine clip so when DD is old enough to use the H shape harness(this seat hold up to 26 kilos) they dont slip out the bottom.
my kids are 11 and 17 kilos and DS had grown out of his straps in his old car seat but still has plenty of room in the maxi rider. its the tallest booster on the market. it also hooks into the car like a baby seat(so does the hipod i believe)
it reclines too. also, ruby slippers posted a thread about a lady whose 3 year old son died in a crash because he was not in a 5 pt harness he was in a similar seat to the hipod with only a seatbelt. they didnt know that you could get a 5 pt harness for booster(in th USA one very similar to maxirider)
MrsMiggins
10-11-2006, 12:53
Well that is good advice cel!! Thanks!!

Actually, now you mention it, I do recall the sales lady mentioning the harness & recline features you have posted about. She also said that it was the only car booster seat that fits into the car's anchor point.

Thank you for rejuvinating my PG-brain addled memory!!
Lirael
10-11-2006, 12:56
he he Im a little bit obsessed with them :o I just personally would spend ALOT more money to make sure my kids are in the safest seats possible, no matter what- this year I used what would have gone on christmas toy laybys(darn those sales lol) on the carseats:yes:
tickle
10-11-2006, 13:02
MrsM, I have been researching maxi riders as we wanted to get one for O. I thought it would be the safer option but I'm not sure now. The maxi rider doesn't have anything on the sides up the top and doesn't protect their head. In tests dummies had hit their heads on the car door. This makes me a bit uneasy. I'm currently looking at other options.
I read this on the Choice website.
Does anyone have any opinion on this point? I'd really like to go with the safest option.
MrsMiggins
10-11-2006, 13:03
I agree. :yes: I am obsessed with car safety!! (I drive my DH crazy with it - no pun intended :o)

Price is no object when it comes to the safety of my kids - I just would have thought that all safety seats for kids would have to comply to a higher standard. That they don't, is in itself, a bit of a worry.
MrsMiggins
10-11-2006, 13:04
Hmmmm Tickle - I'll have to have a look at that. Is that review free on the Choice website, or is it one of the subscription only ones?

Gee, this is all so confusing!!! :confused:

ETA: Oh, I meant to say - I am currently trying to determine the safest configuration for the car seats with more than one child. I know the centre position is recommended as the safest with one child, but I'm not sure what the go is with 2+. Seeing your post about the children's heads hitting the car door makes me think the centre position may be best for the older child in the booster seat??

Does anyone know???

(Hmmm.... might have to start a new thread.....)
Lirael
10-11-2006, 13:06
MrsM, I have been researching maxi riders as we wanted to get one for O. I thought it would be the safer option but I'm not sure now. The maxi rider doesn't have anything on the sides up the top and doesn't protect their head. In tests dummies had hit their heads on the car door. This makes me a bit uneasy. I'm currently looking at other options.
I read this on the Choice website.
Does anyone have any opinion on this point? I'd really like to go with the safest option.

this happens with all boosters. the side wings on the maxi rider are quite good though. you may have been researching the old maxi rider, the new one maxirider II (http://www.britax.com.au/Websites/Business/brproddb.nsf/LUPages/Child%20Car%20Seats-Maxi%20Rider%20II) is the one you want
tickle
10-11-2006, 13:07
It's this (http://www.choice.com.au/viewArticle.aspx?id=101581&catId=100531&tid=100008&p=5&title=Test%3a+Child+restraints+(archived)) one.
I've just had a closer look and it is rather old (archived). Has this been rectified by Safe n Sound in the newer models, does anyone know?
MrsMiggins
10-11-2006, 13:08
Possibly. I'll see if I can find out....

Thanks for the link!!
Lirael
10-11-2006, 13:12
tickle, thats the old one the new one was released november last year to comply with new standards i added a link to my last post
tickle
10-11-2006, 13:12
Thanks for that Cel. Would explain a lot. I'm so anal with this stuff. I think I will go with the maxi rider after all.:o
MrsMiggins
10-11-2006, 13:14
OK, it would appear so.

When I saw the RRP on the Choice article I thought it must be a completely different model, as the price difference was so large.


Here (https://secure.racq.com.au/ssl/shopV2/shop_main.cfm?shop_categoryno=29) is the RACQ review of child restraints. The Maxi-Rider is there - note the 3rd point about the side impact protection.
Lirael
10-11-2006, 13:14
Thanks for that Cel. Would explain a lot. I'm so anal with this stuff. I think I will go with the maxi rider after all.:o

hey, the good thing is your wanting the safest for ur bubs!!!! im uploading pics of mine to post now:yes:
MrsMiggins
10-11-2006, 13:15
Ooh! You guys are too quick for me & my dial-up!! :D
Elijahsmama
10-11-2006, 13:17
I have the maxi rider and love it!! DS went on it from 6mths. I would recommend it to others 100%
Good luck on making the right choice and your pregnancy
Lirael
10-11-2006, 13:56
click here (http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l36/cel_018/maxirider.jpg) and
here (http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l36/cel_018/maxi2.jpg)
here (http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l36/cel_018/maxi4.jpg)
here (http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l36/cel_018/maxi5.jpg)
here (http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l36/cel_018/maxi6.jpg)
here (http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l36/cel_018/maxi7.jpg)
here (http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l36/cel_018/maxi8.jpg)
here (http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l36/cel_018/maxi9.jpg)
here (http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l36/cel_018/maxi10.jpg)
here (http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l36/cel_018/maxianchor.jpg)
here (http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l36/cel_018/maxiharness.jpg)
and here (http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l36/cel_018/bothmaxis.jpg) lol
MrsMiggins
10-11-2006, 14:10
Wow cel!

You & your camera have sure been busy!! :D

Thanks for the pics! :thumbsup:
Lirael
10-11-2006, 14:13
you should have seen me trying to take them lol I didnt realise how small our car is when ur trying to stand in it:laughing:
sopolicha
10-11-2006, 14:18
I have two Maxi Riders and am very happy with them, so happy I am thinking about ditching the car seat that Cha is in now for a Maxi Rider *Insert DH's laughter here*. I love that they are anchored to the car - not like those foamy numbers that just float around.

As for the positioning in the car I was told that the middle seat for the baby, passenger side, back seat for the other seat. The middle and passenger sides are safest because you are more likely to be hit on the drivers side. This has always stuck with me to the point that I feel bad for whoever sits behind the driver.
MrsMiggins
10-11-2006, 14:24
Thanks for that sop!! I've been having trouble finding info on the correct positioning!
theycallmemum
10-11-2006, 15:02
Here you go. There is a Maxi Rider and Maxi Rider II. http://www.britax.com.au/websites/Britax/HomePage.nsf/LUPages/SnS-CONVERTIBLE%20BOOSTERS%20-%208KG%20TO%2026KG
MrsMiggins
10-11-2006, 15:11
Aha!! I knew they had to have a product website somewhere!! :thumbsup: Thanks for that!!
little mermaid
10-11-2006, 21:40
MrsM, I have been researching maxi riders as we wanted to get one for O. I thought it would be the safer option but I'm not sure now. The maxi rider doesn't have anything on the sides up the top and doesn't protect their head. In tests dummies had hit their heads on the car door. This makes me a bit uneasy. I'm currently looking at other options.
I read this on the Choice website.
Does anyone have any opinion on this point? I'd really like to go with the safest option.

That is the old maxi rider that choice have tested. The new one is the safest. When I went to the baby shop the lady told me the new maxi rider is actually safer than the SnS Royale and has superior side impact protection.
Lirael
11-11-2006, 08:32
Aha!! I knew they had to have a product website somewhere!! :thumbsup: Thanks for that!!


I put the same one in my post a few pages back under 'Maxirider II' in red :thumbsup:
MrsMiggins
11-11-2006, 20:17
D'oh! Didn't realise that was the link, sorry! :o
Cupcake
11-11-2006, 20:21
The Maxi Rider is fantastic :thumbsup:
I paid $309 at our little baby store(this is the new model with arm rest & cup holder)
Lirael
11-11-2006, 20:22
you can get it a www.babyonabudget.com.au
for $299 but not sure where they are or what postage would cost if they are only an online store
little mermaid
11-11-2006, 20:46
you can get it a www.babyonabudget.com.au
for $299 but not sure where they are or what postage would cost if they are only an online store

That is where my friends and I all got ours from we got 5 of them between us, sold the poor shop out!! We paid $299 :smiliedance: baby on a budget is in perth.
Lirael
11-11-2006, 20:52
That is where my friends and I all got ours from we got 5 of them between us, sold the poor shop out!! We paid $299 :smiliedance: baby on a budget is in perth.


lol cool I paid $359 each for mine and $69 for a harness I think it was and DS doesnt even need the harness. they didnt even give me a discount or anything:thumbsdown: there the only babyshop that sells them here
little mermaid
11-11-2006, 23:27
lol cool I paid $359 each for mine and $69 for a harness I think it was and DS doesnt even need the harness. they didnt even give me a discount or anything:thumbsdown: there the only babyshop that sells them here

I cant believe how expensive they are over there and that they did not give you discount. I also got one for my nephew when they were first released at the baby expo in perth and i paid $320 and that was when they were brand new out only a week or 2 old!! I got one harness and only paid $30 for it, but not going to worry about getting another one for my seat as i dont think i will ever end up using it.
filmgirlgail
13-11-2006, 23:19
HI

We have the Maxi rider and it's great. Yes, it seemed pricey but it will last DD until she is 8 as it turns into a booster seat so I figure or 6 years worth of car seat it's a good price and it looks very comfy.

As for seating I have DD behind me and DS behind the passenger - to stop any of the toys dropping on DS from DD :D
tickle
16-11-2006, 10:10
MrsM, get a maxi rider!
I got mine yesterday and am in love. I'm thinking about getting rid of A's car seat and getting one for her too! O loves the little arm rests and the cup holder. I love it!:thumbsup: