Car Seats - Maxi-Rider vs hipod Barcelona

[MrsMiggins]

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!

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!

[Lirael]

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 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]

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]

he he Im a little bit obsessed with them 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

[tickle]

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]

I agree. I am obsessed with car safety!! (I drive my DH crazy with it - no pun intended )

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]

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!!!

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]

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 is the one you want

[tickle]

It's this 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]

Possibly. I'll see if I can find out....

Thanks for the link!!