The Shine Convertible Car Seat is suitable from birth to 4 years of age. It has a cosy newborn insert providing extra comfort for your newborn. With a built in rebound bar and one handed recline this convertible car seat is easy to install and easy to use.
I went through the same recently. In all my research I found very little evidence to show that, when fitted correctly, there was not much difference between the safety in ISO fix and non ISO fix models. The difference is ISO fix is easier to install yourself properly as it’s like plugging in a seat belt. That said I had a go with my iso fix version but seemed very lose even though the indicators said it was fitted correctly. I took it to baby bunting and had the professional look at it. He said it was just not tight enough, you really need to get some weight over the top of it when installing it. With all that said, when it comes to the safety of a baby, whatever you choose just pay the $50 to have it fitted correctly. If you so desire you could then save some money by not paying for iso fix. That’s what I’d do if I had my time again anyway! I hope it helps.
Thank you :)
May I ask what car seat brand/ model you have?
@darshu: We have 2 actually. We got a maxi cosi mico plus capsule as we can get bub sorted in the house before/after the car ride when it’s raining (it also fits directly into our push chair so no waking up for walks!). But this is only good for approx 6 months so we bought a Britax safe-n-sound for the spare car which will be good up to 4 years.
@Artfult: Thanks :). I also checked combos/ complete system, they are indeed good and convenient. I and my wife discussed a combo may be excessive. Due dates are in the middle of winter and with the COVID19 epidemic, so are not sure whether we go for outings (except for medical appointments) during the first 6 months.
we got two of the non-iso fix version and they are not too difficult to install once you worked it out.
The car seats are only required to be detached maybe once/ twice a year.
@wangsk: Do the restraining belts become loose over time? or once fixed, solid as a rock? Sorry I have no idea. I normally steam clean my car seats once a year. I may need to do it every 3 to 6 months I guess.
@darshu: they are solid as a rock once it is fixed. if you know how to do it, it only takes 1 min to install or detach the car seats.
As a parent of 4 kids, I would recommend ISOfix
Easier to put in and take out. Assuming of course your car has the ISOfix points.
Sadly ISOfix seats are generally more expensive.
I vouch for ISOfix too esp when you need to quickly unbuckle and turn the seat sideway.
Thank you :) I have narrowed my search to an ISOfix one
Thank you. May I ask what car seat brand/ model you have? There are 100s different brands with 1000s of models and different features.
We have 4 seats. 2 Mothers Choice, 2 Infasecure.
This is one of them at a great price
https://www.amazon.com.au/InfaSecure-Kompressor-Astra-Isofix…
@darshu: If budget is an issue, then Facebook marketplace has a lot of used seats for less. Bear in mind though nearly always they need a very thorough clean and can be worn out.
Personally for my bubs I found brand new seats on special were a much better option.
@TheCandyMan2020: We normally try to reduce waste/ landfill. We are definitely buying a used cot (probably buy a new mattress), a changing table and a nappy bin. I found a few new car seats/ near mint condition car seats on FB marketplace, but they were not ISOfix so didn't pay much attention. I even looked on FB marketplace for a used car seat and then change the padded outer cover (padded outer cover can be purchased for some models).
Thank you for your help, I will check more (we have time until mid of winter).
@darshu: All Australian car seats are crap. Our isofix are belts. So either way, it's a belt. Lateral crap. Volvo make a good seat, but they are not allowed here (what would Volvo know about safety).
Get familiar with seat features, and where the manufacture dates are. You will see endless seats on the side of the road for hard rubbish. Try and get a seat 8 years or less. If there is no cracks, frayed or mouldy straps. They are fine. As for the accident myth, they are just blow mould plastic, foam and a cover. Apart from an obvious crack, nothing can go wrong.
Send me a PM if you ever need help. The number of these things going into landfill is ridiculous (ie someone hit a cat in their car and ditched the seat because they "were in an accident"). World has gone mad. We bought one brand new seat, and it is no different than a 8 year old freebie .
@tunzafun001: Australia is politics of money.
Imagine European car manufacturers lecturing us on fuel quality being a decade behind therefore not getting the best engines (for power and efficiency).
Politicians win votes on cheap petrol prices because the pollution particulates are too small to see.
I read somewhere that an academic survey showed more than half of child seats are incorrectly fitted in Australia, impacting their maximum safety. In theory, an ISOFIX (if your car has the anchor points) fitting is more likely to achieve the correct setup and give you the full safety benefit. I don’t know how this compares in practice, I’ve only owned ISOFIX.
Agreed incorrect fitting is less likely with ISOfix. Just remember that even with ISO fix, you should still be using the top anchor system as well….
Haha, I have a friend who's got a car seat (non-ISOfix) that wobbles. I told him a few times if there is an accident, his kid would fly like superman. He never listens.
In the Child restraints group I'm in, britax millennia /graphene (if need space) are rated very highly. For more budget friendly, the babylove Ezy switch.
Mothers choice is generally rated low as they have low markers (so you would need to turn your kid earlier). Ideally, you would want to keep them rear facing for as long as possible
thanks :)
You can keep them rear facing until they are four.
Blame it on the parents thinking markers are some kind of achievement. Kids can't read, neither do they decide to go front facing.
Peer pressure would also contribute. All those people online doing the "look! Now a big kid front facing"
Yes ideally til 4. My parents keep nagging at me that they want to FF my nearly 3 yo as 'it's uncomfortable to bend her legs like that' but hey, better broken legs than a broken neck.
Would make sense for normal rear car seats to face backwards..For safety and aerodynamics…but do we…nup.
Europe use rigid isofix rods instead of tensioned belts (cant stuff it up with nothing to adjust, and much stronger for side impacts… but do we have it here…nup.
I have one of each, Isofix is much easier to install than non isofix but don't write off anything non-isofix. Because the seats barely ever come out of the car anyway.
There are a lot of deals for non ISOfix car seats (because there are a lot of models and brands) compared to ISOfix versions. Thanks, I will check :)
Both use belts, therefore both have movement in lateral T-bone impacts.
Therefore both equally crap.
Saw a 2010 seat on the side of the road the other day. Technically too old to use (10 year rule), but it was identical to what you can buy today (except for the chin support thing..but what kid wants their face pinned to a seat over summer)?
Buy the seat that fits your car best (width and very importantly length). In terms of safety, they are all basically equal shite.
Mother's Choice
Not my mum's. Apparently I was just in a Moses basket in the back of the XB.
I seriously thought it was Mothers the car care brand ahha.
Store in title OP
I think these are better options, but you should check and compare them in person.
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/686473
https://www.amazon.com.au/Mothers-Choice-Convertible-Seat-Ad…
Rearward-facing to 30 months approx; Forward facing to 4 years of age approx
We have the Adore and it is my favourite of the 0-4 year old seats…
Mother's Choice
Is it the 1960s?
I wish
One with ISO fix or one like this, which would be better? Soon to be a father, I have no idea what to buy.