Usually around $750 and no sale across all stores.
First time that it is close to the $600 mark. Pretty good deal given the maxi guard pro hasn't been on sale for a while and currently going for $560.
I don't think it was meant to be a rude comment… Maybe just a clarification question for extra detail?
Can't tell if this is a serious comment but it's a fair shout. Regardless of serious or not, I wouldn't assume higher price always means safer.
in fact, many expensive ones fair no better as proven in the crash testing
Hope that's /sarcasm but I can't tell…
Pretty sure my low-mid price convertible seat outperforms ones that cost 4 times as much.
https://www.childcarseats.com.au/
And you will be surprised by some of the scoring of "premium" seats.
@quikstix: Looks like the SecureSafe Guard Elite at $599 is the safest for forward facing for the 6m to 8 years category.
Just to clarify, I am taking the piss. After reading julz' comment I thought I would try and find the rating myself. Instead I found this https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/britax-safe-n-soun…
Search the page for "CREP" to see what Britax thinks of that rating and some of the responses to that. Not the same model but you get the point.
Britax legit hasn't solved the discrepancy in 2yrs lol. To be fair some of theirs score well and some don't so I would trust a third party over a corporate
The button setup on the maxiguard pro is great. I have been waiting for that to go back on sale as we need 2 more.
I can't even tell from the pictures if this has the same mechanism…
We have this model car seat for our bub, looks comfortable and very easy to install/uninstall if switching chairs between cars. Good price as its rarely discounted
Love my kids more than anything on earth. But dammmnnn.
What does this do that a mother's choice seat doesn't?
You won't like the answer I give to that question.
virtually nothing. I got one uber expensive seat in one car - one Mother's Choice that scored very well in CREP ratings in the other … very little difference really. Got another Mothers Choice for grandparents car - for like $199. Exy one maybe slightly better for sleeping in with recline but none are really great
Only reason I didn't get this is no isofix
given it accommodates 8yr olds, their weight will exceed isofix restraints (most 4yo+ seats suffer the same).
isofix ain't all that. Aust didn't accept isofix for years because our safety standards are best in the world, with top tether mandate, and were better than other countries were putting out with isofix. Eventually we caved to world pressure as all import cars were coming with iso. There is nothing wrong with properly fitted seatbelt fix with top tether
Top tether is used on isofix seats though.
in Australia it is, because we refused to lower our standards to just accept isofix without our other Aust Standards requirements.
Some other countries like USA, it is not.
My point stands - why neg? I researched this topic heavily.
We didn't allow isofix until ~2014 - and when we did, said top tether still had to be used and other things Aust standards require.
isofix doesn't provide anything better other than maybe ease of install (but I've never had problem installing, just follow instructions carefully, and have had it expert checked and was all good). Seatbelt fix is fine. We have stringent safety standards either way.
@MrFrugalSpend: I agree. The pro (as in it’s her job) that fitted our first seat said she gets a better fit by not using the iso-fix - if a seat has both.
@WhyAmICommenting: 100% this. We have 6 child seats over the 2 cars and then countless others with the grandparents and rentals. Isofix is easy to fit for a seat or 2. However, they're never as tight. When you get to 3, they're all seatbelts as it's tighter and easier to fit, which is required for 3.
@WhyAmICommenting: This is interesting to know - I was upset that Baby Bunting installed one of our seats without using the Isofix mount, but this could explain why.
No forward facing only seat has isofix. It's the law
it's just as fast without isofix after you've done it a few times,apart from that isofix isn't really any better, so don't let it sway you too much.
Agreed
Can any comment on the difference between the Maxi Guard ($419) / Maxi Guard Pro ($569) / and this one - and what would make it worth the extra $ than the Maxi Guard?
I like the button on the pro. It makes getting kids in and out a breeze. Other thing good about the MG is the headrest extender. Can raise height without removing the seat as child grows. There’s a Pro + which is gold stitching and bamboo fabric which is meant to be cooler and more breathable for comfort. I have this and daughter is comfortable (Sydney to Newcastle was fine).
Pro is also more narrow. I tried so many seats to fit 3 in my wife's HRV and the Pro was the golden ticket.
I hear the technique is to install the middle seat first. I only have two bubbas so will report back in 100yrs cause wifey wants her life back
Thanks folks. Pro sounds like the go.
As I posted above, the below site is independently tested so would be believing this over alot of things. All have to meet a minimum safety requirement to be sold in Aus however there are vast differences in their scores and safety levels
Any suggestions/good deals on convertible or rear facing car seats?
In the market currently also and doing loads of research. I don't know how but safety score on the mother's choice adore or accord seem to score impressively for their price. I just think they feel meh… So looking at whats above that and super safe
**Edit we looking for newborn upwards so this model isn't something I've researched
I wouldn’t put too much stock into any of the child seat reviews as they’re almost all tested differently and inconsistently, especially as some of the seats have the exact same shells but different fabrics but come out with wildly different results. Buy the ones that have the features you want at the price point you want and be done with it.
https://www.facebook.com/fitrightsw/photos/a.124646048881600…
And the next few photos in their gallery have the clearest comparison I’ve seen.
That is generally because the testing becomes more stringent with time so comparing the same/similar model from year to year can provide very different rating.
If you want the safest car seat, it is a rear facing rigid frame isofix seat made by Volvo.
Naturally it's illegal in Australia..what would Volvo know about safety!
Dont sweat over forum posts..every seat we have here is rubbish. The $100 Ezy Switch is just as safe as $900 Britax.
Proof.. Put it in your car, put a doll in it and simulate a T bone accident (whack it laterally). Watch the dolls head go flying.
So my honest answer would be that if you want the safest seat, you will need to do it illegally.
Crazy enough that statement about safest seats being illegal here is true! It's actually beyond me….
No, not really.
Even though it doesn't justify the extra cost, there is more high-tech cushioning in the head restraint area of the more expensive models. It's like saying a Volvo and a Cherry both have seatbelts and airbags therefore they are just as safe as each other.
Have a look at where the rigid frame and padding sits.
When we looked, some had adjustable "chin padding"… which im sure the little one would love over summer.
What did it offer over the rigid head restraint they all had…nothing. Chin padding is ridiculous.
There is no right answer for everyone. For example, Infasecure had these side bits that would get in the way of my cars side curtain airbag.
The best seat for me was one with a convex upper section (so it didnt hit the front seats), solid lateral head protection, can be used RF for longer, nothing on the sides that will pierce an airbag. That happened to be the cheapest seat. Really wanted rigid isofix..but Australia doesnt have it.
I would love this over maxi cosi but it’s not compatible with uppababy pram? Anybody using it with uppababy pram before?
what? Of course it’s not compatible it’s a car seat…
Here is what I mean, sorry I should have included the link
https://www.babybunting.com.au/search?term=Maxi+cosi+capsul
Those are for capsules, not seats. Capsules are good for 0-6 months. If we get to choose again, we will skip the capsule altogether.
Maybe this https://www.babybunting.com.au/product/britax-safe-n-sound-b… (ISO) or https://www.babybunting.com.au/product/britax-safe-n-sound-b… (non-ISO)
You wouldn't want to be taking the seat in and out of the car every time you use the pram!
Get a capsule if you really want, all of our kids had outgrown them within 3 months though so they're not exactly the best value proposition. I'd recommend buying one second hand or hiring one.
@whitelie: capsules are great. I bought second hand (but a good model, well rated) and pram adaptor - the best for fitting in and moving babies, particularly when sleeping. Worth every cent
@MrFrugalSpend: We also could not see the benefit of capsules for their limited scope of use, but I realise there are others that love them. It's really comes down to personal preference.
But speaking more generally, unless you know the full history of the car seat/capsule, it's not recommended to buy second hand.
@tranter: I was very happy with my second hand purchase.
Nice old lady, had it for the grandkids / potential further grandkids. I questioned her about it, it had not a lot of use as only two grandkids, not daily use.
She confirmed no accidents, and said it was kept in perfect condition because she wanted it to be for her own grandkids if she had any more - However her daughter had told her to sell it as they weren't having any more. It was not old, year made is clearly stamped on it.
If you are a good judge of character and eyeball someone and ask direct questions, you can tell whether they are lying and have a genuine concern for children's safety so would not scam you on a safety feature (In addition to being able to inspect it thoroughly at fixing points of straps etc).
She even gave us some baby clothes etc she was clearing out.
The benefit of capsules is undeniable in my opinion. Absolutely one of the best baby purchase we made - (and we bought some useless ones). Given we also had a car seat, I would argue that makes me more qualified to say it was a good purchase then someone that didn't try it. The scope is not limited at all, it is very versatile. Our capsule went into the hospital, doctor appointments / vaccinations, events for sleeping in - we carried it often without bothering with a pram (pram is the more time consuming part - but it clipped right on it too when we wanted it for a longer walk), around shops regularly etc, it was used to help kids sleep by taking them for a drive with seamless transfers in and out, excellent with putting them in and out where the roadside is busy as no time at all, or anywhere any time. It clipped into the pram so went on walks, went to social gatherings/dinner so baby could sleep in it and we could move back to car and go without any disturbance - absolute god send. Things are hard enough with sleep patterns and life changes with a baby - anything that makes it easier and safer is well worth a couple of hundred bucks. Especially when you can get half that back re-selling it.
Sure you can live without it… but you can churn your own butter too
From personal experience - don't bother with a capsule that's compatible with a pram. All capsules in Australia legally require a top strap to be used (they don't elsewhere in the world). The effort required to disconnect that top strap makes removing the capsule a pain. We got a Safe-n-Sound Unity specifically because it's compatible with the pram, but we've barely put it in the pram, it's too much effort for such a specific case of putting a sleeping baby in the pram, and they grow so quickly you need to replace it in a few months anyway (we made it to 6 months on our 12 month capsule). We would have had a much larger range of car seats available to us if we hadn't gone this route, and could have bought a convertable seat from the start.
I disagree - we didn't have a problem with the one we had. Ours just unhooked in like a second. Was the best thing ever.
And just clicked into the base in a second too.
We used it with the pram exclusively. didn't even get the proper pram seat out.
I would never have a baby any other way then a capsule and pram adaptor. Worth every cent.
The amount of times we could easily just strap baby in inside the house/wherever calmly and easily with plenty of room, walk to the car with the capsule clicked into the pram, or around the park, or to appointments, Transfer to the car and back out, to the pram and back off, carry or wheel around, regardless of sleeping or not. It's a huge benefit, but not the only one. Such a breeze vs moving a baby in and out of things particularly road side, strapping in in back of car, or out in the sun etc.
Then get a seat more suited to a larger infant for use up to 8 years in like 9-12 months. Use the capsule with next child or give/sell to a friend. No big deal. Mine cost like $150.
Was going to post after I bought one today but beat me to it! Have been actively watching this for around 6 months including boxing day and ebay sales and the cheapest has been $700 -
too much of a price jump over the maxi guard pro for me, but $615 seals the deal.
Don’t forget 1.8% shopback and $30 in baby bunting member rewards too.
Since there is no iso fix seats to 8 years old, this seems like by far the next best option. Thank the idiotic Australian regulators that think they are incredibly important and no other regulations around the world are good enough, in effect giving us worse product availability. Also responsible for why we have the only 4 seater new Honda HRV in the world.
Anyway, not many reviews as it’s new and very pricey, but looks to be the nicest car seat on the market here. The b.first models (including isofix) are also on sale for those that want newborn to 4yrs.
Can you please link the b.first models you are referring to? Thanks
Damn it.
Got this same 3 days back. Tried purchasing online so I can rerun the old receipt/new box. Expired while paying.
Not sure if they can refund 20%. Will check anyway. Good deal till it lasted n
Anyone would know if this would fit right next to a Millenia+ in second row?
Probably depends what car you have. I don't have this one so I can't answer exactly. I have millenia+ and maxi guard pro in my cx5. They fitting well next to each other but not very comfortable for passenger at the back seat.
Thanks! Then probably won’t fit in my golf. Need to upgrade my car soon too!
It’s a good price for $619 but the maxi guard pro was available for less than $500 recently before the price hike and the occasional eBay sale would put it down to under $400. That boat might have sailed though.
Showing standard price?
Does anyone have any recommendations for a 1 to 8 year old seat? This would need to be forward facing and the highest rated one on the car seats testing site that several people have mentioned is the SecureSafe Guard Elite, which is $599. Is this the one to go for or are there others people recommend as I don't see this one mentioned much?
In my experience circumstances may change so going for an up to 8yr old seat and paying top dollar for it may not be the best way to go. Technology and safety advances also mean that the safest seat now will be easily outdated by the time your child is 8. We bought an Infasecure newborn to 8yrs for our first child and have since had many different seats. Especially important if you end up having 3 kids like us and try to fit seats 3 across. The convertible seats also tend to be safer in some configurations than others. So buy for the next day 3yrs and then review. Boosters for older kids are cheaper and some are well rated from CREP despite being one of the cheapest.
CREP rating?