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Which mag - car seat "Dont buy"
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02-02-2011 7:57pmCame accross this on another website
http://www.which.co.uk/about-which/press/press-releases/product-press-releases/which-magazine/2007/06/child-car-seats-warning/1
Comments
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Came accross this on another website
http://www.which.co.uk/about-which/press/press-releases/product-press-releases/which-magazine/2007/06/child-car-seats-warning/
Just a heads up, the article is from 2007. You can buy a 1 month trial membership to Which and check out what you're thinking of buying. Just remember to cancel it at the end of the month.
I would really recommend it, great impartial reviews of baby equipment.0 -
Heres the up to date "dont buys" from their site
Which? score: 69%
Price: GBP70.00
Type: Isofix and belt installation possible
Find lowest price
Sunshine Kids - Monterey (with back attached)
This group 2/3 seat is designed to carry children from 15 to 36kg (around 4 years old up to 12). The child travels forward-facing, and the seat can be installed with its Isofast latches using the Isofix mounts, or the adult seat belt. The child is secured using the adult belt. These results are for it with the back fitted.
Crash protection in a front collision is acceptable and even though with the back fitted, side crash protection is good, with the back removed, it is poor. The manufacturer gives the option to remove the back rest for children over 15kg, leaving only a booster and minimal protection for the child if the car is struck from the side, hence the seat is a Don't Buy.
Read more about Sunshine Kids Monterey (with back attached)
Which? score: 53%
Price: GBP250.00
Type: Belted installation only
Find lowest price
BeSafe - iZi Combi X2 (forward facing Group 1)
This group 0+/1 seat is designed to carry children from birth up to 18kg (about four years) - rearward-facing up to about 13kg (about a year) and then either forward- or rearward-facing up to 18kg. It is secured using the seat belt. Its crash protection when installed correctly is acceptable in front- or rear-facing modes, but the high likelihood of installing it incorrectly in rear-facing mode makes it a Don't Buy. The X2 has been replaced by the iZi Combi X3 which we hope to test in our next batch. However, you may still find the X2 in some retailers
These results are for it when used forward facing Group 1
Read more about BeSafe iZi Combi X2 (forward facing Group 1)
Which? score: 46%
Price: GBP90.00
Type: Isofix and belt installation possible
Find lowest price
Chicco - Key 2/3 Ultrafix (Belted)
The Chicco Key 2/3 Ultrafix is a group 2/3 seat, suitable for children from 15-36kg (around four to 12 years old), with the seat secured forward-facing, either using the Isofix mounts and the child secured using the adult seat belt or using the adult seat belt to secure both child and seat in position.
These results are for it using just the adult seat belt.
Read more about Chicco Key 2/3 Ultrafix (Belted)
Which? score: 45%
Price: GBP158.00
Type: Belted installation only
Find lowest price
Volvo - Convertible Child seat (forward facing Group 1)
We recommend you avoid the Which? Don't Buy Volvo Convertible child seat, a group 1/2 seat (also sold by a few specialist UK independent retailers as the Britax Multi-Tech). It is secured using the adult seat belts and aims to cater for children between 9 and 25kg (from about one to about seven years old). It earns the Don't Buy recommendation because even though its crash protection in rear-facing Group 1 mode is acceptable, it is so difficult to install correctly, the chances of getting it wrong are too high, opening up a severe risk that this crash protection will be compromised. Front crash protection in forward-facing Group 1 and 2 modes is also poor.
Its design comes from Britax's Nordic range, and it was subsequently launched as a Volvo seat available through UK Volvo main dealers. For group 1 it is installed rearward-facing or forward-facing, and for group 2 use, it fits forward-facing.
Read more about Volvo Convertible Child seat (forward facing Group 1)
Which? score: 45%
Price: GBP250.00
Type: Belted installation only
Find lowest price
Britax - Multi-Tech (forward facing Group 1)
We recommend you avoid the Which? Don't Buy Britax Multi-Tech, a group 1/2 seat (also sold in the UK by Volvo dealers as the Volvo Convertible child seat). It is secured using the adult seat belts and aims to cater for children between 9 and 25kg (from about one to about seven years old). It earns the Don't Buy recommendation because even though its crash protection in rear-facing Group 1 mode is acceptable, it is so difficult to install correctly, the chances of getting it wrong are too high, opening up a severe risk that this crash protection will be compromised. Front crash protection in forward-facing Group 1 and 2 modes is also poor.
It comes from Britax's Nordic range, and although it isn't listed on the Britax UK website, it is available at some specialist UK independent retailers. For group 1 it is installed rearward-facing or forward-facing, and for group 2 use, it fits forward-facing.
Read more about Britax Multi-Tech (forward facing Group 1)
Which? score: 41%
Price: GBP250.00
Type: Belted installation only
Find lowest price
Britax - Multi-Tech (forward facing Group 2)
We recommend you avoid the Which? Don't Buy Britax Multi-Tech, a group 1/2 seat (also sold in the UK by Volvo dealers as the Volvo Convertible child seat). It is secured using the adult seat belts and aims to cater for children between 9 and 25kg (from about one to about seven years old). It earns the Don't Buy recommendation because even though its crash protection in rear-facing Group 1 mode is acceptable, it is so difficult to install correctly, the chances of getting it wrong are too high, opening up a severe risk that this crash protection will be compromised. Front crash protection in forward-facing Group 1 and 2 modes is also poor.
It comes from Britax's Nordic range, and although it isn't listed on the Britax UK website, it is available at some specialist UK independent retailers. For group 1 it is installed rearward-facing or forward-facing, and for group 2 use, it fits forward-facing.
Read more about Britax Multi-Tech (forward facing Group 2)
Which? score: 41%
Price: GBP158.00
Type: Belted installation only
Find lowest price
Volvo - Convertible Child seat (forward facing Group 2)
We recommend you avoid the Which? Don't Buy Volvo Convertible child seat, a group 1/2 seat (also sold by a few specialist UK independent retailers as the Britax Multi-Tech). It is secured using the adult seat belts and aims to cater for children between 9 and 25kg (from about one to about seven years old). It earns the Don't Buy recommendation because even though its crash protection in rear-facing Group 1 mode is acceptable, it is so difficult to install correctly, the chances of getting it wrong are too high, opening up a severe risk that this crash protection will be compromised. Front crash protection in forward-facing Group 1 and 2 modes is also poor.
Its design comes from Britax's Nordic range, and it was subsequently launched as a Volvo seat available through UK Volvo main dealers. For group 1 it is installed rearward-facing or forward-facing, and for group 2 use, it fits forward-facing.
Read more about Volvo Convertible Child seat (forward facing Group 2)
Which? score: 39%
Price: GBP90.00
Type: Isofix and belt installation possible
Find lowest price
Chicco - Key 2/3 Ultrafix (Isofix)
The Chicco Key 2/3 Ultrafix is a group 2/3 seat, suitable for children from 15-36kg (around four to 12 years old), with the seat secured forward-facing, either using the Isofix mounts and the child secured using the adult seat belt or using the adult seat belt to secure both child and seat in position.
These results are for it tested using the Isofix mounts.
Read more about Chicco Key 2/3 Ultrafix (Isofix)
Which? score: 38%
Price: GBP190.00
Type: Belted installation only
Find lowest price
Brio - Zento (rearward facing Group 0+/1)
We recommend you Don't Buy this group 0+/1/2 seat, which aims to allow you to carry children from birth up to 25kg (around seven years old), secured using the adult seat belt. It falls below our safety threshold in forward-facing Group 2 mode because it performs so poorly in a front crash. In rearward-facing Group 0+/1 mode, it falls below our safety threshold because, even though crash protection is acceptable, it is so difficult to install correctly, the chances of getting it wrong are too high, opening up a severe risk that this crash protection will be compromised.
These results are for its use rearward facing for groups 0+ and 1 (birth to 18kg).
Read more about Brio Zento (rearward facing Group 0+/1)
Which? score: 34%
Price: GBP115.00
Type: Belted installation only
Find lowest price
Safety 1st - Tri Safe
This group 1/2/3 seat claims to be able to carry children from 9kg up to 36kg (about 1 up to 12 years old), but its overall performance means it has been rated as a Which? Don’t Buy.
It is secured in a forward-facing position using the adult seat belt. But attempting to bridge such a wide weight range means compromises in all groups.
Read more about Safety 1st Tri Safe
Which? score: 32%
Price: GBP140.00
Type: Belted installation only
Find lowest price
Petite Star - City Bug
This is a rearward-facing group 0+ seat, designed to carry children from birth to 13kg (about a year old), secured using the adult seat belt.
It has clear instructions and is really easy to install, although when it’s fitted according to the instructions we found it difficult to make it sit stably on the car seat. It offers good head- and leg-support, and the child’s view out isn’t too obscured by the side wings.
Read more about Petite Star City Bug
Which? score: 32%
Price: GBP116.00
Type: Belted installation only
Find lowest price
I'Coo - C-Care
This is a rearward-facing group 0+ seat, designed to carry children from birth to 13kg (about a year old), secured using the adult seat belt.
It has clear instructions and, despite quite complicated belt-routing, it is really easy to install in the car. However, once the seat was fitted, our users found strapping a child in very difficult. Head support is excellent, but the seat offered inadequate leg support.
Read more about I'Coo C-Care
Which? score: 29%
Price: GBP158.00
Type: Belted installation only
Find lowest price
Volvo - Convertible Child seat (rearward facing Group 1)
We recommend you avoid the Which? Don't Buy Volvo Convertible child seat, a group 1/2 seat (also sold by a few specialist UK independent retailers as the Britax Multi-Tech). It is secured using the adult seat belts and aims to cater for children between 9 and 25kg (from about one to about seven years old). It earns the Don't Buy recommendation because even though its crash protection in rear-facing Group 1 mode is acceptable, it is so difficult to install correctly, the chances of getting it wrong are too high, opening up a severe risk that this crash protection will be compromised. Front crash protection in forward-facing Group 1 and 2 modes is also poor.
Its design comes from Britax's Nordic range, and it was subsequently launched as a Volvo seat available through UK Volvo main dealers. For group 1 it is installed rearward-facing or forward-facing, and for group 2 use, it fits forward-facing.
Read more about Volvo Convertible Child seat (rearward facing Group 1)
Which? score: 29%
Price: GBP250.00
Type: Belted installation only
Find lowest price
Britax - Multi-Tech (rearward facing Group 1)
We recommend you avoid the Which? Don't Buy Britax Multi-Tech, a group 1/2 seat (also sold in the UK by Volvo dealers as the Volvo Convertible child seat). It is secured using the adult seat belts and aims to cater for children between 9 and 25kg (from about one to about seven years old). It earns the Don't Buy recommendation because even though its crash protection in rear-facing Group 1 mode is acceptable, it is so difficult to install correctly, the chances of getting it wrong are too high, opening up a severe risk that this crash protection will be compromised. Front crash protection in forward-facing Group 1 and 2 modes is also poor.
It comes from Britax's Nordic range, and although it isn't listed on the Britax UK website, it is available at some specialist UK independent retailers. For group 1 it is installed rearward-facing or forward-facing, and for group 2 use, it fits forward-facing.
Read more about Britax Multi-Tech (rearward facing Group 1)
Which? score: 27%
Price: GBP250.00
Type: Belted installation only
Find lowest price
BeSafe - iZi Combi X2 (rearward facing Group 0+/1)
This group 0+/1 seat is designed to carry children from birth up to 18kg (about four years) - rearward-facing up to about 13kg (about a year) and then either forward- or rearward-facing up to 18kg. It is secured using the seat belt. Its crash protection when installed correctly is acceptable in front- or rear-facing modes, but the high likelihood of installing it incorrectly in rear-facing mode makes it a Don't Buy. The X2 has been replaced by the iZi Combi X3 which we hope to test in our next batch. However, you may still find the X2 in some retailers
These results are for it when used rearward facing for Group 0+/1 (birth to 18kg).
Read more about BeSafe iZi Combi X2 (rearward facing Group 0+/1)
Which? score: 20%
Price: GBP70.00
Type: Isofix and belt installation possible
Find lowest price
Sunshine Kids - Monterey (back removed)
This group 2/3 seat is designed to carry children from 15 to 36kg (around 4 years old up to 12). The child travels forward-facing, and the seat can be installed with its Isofast latches using the Isofix mounts, or the adult seat belt. The child is secured using the adult belt. These results are for it with the back removed.
The manufacturer gives the option to remove the back rest for children over 15kg, which leaves only a booster and minimal protection for the child if the car is struck from the side.
Read more about Sunshine Kids Monterey (back removed)
Which? score: 20%
Price: GBP150.00
Type: Belted installation only
Find lowest price
Chicco - Neptune
The group 1/2/3 Chicco Neptune is designed to transport children from 9kg up to 36kg (about 1 up to 12 years old), but its overall performance means it’s rated as a Which? Don’t Buy.
It is secured in a forward-facing position using the adult seat belt. But attempting to bridge such a wide weight range means compromises in all groups.
Read more about Chicco Neptune
Which? score: 20%
Price: GBP190.00
Type: Belted installation only
Find lowest price
Brio - Zento (forward facing Group 2)
We recommend you Don't Buy this group 0+/1/2 seat, which aims to allow you to carry children from birth up to 25kg (around seven years old), secured using the adult seat belt. It falls below our safety threshold in forward-facing Group 2 mode because it performs so poorly in a front crash. In rearward-facing Group 0+/1 mode, it falls below our safety threshold because, even though crash protection is acceptable, it is so difficult to install correctly, the chances of getting it wrong are too high, opening up a severe risk that this crash protection will be compromised.
These results are for its use forward-facing group 2 (15-25kg).
Read more about Brio Zento (forward facing Group 2)
Which? score: 11%
Price: GBP20.00
Type: Belted installation only
Find lowest price
Little Shield - Combi 123
This is the worst seat we tested, and doesn't offer adequate crash protection. We recommend you avoid it; your child will be much safer with one of our Best Buys.
The Little Shield Combi 123 uses the adult seat belt for a 9kg child (around 9 months) – in our test, the dummy slipped out of the seat belt. Check out our 'Crash test video' to see for yourself.
Read more about Little Shield Combi 1230
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