ERF recommendations

H

holiday

Guest
Hi,

Was hoping you might be able to help. I’ve been reading up on erf car seats intensely for the last couple of months and would appreciate some advice before making the plunge.

In terms of cars we currently have a citroen C1 and a BMW 3 series (E90). However, neither are long term vehicles and there is a likelihood we will change over the next few years. We will need two car seats with one being used much more so than the other.

I was thinking of the Axkid minikid as our main car seat. I see many people only keep their kids rear facing until 4 years of age and then ff either as a preference or because of the kids demands. Is the kidzone that much bigger then the minikid? Is this the best option of a compact rf/ff car seat?

Thanks,
Manbir
 
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Adventuredad

New member
Not sure where you are located but rear facing to age four is unheard of unless you are in Sweden where rear facing to age four is strongly recommended. In other countries almost all kids are turned forward facing at 9-15 months. Norway and Finland are doing a little better.

We also have a "gentlemen's agreement" regarding forward facing seats with all major manufacturers (Britax, MaxiCosi, Besafe, Axkid, Klippan and Concord). The agreement is simply that they don't sell any car seats in Sweden which are meant to be used forward facing at an early age since these are unsafe. The manufacturers kindly follow this advice even though it means less profit and more work for them.

Axkid Minikid would be a great choice for your cars. The seat is together with Britax Hi-Way the most compact rear facing seats with seat belt installation. Both seats have the higher 25 kg rear facing weight limit and have also passed the ultra strict Swedish Plus Test to 25 kg. Only five seats in the world have managed this since the Plus Test is very brutal to pass.

Your C1 is far smaller than the BMW but the 3-series does not have good back seat space. A compact seat is therefore preferred. Minikid has a really tall seat shell and will usually last rear facing to around age six or 125 cm of height.

Hi-Way would also work well. This seat is a little cheaper with a seat shell lasting to around age four or 110 cm. Another choice would be Britax MaxWay. It needs a touch more space than Hi-Way and Minikid and will last rear facing to around age five or 115-120 cm.

Kid zone is not really sold any longer. It needs more space than Minikid. There are very few compact combination seats. It's difficult to make a seat which fits well for a 9 month old and a six or nine year old.

The most compact combination seat is Klippan Triofix/Triofix Recline/Triofix Comfort. It's installed with seat belt or Isofix and can be used rear or forward facing 9-36 kg. Since it has Isofix the maximum rear facing weight limit is 18 kg.

The seat has a tall seat shell and a is also a bit more narrow than other seats. Height wise it will usually last rear facing to around age five or 120 cm This seat needs about the same space as HW and MK in sleep position and quite bit less in upright mode.

Your BMW 3 has vehicle seats sloping more than usual so sleep position will be necessary with Triofix or head of your child will fall forward when sleeping. Not dangerous but it can be a little uncomfortable. Minikid should be used with the styrofoam wedge which provide a little more angle. This is included with HW.
 
U

Unregistered

Guest
Hi,
We have a BMW 3 series combi (station wagon) version. The seats are very sloping in the back which is a nightmare with most rear facing seats. We have our daughter in a Maxi Cosi 2 way pearl, and now need to buy a second ERF seat as our son is growing out of his infant seat. I would like to rear face for as long as possible (ie 120cm or six years).

Does the Axkid Minikid with the wedge give the kid a sufficiently reclined position so that they can sleep in a BMW 3? If not, which other seat would you recommend which is better, and also allows my husband (185cm tall) to drive? We have about an additional 5cm available more than what is needed by the 2 way pearl rear facing to give you an idea.

The two way pearl is excellent, and in the max reclined position she can sleep really comfortably. I would like another seat that works so well for her but just lasts longer!!

Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks and kind regards, Jan Kelly
 

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