Car Seats / Infant Capsules

My DP and I are wanting to purchase a new infant capsule but not really sure what to look for. I saw a Phil & Teds one at baby city the other day that looked pretty good. Nice and padded and looked good quality and was only $169 which I thought was quite affordable. But then there seems to be a huge difference in prices. Some are only $80 new and go right through to over $400 but I can't see much of a difference to be honest. I'm not too worried about how easy it is to carry around as I'm not a fan of lugging baby round in the capsule, it just looks so awkward so she will either be in her pram, or in her baby sling. Ease of putting it into the car obviously not too much of an issue either as capsule will most likely stay there 90% of the time.
Any input appreciated and if you have any favourite brands, let me know! Thanks

If you don't intend to use its carry function (I don't), why not just go straight for a convertible carseat? The one we have will last for ages. Yes, it means we can't lift baby in/out of the car in the seat, but it also means we don't have to go out and buy a new one when s/he outgrows the capsule in 6 months time.
If you did want a capsule, then yeah, I'd just go for a basic one. As long as it meets the NZ safety standards, it should be fine.

I agree with T_rex, if you dont intend on using it for carrying then I'd go straight to a convertable. We have a Fisher Price one which has the base as well (a legal requirement here in Aus).

I guess one of the main reasons the difference in price is the cheaper ones dont have the base where as the more expensive ones do. Personally the cost isnt a major factor for me its more about the Safety and ease of use.

We love our capsule and has been so helpful for those short 10 minute trips to the supermarket or mall etc. We dont however use it in the pram, I dont see the point personally and its not good on babies back for long term use.

We got a Maxi Cosi, only because it fits onto the pram frame that we have and I think it was pretty pricy around $400. It was a present from Grandad

You can always hire a capsule from Plunket which is what we would have done if we were just buying a capsule on its own. My mum and DH are going to do that because chances are any of us will be driving with baby and I dont want to be stuck without a capsule. They are pretty cheap to hire and you only need it for 6 months or so.

A convertible carseat starts off reclined and rear facing (you should keep baby rear facing for as long as possible - plunket guideline is until 1 year old or 10kg, whichever comes last). Then you spin it around and it faces forward with a slight recline, then fully upright once they get a lot bigger. It's the safest option.

I went straight into the convertable car seat also. We are fairly sure that DD would have grown out of a capsule pretty quickly and in reality if you think about it you don't want to be carrying the capsule round as DD is only 4mths old and is already abut 8kg carrying her is bad enough let alone trying to carry another 2-3kg with the capsule. I know woman in my coffee group who can't even carry the capsule anymore they have to put the baby on the snap and go wheels to take them anywhere but still use the capsule don't understand how thats more convenient. In terms of the sleepingbaby mine sleeps anywhere anytime especially in the car. The last two nights she has gone to sleep at mums and I have picked her up taken her to the car and strapped her in where she woke ever so slightly then once moving again she went to sleep got her out of the car and put her to bed easy as barely even woke.

Perhaps you could just hire one from Plunket and decide whether or not you like it.

Now that I know better, I'd get a much lighter capsule than the one we have (a Milano) - I've seen friends ones and they look quite comfy as the baby is much more reclined.