Need a new carseat

Ok we need a new carseat, don't have a lot in the budget, don't need a rear-facing one. (It's for Briona. Hannah's in a booster, Krystiana is in a Safe n Sound convertible).

What are your recommendations, preferred choices, etc? Are forward facing carseats actually available and cheaper than convertible, as one would presume?

Okay have been window shopping this arvo and here's the options:

EvenFlo? forward facing/upgrades to booster (9kg-45kg) $299
Guardian (which is actually what I have for Kryssi) $329
Mother's Choice spot print - the standard one that Farmers have $215
Mother's Choice Civic $219
Mother's Choice Nomad $179 (currently sold out so I don't know what it's like)
Mother's Choice Corvair (basic but shaped headrest) $239
Safety First $189 (didn't seem well padded)
Safe n Sound Galaxy Classic $249

All the convertibles are cheaper than the forward facer at Baby Factory, so I might as well have a convertible. So it seems there will be a short list of:

Safe n Sound Galaxy Classic $249
or a Mother's Choice one ($179-$239)

Anyone have a Mother's Choice?Nomad and spot print Corvair

Edited by busymum

CRS wrote: Hiya busymum I will say one thing though, stay away from the Mothers Choice/Babywise/GoSafe seats. It's not because they're unsafe (they are definitely safe) it's just that they have very short shells so children outgrow them earlier by height compared to most other seats. They also only rear-face till 9kg although that's not a problem for you since you're only using it forward-facing.

The stabiliser bars on them also buckle fairly quickly when used forward facing. We had one for Maya and when it's forward facing the stabiliser bar folds underneath but the weight of the child causes the stabiliser bar to warp. I rang the Baby Factory about it and they said they replace the stabiliser bars for $25 and that it happens fairly frequently with these models.

CRS wrote: Maya wrote: The stabiliser bars on them also buckle fairly quickly when used forward facing. We had one for Maya and when it's forward facing the stabiliser bar folds underneath but the weight of the child causes the stabiliser bar to warp. I rang the Baby Factory about it and they said they replace the stabiliser bars for $25 and that it happens fairly frequently with these models. Eek! Good to know. I've not noticed it before but it's pretty hard when you're on your feet and rushed of course LOL. Thanks for sharing though. They're safe.. but ugh.. just personally I do not like them at all!

You'd think I'd learn - but I still ended up getting the same models for the gremlins as they were so much cheaper, figuring I'd upgrade them to the AlphaOmega when they were 2 or so, but then when the car got stolen the Baby Factory couldn't supply replacements so we ended up with the Safe n Sound Guardians - muuuuuch nicer!

That's interesting Emma, cause I have a Guardian already and figured the Mother's Choice ones were basically the same model in a different suit! I'm glad I've checked on here now

busymum wrote: That's interesting Emma, cause I have a Guardian already and figured the Mother's Choice ones were basically the same model in a different suit! I'm glad I've checked on here now

Structurally there isn't much difference between the Galaxy and Guardian other then the base (which isn't a safety feature, just for ease of use, especially when rear-facing which is irrelevant for you of course). A Galaxy or Safekeeper would be just fine, especially if you're on a tight budget and they're only going to be used forward-facing. Do check out online shops for competitive prices. Some even offer free shipping!

ETA: Just saw your last post. The Galaxy & Safekeeper aren't exactly "padded", they're about as "padded" as the Guardian. If you wanted something padded you'd want to look at something perhaps like the Royale but it might not suit your budget (approx. $359 depending on where you go). What's different about the royale is that apart from some additional padding, it also has a sun canopy, messy mat, little pockets of netting on the side (for toys, which I never used anyway! (the pockets)) it has a push button harness adjuster, great ease of use feature. What also sets it apart from the Galaxy/Safekeeper/Guardian is the EPS foam on the "side wings" for added side impact protection (it absorbs some of the energy in an accident, when the head etc hits the sides of the car seat). Of course, this is out of your budget though! So the other seats will do/be just fine!

Edited by CRS

busymum wrote: Do you ever go offline?

What is an "offline?" ohhh to be fair my computer pops up when I get an email LOL

busymum wrote: Hey what about a Phil & Ted's?

You could, but they don't have tethers (which I STRONGLY recommend especially for forward-facing children). They are tether strap compatible apparently but I'm not sure how one would go about getting a tether for it. Does make you wonder why it's so cheap though! Check the manufacture date if you do get one of them. I don't have much experience with these seats but would definitely suggest that you try it in your car first to make sure it fits. It's probably no more comfortable then one of the Safe-n-Sound seats above. And definitely, if you do decide to get one of these have a tether strap added.

HTH! :)

oops 11pm! Time for bed (no wonder it's getting cold LOL)

you guys are funny - but we are also looking at s n s seats so this has been helpful for us too....thank you!