why would I buy a capsule and not just a

convertible seat.

i am really hoping for some fast advice here as we are going looking today and I think some are on sale.

CRS, your opinions would be invaluable!!!

Ok, so bubs is due in August and we are thinking of getting a convertible seat as we will need to get one sooner or later anyway. We are thinking the safe and sound royale or guardian.

But should we look at a capsule? What is the advantage? We only have one car so most of the time I wont be driving around and will have to rely on public transport and the buggy....unless kind friends pick me up in which case I guess we would need the capsule.

We also plan to come up to AKL to visit grandparents and may hire a car or may not. We dont know if their cars will take capsules? But then again is it a huge hassle taking up the convertible seat?

If we do get a capsule, should we get one with a base ans is the base easy enough to throw (place) on a plane for travel?

Also, do taxis have car seats available? If I need to go somewhere in an emergency are they likely to have them or do we need our own?

Thanks

Nikki

We bought a capsule for Bay and it was awsome! and im using it again for Astin! we changed Bay to a S&S Royale at 5 months and then a 5 point harness booster at 2.5yrs which we will be doing the same for Astin.

With a convertable seat it is harder to go from car to car and public transport cos of the teether clips etc so in that case its easier to go for a capsule and if you arnt planning on anymore bubs then the capsules resell for good prices. We kept ours even though it took us another 3.5 yrs to have another bubs but the capsules are valid and safe for 10 yrs! so thats good!

Its funny how you post a question and as you are asking it you start to answer your own question.... I am beginning to think a capsule might be very practical for us too. Not so much from the point of view of using it in our car (as I will hardly do that) but if a friend was to say "lets do lunch, I'll pick you up" etc I dont want to have to say " no, I'll meet you there after I have walked, caught the bus "

In that case am I right in thinking it would be better to get the capsule and base as the base would fit in more cars than a capsule might on its own? and can you use the capsule without the base? or do you always need both?

capsules are great for convenience... and you can hire them instead of buying them.

Honestly, I would invest in a capsule. Either with a base or without.
I didn't have 1 for my first, Alex & everytime I went out it was absolutely guaranteed that he would fall asleep and then I would have to wake him up to get him out of the car, which would cause him to be a "little" grumpy! LOL.
With Blaire I had a capsule which was fantastic. I could pull the capsule & him out of the car & pop him onto a trolley & lock it in place, do all my shopping, pop him & capsule back into the car and go home...while he slept!
I bought mine from Trademe for $30 so it wasn't a huge expense & it it was in wonderful condition when I got it. On the plus side it was only 5 years old according to the manufacture date so I will be able to use it for baby #3 as well

Well, we dithered for ages in the shops and ended up buying the safe n sound convertible. We figured while it was on sale we would get it as we will need it eventually. If we decide to get a capsule once bubs is born then so be it. I dont think the convertible will be wasted.....and it does fit in our vehicle....man what a brain teaser to do it though.

Iv never heard that your only meant to use the capsule for 30-40mins at a time???? its not in the intructions of the capsule and we wernt told that by the plunket people when getting it fitted either????
We used it for Bay traveling to Whakatane and back every weekend and i found it easier on his neck compared to when we swapped into the convertable cos the capsule reclined back way further but i know that some capsules are sooooo deep and i can see how it would affect the neck and back sitting in such a deep seat!

We have the base for our capsule and its awsome but not an essential i dont think unless you use the car a heck of a lot! and yes you can use the seat without the capsule no problem

We have a capsule and I hate it - for the reasons Paws mentions. Gina just seems to sit in such an unnatural position and after about the 2nd month started crying every time we put her in. We now use a Safe n Sound convertable and love it!

nzpiper wrote: Ok, so bubs is due in August and we are thinking of getting a convertible seat as we will need to get one sooner or later anyway. We are thinking the safe and sound royale or guardian.

First off, I'm going to apologise for having not read all the replies in this thread! Now here's my thoughts..

The Safe-n-Sound Royale and Guardian, both very good choices. Personally I'd go for the Royale as it does have added side impact protection and a front push button harness adjuster which is an ease of use feature (the easier a car seat is to use, the more likely you are to use it properly!). Aswell as some other fluff like a sun canopy and messy mat. The Guardian is a good seat too, just doesn't have the added side impact protection or the push button adjuster and the "fluff"

nzpiper wrote: But should we look at a capsule? What is the advantage? We only have one car so most of the time I wont be driving around and will have to rely on public transport and the buggy....unless kind friends pick me up in which case I guess we would need the capsule.

Now really, this is entirely a personal decision. Some people prefer capsules, some think it's a waste of money and opt for a convertible from word go. Really, that's a hard one. If you get a convertible from word go - will every car you are going in have an anchor point? Because you can never ever use those seats without the tether being attached to an approved anchor point. In this case, maybe a capsule is the best option for you. What's important is that you get a seat that you're going to install and use correctly EVERY time you ride. Do those safe-n-sound car seats even fit your car? You'll need to make sure they do! :) The thing with capsules, is that many people are very tempted to leave their kidlets in them for ages, use them as beds, rockers etc (Hey, I'm guilty of this too before I "knew" anything with my eldest!). First time around I used a capsule with my eldest son, second time around I used a convertible from word go.

If you get a capsule, what kind are you going to get? I'd probably recommend one with a base if you choose to follow that path. Alot of people get european infant seats, most of which can only be used with the seatbelt threaded across the foot of the seat and the shoulder part of the belt right around the back. A lot of cars simply do not have seat belts long enough for that.

nzpiper wrote: We also plan to come up to AKL to visit grandparents and may hire a car or may not. We dont know if their cars will take capsules? But then again is it a huge hassle taking up the convertible seat?

If it were me, I'd probably rather use a capsule then run the risk of hiring or using a family members car that does not have a bolt. It's a toughy really.

As for plane travel, definitely a good idea to use a seat on the plane if you can but check your airline, some don't let you take them on.

As for taxis, sometimes they will have them available (if you request in advance) sometimes they don't. Personally I'd be very wary using one of their seats, you never know what you'll get, how it's been treated and even if it's suitable for your baby.

Like I said though.. capsule or convertible? It's really up to YOU. There is no such thing as the "best" car seat. Some offer more safety features then others which is always great but.. the best car seat is the one that you can install correctly, fits your child, fits your car and the one that you're most likely to use correctly EVERY time. It's really up to you :)

Thanks for that info, that is really interesting and good to hear advice from somebody that knows what they are talking about!