New CREP results 2012 released today ...FINALLY in 2013!

[willow5]

Latest CREP results 2012 Thought this might be of interest to anyone in the market for a new car seat (Not all seats have been tested though)

[Novella]

Thanks for that , nice to know my older two are in the highest ranked seats in the class (hi-liner in booster and Ezy combo in forward convertible) and DD1 is in a compaq so also still well ranked! Plus they werent the most expensive!!

[shan23]

Glad to see our Ezycombo is top of the list! I bought it a few months ago based on the previous ratings, so glad to see it hasnt dropped!

[feeb]

I am disapointed to see Maxirider AHR has done so badly (we bought it end of 2009 just before DS2 was born and it rated really well), I am happy that Hi liner has rated so well.

[willow5]

There were some very surprising results I think. SnS seem to have been knocked right down from the top in this round. I wish they would test more seats though.

[Novella]

Willow I know your very much aware of child restraint safety issues, do you know how they decide which seats to test? Do the manufacturers pay? Is it done on highest sales?

[willow5]

I wrote to them asking last year asking why all seats on the market weren't tested and how they selected the seats they did test. A rep from VicRoads called me, she said that because they only test annually (well more like bi-annually ) If seats aren't released for sale in time for their intake they don't make that round of testing. So there isn't really any rhyme, reason or selection process. That's the best I could get out of them.

This years, or last years really, took so long and were delayed so long, I think they could have added a few more. But that's just me lol

It's a good guide, but it really is lacking in the number of seats included and needs more regular testing to keep up with the release of seats. By the time the results are out, they're quite outdated.

[nickle730]

I did read somewhere (I seem to recall it was somewhere reliable but can't remember..!!) that the testing is funded by the RACV and the seats are selected for testing based on which seats the RACV sells. The article implied that the results favoured the seats sold by the RACV - as opposed to the RACV selling the best seats as determined by unbiased testing. Does anyone know if this is correct?

[~TT40~]

Spock is in a sns meridian ahr tilt n adjust. is dropped down heaps! i bought it based on previous review but if i was looking now i probably wouldnt even consider it =(
we do like it tho..

[AlligatorsMum]

im also dissappointed to see the SNS Meridian is only three stars

like TT40 - its safety rating was one of the reasons we bought this seat!

[Jaycee]

disappointed that the meridian is only rated at 3 stars

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

WOW - when i purchase our maxi-riders they were basically top of the class (well top 3 anyway) and now they are nearly bottom.
I'm also surprised to see there is an unrestrained booster at the same level as the maxi-rider.

Previously all the unrestrained boosters were roughly 2 stars (which was an issue for me looking at needing an unrestrained) but now i have an option that is 4 stars.. i find it very interesting.

[Jewel]

Thanks for posting. Very helpful.

xo

[wysiwyg]

Must be a lot of people checking it out as I am getting an over bandwidth message.

Are there any ISOFIX seats listed or will have to wait till regulations actually changed and then wait for the next CREPS?

I have an Ezycombo for DD got based on list last year - but I must say I hate it, she hates it - it is so damn big (in our Corolla) and doesn't seem very comfortable at all - there is no padding to speak of on the crotch strap and is a real pain in summer. I am waiting till ISOFIX comes in and then will change it - we move our seats often (e.g. to carry an extra adult if one of the kids isn't around) for moving anything etc as we only have one car and would much prefer ISOFIX.

What I would really like is more slimline seats - I am no way convinced the bulk of the Ezycombo is necessary at all and really think the industry should look at how to make 3 safe seats that fit across a standard small car e.g. Corolla - or 2 seats plus an adult.

[willow5]

There won't be ISOFIX seats included in CREP until they are on the market, and even then it will depend on when they are released for sale and when CREP does another intake and testing round. There are a few seats I would love to have seen in this latest round that didn't make it.

SnS have said they may have an ISOFIX seat available late 2013, but I wouldn't hold my breath for that.

The reason seats like the Meridian have scored lower is because they changed the way they test and I think added a criteria. So under the old testing they are still a great seat. SnS just may need to look at a few design changes to keep up with the new testing by CREP if they want to stay top rated.

If you're after slim seats for 3 across the SnS Compaqs should do it and now the new InfaSeure Neons/Kompressors, both pretty good seats. The Neons didn't make CREP I would love to have seen their score! I really like the look of them.

Nickle730, I'd love to see that article if you remember where you saw it! By what VicRoads told me they said no motive on selection of seats tested at all. The woman that I spoke with did spin me some crap on a few other things I asked her about though, so it could be possible.

[wysiwyg]

Thanks for the info - we have a Compaq that DS is in - but I really regret the Ezycombo DD is in ( I just looked at safety rating and a few online reviews) - wish had bought another Compaq to be honest - but now DD is 3.5 seems a bit late, and looks like the Infasecure Neon/Kompressors which hadn't seen before are only till 4, hence I thought I would wait out the ISOFIX but maybe they will both be out of seats by then!

Willow - do you know what are slimmest fit with good safety for over 4 average height.

I know when I went to the shop where I got my Compaq to try and by the Ezycombo - they were quite sniffy about it and I mentioned the CREP ratings and he suggested something similar to Nickle730 about that the selection of seats wasn't that random.

[Freya]

The ezycombo earns every star they get given, it is by far the best ff 6m-4y seat I've used and we've gone through a few. Nice to see the vario is still up there, not the best anymore but one of, considering its a booster.

Don't think you'll ever find seats that will fit 3 across comfortably unless Australia stop being stupid and upgrade our restraint quals completely. You could fit 3 Diono Radians across a backseat easily in any mode (it's a 0-10y seat) but its not sold here.

[willow5]

Willow - do you know what are slimmest fit with good safety for over 4 average height.

Honestly I don't I can look into it for you though. I have a 3 year old so am not quite up with the 4+ seats yet. My passion is ERF so I have mostly looked at rear-facing seats. But I do know people who will know or have researched the 4+ seats much more than me. I think Freya is one who would have a good idea on 4+s.

I know when I went to the shop where I got my Compaq to try and by the Ezycombo - they were quite sniffy about it and I mentioned the CREP ratings and he suggested something similar to Nickle730 about that the selection of seats wasn't that random.

This is very interesting! I'd love to find out more about this.

Don't think you'll ever find seats that will fit 3 across comfortably unless Australia stop being stupid and upgrade our restraint quals completely. You could fit 3 Diono Radians across a backseat easily in any mode (it's a 0-10y seat) but its not sold here.

Yep I agree Freya Australia needs a complete overhaul and has to stop living on the fact we used to have the best CRS in the world. Yes our top tether is awesome, but other countries now also use top tethers and IMO the Swedish style tether is superior to ours.

I also agree about the Radians being great seats, and great for 3 across.