Infa Vario Max Booster vs SNS Maxi Rider

[No.5]

I'm starting to look into booster seats for DS for later in the year.

These 2 are the 2 that we are decided on. Just wondering if you have either of these seats and what are the pros/cons for them?

[mummyof3]

We have the vario Max's for sons 8 and 5 with H harnesses and I think they are great seats. Rated number one on RACV safety tests too, so you cant really go wrong! I do think the maxi riders are nicer looking seats, but considering they are a lot more expensive too, I couldnt go past the vario's.
The kids find them very comfortable, and they have the drink holders. They are also quite narrow too, and we easily fit two of them as well as a baby seat in the back of our car. I well recommend them!

[No.5]

Thanks mummyof3. DF actually thinks the vario's are better looking
He seems overly keen on the vario so in the end, chances are its the seat we'll get..
Good to know its number one on the RACV safety list!

[Mak]

Hi

We're having same discussions - keep in mind that the 5 point harness on the MaxiRider is not recommended after child is 18kg - so you would need a H harness after this.

GL - we're still on the hunt!

[zada]

dont forget the laws coming in in June/july! Children up to the age of 4 need to be in a seat with a built in harness. So of your choices the maxi rider definatly

[mbear]

I have 2 x maxi riders and intend to buy another fairly soon.....
Yes i agree, they are expensive, but for us we could find that money because i felt my girls safety is A1 of importance, and i had heard a lot of reviews and recommendations re: maxis, so just decided to go with that.

• Love the cup holders (although, 3 MR in a sedan type car means you wont be able to use the cup holders - as we found in our old ford).

• Girls have plenty of room.

• My just 3 yr old is in the inbuilt seat belt of course

• My 5 yr old is sitll in the inbuilt seat belt but we have the Harness for her when she hits 18kgs (she around 17, so any time really).

Only neg i would give re: MR's is they are wide car seats. Infact i remember the car installation guy said they are prob the widest on the market - thus the reason we couldnt fit 3 along our back seat and had to sell our car....
We bought the SNS hi liner - same capabilities as a MR, made by same people, attaches to rear bolt of car and made for H - harness.......We found it too skinny and my DD#1 always looked uncomfortable in it....so we sold it.

[angela88]

dont forget the laws coming in in June/july! Children up to the age of 4 need to be in a seat with a built in harness. So of your choices the maxi rider definatly

Hi

This is the first time I've ever posted anything so forgive me if I do something wrong - it's also a bit long.

Our daughter is ready for a booster seat but we got incorrect advice from the shop assistant in Brisbane. So I went looking for more information about the new child seat laws that are coming in sometime during 2009. There is nothing in the new regulations about having to have an in-built harness after 4 which is not what we were told in the shops - the new National legislation they are looking at includes:

* a child six months old or older but less than four years old must be restrained in a suitable rearward facing approved child restraint or in a forward facing approved child restraint that has an inbuilt harness.
* a child between the age of four years and seven years of age must be restrained in a suitable forward facing approved child restraint that has an inbuilt harness or be seated on an approved booster seat and be restrained by a seatbelt.
* a child under the age of four years must not be in the front passenger seat of a vehicle with two or more rows of seats.
* a child between the age of four years and seven years must not be in the front passenger seat if the vehicle has two or more rows of seats unless all the other seats are occupied by children under the age of seven years.

If a child is heavier or taller than 'normal' - like my little monkey is - a restraint appropriate to the child's height or weight may be used.

The shop assistant was confused about the need for an in-built harness in a booster seat - they are not required in a booster seat. They were pushing us to buy the Maxi Rider II - bit more searching and I found that the Infa Vario Kid was classed as the safest booster seat. We had the Safe-n-Sound Meridian up to now - was surprised that there were other safer rearward and forward facing seats.

Also found a link to child restraint tests for Australian seats - it's at:
Safer child restraints

I found it pretty hard to track this information down so thought it might help someone else - hopefully not too boring.

Thanks