When our little girl was old enough to sit in a forward facing child seat, I took the plunge and bought a Bobsy G1 from the VW dealer. Best investment I ever made.

The (isofix) seat is extremely sturdy, very high quality and durable. And compared to third party isofix seats, it actually cost a little less as well.

If you don't want to get the VW one, just make sure you get an isofix one. They fit much better and are a lot more secure than the "seat belt" ones.

There's a G0+ for infants up to 15months, the G1 for toddlers up to 48months or 18kg and the G3 for kids up to 12years or 36kg. Ask your VW dealer.

I've seen the exact same seat trimmed in Audi and Mercedes Benz trim, so they don't only sell to VW.

My little one is 3 years old and weighs 18kg now, so I'll be getting a G3 quite soon.

When she was an infant, we used a Graco pram which had a removable seat that could be used as a car seat as well. This made life a lot easier, but this seat wasn't isofix. I think Graco makes an isofix base that you permanently leave in the car, and the seat then clips into this. We didn't have the base.

 

Hmmmm, I think seats bought here in Australia are Australian Standards compliant, whilst the Treg and other euro cars generally have isofix. I don't know which is more secure other than that you'll probably have to do a bit of research and be prepared to take your car to a baby supply shop so you can try to fit it.

It has been a while since we had to use a child or baby seat, but if I remember correctly, you will need extensions straps and the like to adapt AS seats ti isofix.

I don't know about your state, but my friends have mostly hired their capsules from the QLD Ambulance service. Wished I knew this service was available when we had our kids, much less costly and you know it is fitted properly.

 

Wished I knew this service was available when we had our kids, much less costly and you know it is fitted properly.

Who's feeling old after reading this? Me! Vague memories of kiddies restraint thingies in the rear seat of whatever I was driving then.

 

We have a "Baby Love" brand seat from Big W I think. Fits ok in the center ofthe back seat in the Treg, and still just enough room for two adults in the back. Still using it rear facing. For some crazy reason I don't think the isofix system is approved in Australia. I'm sure it is much more secure than wrapping a seat belt through the baby seat, but that's Australian rules for you. See Volvo questions child-seat guidelines - News - Motoring - theage.com.au

 

Just checked the supplementry section of the manual supplied with the car (aussie version) & requirement is to use the points on the back of the seat.

 

We used a safe n sound reversible one that used the points at the back of the seat (you will need the extension strap while it is in the rear facing position), it was rear facing until she was about five months old. While the seat is in the rear facing position it is a pain takes up a heap of room. We then turned the seat around to a forward facing position removed some extra padding (no longer needed the extension strap with forward facing). All together first seat we had lasted our daughter from birth until she was about two and a half.

We then upgraded to the next safe n sound one that was an upright one with arm rests cup holders etc she used that one until she was about five and a half. She is now in a booster seat with just the normal seat belt and she will stay in that until seven (new laws).

Once you do it a couple of times getting the seat in and out of the car is very easy / fast – we often changed the seat between the two cars we had at the time without any fuss.

 

Thought I'd provide an update. Baby arrived 6th September.
We've hired a baby capsule from the Melbourne city council, and perhaps this isofix issue will be clearer in a couple of months when we graduate to a child seat.

The capsule was easily installed on the back seat. You thread the lap section of the belt through, then attach a "Y" shaped strap which attaches to the hooks on the back of each of the rear seats.

Not a lot of time for posting or driving at present

 

One tip for all using a seat that mounts with the seat belt:

If you pull the seat belt out ALL the way and then let it retract, you'll hear a clicking "krrrr" sound as it retracts. If you try to pull it out again while it's making this noise, you'd see it automatically locks. You have to let the belt go all the way back in before you can pull it out again. (It's a little difficult to explain, but give it a try...)

So, the next time you put the seat in, pull the belt out all the way once you've clipped it in the buckle. This will allow you to "pre-tension" the belt by pulling it tight and letting the reel lock it. It makes for a much more secure fit of the seat.

David, Congrats Dad!!!

 

Isofix illegal in oz, need the rear strap. I had safe and sound and didn't need extension strap for Touareg. At 8kg (around 6months) changed to forward. For 2nd baby I might hire a capsule from RACQ cause it is easier to transfer while baby sleeps.

In terms of saftey: apparently both systems have asvantages and disadvantages . Oz main disadvantage is for side impact. Isofix systems biggest problem is it's non sufficiently specification for material/strengths etc and quality varies between manufacturers.

Apparently Oz will review it's laws in the next review cycle and consider isofix if the EU comes up with a clear standard. Until then illegal, mate from England who brought his seat got fined because the seat hasn't been checked against oz rules

 

So if ISOFIX is illegal in Oz, does that mean that child seats are compulsory...? They aren't here. In fact, you still see a lot of people driving around here with babies / toddlers not strapped in at all.

(I'll keep my thoughts on THIS practice to myself... )

 

In Queensland, it is mandatory to:

• Wear seatbelt;
• Have kids in approved child restraint; &
• Wear motor&push bike helmets.

In fact, not long ago, the hospitals actually come out to the car and check that you have a baby capsule before letting you drive-off with your new pride and joy.

Re' Australian Standards or Isofix, IMO, we won't have Isofix in the near future, our local manufacturers have far too much influence to let competitors in, and the reason is always that ours is the safest of all standards, why downgrade to meet international standard.

 

Child Car Restraints - Office of Road and Safety

 

We got ours from 11th March 2010

Frequently asked questions (Department of Transport and Main Roads)

 

3 seats

I got two still in the back, both Safe and Sound and they work a treat. A very cleaver trick is the preg perego capsule, it clips into a base in the car and into the pram. Tiny wee bubs wake up every time you move them two and from the car, they like to sleep in the car. Wake them up waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. With the capsule you can go about your life and they sleep wherever.

After 3 months it was into the rear facing tilt adjustable safe and sound easy to attach to the back of the seat.

5-6 months turn the seat around and tilt more vertical.

1.5 years into an upright seat, however their head flop forward if they fall asleep in the vertical seat.

 

Ok... some good info here, but there has been some updates to ISOFIX legislation in Australia. It is to be approved from sometime this year. With that in mind, does anyone know where to get an ISOFIX seat in Australia?