The Australian/New Zealand Standard for child restraints (AS/NZS 1754) has been amended to allow child restraint manufacturers to include (ISOFIX compatible) lower attachment connectors to rearward and forward facing child restraints.
The lower attachment connectors on the Baby Car Seat can either be a pair of rigid or flexible connectors. The lower attachment connectors are incorporated into the baby car seat design at the time of manufacture and connect to the vehicle’s ISOFIX low anchorages. Note: Not all vehicles are fitted with ISOFIX anchorages.
For More information on ISOFIX please consult our article “Understanding ISOFIX”
Very few car have three pairs of isofix connectors. Car which have three pairs of isofix are later versions of Holden commodore, Chrysler and the the latest Audi Q7.
All other cars have only two pair of isofix connectors; meaning the isofix car seats can only be put behind the driver or passenger.
Isofix is just another way to secure your child restraint into the car. Isofix was created in a partnership between Britax and Volkswagon to help eliminate mistakes made by parents installing child restraints.
It is only safer as parents are making less mistakes. The attachment system is not inherently safer.
Isofix can only be used on car seats that have an exit height marker equivalent to 4 years of age. The Tether strap must always be used whether it is an isofix installation or a seat belt installation.
The lower attachment connectors on the Baby Car Seat can either be a pair of rigid or flexible connectors. The lower attachment connectors are incorporated into the baby car seat design at the time of manufacture and connect to the vehicle’s ISOFIX low anchorages. Note: Not all vehicles are fitted with ISOFIX anchorages.
For More information on ISOFIX please consult our article “Understanding ISOFIX”
There are 4 manufacturers which produce Isofix baby car seats / Capsules.
Infa Secure produce one car seat which has isofix. Infa Secure incorporate a Safe Grip Clamp which is safer and more reliable than Isofix. Maxi Cosi Produce a number of Isofix car seats as well as a 2 Capsules.
The Maxi Cosi Mico AP capsule isofix buckles are too large and the connecting webbing too long, causing to belatedly release the mico plus capsule which fix the isofix issues of the mico ap. The maxi cosi baby car seats also have large isofix buckles and the stabilising bar is at a incorrect angle, meaning that in the majority of the cars the isofix installation will not be as secure as a seat belt installation.
Britax are the creators of isofix and have more experience than any other manufacturer. The Britax isofix baby car seats work and are easier to install than any other manufacturer car seats. The footprint of the seats is narrow allowing the isofix connectors to click in easier.
There are 4 manufacturers which produce Isofix baby car seats / Capsules.
The Maxi Cosi Mico AP capsule isofix buckles are too large and the connecting webbing too long, causing to belatedly release the mico plus capsule which fix the isofix issues of the mico ap.If you need isofix on a Maxi Cosi Capsule, you need to purchase the mico plus capsule as the Mico Ap is a loose installation.
Britax are the creators of isofix and have more experience than any other manufacturer. The Britax isofix Capsule is easy to install. The unity is an A2 capsule and can be heavy to carry a child in.
Many families purchase the Nuna Pippa Klik capsule as the Crep report indicates it is the safest capsule on the market. The design of the Nuna Pippa Kilk is flawed using rigid isofix connectors, where the isofix connectors are meant to be 6 to 7 cm submerged below the seat; however most isofix points are at seat level. This causes the seat to rebound significantly, making isofix installation dangerous. The Nuna Pippa Klik must be installed using the seat belt.
The Mountain Buggy Protect Capsule uses a flexible isofix connection as well as an internal locking clamp. The Isofix connectors are easy to attach to the isofix points. The release mechanism is easy to activate.