Recaro OptiaFix - quality from a trusted brand
Few people know that Recaro has been on the market for over a hundred years. And all this time, the company's specialists have developed and introduced into production the highest quality and perfect seats for sports cars and premium cars.
The high quality and unsurpassed level of safety also applies to the child car seats of this company. Numerous crash tests carried out by independent expert communities have demonstrated the reliability of the Recaro restraints.
The OptiaFix child car seat is a kind of embodiment of the many technical developments of the German company. It's as secure as a sports car seat, as comfortable as a premium car seat, and ergonomic like the rest of the brand.
The Recaro OptiaFix car seat went on sale in 2015. The model belongs to category "1" and is intended for transportation of children aged from 9 months to 4.5 years and weighing from 9 to 18 kilograms.
OptiaFix is perfect for long road trips as it provides the little passenger with a comfortable sleeping position, comfortable fastening, and head and neck support. Also worth mentioning is the high-quality, durable upholstery that feels like faux suede.
Main characteristics
| A country | Germany |
|---|---|
| Mounting features | The seat is mounted using a special base with the Isofix system and an additional emphasis on the floor. The child in the car seat is secured with internal five-point straps. Installation with standard car belts is not provided. |
| Construction weight | 17.5 kilograms |
| Latch mount | Absent |
| Category | "1" (from 9 months to 4.5 years, up to 18 kilograms) |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 44 × 69 × 75 cm |
| Installation | The car seat is installed in the direction of the vehicle |
| Internal straps | 5-point, with soft inserts, have a centralized tensioning system |
| The ability to transform a model into a booster | Absent |
Design features
| Side impact protection | Yes |
|---|---|
| Headrest adjustment | Yes, 6 positions |
| Backrest adjustment | There is |
| Removable cover | There is |
| Anatomical insert | Absent |
Extra features
| Pocket for small items | Absent |
|---|---|
| Cup holder | Absent |
| Sun visor | Absent |
| Can be used as a rocking chair | No |
| Can be used as a carrier | No |
| Swivel mechanism | No |
| Stroller compatible | No |
Security options
The Recaro OptiaFix car seat is characterized by the highest level of reliability, thanks to the advanced side impact protection system - HERO Safety System.
It integrates the harness and headrest into a single unit, and prevents twisting of the straps and incorrect position of the head and shoulders. In addition, the sidewalls are equipped with an ASP (Advanced Side Protection) system designed to absorb and damp impact energy.
Installation of a car seat on the back seat is carried out using a rigid clutch base on the basis of Isofix and an additional emphasis on the floor. Such a fixation is considered very reliable, this is the installation method recommended by many European car manufacturers.
Thanks to the extended base, the holding device is highly stable. It is able to keep the child at sharp turns, in the event of sudden braking or a traffic accident.
Children's orthopedists took part in the creation of the structure. This allows you not to worry about the position of the child in the car seat, even during long journeys. Thanks to well-thought-out ergonomics, prolonged sitting in the seat does not harm the child's spine.
Advantages and disadvantages of the chair
Feedback from parents allows you to understand the main strengths and weaknesses of this model. However, even a cursory study of all kinds of reviews and characteristics leads to the opinion that the advantages of the Recaro OptiaFix are much greater than the disadvantages. We list main advantages:
- The car seat is made of high quality, impact-resistant plastic, additionally reinforced with a metal frame.
- It has a built-in Isofix base, which allows you to rigidly and very firmly connect the car seat to the car body without any problems.
- The restraint has reinforced lateral protection and a special system that prevents damage to the child's head and neck during collisions and sudden maneuvers.
- Internal safety straps, which are covered with soft pads, can be adjusted in height together with the headrest in six positions.
- The use of a porous filler allows not only to soften shocks, but also to ensure optimal air circulation. All this is especially important in the hot season.
- It is possible to transfer the car seat to the “sleepy” position with one movement of the hand.
- Thanks to the extended base, the designers managed to achieve impressive stability of the holding device. This further increases the safety of the trip.
- The removable cover, made of high-quality wear-resistant material reminiscent of faux suede, can be machine washed in cool water.
- The fabric from which the seat covers are made is made of hypoallergenic materials. All covers have passed laboratory tests and are certified.
As for the shortcomings, they are difficult to detect even for the most picky user. So, a rather big cost can be attributed to the number of disadvantages - in domestic stores you will have to pay about 21,500 rubles for a car seat.
Crash test results ADAC
The car seat "Recaro Optiafix" was tested in 2016 in the laboratory of the independent expert community ADAC. Out of 26 good restraints, this seat was ranked first in its category.
The experts noted not only the excellent design, but also the highest reliability indicators provided by the HERO and ASP systems.
It was the protection against side impacts in this car seat that turned out to be at its best, but the results in frontal collisions are slightly worse.
In addition, the Recaro OptiaFix stands out from the competition for its good ergonomic performance.
Experts noted the sufficient space for the child, convenience for the legs, as well as an excellent view, which helps the baby to explore the world around him while driving.
| Benefits | disadvantages | |
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| Safety |
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| Ease of use |
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| Ergonomics |
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| Taking care of your device |
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| Sustainability |
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Installation features
Of course, the car seat should be installed in accordance with the instructions. We will list the main nuances and points to which you should pay special attention.
First of all, you need to snap the kit guides onto the Isofix brackets in the machine. Then you should carefully bring the chair into the passenger compartment, pull out the guides for fastening to the machine brackets and fasten them. In this case, the supporting leg should be in the folded state. The additional support must be extended and rest against the floor. We stretch it and fix it tightly.
If everything is done correctly, the three “lights” on the indicator panel will change from red to green. In the center there is an indicator that is responsible for the state of the supporting leg, along the edges it monitors the state of the Isofix fastening system.
With the help of the lower gray key, the Isofix guides will be extended during installation, the middle button adjusts the inclination of the car seat, the upper one controls and fixes the tension level of the straps.
On the sidewalls of the headrest, valves for additional protection against side impacts are found, which can also be extended when transporting a baby. Feedback from parents shows that such devices make a little rattling and noise when the car is moving.
The upper part of the seat has a brace that adjusts the level of the headrest as the child grows. It also allows the inner 5-point harness to be tightened to provide added protection for the little passenger.
Where to buy Recaro OptiaFix?
You can buy this product both in a large shopping center and in an online children's goods store. The latter option is becoming more and more popular among parents, so we will consider it in more detail.
Car seat group 1 (9-18 kg) Recaro OptiaFix
As a conclusion
The Recaro OptiaFix car seat is an attractive, visually pleasing restraint, equipped with many different options, enough to make the most positive impression on all parents. Even the most discerning ones.
The cost of the device is not the lowest, but for this money you can buy a really high-quality car seat, which will provide the highest level of safety and comfort for a little traveler.
