Hello all! I've had my heart set on owning a MINI for quite some time now, but I recently became engaged and I know for a fact that we'll be trying for little ones within the next two years or so. My fiance is all for me having my MINI (he's taking me for a test drive tomorrow! ), but is rather concerned about compromising safety for fit. It seems to me that there are quite a few more options across the pond, but I found something that caught my eye and was wondering if anyone else had heard of it? It's called the Orbit Infant System and it looks pretty darn awesome. Granted, it does cost an arm and a leg, but for safety, I'm willing to pay... It rotates, comes with a compact stroller and is even environmentally friendly. There's a webpage that I am currently not allowed to link to, but orbitbaby.com is pretty easy...
Well, if you do get your hands on that sample, please do let us know how it performs! I'm trying to see if I can find any videos of it in crash tests online (not 100% reliable, I know...), but so far, no luck... I'll probably continue looking when I get home from the dealership this evening.
On a side note and not having anything to do with the Orbit system, did anyone see American Inventor last year? The winner's idea was amazing... It'd probably never fit into a MINI, but WOW! So super cool! If you haven't seen it and are interested, search for the Anecia Survival Capsule.
Very interesting looking, but don't let looks fool you, things sometimes look more safe than they are, take for example the aprica car seat, nearly £500 in the UK, but doesn't perform as well as Britax products which cost under £100
Oh and a car seat can take anything from 1-3 years to come to market from moment of conception depending on its complexity
I don't know... I thought the concept was very worth-while. If they can get that thing to work properly, it'll make an absolute killing. As far as looks go, it's always a bonus to have cool looking baby gear, but I'd much rather have something awful looking that I felt confident with than an awesome looking seat that did nothing for my child... I'm lucky enough to be able to have choices and am starting my research early so I can make the best possible decision for my future gremlins...
Still checking around for crash test results and haven't found anything negative yet but, if I'm not mistaken, Orbit is relatively new. I suppose I'll have to keep sifting through the trash and see what I come up with...
Don't get me going on the aprica...
I don't know about the car seat, but picked up the pram used (needed temorary trolly until the guy fits the zapp), it won't cross a shadow on the sidewalk without just about throwing the little guy out of it. Made for use inside a shopping mall only - and not to cross the parking lot to get to the mall.
BTW,
Maxi-Cosi is supposed to be availabel in the US this year. We went with a Roundabout because we had no interest in taking the carrier out of the car.
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Orbit Infant System 
), but is rather concerned about compromising safety for fit. It seems to me that there are quite a few more options across the pond, but I found something that caught my eye and was wondering if anyone else had heard of it? It's called the Orbit Infant System and it looks pretty darn awesome. Granted, it does cost an arm and a leg, but for safety, I'm willing to pay... It rotates, comes with a compact stroller and is even environmentally friendly. There's a webpage that I am currently not allowed to link to, but orbitbaby.com is pretty easy... 
WOW! So super cool! If you haven't seen it and are interested, search for the Anecia Survival Capsule.
