Design
The Delta is Hipod’s budget model Infant Carrier. It has a brushed polyester seat cover and comes in a red and black or navy blue combination.
The Delta comes in two parts, the base which is permanently fixed inside your car and the carry bassinet which is portable. It is designed so that in the event of a car accident the base will absorb the shock leaving your baby unharmed.
It's rear facing only and will ‘seat’ an infant up to 12kgs.
Features
For a budget carrier the Delta comes with lots of features. It has a washable seat cover with shoulder pads, a newborn insert and a multi positional harness.
For safety, it has a stabilising bar at the foot of the base to provide additional security in the event of an accident.
For your baby’s comfort, it has an adjustable knob which allows you to adjust the incline and a sun shade.
For you, it has a comfortable carry handle which you can adjust to turn the carrier into a baby rocker when you're out and about.
Performance
The Delta's instructions are easy to follow and the unit should take you about 15 minutes or so to install. Once installed, the carrier is very easy to get in and out of the base. The safety harness is a little fiddly to adjust but it’s easier to access than other car seats I’ve road-tested.
From a safety perspective this carrier will accommodate a baby up 12kgs which is safer than others which will only accommodate a baby up to 9kgs. The Delta has additional safety features such as high sides and the stabilising bar mentioned above.
The handle is comfortable for carrying and is easy to adjust so that you can put the carrier into rocking mode.
The Delta also has a nice comfy seat, it's not the most padded or luxurious I've seen but it does its job. The sun hood is a reasonable size and can be easily detached.
As a travel system
The Delta infant carrier is compatible with the Hipod Aspen pram to create a travel system. The carrier is easy to fit into the stroller and fastens securely onto the bumper bar.
To use the stroller as a travel system all you need to do is remove the cover from the bumper bar and recline the seat. You lower the carrier in on a gentle angle and click it onto the bumper bar then raise the backrest of the stroller to ensure the carrier is flat.
You may need a few test runs with an empty carrier to get the angle right but once you’ve got it, it’s as easy as pie.
Removing the carrier just needs a quick squeeze of the handle on the back and voila, you are ready to move on.
You should be aware though; infant carriers are not made for long periods of use so if are intending to be out and about for longer than an hour or so you should use the pram by itself.
Drawbacks
The Delta's hood may obscure your sight through your rear window. You can always adjust or remove it if this is the case.
Traffic Authorities recommend that you ensure adequate air ventilation around your baby while they are in a baby capsule. Point your air conditioning nozzles towards your baby's head if you are concerned.
Conclusion
The Delta is a good quality budget infant carrier with lots of features but you are only going to use it for six months. It’s doubly good value if you want to team it up with a Hipod Aspen pram for a budget travel system.
Target often have their car seats and infant carriers discounted, keep your eyes open for their nursery sales to make an extra saving.
It’s no use paying a fortune for a capsule if it is not installed properly. It is worth paying extra to have a professional install your seat for you. Ring your local transit authority for their recommendation in your local area.
You can never know enough about car safety for your baby. Find more information on the RTA website.
About Hipod
Hipod makes a range of car seats, and now the Aspen stroller, all of which are sold exclusively through Target.
