seat- Paratus vs Stratos vs recaro

We're happy with the Paratus (in a leaf sprung Troopy-the ultimate test) and the missus has a crook back.

Brett,

I have sat in all the listed seats and IMHO I would go the Stratos suspension seats. I would also option them up to add to the comfort. I am going to get 2 for the front of the cruiser when I pick it up.
Matt (WA) has fitted them to his 80 series as well.
We both have major back problems.

Cheers Kev

The standard Disco seats are excellent;-))

You can get them at a wrecker, they would be much cheaper than the ones you mentioned.

Baz :-))

I had a Stratus seat orignially. However I upgraded to a Recaro this year. I find the recaro is a more supportative and comfortableseat for me.
However, it does depend on the shape of your body as to which seat will suit you the best

I have had a back operation and I have the Stratos xt commercial (non suspension)seats in both my 80 series and 79 series work ute. Have had no pain since started using them be it on the highway or heading out to minesites along goat tracks. I have broad shoulders and found the Recaro a bit narrow accross the upper back. The Paratus look like a nice seat but I have never sat in one. It is really up to you to find the one most suited to you, it will always be a gamble unless you can test run a seat on a couple of trips. I got my first Stratos off Ebay for about $1000 for the pair. If they were no good I was going to sell them on, that is an option if you can find a cheapie to try out.

I have a pair of Paratus seats that I bought for a GQ about 11 years ago...
When I got the GU ('99), I kept the seats but didn't fit 'em straight away as the bases are quite different..
Put up with the std GU seats for a while, but after any more than a couple of hours behind the wheel, I would be simply unable to stand up straight and could hardly walk when getting out of the vehicle... (I've had on-going back problems for 35 yrs)...
Anyway, bit the bullet & got the bases made to fit (cost almost as much as the seats did originally:() and Bingo!! I could actually get out of the vehicle and walk around (upright!!), even after a 13 week trip "thru the middle" & driving pretty much every day...

A few years ago we had to get home from Perth in a bit of a hurry due to a "family matter".. did it in 4 1/2 days (towing), and the ol' back was just fine...

The seats have had sheepskin covers on 'em since new, and are still in perfect condition..

I can't comment on the other brands you mention, but Paratus have certainly been good value for me:) .. YMMV....

Regards, Ed C
..

Slight tangent here Brett , cause I spent several hours last weak
repairing my GU driver seat which I discovered had developed large cracks around where the actual seat mounts onto the mounting frame and whole seat had sunk about 15mm.

We have always found GU seats to be great even over long distances and had little incentive to try others.

The recent fix made me aware of a few things - the first being that the actual seats mounts are paper thin and the main sheet steel underpan is thinner than a bake beak can.

I wasn't looking forward to dismantling the seats as I always seem to cross thread the mounting bolt near the transmission tunnel.
However after working thru a seat repair I realized that it would be
quite straightforward to modify the foam and change seat characteristics if any particular issue like lower back support etc needed improving.

Hi Brett,
As Kev has mentioned above I have 2 x Stratos xtltss suspension seats and they are great. I have some large back drama's and I was able to go off road for the first time in a while last weekend. With the suspension it is like being a passenger in a late 70's tank fairlaine. You just glide over the bumps.
Matt

Have broken my back twice once resulting in a fusion... Paratus seats were great in the GQ.. BMW 5 series Seats I had were outstanding!

but I'm going looking for some seats out of some luxury grey import cars over any of the overpriced seats mentioned. They will be about 1/5th the price and usually as comfortable. Had them in my rodeo ute out of a Honda something import. Brilliant seats. $100 to have them fitted.