Car seat Q for friend in Europe...

[drjanetm]

I know a few of you have some knowledge of the European car seat market and laws, so I thought someone might be able to help my friend better than I can.

She has a 2.5yo, 34lb, 38" DS, and is looking to upgrade his seat. He will be the last child in the seat, so no need to worry about passing it on to a younger sibling! I know there has been talk of a Recaro seat in the US, but TBH I've not been following it, so not sure if I should recommend it to her or not.

Any advice as to which seat would suit?

[papooses]

Which country?

I'm thinking I'd be all over Scandinavian Britax seats if possible :)

[drjanetm]

She's in Switzerland. AFAIK, she can use seats from any Euro country, but not sure about Scandy.

[QuassEE]

Last time I checked, Denmark and Sweden were both Member States of the EU...and in Europe. ;)

[UlrikeDG]

The 2006 ÖAMTC tests are online here: ÖAMTC - Kindersitztest 2006 (http://www.oeamtc.at/index.php?type=url&menu_active=21&id=/netautor/html_seiten/kisitest_2006/gesamt.html). Keep an eye on this page (http://www.oeamtc.at/netautor/pages/channel/pages/1100118.php) for the release of the 2007 results. You could also check the 2005 results, as they don't retest all the seats every year.

ÖAMTC is the Austrian version of AAA. Those tests are also reprinted by the German AAA (ADAC). They should be quite relevant in Switzerland.

[UlrikeDG]

Yes, but when I was in Germany, we didn't get many Scandinavian seats in the baby shops. There was maybe one or two. OTOH, there were lots of French seats. Geography does matter. Scandinavian countries aren't shipping their seats that far south. Could be different regulations from country to country within the EU as well (the way Canada gets a lot of US seats, but not all of them).

[drjanetm]

Thanks guys. I will send her those links!

[Morganthe]

Your friend might find it easiest to check out the different baby & children's stores around her. She'll get the best customer support that way, especially if there's a problem after the sale. Manufacturers are not known for good direct communication with the consumer. :whistle: I found that out from some of my German friends when they were suprised I had no hesitation to voice a complaint to Graco.

Since she's in Switzerland (Not part of the EU, if anyone cares to know, but its own consortium: Confoederatio Helvetica ;) ), she might discover that the seats available to her, rely on what region she is in. If she's in the German influenced areas, then the German seats, France --- French seats, Italian, ya get it :) Romisch (Sp?) region would be the only one stuck out on a limb, but there might be the best selection yet :p

If she does happen to see this most awesome Tandem Walking 3 wheel stroller, can she please pass along the Manufacturer's name & model? We saw it last January around the Chillon area. Side by side style, but took up so little space compared to the joggers I've seen. Kids looked very comfortable in it. I've been extremely curious ever since. I should have stopped the poor woman to indulge my fascination :p

Best of luck to her. :)