Probably only want a Recaro

Friend wants to get seats for foster/adopted children (no newborns) and probably only wants to consider Recaro. I agree that she wants something that passes side-impact testing from Europe, and Recaro passes the ADAC.

Any other seats compare?
Not interested in seats that don't pass the side-impact tests, so that throws out most seats on the US market, as there are no standards. Crazy there are none, but that's how it is.

We played with seats in the store and agree that Recaro seem great, with lots of side impact protection. Yes, she'll RF to age 2 or more and legroom is not a concern.

For older kids, the Prosport will keep kids harnessed a long time. (Don't want to just assume that the Frontier85 has decent side-impact protection, so that is out).

I hope your friend enjoys her Recaros! Like you said, there are no standards. So there are no answers for her questions. We just don't know. If she'll only go by European testing, then she can only use seats that were tested in Europe. So whatever she gets would have to have the same copy here, then she has to assume that they didn't test them to US standards, rather than European standards. It's law here that seats must be tested to US standards.

So good luck! Sounds like she's limited herself into a box. But she should be happy with her purchases. The ProRide, ProSport, and ProBooster will work for a wide range of kids, provided she doesn't have newborns.

Wendy

SKJP seats are also tested to ADAC.

True Fit Premier: it says "Deep side wings, side-impact tested to international standards" in their website. I asked them what international standards they followed. They never answered my question.

flyever said:

True Fit Premier: it says "Deep side wings, side-impact tested to international standards" in their website. I asked them what international standards they followed. They never answered my question.

Click to expand...

They could also make up whatever they wanted. In this country, right now, there are no standards. And since international standards are not upheld, they're irrelevant.

Now, do I think that matters (keeping in mind I own and use a True Fit Premier daily)? No. Any rear facing seat will have a lot of side impact protection. Any of them.

Here are the Euro NCAP tests for side curtain airbags. Start watching around the 1:12 mark. They have a rear facing seat back there (I don't know what it is, but it doesn't look like the ProRide). You can see how relatively minor that collision (on the carseat's side) is for the baby compared to the others in the car.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C10hE5wrMVM"]Crash Test 2010 - 20** Suzuki Swift (Full Test) EuroNcap - YouTube[/ame]

Wendy

Unregistered said:

Friend wants to get seats for foster/adopted children (no newborns) and probably only wants to consider Recaro. I agree that she wants something that passes side-impact testing from Europe, and Recaro passes the ADAC.

Any other seats compare?
Not interested in seats that don't pass the side-impact tests, so that throws out most seats on the US market, as there are no standards. Crazy there are none, but that's how it is.

We played with seats in the store and agree that Recaro seem great, with lots of side impact protection. Yes, she'll RF to age 2 or more and legroom is not a concern.

For older kids, the Prosport will keep kids harnessed a long time. (Don't want to just assume that the Frontier85 has decent side-impact protection, so that is out).

Click to expand...

Okay, I'm sorry, but I don't get it. She's obviously already decided w/the info she has (or thinks she has). Lots of companies advertise SIP. You can read all about what they offer on their websites. Many of them may not have been tested by those "international standards", but if you study what they're offering, you'll find that they are doing very similar things w/SIP.

Besides that, just by the nature of the seat being rearfacing, it offers tremendous side impact protection. I can understand choosing the ProSport over some other combo seats...but as far as rearfacing is concerned, I'd choose a True Fit, Radian, or Britax over the Proride.

Also, she says "leg room isn't a concern"...well, wait till she has a long legged and very opinionated 2 yr old. It might be a concern for the kiddo--just depends on the kid! The Recaro that may friend has really has NO leg room for rearfacing--my kids would have HATED it and they have shorter legs. It also has zero padding under their tush.

I totally agree that the US should require side impact testing and develop standards for it here, but I don't understand why companies in the US should be expected to test to other countries' standards. I don't think we can expect them to, even if it's a good idea. Many companies are trying to meet US consumers desire for more SIP--Britax, Evenflo, even Dorel (Cosco/Safety First/Eddie Bauer). All have some form of additional SIP that isn't required here.

I think it's a lot of money for your friend to spend on seats that may not work as well for her situation as seats from other companies. There are other seats that will be more comfortable for a wider range of rearfacing kiddos and can be adjusted easily b/t kids. My friend's almost 3 yr old looks like a stuffed sausage in his Recaro convertible, b/c it's very narrow and he's a broad kid.

GL!

henrietta

It looks like she's made up her mind then.