European car seat. Anyone familiar?

[sugarwoman]

My SIL is German and just got this carseat for her dd. I looked it over tonight and thought it looked neat, but I'm wondering what the experts think of it.

http://sg.auctions.yahoo.com/sg/i:BEBE Confort Car Seat- Final Reduction:210318493

Anyone have any thoughts?

She has a 6 month old daughter that she plans to put in it RF soon. Also, does anyone know how to get a manual for it or know how many years it may be usable for?

THX

 

[wendytthomas]

I don't know anything about the seat, but it's a group 1, and those are forward facing only seats from 9kg to 18kg (20-40 pounds). So she cannot use it for a six month old.

I also wouldn't buy a used seat unless you're willing to trust the person with your child's life. Add to that a complete lack of a manual, and I'd go so far as to say this seat is dangerous to use. Too little information, too little trust.

Wendy

 

[sugarwoman]

Well, this is just a pic of it. She actually got it from a trusted friend. So she knows its history.

The one she has is slightly different and is definately made for rear and forward facing. It has a slot made in it for the top part of the seatbelt harness to wrap around when RF. That doesn't make the most sense written out, but I can't really describe it.

I guess I was just wondering if anyone has familiarity with this brand.

Thanks!

 

[sugarwoman]

Here is a pic of the actual one she has

http://www.bebeconfort.com/UK/voiture_iseos_ss.htm

 

[UlrikeDG]

ÖAMTC publishes crash test for German and Austrian seats annually (ADAC usually supplies their members with a copy of the tests in their magazine). That's the only place I know of to look for ratings.

She should be able to call BeBe Confort to get a new copy of the manual. I don't see a German contact number on the website. She could call them in France at +33 (0)2-41-49-23-23.

 

[sugarwoman]

Awesome! Thanks.

 

[Eclipsepearl]

I used to own one

I'm in France and I bought the same seat for my ds. It was actually stolen but that's another story...

There is no tether nor chestclip. Supposedly, it can rf but it's actually very difficult to do so. A friend returned hers' because her seatbelts weren't long enough.

Here in Europe, parents are told to put their children ff at 9 kilos regardless of age. I was also told that it was fine to put my 3 yo in a bpb. I said, no thanks!

 

[southpawboston]

Re: I used to own one

right, in europe they don't use tethers and don't have chest clips. both of those are for the american market. i don't understand how in europe they consider it acceptable to turn a 9 mo FF... even 1 yr is too young.

 

[supercrunch]

Re: I used to own one

I was told my my BIL (in Estonia) that car seats in Europe often have a rubbery type backing on the strap pads that supposedly holds them in place in the event of a crash.

That being said, his country has no laws concerning car seats from other countries, so he picked out a Graco Safeseat1 for his newborn and my in-laws are taking it to him next week when they go for a visit. He said that the rubbery backing probably does hold well, but he prefers the physical reminder of safety that the chest clip provides.

 

[southpawboston]

Re: I used to own one

agreed about the chest clip.

the thing with those rubbery strap pads is that while they may hold the harness straps nicely in place, they can hold them in the *wrong* place just as well as the *right* place. the chest clip is a physical piece that holds the straps at a precisely defined distance from each other.

 

[UlrikeDG]

Re: I used to own one

If the harness is snug, you don't need a rubbery backing or a clip to hold the straps in position. Britax USA has added rubbery covers for their straps to help reduce head excursion, which is a different function from the chest clip.

Top tethers help to reduce head excursion. Installing a front facing seat using a seatbelt with a shoulder belt can also help reduce head excursion, and most German seats must be installed with a shoulder belt.

 

[southpawboston]

Re: I used to own one

Britax USA has added rubbery covers for their straps to help reduce head excursion, which is a different function from the chest clip.

how does that reduce head excursion? and are you talking about the HUGS or something else? because i thought HUGS was to spread out the force exerted by the straps on the torso during a frontal impact.

 

[UlrikeDG]

Re: I used to own one

Yes, I'm talking about HUGS. They may very well spread out the force exerted by the straps, but HUGS was originally released when the Super Elite failed to meet a head excursion standard during testing.

Here's the recall information from NHTSA:

Model(s): Super Elite youth restraints Model E9031
Production Dates: April 25, 2001, to February 15, 2002
Noncompliance: These seats do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213, "Child Restraint Systems." In the event of a vehicle crash, forces could cause the child's head to move further forward than allowed by Safety Standard 213.
Corrective Action: All consumers who returned a registration card to Britax will automatically receive a free replacement harness system along with instructions - including TPE pads (also known as hugs - harness ultra-guard system).
NHTSA No.: 03C008000
<Britax Safety Recall No.: BCS#090301>

 

[southpawboston]

Re: I used to own one

heh, that's interesting... i and others have thought that HUGS was to help distribute crash forces much the way you use a rubber/cloth shoulder pad on a duffle bag strap to reduce the compression on your shoulder muscles.

so basically the whole HUGS system was developed in response to a seat that couldn't even comply with federal standards based on its orginal design... a patch, in effect... and here we were all along thinking that is just another innovation, above and beyond, *in addition* to all the usual safe britax features. meh... that's what marketing makes you believe, i guess....

 

[Suzibeck]

Re: I used to own one

so basically the whole HUGS system was developed in response to a seat that couldn't even comply with federal standards based on its orginal design... a patch, in effect...

Yep! And can I say I HATE HUGS!? I sure wish they would find another way to make their seats comply. A thicker/wider strap should do the trick and we wouldn't have to worry about torn, or chewed on, or picked apart HUGS. I've been fortunate not to have these issues, but I know many others have.

 

[CRS]

Some Britax UK seats can actually have upper tether straps added on request, but not many seats accomodate for that. But yes, most don't use upper tether straps and only the "speciality" seats (for the disabled) have some form of a chest clip.