Baby Monitors

Siji · Post by **Siji** » January 29, 2007, 12:28 pm

So there's a little girl on the way and I'm looking for video/audio baby monitors. With all the crappy ones I keep reading reviews about, I'm hoping someone here has good experience with one that can be recommended.

* Want video on the TV from the camera in the baby room. Wiring is acceptable, but would prefer wireless. (Obviously it must support night vision) Color (during light hours or with bedroom lights) is preferred. I know night vision is b/w only.

* Audio - Don't really care if it's constant on or 'activity/noise activated'. There won't be any other noises in the room or at that end of the house so if it's on constantly I don't think it'll matter.

* Portable video/audio handsets

* I've got a wireless network but no wireless home phones

Here's one I'm currently looking at that has mostly good reviews:

Link

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » January 29, 2007, 1:03 pm

Congratulations btw!

My sister had one of these that she would carry around with her at home. She liked it, and it's one of the few with a color picture that I have been exposed to. Her prior monitors were black & white.

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » January 29, 2007, 2:00 pm

Congrats!

Considering your criteria, that looks like a nice camera/receiver. We have one from safety 1st but it’s not as nice as what you are looking at. Our monitor is b/w and wired and has a battery powered radio that’s good for up to 150ft. One thing if you live in an area where homes are relatively close together with a lot of young families around, your receiver can pick up other monitors. We can even hear conversations in other people’s homes through our cordless phone sometimes since it uses a similar frequency.

Ashur · Post by **Ashur** » January 29, 2007, 2:40 pm

Congrats. My little girl is about to turn 3.

Looks like a good one from here. We used an audio one from Safty 1st as well. We usually had a fan on in the baby's room as well, but lately she's taken to wanting it off (makes sense, it is winter after all).

She's moving into a toddler bed this weekend, so we worry we might want a video monitor instead.

Crib Tents own!

Xanupox · Post by **Xanupox** » January 29, 2007, 5:43 pm

I went with audio only. I was about to spring for this elaborate audio/video combo but then came across an interesting article that changed my mind.

Basically the gist of the article was that, if you can always pickup the monitor and see your baby, you will get complacent and just get your "baby fix" by looking at the monitor. This slowly eats away at the time you would normally, just tip-toe into the babies room and hover over it, admiring it. Appreciating your child and increasing your bond of parent and child.

So I got the audio only. If I hear her peep, I get up (which is good to get up and move around!) and go check on her, tuck her in a bit if needed, arrange her stuffed toys, pacifier etc. If I had the video I would prolly just wind up checking it when I hear the noise and not go in to actually see her... and miss out on those special moments.

Up to you obviously, but my advice is some things while convienient are not always the best way to go, moreso with children.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » January 29, 2007, 6:29 pm

Good point!

Siji · Post by **Siji** » January 30, 2007, 3:42 am

Ashur wrote:Crib Tents own!

Yeah, we've got one on our registry. Didn't realize that those things were like $75 though. Going to have to pay a visit to Once Upon a Child. We've got cats though, and the last thing I want to worry about is whether they're sleeping with the baby.

I understand your point Xan, but I really dig the idea of being able to sit down and watch her sleep on the TV whenever I'm not hovering over her crib. The video screen on the hand-held part is nice too in case I'm outside doing something in the yard. But it would never replace the time I'd spend doting on her. It's only 2.5" after all and probably not all that clear.