Baby Video Monitors

[swanysto]

Anyone have a really good experience with one? I am reading reviews on Amazon, and they are so mixed, that I am far more confused than when I started. I would like something in the range of 100-200.

I am not insanely picky as far as features. Obviously I would like something dependable.

 

[Imp]

Drop Cam? Don't have one, but the idea seems good. Might kicks bandwidth's ass though.

Google or something bought them out recently.

 

[edro]

I have the $200 Motorola. It is ok, but the screen resolution is terrible.
The packaging has simulated display images, so make sure you try one or watch a YouTube video of one.
Also, our video display had a loose connection and would cut out if squeezed.
We returned it and got another one of the same version.
Range was decent, but not great. Couldn't go from basement to top floor, but could go everywhere else.

I would think there are higher end displays, which would be more beneficial.

 

[swanysto]

Drop Cam? Don't have one, but the idea seems good. Might kicks bandwidth's ass though.

Google or something bought them out recently.

Drop cam is an option I guess. The only issue with drop cam would be that we have to have our cells on constantly to hear for the baby.

 

[CoPhotoGuy]

Save your money and just get an audio one. There is really no need for video.

 

[MarkXIX]

Remember, the Amazon reviews are going to be skewed on those kinds of items. You're going to have a 50/50 mix of new fathers who can figure shit out and hysterical, post partum mothers who are over protective and NOTHING is good enough for the security and safety of their child.

 

[swanysto]

Remember, the Amazon reviews are going to be skewed on those kinds of items. You're going to have a 50/50 mix of new fathers who can figure shit out and hysterical, post partum mothers who are over protective and NOTHING is good enough for the security and safety of their child.

Exactly, but then you have to assume they are all good, or all shit lol.

 

[glenn1]

OP, out of curiousity why do you need a video monitoring? Not like they're going to go for a walk down the hall and video monitor still can't tell you if they have a dirty diaper or will go back to sleep in a couple minutes if ignored.

 

[blurredvision]

Save your money and just get an audio one. There is really no need for video.

I disagree, video is nice when you want to see what's going on without risking waking up the little one.

My advice is to go cheap. You don't need some fancy color-screen $200 system. I got a video/sound monitor as a shower gift and it was a cheap, B&W WalMart special. It was all I needed, only thing I would change is if the monitor had a battery-powered option, otherwise I was chained to a wall with it, but it worked just fine. Will be using it again with my second child coming next year.

 

[MarkXIX]

As a father of three, I concur. Audio only is more than enough. Just don't be surprised when you reach that point where the kid comes crawling/walking down the hall because they figured out how to climb out of the crib.

My oldest got ripped by my wife once for getting my youngest out of bed without telling her, only to find out later that he was now fully mobile and his crib no longer posed any restrictions to his mobility. I think I converted his crib to a day bed that weekend.

 

[poopaskoopa]

Get the cheapest video one or just go audio. I found out 99.9% of the time video just got a new parent like me to stare at it for the slightest movement by my kid and got me to imagine every possible scenario on why it is that an infant may move while she sleeps(or better yet, sneezes or coughs. That really got my imagination going).

The only time I rely on the video part of the monitor is in the morning to find out if the kid's still asleep, which then buys me a few more minutes of peace and quiet.

 

[DesiPower]

What you need is a wifi surveillance cam with night vision with audio.

 

[*kjm]

As a father of three, I concur.

Two for me and I agree we use this one and it works for us.

http://www.amazon.com/NTM-910YLW-Son.../dp/B000S35QLC

After about a week you will know if you need to go look by the sound of the cry:thumbsup:

 

[Blanky]

Some of the video ones can sport-fuck your wireless and jam things up.

Get a cheap audio one. They are very reliable, and ultimately they are all you need.

IF you have to have video, get a Dropcam. Do not rely on Dropcam to stay connected for hours on end, though. It won't. And it's a pain anyway not having a dedicated receiver.

Trust me: rely on an audio-only unit to hear if your kid is crying or whatever, and if you have to see them get a Dropcam because then when you're done with them in a couple of years you won't be left with a worthless baby camera, plus Dropcam's quality will smoke most of those cameras anyway. You don't need to pay for a subscription if you're only viewing real-time. Also lets you set it up at other times, like say you go on vacation now you have an access-anywhere camera. Get the Pro, not the HD.

I am big into cameras and gadgets and the video baby monitors I've seen are a massive waste of money. Quality blows for the price and you're stuck with a silly thing later on.

 

[HomerSapien]

Save your money and just get an audio one. There is really no need for video.

As a dad, I agree. My wife would completely disagree with this. For our first, it saved her (and me) from getting out of bed numerous times as you can check it much faster and see when they are trying to get you in there, actually need something, or just being fussy/difficult/whatever. Maybe on later kids we will be to exhausted to really care what they are doing to each other, but for a first, its not a bad purchase.

Having said that, we tried tried one from target and my sister had tried a different one. Neither were that expensive compared to some. Image quality on both was decent, but if you don't get the right signal or have interference, it may be barely enough to see. Doing it again, i would look at an network wireless camera that can be added into a house security system. Not much different in price, but much more useful.

 

[gururu2]

we got infant optics dxr-5. it has night vision too and though it is low res it does the trick. audio alone won't save you any late night check-ups. I can't see that any other brand would be different unless the signal or equipment had a history of problems due to poor engineering so reviews should reveal much.

 

[Daishiki]

I would recommend against a Motorola monitor. They have a third-party handle the warranty service for that division. Besides the long hold times, it took them a month and a half, and three phone calls, to get them to send me a new battery. The third time I called, they said "oh, we have this in stock. I don't know why this wasn't shipped yet." The monitor itself does the job (I'm looking at it now), but I'd rather buy a new one if this runs into any more issues.

 

[luv2liv]

best baby cam. works on computer, tablet, smartphone.
looks ugly but the picture quality looks great day or night. $80

http://www.amazon.com/Foscam-FI9821W...dp/B00F3KWZW8/

 

[trmiv]

I use a foscam wireless cam and view it with tinycam monitor on phone and tablet. Works great.

 

[RossMAN]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eyrszpy1VY4

No monthly fees required, unless of course you want recording to the cloud.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HVLDRAQ/
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KXGVU6Y/ <--- easier to setup but more $

 

[swanysto]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I am currently researching the link left here.