Question about video monitor for BTDT moms

I'm not sure where to post this message. Is there a place to post specifically for asking questions about baby products? I'm posting here because I figure moms who've already had their twins are a little more experienced than those of us still expecting.

Anyway, I was pretty excited when I found this because I thought it would be perfect since I plan to use two cribs from the beginning. After reading reviews, however, I'm concerned. The big complaint seems to be that people have a lot of interference with their cordless phones. Our cordless phones are 5.8 GHz and the monitor is 2.4 GHz. Do you think there wouldn't be too much interference then becuase they are different frequencies? Another option Is to get the same brand with the single camera. It is 900 MHz. There is also an additional camera you can add, but I'm not sure how well that would work. It does cost more to do it that way, but if it works better, I guess that's what counts. Any thoughts? Personal experiences?

2.4 GHz Monitor with two cameras (dual scanning)

900 MHz One Camera Model

Single Camera Add On

Thanks for your input!

 

QUOTE
Another option Is to get the same brand with the single camera. It is 900 MHz. There is also an additional camera you can add, but I'm not sure how well that would work.

This is what I have. I have two cameras and one monitor - and it works great! I personally wouldn't go for one less than 900MHZ with all the contraptions people have in their homes these days - because it might not even be a product in your home that interferes with the reception - people have reported that they receive interference from their neighbor's phones, computers, etc.

I love my Summer monitor. One thing to add, though, is right now I am only using one of the cameras because the babies' cribs are side by side in the nursery and I can see both just fine with one camera.

 

This is the one we have. We have two cameras, one above each crib.


http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2265802

I couldn't live without it! The monitor is portable and crystal clear. Interference was an issue for us too because DH telecommutes from home so it was important that the monitors didn't interfere with his network, internet, cordless or wireless connection. We have had no problems.

 

QUOTE(sunshinetwins @ Oct 19 2007, 03:23 PM) [snapback]458588[/snapback]
This is the one we have. We have two cameras, one above each crib.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2265802

I couldn't live without it! The monitor is portable and crystal clear. Interference was an issue for us too because DH telecommutes from home so it was important that the monitors didn't interfere with his network, internet, cordless or wireless connection. We have had no problems.


do you have 2 separate sets, or did you purchase just the additional camera? how does the monitor pick up both

sorry, dont mean to threadjack, but i'm looking for something like this too

 

We have the handheld day/night Summer video monitors, and we LOVE them! We actually bought two, and keep one handset upstairs and one downstairs. They are the 900mhz if I'm not mistaken, and even though our phones are the same, we have little to no interference. We also have the two cameras very close together (one on each crib, side by side), and have no problem picking up each camera.

I will let you know that I tried the models from Summer that were NOT handheld (as you have pictured), and the picture quality was very poor. I also tried a Mobi video monitor, and it's night vision paled in comparison to the Summer series.
So, I hope that helps. Oh yeah, also we got ours on Ebay for about $60.00 less than buying in the store. There are tons of them (new in package) if you go check!

Good Luck!
Suzi

ETA: Spinherme, the cameras and monitor have 2 channels, so one camera is channel a and the other b. You can just flip a switch on the side of the video monitor to change channels. It's really easy and convenient!

 

I wanted to reiterate what Suzi said about getting the handheld monitor - my friend had the monitor that looks like the little TV set, and she returned it when she saw mine and how much clearer it was - plus, the handheld one is so convenient - you can stand it up or clip it on your pants, use it with or w/o the adaptor. Very convenient. And you can switch from channel A to B like Suzi said very easily. I received mine as a gift and it was probably the best gift we have gotten.

 

Great info, Ladies. So, for the handheld one, do you have the smaller black and white screen or did you pay the extra $ to get the larger, color one?

 

QUOTE(Lisala @ Oct 19 2007, 08:43 PM) [snapback]458763[/snapback]
I wanted to reiterate what Suzi said about getting the handheld monitor - my friend had the monitor that looks like the little TV set, and she returned it when she saw mine and how much clearer it was - plus, the handheld one is so convenient - you can stand it up or clip it on your pants, use it with or w/o the adaptor. Very convenient. And you can switch from channel A to B like Suzi said very easily. I received mine as a gift and it was probably the best gift we have gotten.


i have the dual scanning tv monitor one (never knew there was any other option like the handheld one!) and i have to agree that there is tons of interference. I actually disconnected our home wireless network (i don't use my laptop much anymore since i'm not working so it wasn't a big deal) so that we would have better picture quality. That made a huge difference. It doesn't seem too bad with our portable phones but if you run the microwave, you lose the image completely for the duration... We also never use the sound feature because the interference makes tons of static noise so you can't really leave it on any sort of volume... so we just go by the image and figure if they're crying, we'll hear them!

We did take the monitor set to my aunt's house when we were visiting and it was CRYSTAL CLEAR, even the sound! we were so amazed... and they have cordless phones too... so it may be my neighborhood has a lot more signals interfering than hers did?

i'd go with the handheld one if everyone is saying the picture quality is better...

 

:8714bumper:

Just wondering if anyone had opinions on if the larger, color screen is worth the extra money for the hand held or if the smaller, black and white screen is adequate.

Thanks. I do appreciate all the comments on this thread.

 

Gosh I must be the only one that was really dissatisfied with the video monitors but I have to say I never tried the handheld Summer one. I started with the new handheld Graco model and the screen on the handheld was so small I didnt even think it was worth it. And at night it stunk..to be polite. Then I tried the Summer model with the small tv and the picture was at least bigger, but still at night it was not very good. So, I returned that too and now I am back to my Stone Age noise and lights monitors. Seems to work for now.

 

My monitor is b/w, and it's just fine. All I really need to see is what the babies are doing - so b/w vs. color, not an issue here.