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TOPIC: Monitors... audio, video, and/or motion?
 

daddy_blueyes
Monitors... audio, video, and/or motion?
2 Years, 6 Months ago
Hey guys--
My wife and I are expecting our baby in a few weeks (yikes!) and we have yet to make a decision on monitors. I'm really not relishing the idea of spending $300 on multiple monitors that essentially do the same things. My wife has it in her mind that we need a video monitor... I love the idea of having a motion detector (because SIDS scares the crap out of me), but ultimately I think an audio monitor will do just fine.

So, I'm looking for recommendations from parents who've already gone through this phase. Are the video systems worth the money? Do the motion monitors have too many false alarms? Have a particular brand that you love?

Any thoughts and guidance are appreciated.
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Daddy Troy
Re:Monitors... audio, video, and/or motion?
2 Years, 6 Months ago
If you buy a high quality monitor, it is something that can last you into another child (is you so choose) or even into your one child's preschool days as they play in another room with or without a friend. My monitors have all bit the dust, but now that my kids are six and four I am thinking about getting another one. First, so I can hang out on the neighbors deck once the kids go to sleep. Next, we do have a lot of kids over and they go to the playroom, and sometimes they argue, but often not. So having a monitor is great if I need to get something done in another room.

As for video vs audio. I am a geek dad and would have loved to have the video, much more now rather than when I had baby babies, but it is a luxury that many find too much. Stick with the audio.
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esnyder
Re:Monitors... audio, video, and/or motion?
2 Years, 6 Months ago
Everyone is worried about SIDS, which makes the motion sensors seem appealing. But everything I've heard about them is that they don't really work or go off too often.

I've had both audio and video, and prefer the video. Of course you really don't need the video for the first few months, but once the little starts moving, it's more useful. Now I use the monitor to watch the kids in their room.

The first monitor we had lasted about 2 and half years, but the one we have now we've had for about 4 years and it seems to be doing fine. It's pretty basic, a monitor and camera. There are some out there now with a portable monitor and a remote control camera.

Audio will get you throuhg, video will probablt give you the most piece of mind.
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daddy_blueyes
Re:Monitors... audio, video, and/or motion?
2 Years, 6 Months ago
Thanks for the feedback guys.

@Daddy Troy... I'm a tech guy too and I'm leaning towards adding a wireless camera to my home network to get the video (making the wife happy) and supplementing the system with a good audio monitor. We'll be able to watch the baby on any computer in the house (we have 2 desktop computers, 1 personal laptop, and 2 work laptops). It's a less expensive solution (good video setups include 2 screens and cost about $250) and makes us both happy.

I'm still on the fence about the motion sensor. May be most useful in the bassinet since we won't really be using an audio monitor.
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Daddy Brad
Re:Monitors... audio, video, and/or motion?
2 Years, 6 Months ago
We are going to go with the standard audio monitor that worked just fine with baby #1 and baby #2. Although we did not use a motion sensor, I have heard folks say that they work, but a little too well. Every move and the thing is going off making it difficult to sleep during an already mean sleep cycle. We tend to think the best defense against SIDS is to follow closely the guidelines that protect during sleep, i.e. proper swaddling, back sleeping and nothing in the crib with the little one. Good luck!
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krellpw
Re:Monitors... audio, video, and/or motion?
2 Years, 6 Months ago
We used just audio with our first child (5 years old now). We're doing the same with our current baby.

I honestly didn't even know motion detector monitors were an option. Guess I didn't do enough research. I don't think I would have enjoyed it though for the reasons Daddy Brad cited..

I also tend to agree with Daddy Brad that a quality audio monitor will do the job just fine. Ours was sensitive enough that we could listen to each of our kids breathe as infants.
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fish
Re:Monitors... audio, video, and/or motion?
2 Years, 6 Months ago
Audio monitors work great! I think it's a little "over the top" to go with anything else. You're not going to go far when the baby is sleeping. It's nice to know when they fall asleep, and once they get into a pattern - seeing if they are awake when you think they should be.

We bought two sets - one for each bedroom. They work well. I think that since they are both made by different companies, they don't interfere with each other. I'm amazed at how far of a reach they have. We have a big house and backyard, and I can be safely weeding the garden and listening for either of them. If I had video monitoring, I doubt I would use it. I mean, it'd be nice and all, but it is not necessary.

Good luck!
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daddy_blueyes
Re:Monitors... audio, video, and/or motion?
2 Years, 6 Months ago
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I've decided that I can reduce my costs and provide piece of mind for my wife by getting the Graco Angelcare Deluxe Movement Monitor (also doubles as an audio only system) and adding a D-Link camera to my wireless network. My wife will be able to use any computer in the house to keep an eye on the baby and we can reuse the camera later for a variety of security purposes. The camera alone is about $150 cheaper than getting a video baby monitor.

If anyone is interested here are the links:
Monitor... www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2970307
Camera... www.dlink.com/category/productcategories/?cid=7
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Babygear: Monitors, Car Seats, Cribs
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