If you know me, if you read this blog, you know I pretty much have a thing for Video Baby Monitors.
It took me 3 children to finally catch on; partially because I don’t believe they were even around when my oldest was born– 8 years ago– and, hmmm. I have no idea why I didn’t have one with B, almost 3 years ago. Anywho.
I am obsessed with watching my baby sleep. I constantly push the button to see him, all snugly, warm, and happy. They’re so cute when they sleep. But now? I don’t have to go in and risk waking him up out of that snugly, warm, and happy sleep.
It’s the perfect solution for those middle of the night wakings, too. Now I can see if he’s actually awake (and wanting to eat) or if he’s just making noise in his sleep. Read: Do I really need to get out of bed to check if he’s awake?
Not anymore! Thanks to the Summer Infant Slim and Secure HandHeld Color Video Monitor.
My favorite things about this video monitor?
- It’s 100% digital (2.4GHz) meaning it’s a secure and private connection between the camera and parent hand-held monitor.
- The range goes to 350 feet
- The batteries are rechargeable and last up to 12 hours
- Brightness and sound can both be adjusted separately
- Along with sound, it has visual sound lights
- Automatic day and night viewing (with infrared LED’s)
- and if I wanted to pretend I’m shooting an episode of Big Brother, I could hook up the A/V cable to my TV to see the excitement on the other end. OK. In all seriousness, it’s not a bad idea to get an additional camera, sync it to the parent hand-held unit and monitor the playroom. That way, I’ll really know who started the fight between the two boys.
Out of the Box and Set-Up
After charging it for the recommended 12-16 hours before initial use, I tested the connection between the camera and the hand-held monitor then found a safe mounting position for the camera.
Mounting and Speaker
Because the camera is stationary, I had to make sure I mounted it high enough on the wall so that I could see the entire crib on the handheld monitor. I pointed the camera (which is also where the speaker is located) directly at the crib. I also used the Security Clips to make sure the wire was as far away from the crib as it could be (you can kind of see the security clips behind the wreath thingy in the picture). It can also be placed on a nearby dresser or shelf– just make sure the wires are no where near the crib or where baby can get to them!
On and Off
To turn on the camera, you slide a button to the ON position. On the handheld parent monitor, press and hold the center power button for 4 seconds while a stream of lights move across the screen. If you let go over the power button before the logo appears, it will not power on. To turn it off, press and hold the power button while it does the same thing.
Night/Day Viewing
The Day View setting is full color. I found that actual daylight was best– although I’m not picky about the color part– on the handheld monitor, as the lights from the room did not reflect true colors. No, my son wasn’t wearing pink shorts. Not that there’s anything wrong with pink shorts.
The Night View setting is black and white. Here you see my baby after waking up from a nap. He’s standing at the side of his crib yelling: MAMA!! Hence the Visual Sound Lights in the red zone.
The handheld parent unit really is small, sleek and stylish. It is a little bit smaller but a little bit wider than my iPhone. Oh, my poor iPhone. you can tell I have kids…
The Details
The LCD screen on the Slim and Secure monitor is 2.5″ and the sound & brightness buttons are simple and easy to use. There’s a belt clip on the back (which I use way more than I thought I would). The adjustable kickstand is really handy come night when you want to place the monitor on your bedside table. When not plugged in, the screen automatically goes into “sleep mode” to save on battery life. While in sleep mode, the sound and visual sound lights function normally. To view the picture, simply press the button at the top of the hand-held monitor and the picture appears. When plugged in, the picture will remain on the screen unless you push the top button to essentially force it into sleep mode (I do this at night otherwise it’s too bright next to the bed). The sounds is awesome– I can hear the baby stir before he actually wakes up. I’m very impressed with the range although I did get a little static (on my end) when I went in our backyard; it’s out of the range just slightly. I have since found a spot it likes (in our yard) and I just make sure to the volume up all the way. I unplug the Slim and Secure monitor in the morning and plug it back in just before my kids go to sleep; the battery lasts all day.
This is a great video monitor for baby and parents! Being able to see your baby gives you piece of mind while having a stylish, easy to use, and small parent unit makes viewing baby simple!
Disclosure: I was not paid to review this product or write this post. I was sent a Slim and Secure Handheld Color Video Monitor to review. My review is my honest opinion of the Summer Infant Slim and Secure Handheld Color Video Monitor and the fact that I received it for free does not influence my thoughts and/or opinions in this review.
I’ve been called “maternal” since the day I could hold a baby doll. I’ve become a pregnancy, baby and parenting resource since having my first child almost 10 years ago. This is my blog and where I share my journey through parenthood with you.
OMG!I have been WAITING for you to do this giveaway! Lol. I NEED this. I am one of those new Moms who always thinking something is wrong every time A coughs in her crib. I am also extremely nosy by nature. Yay! Thanks Christina!
@AZMommyNicole on Twitter
I follow Summer Infant on Twitter already.
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I "liked" Summer Infant on Facebook.
I follow you on Twitter….obviously.
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I "Liked" your facebook page.
Posted on Twitter and on Facebook.
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I follow you on FB and now Twitter, I now follow Summer Infant on Twitter and FB (commented)@JPaGeorgia. Must must must win this!!!
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Did I mention how badly we need this? Savannah fell out of bed last week and had I not been able to SEE her fall out I wouldn't of had a clue! Plus we'll need to keep our eyes on Baby #2!!
Oh man, I desperately need this. We need a new monitor SO badly!! Ours was a hand-me-down that crackles and beeps and annoys the poo out of me. And if you walk in my daughters room to check on her she wakes up! Crazy kid!
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Well, since my son figured out how to climb out of his crib yesterday, I'd LOVE a video monitor to keep an eye on him. Love.
ginger@rambleramble.com
Very cool! I was actually researching video monitors the other day. I'd love to be able to check in on him, visually, without creeping in on tiptoe. Plus, I could check on the baby without the 2 year old following right behind me!
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I would love to have this to replace my old one that broke :'(
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@CricketSaunders
Having a newborn is scary enough. Add in the constant worry and I never get a moments rest. I would love to win this so I could see my baby and know that he is safe. It would give me some piece of mind.
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I shared this giveaway on FB.
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I would like to have a video monitor so I can keep an eye on what my toddler is doing in his room and because he climbed out of his crib a while back and I don't know how.. would like to see if he tries again
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Right now I don't use a monitor at all but I would love to have a video monitor to keep tabs on my 13 month old while she's sleeping.
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we are expexting our 2nd kid, our daughter is now 5 and we no longer have baby monitors, this one looks really nice and has great reviews!
moorhouseashley@yahoo.com
We are expecting our first and I would love to be able to look in without having to open the door! I would feel so much better!
seraphou at aol dot com
We're planning on starting a family soon, and this would DEFINITELY come in handy!
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I have that video monitor and I LOVE it. I works exactly like I need it to!
I would love to have a video monitor to keep an eye on the kiddos!
andreapaetkau at gmail dot com
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I tweeted! http://twitter.com/ampaetka/status/25930212943
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this would be amazing to have on hand, and I would love the fact that you can actually see the baby and not just hear them so you know exactly what's happening.
lauren51990 at aol dot com
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My lil guy and I would really enjoy this cool video monitor! Soo cute and hip!
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Oh how we need one for our bedroom so I don't have to get up and look a hundred times a night!
i am a paranoid mom so i would LOVE this!!! dashasaur at gmail dot com
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I love that you wrote this! I have the same monitor sitting in a box in my closet. I keep going back and forth between using it or selling it on Craigslist. I am totally going to set it up this weekend. I loved the pictures and the detailed description of how you mounted the camera. Thanks so much!
ps
Your blog is friggin' gorgeous.
tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/CricketSaunders/status/26085932569
I would love the have one of these so that I can keep a watchful eye on my little one. I think it's a great investment as it can be useful as our little ones grow into toddlers and beyond.
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I'd like to have a Video Monitor from Summer Infant because it's my favorite video monitor
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Love this giveaway! But I'm glad I;m passed this stage. Shoot, don't count me in the giveaway, although if I win I'll donate it to my girlfriend who is preggo. I follow, like, and love your ass. xoxo
I would love to have this monitor for when my little one starts to roll over. My first born was a mover and a shaker so I need to keep my eyes on this one.
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I would love to have this because I very much prefer a video monitor over the monitors that simply let you hear your baby. I want to see him!
quacklynn at gmail dot com
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I blogged about this
http://babyonthemind.blogspot.com/2010/10/slim-and-secure-video-monitor.html
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We don't have a monitor yet and have been shopping around. I think we would like this monitor because it is a video monitor. I wish the price wasn't as steep, but you get what you pay for and this seems to have a lot of useful features.
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I would love to have this because my cousin is having a baby shower soon and this would be the greatest gift (they probably would not be able to buy this for the baby themselves).
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I would like this because I think that it would be very valuable and helpful to have.
evelynn.flowers@gmail.com
I'd love to have one since our little one takes naps downstairs and his video camera is upstairs. This would be perfect for grandma to have one!!
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Thanks for the chance!
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We have one for our newest addition and LOVE it! We're using an older model for our 3 year old, but it's definitely seen better days. We could replace the old one with this one. Thanks!
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Wow, we really need this! I have a 9 month old and another due in January. I would love to be able to have the peace of mind knowing I can keep an eye on both kids easier while recovering from a c-section!
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I'd love to win to give to my SIL as a gift. She is expecting her baby is February. Having an awesome monitor like this one would give her peace of mind and allow me to cross one more item off of my list.
Thanks for the chance.
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This looks amazing! I would love to have one of these so I don't have to keep running up the stairs to check on the kids whenever I hear a noise – or when it's been too long since I've heard a noise…you get the idea!
murphykatt[at]yahoo[dot]com
I would love love love to have this! as a new mommy i'm still very paranoid anytime i hear a sound, so it would be nice to actually see what's going on!
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i tweeted about this!
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I would love to win this monitor so that I don't have to tiptoe into my son's room during nap time! He's such a light sleeper that I always wake him up and this would allow me to make sure he's ok without disturbing him!
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This would be perfect when my grandchild stays over.
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I would be thrilled to win this as my daughter has reflux problems and I am constantly checking on her. This would give me a lot more peace of mind.
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I'd love to win this monitor for my sister! Its an item she could really use and it'd be great to easily keep an eye on baby!
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I have a newborn that I need a good monitor for. He is getting too big for his bassinet, so we'll move him soon. I would LOVE to have an amazing video monitor like this so I could feel assured that he is OK.
mickeycoutts at yahoo dot com
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I have a 1 month old and I worry so much this would be so great to help me relax with him. thanks so much for the chance to win eaglesforjack@gmail.com
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