Summer Infant Color Video Monitor Review
If you want to keep an eye on your baby and not just listen, you’ll need to get a video monitor. One of the highest rated color video monitors on the market is the Summer Infant 900 MHz 1.8 Color Handheld Video Monitor which offers top-notch clarity.
For some parents, a regular monitor that just provides sound works fine. Non-video monitors are much cheaper and often provide better range than their video counterparts.
But many parents want to see what’s going on in their child’s room, not just listen. Is your kid standing up in his crib while crying, or just lying there on the way to going to sleep? Being able to see gives you a lot more information and provides you with extra peace of mind.
The Summer Infant 900 MHz 1.8 Color Handheld Video Monitor has an amazingly crisp color monitor that works well even in the smallest amount of light. The monitor automatically switches to black and white mode during nighttime, but this mode is as clearly visible as the color mode.
The receiver is fairly small and all the controls are clearly laid out. A handy belt clip allows you to easily carry the receiver around the house with you.
While the 1.8 inch screen (some models have larger screens) is smaller than some competing video monitors, the clarity more than makes up for the size. As long as you’re getting good reception you should be able to see your baby just fine. LED Sound lights on the front of the receiver allow you to view your baby’s noises even when the monitor screen is turned off and the volume is down.
The base station with the camera is easy to maneuver into any position you need to get the right angle to watch your baby. It will take a bit of experimenting to see where the camera should be placed to get the best view. The camera can also be mounted on a wall, for cases where a nearby bookshelf or dresser is not available.
The biggest issue with the Summer Infant Color Handheld Video Monitor is the reception. If you have a large house or one with plaster walls you will likely have limited range. The monitor works great if you are one or two rooms away, but if you are at the other end of the house you’ll most likely just get static. With plaster walls the range is even more limited - sometimes it’s hard to get a clear signal even from the next room.
If you have a large or long house and are likely to be far away from baby’s room while using the monitor, the Summer Infant Color Handheld Video Monitor may not be the best choice. In side by side tests, audio-only monitors appeared to have better range than video monitors, so take this into consideration before making a purchase.
Despite the range issues, the Summer Infant monitor is a top-quality product and is highly recommended.
