One thing about having older kids I take for granted is their independence and being able to sleep through the night without having to check on them anymore. But this wasn't always the case, I remember when they were babies and they'd be in their own beds and quiet I'd wonder if they were lying there awake and I didn't know, I always wished the monitors back then had video screens. Now they do! It is crazy how technology has changed the way we parent and gives us that little piece of mind.
For this review, my girlfriend was happy to try out the new VTech Safe&Sound® VM343 Expandable Digital Video Baby Monitor with Pan & Tilt Camera and Automatic Night Vision and let me know how it worked with her newborn.
Features of the VTech Safe & Sound
Watch your baby sleep and move about on full color screen with automatic night vision. This monitor features digital transmission, making your videos private and secure while cutting down on background noise. A few of the features you'll find on this VTech Baby Monitor include:
- High-resolution, 2.8-inch color LCD screen
- Full-motion video
- Split-screen viewing
- Automatic infrared night vision
- Two-way, talk-back intercom
- Temperature sensor
- Up to 1,000 feet of range
- Secure digital video and audio transmission
- Expandable up to 4 cameras
- Wall-mount bracket
- Pan, tilt and zoom
- Vibrating sound alert on the parent unit
- Rechargeable battery with low-battery alert on the parent unit
- 5-level sound indicator
- Volume control
Thoughts on the VTech Safe & Sound
My girlfriend tested out the monitor for a month and sent me her feedback, keep in mind this is her second baby she didn't previously have a video monitor unit. Her thought on the VTech Safe & Sound:
- The range is amazing and doesn't cut out, I can be in the basement or outside and I can still see Brody in his crib.
- The camera has a great range with almost no blind spots, the size is great and the picture is clear no matter the room lighting.
- The unit is easy to use and straight forward, even my 5-year-old tried it out because he thought it was neat to “spy” on his brother.
- The unit has a long battery life and you can put the screen to sleep and it will automatically display if there's a noise.
- The talk about feature is neat, and an easy way to reassure Brody he's ok.
- The room temperature is displayed on the monitor which is a great feature, that way I know if I should go turn a fan on during his nap or if he'll be ok.
- My only wish is that the camera could be used either by battery or a cord, that way you could easily take it with you anywhere or if he's outside taking a nap I can still keep an eye on him.
Overall for the price (around $180 Canadian) and features, she would purchase this monitor for herself or as a gift for a new Mom. The piece of mind you get from seeing your baby and not having to constantly go into the bedroom while he's asleep is a bonus.
Have you ever used a video baby monitor?
