Review by Justin F : Really Like it so far, does cause some WiFi intereference

I had been reading reviews about this monitor and the Mobicam DXR Digital Monitoring System.After reading a really nice review for this product that compared this, the Mobicam, and a few others, I decided to go for this one.So far, I really like it (though I have to admit, my child hasn't yet arrived), so my testing has been mainly me and my wife testing it out together or playing music in the nursery.The Good:- Love the pan and tilt. This will come in handy for when he is moving around. Also, it can be used to see how mom and baby are doing without disturbing them.- The Infrared view is pretty good. Good enough to see what is going on. But like they said, it is black and white only when in the dark. This automatically turns on, which is nice too.- The range is pretty good. I can get good reception at all corners of my property, inside and outside. (My yard is reasonable, but not anything close to an acre or anything).- The sound lights work pretty well both when the video is on or off.- The sound itself is good as well (I tested this by playing music in the nursery and walking around my yard listening to it).- The talk feature is really cool and works well. Though, it can be loud, so you may not want to shout into the monitor when talking to your child.- The dock for the monitor works well and I really like the magnetic mounting (very similar to the MagSafe power adapter for those Mac users).The Bad:- The zoom only has one setting (zoomed in or zoomed out) and it is digital zoom. Probably won't be a huge issue, but just know it is only digital zoom.- Causes interference with WiFi networks -- This one, I did some significant testing on (see below).Things I haven't tried yet:- Multiple cameras- Battery Life: I haven't really had it long enough to test out the battery life.- The Battery pack for the camera- Mounting the cameraWiFi Interference:I had read on other reviews that when the Monitor (the handheld part) was on, they had interference with their WiFi network.This is definitely true.When the Monitor is off, I get about 16-20 Mbps download rate using the SpeakEasy SpeedTest [...]When the Monitor is on, I get about 2-3 Mbps download rate.It doesn't affect the speed test on computers that are connected to my router via cables (i.e. not using the wireless), which makes sense.I have tested the following cases:a) Camera and Monitor Off: Yields my normal download ratesb) Camera On and Monitor Off: Yields my normal download ratesc) Camera On and Monitor On (audio and video enabled): Yields Reduced rates (as listed above)d) Camera On and Monitor On (audio enabled and video disabled): Yields Reduced rates (as listed above)I have also tried moving the Monitor away from my wireless router and wireless computer, and it doesn't seem to have a significant impact.So the summary is: When the Monitor is On (regardless of whether or not you have the video enabled), your WiFi network will suffer.However, with it on, I was still able to load videos from Hulu and such, albeit slower loading times to occur.Also, with the Monitor on, I was able to successfully watch Netflix streaming movies (which I have going through my Wii which uses the wireless network).It took a little longer to initially load, but it seemed to play just fine without breaking up or buffering a lot.I also tried changing the channel of my wireless router.I originally had it on channel 1, (factory default for most routers is channel 6).After testing all of the channels, I found that channel 1 worked the best for me.Though that is probably at least partially due to what channels neighbors wireless networks are on.So I would suggest playing around with changing the channel your router is on and doing a speed test with and without the Monitor on and then sticking with the channel that gives you the best results.All in all, I really like it so far.

Review by Anna Spaanem : Great monitor

We needed a new monitor to watch both our 20 month old and our newborn. The summer baby touch had all of the features we needed and works very well. We purchased this system and an extra camera. Some highlights:
- decent video quality with minimal (if any) delay, no "choppiness" to the video
- night vision works well and turns on as required. Always able to see the baby.
- ability to watch just one baby or to scan between both rooms. Can easily switch between these options to watch one room or another as needed - so if your kids nap at different times, you can set it to just watch the one napping.
- very easy to add the second camera out of the box
- decent battery life on the monitoring unit
- touch screen controls that work well
- easy to mount cameras and easy to adjust from the monitoring unit - very very nice feature
- ability to talk into the room - haven't used it for baby yet, but is nice to communicate with spouse who might be in the room
Overall great system, we've been very happy with it!

Review by daddydiver : We are so happy with this purchase!

After reading the reviews on this monitor (and many others) we chose this as the one we liked the most. I was a little hesitant to order it, with all the negative reviews saying it doesn't work because of interference and stuff, but did it anyway. We took it out of the box and it worked perfectly. I even took it around the house to see if the wireless network or the cordless phones would interfere, and they didn't. I've got reception all over the house, in the basement, the back yard and the garage.
I love the ease of use of the monitor, too. So easy to pan around the room and zoom in and out. I opted for the wall mount so I could get the best angle on the crib, but I can still see the whole room if needed. So far, the "talk to baby" feature has been useful when my wife needs a hand in the nursery. She justs calls out and I can respond.
The only downsides to the monitor (and they are minor) is that the picture quality is a little grainy. I would like a crisper picture, but it works just fine. Also, the "belt clip" does better duty as a stand. If it's on your belt and you bend over, it'll end up on the floor. These minor flaws, however, are overshadowed by how well everything else works.
All in all, we recommend this baby monitor. It's a little pricey and my wife thought the video was overkill, but it has been really handy to use. I like being able to hear the baby cry and then get a look at her so to see if she's just fussing in her sleep or if she really needs something, all without going in the room and disturbing her. I am glad we got this one and I think you'll like it, too!

Review by Daniel Morris : Simply Awesome

This thing is great. I've got two girls who are fresh from the crib and now are in their own beds... in the same room. Trying to get them to sleep has been extremely difficult. At one point, they got out of bed, climbed up the front of their dresser and managed to pull it down on themselves. That was it... time to get a monitor.So, out comes the credit card and I get the best one. And, wow. Just... wow.I stuck it up on the wall in their room in about 1 minute. Walked into the other room with the monitor, turned it on... that was it. 100% configured.On the screen, I can control the camera, moving it up, down, left right, etc.. it is great. Even at night, there is night vision!And that's not all. Here is the best part: Sound. The thing is so good, I can hear them breathing as they sleep if I turn it up. AND... it gets better. There is a speaker on it, so you can really get big-brother on them.Here's an example: My younger daughter starts getting out of her bed to go mess with her sister. I catch it out of the corner of my eye while the monitor is sitting on the counter. I put the button, "Get back in your bed Marguerite!". Bam. She spins around and gets back in her bed.That would normally have resulted in both of them getting up and playing around a bit before I even heard it and stormed down the hallway. Now, just a quick sentence and it's over without me getting up.Moreover... they know it's there and immediately discovered that they no longer have to scream my name when they want something. They just say, "Daddy... are you there? Daddy... Can I go get a glass of water?" And I can calmly tell them OK without screaming myself.I wish I could give the product more than 5 stars.

Review by M Baker : The Minutiae of 2 Monitors: Motorola MBP36 & Summer Infant Touch

The Minutiae of 2 Monitors: Motorola MBP36 & Summer Infant Touch
Motorola Digital Video Baby Monitor with 3.5 Inch Color LCD Screen
Summer Infant Baby Touch Digital Color Video Monitor
This review discusses the minutiae, good and bad, of both monitors. (Same review under both products).
Summary: Motorola: 4 stars, SI: 4.5 stars. Both monitors are great and fit the bill for a pan/tilt monitor. It's the little details and personal preference that will determine the best monitor for you. FYI, we come from a history of owning the Summer Infant BestView-pre2011. We would have just added a 2nd camera to our unit if it were still available. Where applicable, we noted where SI has improved some things from the BestView to the Touch.Both monitors have a 3.5" screen. The pictures in both daytime and night vision are very good. The sound and talk back on both units is good. The pan/tilt is quiet overall on both cameras. The biggest difference is how to access the features you feel are most important to you. Below are some notable differences between the two units.Overall layout (see labeled pictures):
Video On/Off: external button on both
Volume: in menu on Motorola, dedicated top toggle on SI
Pan/Tilt: external (Left) buttons on Motorola, in a menu with touch arrows on SI
Zoom: in a menu on both
Scan: external button on Motorola, in a menu on SIButtons: SI wins this hands down. Unless you are awake every time you use the monitor, you cannot easily find and press the correct button, one-handed, in a dark room/semi-sleep state. For us, this design difference is what sealed the deal for SI over Motorola. We can easily find the Video On/Off and volume with tactile sense. We would have resorted to making a raised surface on the 3rd button if we chose to keep the Motorola.SI touch screen: Many people commented that you can brush up against the screen anywhere and turn the menu on/select items. This doesn't seem to be totally the case. You not only have to have the video ON, but you also have to press on the very right or bottom strip of the picture/screen to bring up the menu. A random touch anywhere on the screen will not bring the menu up. Also of note, accessing the main functions (Video On/Off and Volume) does not require the touch menu since these buttons are located on the OUTSIDE of the unit. We are fine with going into a menu for less-common functions such as pan/zoom/scan because we will not be doing this nearly as often as turning the video on/off and adjusting volume. (And the SI volume toggle does NOT activate the touch screen so the monitor can stay dark while you adjust volume.)Interference: we had problems with our old SI (BestView) and wireless interference. The Motorola had much less interference than the SI Touch, the SI Touch seemed to have the same interference as the SI BestView. We opted to upgrade/change routers to solve this problem instead of compromising on any monitors. A router is a cheaper electronic piece to swap out than a monitor system (esp with multiple cameras).Camera range: we placed each camera on the same peg over the bed. The SI showed

Review by Tiana : Perfect for the worried parent

This monitor is great. After researching dozens I saw this one and it was a winner from the start. The camera can be controlled from the parent until and I can focus in and out anywhere in the bedroom. I love that they not only gave wired options for charging the parent and camera units, but they provided battery options as well. The parent unit is easy to use and I love the touch screen. The batteries last a long time and the unit itself is not bully, about the size of a smart phone. Yes, the picture is not as crisp as shown on the box but I can see everything clearly and the night vision is clear as well. Last but not least, this is one of the few monitors that has the option to talk to your baby from another room from the parent unit. This monitor has everything, down to the hardware to mount it to walls or shelves and clips to safely clip the wires out of the way. Very very happy with it.

Review by Andi : I WANT to love this, but...

We bought the BestView Handheld Color Video Monitor when our 2-yr-old was 4 months old and LOVE IT. We needed another for our 4-month-old. I confirmed with Summer that even if you add another camera, you CANNOT WATCH/HEAR BOTH CHILDREN AT THE SAME TIME. A 2nd camera is pointless for us since our children nap and sleep at the same time. We purchased the Baby Touch as we loved the sleek design and touch screen. I have to say, I am disappointed.PROS:* Portability - You can move the camera anywhere and use it without the AC Charger. This is great for those afternoon visits to Grandma's or when the little one falls asleep in the living room and you still need to get stuff done.* Touch Screen - Love it!* Battery % Indicator.* Talk-Back - No practical use yet, but still love it!CONS:* Pulsing static. It is irritating to say the least. There was no static on the BestView monitor. I don't think that this can be overlooked.* Choppy video. Irritating but not something that I can't live with. Although it is bad video compared to the BestView.* Range. We could use our Bestview anywhere in the house and even from the neighbor's house across the street (my husband was home). I have found 2 places in the house so far where the Baby Touch doesn't work. I get "No Signal", and there is no warning (since there is no video in audio mode). My baby could have been crying and I wouldn't have known.Since no one else had issues with static, I think that I will exchange it as mine might be defective. I really want the Baby Touch to work as well as our Bestview.

Review by Allison : The best option for monitoring mult. rooms.

Ok, so I gave this monitor 4 stars rather than 5 because it does have some annoying flaws. I have researched so many monitors for multiple cameras and this one seemed the best. I had the Summer Infant Best View, which was AMAZING!! I sold it to a friend to help pay for this one, and I was kind of sad because I wasn't sure how this one would compare. It seems, like most of the reviews, as long as you don't get a "lemon", it works great.

I purchased mine from BabiesRus.com and ordered the extra camera too (they have it in stock right now, and Amazon does not.) Basically, the first one I tried, the monitor was blank and showed nothing. But if I hooked it up to my TV, I could see the baby sleeping, so I knew it wasn't the camera. I brought that one back and got another one. This one works!!! The video quality is not as good as the Best View, but is good enough. I have listed the PROS and CONS below!!

PROS

-Normal amount of interference with Wi-Fi. You will have this problem with most video monitors.
-No static...very clear sound, and we are 2300 feet from my daughter's room.
-The battery on the monitor appears to be pretty good, lasts all day and I charge it each night, even though it is not completely drained.
-The battery pack for the camera is a neat feature, but I haven't hooked it up. Keep in mind that if you purchase an additional camera, the battery pack is not included.
-The volume is really great and there are no problems with hearing the baby rustling around on the sheets, which is nice.
-Scanning feature!!!!! This feature is what I have been looking for. When you put it on "scan," it scans between the cameras you have set up. When the video is on, you see and hear what is being monitored (1st camera, then 2nd...and back to 1st again.) When you are sleeping, and the video is off, the sound is still scanning between rooms. On other monitors, the sound would stop on the room you had the camera on last. What's the point in that? Also, some have no sound and only video scanning. Like any person is just going to stay awake all night and stare at the video monitor to see if there are any issues with the babies. This one does the trick, though, with both video and audio scanning.
-The monitor is very sensitive to touch and easy to use.
-Camera is easy to swivel around to your preference...from the comfort of your bedroom, or wherever...though, I pretty much just keep it where it is. :)
-I love the intercom feature because sometimes I just talk to my daughter just for fun...when she is awake and I am about to go get her. She looks at the camera and says, "mama??" I love it!!
-There is a really nice "leg" on the monitor that is easy to open and close so you can stand it up, if you choose. (The dock props it up, as well, which makes quick "glances" at the monitor easy. If you choose not to use the dock, the plug goes right into the monitor if you don't enjoy the dock. (I discuss this below in the Con section.))

CONS

-It appears that there are a lot of "lemons" out there, so if yours has problems, bring it back and get another one right away.
-The dock is really light and is magnetic, so when I try to pick it up off the dock with one hand, it usually picks up the dock and drops it on the floor. Annoying, but not a deal-breaker.
-The "talk" button is right by the power button and since you have to hold the power button to turn the monitor off and hold the talk button to talk to the child, some people have reported accidentally holding the talk button and waking the child. This has not happened to me. It would be wise for Summer Infant to make a minor change in that area.
-Video quality can definitely be improved. The night vision is better than the color, but really, it is always dark when I am monitoring her, so this is not a problem. And, again, not a deal-breaker for me.

CONCLUSION

Basically, it boils down to how many rooms/kids you are monitoring. The scanning feature is just too important and outweighs all of the cons, in my opinion!! Please ask questions, if you have them. I had millions and just went for it!!

Review by Mom : Hopefully this will save you some headaches

So I will start with the fact that I have purchased 4 different monitors :
1) 2.4GHz DIGITAL WIRELESS BABY VIDEO MONITOR SYSTEM WITH NIGHT VISION -- 2.4" Color LCD Screen (Two-way Radio communication) by Smart AV ,
2) MOBICAM DXR DIGITAL MONITORING SYSTEM,
3) SAMSUNG WIRELESS VIDEO SECURITY MONITORING SYSTEM w/ 3.5" LCD,
4) SUMMER BABY TOUCH COLOR VIDEO MONITOR by Summer infant.
I have a 3yr. old and I was still using my Sony baby call monitor which I still love, but now I need to see when she gets out of her bed and I wanted the two way feature "talk to the baby feature" so I could talk to her and tell her to get back in her bed. I should also say that I want to see as much of her room around her bed as I could her room is 11 ft. by 12ft I put the camera in the corner on a shelf six feet off the ground about 10 and