1.02.2013

infant optics dxr-5 video monitor system - two will win!

There are lots of video monitors out there. A video monitor was one of those things I researched the most when I was pregnant, desperately and frantically interviewing anyone I knew who had a child on which one I should choose. In the local mom circle, there are a couple big-name brands that are thrown around a lot and, without knowing any better, I went for one of them. At first, the monitor worked beautifully. It wasn't until one night shortly after Ethan had been transitioned to his own room and crib that I woke up. I'm not sure why I woke up, but I did and I swore I heard the faintest sounds of a baby screaming from down the hall. The picture on our monitor was there and there was no noise coming from it, it simply displayed Ethan fast asleep on the screen. The screams got louder and clearer. Ethan was most definitely screaming in his crib, all alone -- the monitor had frozen on an image of him sleeping soundly! I was horrified and the horror only intensified as the monitor continued to offer everything but security and reassurance. Soon it wasn't even turning on. After an upsetting conversation with customer service in which it became apparent no one was willing to do anything about anything, my husband and I did quick research on Amazon and overnighted a new monitor: the Infant Optics DXR-5.

And you guys? It was the best decision we could have ever made.

There are many features of the DXR-5 that I want to share with you, but let me first point out that the above photograph of Ethan asleep in his crib? It was taken at eight o'clock at night in a pitch-black room. Ethan has no nightlights, no lamps, blackout curtains on his windows. The contrast is set to 0, the lowest possible setting, and still the picture on the screen of Ethan fast asleep is super clear and super bright, thanks to the amazing automatic night vision feature of this monitor. In the event you use your monitor to supervise a busy playroom or a room that isn't dark enough to require night vision, the monitor is a full-color video monitor in light situations!

Also? I set this monitor up myself. Keep in mind I'm fairly certain I don't really know how to do anything by myself (here is where I admit to calling my husband while he's at work and asking how to turn the dryer on a certain setting or if he's seen my favorite jeans or where the crockpot ended up) but this was simple. From the time you open the box and remove the monitor, here's what you do to set it up: plug it in and turn the handheld on. That's it. There's no configuration, no set-up, no putting anything together or drilling anything anywhere. We have a ukelele hanger on Ethan's wall for his miniature guitar and I easily mounted the camera on top of the hanger. It's nowhere near his crib or within reach of him but is still able to capture a full-crib view thanks to the DXR-5's vertical mount stand so you can tilt the camera any which way you please, even downward!

The handheld monitor is portable. It can clip onto your pocket or fit into your pocket and it stands upright beautifully if you're sitting in one place. You can adjust the contrast, you can adjust the volume, you can even toggle the camera to the voice activation battery saving setting so all white noise is automatically muted until the noise level changes.

Here's my absolute most favorite feature of this monitor: the durability. I can't tell you how many times the handheld monitor has been slammed onto the tile floor from the table it was resting on. We're all guilty of it around here. We have cats who seem to excel at knocking the handheld off of my nightstand and causing it to tumble to the hardwood floors now and again. Ethan has thrown the handheld onto the floor and against a wall in protest of naptime. I've tripped on the cord and been the reason for the charging handheld to tumble down to the tile myself several times and it's never faltered. It's never chipped. It's never been reluctant to turn on or to perform flawlessly. It can only be magical or truly a product for real life and the real world, at least one with toddlers in it.

The DXR-5 monitor has the capability to connect up to four camera units, making it perfect for parents wanting an extra camera for a playroom or for families with more than one child. Though there are no plans for future children in our immediate future, there's already no question that this will remain the monitor for us, just with extra cameras.

On our local mom's forum, I read a lot of complaints about other video monitors that interfere with phone lines, internet or even intercept the neighbor's monitor system. The Infant Optics DXR-5 is an interference free unit which also boasts an 800 foot open reception area. Sometimes when Ethan is napping, I'll go out in the backyard and prepare an art project for him or I'll need to go out and grab a package from the mailbox. As a neurotic first-time mom, this monitor unit lets me watch Ethan continue to sleep even if I'm not physically inside the house at the time. It also beeps and warns you when you've stepped out of signal bounds, not just shutting off quietly without giving you any notice that your monitor has stopped working.

TO PURCHASE: Infant Optics DXR-5 monitors are available for purchase through Amazon.com, as well as additional cameras!

TO WIN: That's right, I said win. Two of you will have the opportunity to win an Infant Optics DXR-5 video monitor of your own! Here's how:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

65 comments:

  1. Hey Linds!

    I would LOVE to win this for my (soon to be) sister in law's up coming baby shower gift!

    - Stephanie

    ReplyDelete
  2. We have a monitor nut this one is so much cooler!
    Thekatalmanac@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I want to win! I don't have a video monitor and I would really love to win one!

    Rmaack86@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I want to win! I don't have a video monitor and I would really love to win one!

    Rmaack86@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I keep trying to comment but it isn't working!

    I am obsessed with this giveaway and really would love to win - especially since baby number 2 is on the way :)

    I loooooove that they let you have multiple video units that connect to the parent unit. Such a great idea!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Would love to give this to my SIL. I don't have one..but always thought that video monitors are amazing!! Great Giveaway Momma and what a solid, detailed review. You sold me!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I would love to win this giveaway! This was the one baby product I really really wanted, but we just don't have the money.

    vegters3@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. YAY!! A video monitor is one of the things on my list we need for Grace!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I SO need a new monitor since one of the cats ate the wires for our last one. What a great giveaway!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I so need a new monitor for the baby! We didn't need one at our old house b/c it was so small. This would be perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I would LOVE to win this. My old (sound only) monitor buzzes all the time and wakes him up :(

    ReplyDelete
  12. I would love love love love loveee to win!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Coool This is the first giveaway that I really hope I win..hahah. So I am so out of the baby loop I still thought that there were only the sound monitors...whoa I need to do my baby research!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'd love to win! We already have this same monitor and love it but could definitely use another for Carina! growingupgeeky at gmail :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'd love to win this!

    shelly8806@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. We would love to have one. We have a new baby coming and could really use a monitor. Thank you
    beth.rees333 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I would love to have this at my house. I'm in childcare and this would be great. (winhammyk@aol.com)

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is an awesome monitor!!! Wish i would have looked further before we bought our current one.
    Bpasserrello@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is seriously the best timing. I have been stressing over which video monitor to choose. I did not get one when our son was born but now that we're getting ready to transition to a toddler bed I want to be able to see him. I was going to go with the Summer (Summer Infant?) brand but now I am going to get this one instead. Unless I win it! :D

    ReplyDelete
  20. I would love to win this! My son is due in three weeks and this would be perfect. Burningmoonproducts@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I would love to win this Video Monitor to keep an eye on my Grandbabies who I take care of during the work week!

    colljerr at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  22. I want to win!

    My son is 9 months old and has Down syndrome. Because he has sleep apnea he still sleeps in my room. This monitor could help me FINALLY put him to bed in his own room without being scared to death! LOL.

    mmdoherty1980@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jorie,
      When I had my first son, I was always worried about SIDS. I went to Babies R Us and purchased a pad that you lay in the crib with baby. It is hooked up to a monitor that sounds alarms if the baby were to stop breathing or moving. It was a huge relief for this new mom. Don't know if you've ever heard of anything like that...just thought I would mention it in case it would help your situation :)

      Delete
  23. (Signed in as Lagean)

    I'd love to win this!

    ubrewme@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I would love to win this! We just transitioned our 2 year old to a toddler bed LAST NIGHT! Our newest will be born in just a couple weeks and they are going to share a room. This is going to be a necessity! Thanks for the chance!
    ambrsmommy@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I really want to win!!!
    mcfallsk8er(at)aim(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  26. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I would love to win! Thanks for the great giveaway!
    c_orwig(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I keep telling my hubby how great it would be to have a baby monitor with video! Could help me make decisions so much better than just listening to a cry...and keep my worrisome heart at rest :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. I would love to win - we'll need a second monitor for our little one arriving in May!

    acartwrightmorell at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I really really really want to win! I have a 3 month old baby boy and I need a video monitor for him!

    Thanks!

    liz.ticona@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I'm a single mom due in May and I would love to win!!! jessyannie1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hi! I would love to win this for my pregnant sister-in-law, it's already on her wish list!! jessica.colebrook@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I would love to win this!
    laura.cooper2(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Thank you for a great giveaway! I would love to win this!
    wendywynsma@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I have a 8 week old who we are transitioning to the crib. I would love to win this to help put my mind at ease. Newest follower!
    Ashley at Mrs, Mama
    http://aprichards.blogspot.com
    ashley.ponder47@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I would love to win one of the monitors! We haven't even put the camera up in Natalie's room yet because we seriously hated the monitor we had for the other two. It'd be nice to try something that might actually work!

    ashleyonsager@Hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. My baby monitor has been having a bad connection lately, and doesn't have a video on it! This would be a great upgrade!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Would love to win this, thank you for the chance!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Our video monitor is on it's last leg! I don't know what I would do without it!

    ReplyDelete
  40. I would looove to win this! id give it to my friend. skhayes15 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  41. would want for my future baby

    klr89@cornell.edu

    ReplyDelete
  42. I want to win this. This would be a great gift for my sister that's due in March.

    cngordon22@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. id love to win this!! we could use this :) chrw1071@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. Oh I would love to win! This would be so perfect for the new baby boy coming soon! landfjacobson @ charter.net
    Laura Jacobson

    ReplyDelete
  45. I would love to win this! We could really use it. Thanks for the chance!

    imsosweepy at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  46. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  47. I would love this. My oldest daughter is special needs and suffers from cerebral palsy and epilepsy. This would help me monitor her seizures more!! I have just not been able to afford one yet. Thanks for the opportunity! andreatummons@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. great giveaway. we would love to win this!

    ReplyDelete
  49. I would really love to win this for my daughter.

    skyrobinson@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  50. I would love to win! Thank you! Molly Bussler - meoleme@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I would LOVE to win, email is jenkalbrecht at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I would love to win it for my little niece!
    Thank You So Much for the giveaway

    Fiona N

    ReplyDelete
  53. I want to win this! This would be PERFECT for my 9 month old baby!!!

    ReplyDelete
  54. I would love to win! Thank you! sonyadmorris@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. I want to win! I'd love to have this for my twins! Thank you. ;)

    courtneytarver85 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  56. i want to win!

    vanitizebaby at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  57. Looks like a wonderful product! Thanks!
    marysa (at) marysa (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  58. Angie
    What a great giveaway, I would love to win
    angukena@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  59. I want to win.
    davidholder3@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  60. I would love to win one! I been looking for a monitor for a bit. Thanks for the review.

    gee.jackiea(@)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  61. Would love to win!

    ladyayukawa (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...