Which Baby Monitor to buy?

Lancerx on 06/12/2016 - 01:38
Last edited 06/12/2016 - 01:42

Hi all, just got a newborn :) Now, which baby monitor would you recommend from an ozbargainer's persepctive? ;)

I always thought baby monitor is just a massively overpriced IP camera. I do have an indoor IP camera, but need a monitor which can stream video & audio to an "always on" monitor, instead have to rely on phone app etc. Unless there's IP camera out there, which has really good alert function? Just want a monitor clipped on me when doing chores around the house, so I can hear the baby's cries. Would be great if it has two-way audio & also remote IP access through app when not at home too.

Thanks!

General Discussion

Comments

  • ESEMCE on 06/12/2016 - 07:55

    Tinycam Monitor app on your Android phone (or ideally an old phone).. The same developer does an iPhone App too.
    Easily the best app I found.

    • ESEMCE on 06/12/2016 - 11:13

      I'll elaborate since there's some interest.
      My setup is 2xFOSCAM FI8918 cameras (one is a clone and I recommend that you spend the extra on the genuine article, less so for the image quality, more so for the sound quality).
      They're just 640x480 cameras but that's fine. Don't get too caught up on resolution, sensitivity is much more important. No point in having a Full HD image that is 99% black screen cause the sensitivity is crap.
      Audio quality is paramount… you don't sit and watch the camera, you only look when you hear noise.
      PTZ funtionality isn't really required.

      Ensure you don't buy locally sourced "branded" cameras (Swann, DLink etc) as they invariably use insecure proprietary software and require cloud subscriptions for "extra features"

      The Tinycam app is brilliant, the most "annoying" feature is the frequent updates that it gets adding new features at least once per month!
      It has built in support for a massive array of camera models.
      Most importantly it has a "squelch" feature that only activates sound on the "monitor" once the sound level reaches a set volume. As a result you have a silent baby monitor that ignores breathing/snoring (yes babies snore), rustling of covers etc etc and only plays sound when the baby is making a racket!
      Has settings that will connect to LAN preferentially, and then fall across to a DynamicDNS address if you're out and about (I used to "watch my kid sleeping" at work, for the first few months anyway).
      Supports recording and multiple cameras.

      I have an old Android phone as our main screen in the lounge and we have the app installed on our phones as "portable" monitors. The app is currently on sale but even at the regular $5 is a bargain.

      For holidays we have a PocketWiFi set up with the same SSID and Password as our home wifi.
      Cameras come with us and we can use our phones as the monitor.

  • Danthemanz on 06/12/2016 - 08:50

    My first is on the way and im also in the market for one.
    I too would ideally like some sort of dedicated receiver but with IP functions if possible.

    From what ive read i found something that seems pretty important for tech people, i dont want it to run on its own 2.4ghz network.
    Im happy for it to run through my high end wifi network but nothing that is going to jam my existing spectrum.

  • altomic on 06/12/2016 - 09:14
    +2

    father of 3 here. - it sounds like a good idea but what good are they? sure you can see and hear your baby but why? are you going to be monitoring your child every single minute that the monitor is on?

    if you want to hear the baby crying then leave their door open.

    "but won't outside noise wake them?" - no, I believe its best to allow some noise whilst your baby sleeps, so they become adjusted to sleeping through noises/sounds. too many of my friends spent years tiptoeing around their houses because: whisper "sssshhhhhh, the baby is sleeping".

    somehow we have survived ~25 million cycles of reproduction to be here still. tech isn't going to change anything.

    my 2 cents.

    • boomramada on 06/12/2016 - 11:34
      +1

      You have a point but setting a camera would be cool, even better if grand parents can see it from other side of the world :)

      • ESEMCE on 06/12/2016 - 12:09

        Precisely what I did for the grandies that live in a country town 3 hours away.

    • Lancerx on 06/12/2016 - 12:49

      I know about the noise part, and it's true. .

      But the monitor will be handy when you're in kitchen cooking with loud fan noise, and yes my house is fairly big, even with door open sometimes I couldn't hear baby crying until some time later

    • iratepirate on 06/12/2016 - 17:27

      Is there one documented incident of a baby spy cam saving anyone? If it makes you feel like a good parent then by all means buy one. Sounds like a scam based on fear to me.

    • ESEMCE on 07/12/2016 - 07:49

      Use mine when we're outside, gardening/in the shed or just want to watch a movie at the other end of the house.

      Definitely handy as well to stop you getting too jumpy and going into the child's room at every cry.
      When you can see what they're doing remotely you know what's going on and can gauge whether the child will settle itself or actual attention is required.

  • Triple J on 06/12/2016 - 09:44

    Choice magazine reviewed baby monitors in October 2016.They recommended about 20 different monitors all with different functions.You might be able to purchase a copy of it online or maybe view it at a library .

  • nivag01 on 06/12/2016 - 10:29
    +1

    we purchased a monitor, but don't only used it few times. We had our 7 month old in our bedroom for about 3-4 months and them moved her to her bedroom in to a cot (the bedrooms are right next door to each other). we have found it easier just to leave the doors open. If you are after a monitor that will let you know if she stops breathing ( in case of SIDS) then that is different.

  • ihbh on 06/12/2016 - 12:02

    You'll need a monitor if you have a big/multi-storey house. We bought ours when Aldi had their baby gear special buy.

  • Lancerx on 06/12/2016 - 12:50

    So no one here has any specific model to recommend?

    • ESEMCE on 06/12/2016 - 15:44
      +2

      I've written a massive post and you claim no recommendation?

      • Lancerx on 06/12/2016 - 15:49

        Thanks mate, but I found the Foscam not very reliable in the past, in term of their sensitivity of detecting noise..and not sure my missus would bother with fiddling with apps etc…just want simple turn on and watch

  • Master Bates on 06/12/2016 - 13:26

    We're happy with our Oricom SC710. Note this does not have remote IP, but ticks the other boxes on your list.

    ProductReview.com.au has average scores, but in our experience it has been relatively solid.

    I think we got it for $149, but haven't seen it that price for a long time.

    • [Deactivated] on 07/12/2016 - 08:41

      I have Oricom 710 as well have been happy with it so far, except I don't like the orange light on the camera when the room is dark it's far too bright so I end up not having the camera pointed directly at baby. I suppose I could put tape over the light but tbh the audio is a lot more important than video and I don't miss it.

      • Master Bates on 07/12/2016 - 09:20

        Yep, the Mrs is sensitive to the LEDs too, so covers them all with tape or Blu-Tack.

    • CacheHunter on 09/12/2016 - 06:59

      We love our Oricom 710 as well (also paid around $149 just over 2 years ago). We've set it up so that the screen only comes on if we press a button or the sound exceeds a trigger. The video is nice to check whether a noise was just stirring or the baby is awake without going down the other end of the house.
      My biggest complaints are the labels eventually wearing of the buttons and it being a bit patchy when using it with a second camera for number 2 bub.
      No problems with it affecting our wifi on either 2.4 or 5.x

  • entercoolusername on 06/12/2016 - 16:34

    We bought the Uniden BW3001 last year just because we can clip it to any surface, And it has worked so far.
    -Battery was good initially but it doesn't last too long( maybe due to overcharging), so we have ours always plugged in.
    -You can add more cameras if you need( if you have more than one child).
    -Good day and night function with video and Audio, two way communication is not amazing but does the job
    -Good value for money.
    https://www.jbhifi.com.au/computers-tablets/smart-home/unide…

  • coolhead on 07/12/2016 - 09:24

    have used apps but the if you can only do with audio and have a spare phone at home.. then i woudl suggest initiate a whatsapp call between the two phones.. keep one beside the bub and the other next to you in speaker mode.. very easy and convinient..

    • ESEMCE on 07/12/2016 - 09:57

      Yep, done the same utilising free calls between me and the wife's phone

  • scupper on 09/12/2016 - 11:51

    Kinect as a Baby Monitor

  • wisdomtooth on 29/05/2017 - 08:18

    Use an old smartphone.

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