Today’s parents are more active and involved than ever before. The days of “baby in her room and Momma and Daddy in their room” are no more—our babies start out in our rooms, and many parents keep them there for months, if not years. Transitioning Baby to her own room can be a scary process for both parents and baby, but there are many products on the market today designed to ease the transition and provide peace-of-mind.
Video technology is not new, but it is rapidly improving. Whether your baby has a medical condition that requires constant monitoring or you are looking for an extra layer of security, a video monitor can provide the comfort that you need at an affordable price.
Comparison Video Monitor Units
Our two comparison units are manufactured by Motorola, an American company with solid brand recognition and Infant Optics, a relatively new company that is quickly becoming a top contender in the market.
Wireless technology
Both units are equipped with a 2.4GHz digital wireless FHSS communication link. The Motorola MBP33 is equipped with two-way communication capabilities, allowing you to soothe or sing to your baby from anywhere in the house, as well as communicate with a partner in the room. The better wireless connection means less chance of dropped signals, meaning you won’t miss what is happening in your baby’s room.
Specifications
Both units have a full-color LCD video display, with real-time sound and video, as well as infrared night vision which allows the viewer to see what is happening without disturbing baby’s sleep. The Infant Optics DXR-5 allows you to see up to 15 feet in the darkness. This feature toggles on and off, allowing you to use it only when you need it.
Both the Motorola MBP33 and the Infant Optics DXR-5 have FHSS data encryption technology so that you can be secure in the knowledge that no one is able to view your video or audio feed from a remote location.
Pros and Cons: Motorola MBP33
The MBP33 features a superior wireless range, with coverage up to 200M and a warning sound that alerts you when you are close to being out of range of the monitor. It is also equipped with a temperature sensor so that you can monitor baby’s room and adjust the temperature if it is too hot or too cold. Five built-in lullabies to lull baby to sleep are also standard. Additional cameras (sold separately) may be added to the parent unit as needed. Reviewers were pleased with the clear picture and good sound quality. Frustrations centered around short battery life, and many reviewers stated that the unit worked fine for a year or so and then stopped charging all together. Reviewers also noted that the camera cannot be remotely controlled from the parent unit, but must be moved manually. Amazon rating for the MBP33 is 3.5/5 stars.
Pros and Cons: Infant Optix DXR-5
The DXR-5 features an optimum wireless range of 150 feet through thicker walls and floors, and an 800-foot range in unobstructed areas. Additional camera units cannot be added to this product, so for multiple-room monitoring needs, this unit would require a separate parent unit for each room. It also features an energy-saver mode. After three (3) minutes of inactivity, the monitor turns off to save power while still providing continuous monitoring of baby’s room, and returns to full power when it detects any noise or movement. Readers overall were pleased with the excellent video and sound quality and energy saving features. Complaints centered around the battery longevity, with six months to a year being the average time of use before the unit needed replaced. Amazon rating for the DXR-5 was 4/5 stars.
Conclusion
Choosing a baby monitor is not a decision to be made lightly. The units are relatively expensive (ours ranged from $100-$200) and it is important to examine your personal needs before you shop so that you know what features are important to you. Both of these units offer excellent video and sound quality but are rated low in battery life. Only one, the DXR-5, features an energy saver mode. The MBP33 comes equipped with a temperature sensor and two-way communication feature, while the DXR-5 does not have either of those features. Both units have data-encryption, which is a must in our technology-saturated world to keep hackers from gaining access to your system. While the DXR-5 range is only 150 feet through walls and floors, it does have an impressive 800-foot range over open spaces. As with any major purchase, examine all of the options, and choose the unit that makes the most sense for your needs and will provide the most security for your baby and the greatest peace-of-mind for her parents.
Other Infant optics dxr-5 Comparisons
- Infant Optics DXR-5 vs Infant Optics DXR-8: Two classes of Monitors
- Infant Optics DXR-5+ vs Infant Optics DXR-8: Extra Features
- Infant optics dxr-5 vs. Motorola mbp33
Other Motorola mbp33 Comparisons
- Motorola MBP33 vs Motorola MBP36s: A difference in Screen Size
- Motorola MBP33 vs MBP41: Peace of Mind Baby Monitors
- Motorola MBP33 vs MBP33s: Small Screens, Big Hearts
- Infant optics dxr-5 vs. Motorola mbp33
Other Baby Monitors Comparisons
- Foscam FBM3501 vs Motorola MBP36
- Motorola MBP36S vs Motorola MBP38S
- Infant Optics DXR-8 vs Samsung SEW-3043W
- Levana Ayden vs Levana Astra: Low Price comes with Low Quality
- Samsung SEW-3037W vs Infant Optics DXR-8: Keeping your Baby Safe
- Motorola MBP33 vs Motorola MBP36s: A difference in Screen Size
- Motorola MBP33 vs MBP41: Peace of Mind Baby Monitors
- Infant Optics DXR-5 vs Infant Optics DXR-8: Two classes of Monitors
- Infant Optics DXR-5+ vs Infant Optics DXR-8: Extra Features
- Motorola MBP36 vs Samsung SEW-3037W: Are the Extras Worth It?
- Motorola MBP36s vs Infant Optics DXR-8: Changing Lenses
- Motorola MBP33 vs MBP33s: Small Screens, Big Hearts
- Motorola MBP36s vs Motorola MBP36: Upgraded Peace of Mind
- Motorola MBP36s vs MBP854: A different set of Extras
- Motorola MBP36 vs Motorola MBP41: Are extra features necessary?