Initially, I thought a video monitor would not be necessary - until the actual day came when it was time to move my daughter to her crib in her own room! The first monitor I tried was the Baby's Quite Sounds minature Blk & Wht TV monitor (also by summer Infant products) that we kept bed side on the night stand - reception was adequate, but the large screen casted so much light when you were trying to sleep, that you had to keep the video off and only turn it on when the baby made a noise.
Having the handheld monitor is soooooo much better! I can take it anywhere in the house and the reception is great (unless I am using it while on the cordless phone which is also 900 mHz)! We also have a wireless system is our home and we can use the monitor simultaneously without interference to either. Additionally important to note is that I have been able to use this video monitor in combination with the BeBe Sounds Anglecare Sensory Monitor without any difficulty or interference between them. The Angelcare Monitor is also wonderful if you are considering a sensory monitor as well!
The only draw back is that at night the video monitor sometimes wakes me up due to static (however, this is due to where we place the monitor, and can usually be adjusted for better reception if the problem occurs).
Additionally, this monitor comes in two models with the only difference being the screen size (my model, #02100 has a 2"x2" color TFT screen or 2.8" diagonally, and the other model sold here (#02090) has a smaller 1.8" color TFT screen - you can check with the company online for store availibility & further information if you are interested in the larger 2.8" screen).
According to the company site, you can also purchase an additional camera (for $99.99, model # 02100-01) to view another child or room on the other channel if needed. The additional camera is listed under features for model number 02100 only; however, the customer service rep. had said that the screen size was the only difference between the two handheld models, so it would probably work or both. If the additional camera is important to you, I would double check with the company first before purchasing model 02090. Hope this was informative and helpful to anyone seriously considering purchasing this brand of monitor!
2011 update:
I wrote this review in 2006, and have used this monitor through three babies since then! It definatley has endured and done it's job; however, now there are others out there though that can do so much more (more money of course, but if you use it even when they are older, it may be worth it).
I just saw one in the One Step Ahead catalouge item number# 21047 by Baby Touch that has a color touch screen (about the size of a smart phone) that allows you to "pan. scan, and zoom" the baby's room AND gives you TWO way audio so you can speak to the baby (or to use as an intercom to tell the kids to stop playing and go to sleep when they are older)! ~$250.00. ($99.00 for additional cameras). I've never used it, but I would check it out if I were looking to buy a monitor.
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