With an optical zoom lens and some nice features that increase functionality, the DXR-8 baby monitor from Infant Optics is a solid pick for many families. It is also a #1 Best Seller on Amazon.com. While there are some competing monitors with more features, the dependable functionality and nice range of features make the Infant Optics DXR-8 worth at least considering.
The basic unit sells for less than $200 full retail price and comes with a 4” x 2.5” camera with all the basic features you would expect on a modern video baby monitor. It also comes with night vision powered by eight LED sensors. The camera can pan, tilt and zoom, so you can get the best possible angle to monitor your baby. If your baby’s room is large or you simply want to cover more of the baby’s room, you may add a wide-angle lens to your purchase for less than $15.
The portable parent receiver stands less than 5-inches tall and is just over 3-inches wide, so it is slightly larger than the camera unit. It is similar to what you will see with other video baby monitors, and it is encrypted for your safety. The unit is charged from a micro-USB port, so you can use any cord that you may already have lying around the house. This is a convenient feature that will save you some time over hunting down a manufacturer cord if it is ever lost or damaged.
Infant Optics DXR-8 Features
Digital | Temperature Sensor |
700 ft. Range | Pan/Tilt/Zoom |
2.4 GHz Frequency | Interchangeable Lens |
FHSS Channels | Rechargeable Batteries |
3.5″ LCD Display | Low Battery Warning |
Two Way Talk-Balk | Out of Range Warning |
Night Vision | Remote Control Camera |
Voice Activation | Connect up to 4 Cameras |
Volume Control |
The Infant Optics DXR-8 in Action
The parent receiver features a 3.5-inch screen which delivers acceptable picture quality. You can see the baby’s room clear enough during the day, but it does get a little blurry in night vision mode. This is a problem with many video cameras in the lower price range, so it isn’t just the Infant Optics DXR-8.
Operations are completed with a small controller conveniently located next to the screen. The OK button isn’t exactly where you would expect it, but it’s easy to find nonetheless. If you just want to adjust the brightness of the screen or the volume, there is a fast way to access those controls.
Temperature readout is available on the parent unit, so you can determine when it’s time to adjust the thermostat in the baby’s room. There is also an alarm feature, but you can’t enter a specific time. You simply select from the two, four or six-hour alarm settings.
You may get more interference from baby monitors in your surrounding community than you would with other monitors, but this isn’t a problem for every user. You should expect clear reception within a 200-feet radius of the camera base, but you may get some temporary lost signal alerts beyond that range.
You can pull out a small built-in stand to hold the parent unit up on a table or simply carry it around the house with you. When fully charged, the battery will last up to six hours with the screen illuminated the entire time. If you keep the screen dark and only peek at the baby when they make a noise that concerns you, then you can expect the battery to last up to 12 hours. This is highly competitive with what other monitors are offering today.
Sing Your Baby to Sleep & Stay in Bed
One of the best features on the Infant Optics DXR-8 baby monitor is the push-to-talk capability. You can push a button and talk to your baby without actually going into their room. This allows you to sing your baby back to sleep when they wake up partially. Going into the room will fully wake them, but they may still need some tender loving care encouraging them to sleep through the night or take a longer nap.
What you may miss on this monitor is the selectin of prerecorded lullabies that are added to some competing baby monitors these days. You will have to sing your own rather than hitting a button to let the machine do it for you.
What Else Is Missing?
Some users will find it disappointing that this monitor doesn’t come with a motion sensor or built-in nightlight. These are features that you may find on some competing monitors, but they are more advanced features that you can’t expect to find on every model. Just keep these features in mind as you compare this baby monitor to competing baby monitor reviews.
If you want more advanced features, such as streaming live video feed over the internet, you will need to look at a different baby monitor, perhaps one in a higher price range.
The Bottom Line
The Infant Optics DXR-8 monitor is acceptable in functioning and will help you keep an eye on your baby without splurging on a higher-priced unit. While it doesn’t have all of the features that would come on those higher-end models and it doesn’t have the best record keeping interference at bay, this is a solid monitor that most consumers find trustworthy for a reasonable price.
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