



Infant Optics DXR-8 Add-on Camera (Not Compatible with DXR-8 PRO)
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audreyofdc
> 3 dayUPDATED REVIEW------ This video monitor system works great, until it doesnt (we have two cameras and one monitor). My original review reflects that we had to exchange the first camera, and I thought it was a one-off issue, but now Im no longer happy with the overall quality of this system. It was difficult to decide how to rate this, because as long as the system works, it really is great, but the fact that 2 cameras failed within their first year due to different reasons, bumped the rating down to 2 stars for me. One camera stopped being able to move down, the other stopped working in night mode (so you couldnt see anything in the room and were basically back to an audio monitor). Its a hassle to exchange if you dont have a second monitor set as a backup, because you will be out of a baby monitor for a week or so while the defective unit is mailed back, received, and a new one is sent back to you. I awarded one star for a system that we loved as long as it did work and a second star for customer service (we contacted Infant Optics directly and they were very nice and helpful) that honors their promise to exchange the broken cameras (though we did have to pay for shipping back for any defective units). Overall though, I would expect the video monitor system to just work — especially with a baby or children in the house, Id rather not have to worry about equipment working and dealing with exchanges and the inconvenience of not having the video monitor while we wait for replacement. Sadly, I cannot recommend this system, which is too bad because if the cameras worked 100% of the time, this would easily be a 4 to 5 star product. ORIGINAL REVIEW------ PROS: • can be operated remotely to swivel and turn • good picture quality even in the dark • mounts easily (flush against the wall or standing up, long cable) • sleek look • great customer service • far reaching video signal (though see CONS note below) • can add multiple cameras to cover many rooms CONS: • camera stopped moving down (manufacturer replaced for free (we had to pay shipping of defective unit), easy return process) • signal reaches far but has a few trouble spots within the house, even close to the bedroom We have two cameras and one corresponding video monitor. The quality of the video feed is good and the image shows up well even when the room is dark. The best feature of the camera is its ability to swivel and turn, which you can operate remotely from the monitor — we have a crib and a big kid bed in one of the bedrooms, so its nice to be able to move between the two easily without having to adjust the camera angle manually. The camera signal reaches pretty far — were able to be out and about in the yard without ever losing contact. However, there are some trouble spots within the house, even very close to the bedroom with the camera, so we do have to move the monitor to a better spot frequently (by now weve figured out the best places to get a good signal in the house, it just takes a bit of trial and error). The camera is easy to mount to the wall — we just hung it from a nail and it sits flush and straight against the wall, but you can also just stand it up. When our newborn baby was still in our room, I simply taped the bottom of the camera to our bed post with a command strip and that held up perfectly. The cable is a good length, too, so you have some flexibility as to where to mount it relative to an outlet. The white color fits well with the rest of our white furniture and light gray walls, so the camera blends in pretty well with the rest of the room. We actually had an issue when one of our cameras stopped moving down after about 6-7 months of owning it — all the other directions worked, but it could not move to angle further down. We contacted the manufacturer and they sent us a new one — great customer service. Both cameras still going strong (both the original one that came with the monitor and the replacement one). Overall we really like this camera and monitor system.
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David E.
> 3 dayI would definitely recommend this camera. However, my only complaint is that the green light (which helps with the night vision and serves as a light sensor) is on the bottom of the camera. As a result, if you have the camera perched up high looking down on your little one, it means that less ambient light will pass through the camera forcing it into Black/White mode rather than color. Its not a big deal as you can still see clearly, but id like to see the color screen during naps and Black/White at night time. This is a minor gripe though as the camera sends a very clear picture. In addition, we have not experienced any problems with reception, which is always good news. Previously, we had an old version of the Summer Infant monitor and camera. The summer infant was more expensive and a bit higher quality but this is a good value and gets similar functionality.
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Erika H
> 3 dayI have two of these cameras for monitoring my baby. They cameras were easy to set up and the monitor is easy to use. Within the first year one of the two cameras stopped working properly. The night time sensors stopped working so we could not see the picture clearly in the dark. We contacted the company for a replacement because it was within the warranty period and the provided us a replacement that works great. The process to exchange the camera was very easy and the new camera arrived two days after we shipped out the defective unit. The only issue was the company did not provide a shipping box for us to send back the defective unit in and we had to send out the old unit before they would ship the replacement. So we had go without a camera to monitor our baby for two days which is something that I think is really unacceptable to ask parents to do. The company should really ship out the replacement first along with a return box and just require the defective unit to be returned within 30 days. Many other companies do this so I know it’s possible. The camera works great and if there is a problem the company will help you resolve it, I just can’t give a 5 star review because the company asked us to go without a way to watch our baby for those two days.
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Nikola
> 3 dayI bought this camera to ad to already purchased system to be able to monitor couple rooms at the same time. Picture quality is great whether it is a day or night. It gets little grainy with night mode but still very clear. I love the feature that I can adjust it horizontally and vertically via monitor. The unit is not split screen when used with more cameras, but it gives picture in 10 sec intervals between units. Quick shuffle button (OK) is great and helps to switch in need quickly and with ease if you need to choose one, two, or up to four cameras picture, or a scan mode. If you have a cell phone nearby the monitor it will interfere with a signal and unfortunately there is no silence option but you get a rather loud eating noise. This camera doesnt come standard with optical lens but its an option to buy. I currently dont need it so Im happy with how it is. So far Im liking this product and would recommend it to others.
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Laura Pitts
> 3 dayWe have been using this camera system for one year now, and I have no complaints. We have one camera at home and one at our babysitters. The viewer-screen travels back and forth daily, with no issues! It can be used both locations to connect with either camera. The camera is easy to mount on the wall or set on a shelf. It has a long cord and so does the viewers charger. Our viewer can still go for about 3 hours without needing a charge, although I do plug it in all night long. Occasionally we have some small challenges where my phones wi-fi interferes a bit with the sound from the monitor, but its never a big deal. You can turn off the annoying beep for when it loses connectivity. I looked at a lot of monitors before our son was born, and I can say Im happy with this one!
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Lord Galderon of Windshire Keep
> 3 dayWe have an infant optics monitor and camera for our first daughter that has worked seamlessly for 3 years now. We had a second child so needed another camera. This is camera is an inexpensive solution, as you can easily set it up to use your existing monitor. Set up takes about 2 mins, by pressing the “add” setting on the monitor, and holding down a small button on the back of the camera. It pairs and you’re done. After that, you can easily switch between camera views through the monitor, or have it scan between the two, which switches the view every 10 seconds or so. Both cameras maintain full functionality with night vision, pan, temperature display, and ability to talk through the monitor. Awesome price and quality. Easy set up.
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Matthew Fuhrmeister
> 3 dayThis was an add on camera for my second child. I had a small issue with the charger on my first camera (it made a high pitched noise), and Infant Optics sent me a replacement charger. After approximately 6 months with the second camera, it started to get difficult to see my son in the dark; it still worked fine if the room was well lit. It gradually got worse and worse until we couldnt see him at all anymore with night vision. I contacted Infant Optics and they were great about sending me a replacement camera. My only issue is that I had to pay return shipping, and had to send the camera back before they sent a new one, so I was without a camera for a couple days. They did provide expedited shipping, so the new camera came quickly.
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Jasmine
> 3 dayDont trust the 5 star reviews. I bought this because there were so many 5 star reviews, but I found out later it was because the company offered a lot of people a free 2nd camara in exchange for 5 stars. Its still a decent set up, but not 5 stars, and not worth the price. The night Camara isnt too bad, but Ive seen better ones from friends and wish Id shopped around a little more. The reception isnt great, and it gets spotty even just being a few rooms away from the nursery. It routinely tells me its out of range, even if I havent moved the monitor. Weve checked wifi and other possible reasons for interference. The sound is also spotty, and most of the time its not bad, but it cuts in and out quite often. I like the feature of being able to add other cameras, and if you have it set to scan it will go back and forth between the two cameras, but it doesnt stay on one camera if baby is crying, which is kinda annoying. I love being able to control the camara and having such a wide area to scan. It comes with a zoom lens that you have to exchange with the normal lense, unscrewing and screwing back on, which is hassle, but at least it has the option. Overall, its not bad. I just wish Id I vested in something else.
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Amber McDaniel
Greater than one weekWe love this camera! It is so clear, has great battery life and distance the signal can be picked up. So if I need to do some gardening or clean out my car while the kids nap I can do that knowing that I will be able to hear them if they wake and check on them through video. We have had one camera for almost 4 years now. We bought a second when #2 was born and the older one works just as great as the new one does!
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Kate
> 3 dayWe bought our first monitor for our son two years ago. We never realized the infrared sensor was not working and therefore, the night vision was poor. We thought it was just the system, so we stuck with it in order to avoiding purchasing a whole new monitor system with a different brand. Our second son was born recently and we purchased an add-on camera. We couldn’t believe the difference in quality. We called the company and that was when we realized the sensor must have come damaged with our original camera. However, since the one year warrantee had lapsed, they could offer us a 50% discount for a replacement. Customer services was quick and responsive. We did need to buy a separate zoom lens and battery replacement (with a much longer life), as well as a wall mount. Seen below: -Zoom lens: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ECGX24E/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 -Battery replacement: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074J5B2LW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 -Wall mount: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RZCRW7X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I do wish it came with the technology to automatically switch to the room where a child is crying or making noise as opposed to always remaining on scan. In addition, it would be nice to be able to access the monitor though an app on my phone so I did not always need to bring the monitor with me (the range does reach a little outside the house).