Strengths:Rechargeable receiver, 27 channels/900MHz, voice-activated option on receiver, receiver lights up, belt clip, range alarm, water resistant receiver.
Weaknesses:Channels do not change automatically and must be changed on both base and receiver simutaneously, volume control on receiver too sensitive and easy to bump, base picks up noise too well.
Posted Mar 20, 2006 - Ten years ago when we had our first child we purchased a Sony Babycall Monitor. We have been through two of them (for three children), mainly through our own rough (though accidental!) treatment of them. We are expecting our fourth child and were still using a monitor for our third child. Our old Baby Call's AC adapter had broken, leaving us dependent on nine-volt batteries-which it ate up fast. We decided it was time to move up to a newer monitor with a rechargeable receiver. We looked at reviews and prices and decided to go for another Sony. So far we are pleased: transmition is clear and the range on both the base and the receiver is long. We do not have to worry about disposable batteries or finding an outlet for the base all of the time. The receiver is sturdier than the old one and does not tip as easily. We can turn the volume all the way down and the indicator lights will flash when there's a transmission. Some of the Babycall's strengths, however, are its weaknesses. The unit is a bit too sensitive; we were hearing too much noise (we keep a fan on in our daughter's room for white noise and it was loud on the monitor)but we seem to have fixed that by putting the unit in a dresser drawer. We still hear her very well and are considering moving the base to just outside her room to see if that is even better. The volume control on the receiver end is overly sensitive, too; just a slight turn can suddenly make it too loud or quiet. The control also sticks out on the side of the receiver, making it easy to bump and change the volume. The sturdier base, which I like, is something my husband does not. I am happy not to be knocking this one over like I did our old one, but he sees it as too bulky to clip on his belt; that's how he used to carry the old one. Although we have had little trouble with interference, I am glad for multiple channels to choose from, just in case. I am frustrated, however, that they do not change automatically, like on phones, or simply just from the receiver. You have to change them on both the receiver and the base. I did not want to get up in the middle of the night to play with channels when we had interference with this monitor. We had tried it out some during the day, but I suppose not long enough. We had very little trouble with interference with our old Babycall, despite being in a neighborhood. The new monitor's interference has only been slight and is perhaps due to its excellent reception. My ten-year-old has been helping out with learning the ropes on this monitor and loves the way the channels change and are color-coded. He also thinks the belt clip is great-especially the way it pops up and retracts. All said, we are happy with this monitor and I think we made the best choice for us. After we are more familiar with this unit and figure out its little quirks I think we will be using it with even more ease than we were our original Babycall.
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