Checking Our List #10: Summer Infant Slim&Secure Handheld Color Video Monitor {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Julie!}

When soon-to-be-parents ask me about the baby products I recommend, I have two different lists. One is the I-really-like-these-items list, containing the toys, gear, clothing and more that have proven to be just a little better than all the rest.

The other list, well, that's a compilation of the You-have-GOT-to-get-one-of-these things that have made my life as a parent so much better. And, the item that is not only among my must-haves but the very first one that I mention, is a video monitor. The convenience and peace of mind from being able to see and check on your child without having to get up or risk disturbing them is unparalleled. Once you've tried it, there's no way of going back.

And no one knows that better than one of the top names in high quality baby gear, Summer Infant, and their incredible variety of baby monitors, gates, booster seats and so much more.

Having waited to get a cheap video monitor until when Big Sister E was a little over a year old, as soon as I started using it I kicked myself on having gone so long without one. So many of the new parent concerns and worries and times I jumped up at the slightest inkling of a sound could have been avoided if I could have just pressed a button and been reassured that things were okay.

However, the second mistake I made with my video monitor (aside from waiting to buy one) was that I didn't get a higher quality product. The picture on my receiver gradually got worse over time (and actually, it didn't start off so great to begin with) and the instances of static and interference increased. That there is definitely a difference between an inferior monitor and a great one, one that was proven right away with the Slim&Secure Handheld Color Video Monitor from Summer Infant.

Pulling each piece out of the box, I was immediately impressed with the small, sleek, modern look of this video monitor. The camera is contemporary but unassuming enough that it would blend in with any decor and the receiver is the size of a cell phone... except with a really cool 2.5" color LCD screen.

Looking over the parts, I knew that this was going to be ready for use just as soon as I could get it plugged in and positioned in Little Sister B's room.

As the camera has an adjustable, wide, flat base, it can be stood up on a shelf or ledge and angled directly into the sleeping area for viewing that way. Or, using the included screw (which was my choice), to create a hook for the base to hang from. Summer Infant even includes six security clips to attach the cord along the wall or an edge to keep it safely out of the way.

When I went to plug in the AC adapter, I paused for a minute wondering if I had picked up the correct one... only to find that Summer Infant thoughtfully solved that problem by labeling both adapters with an icon showing what it was for. Even though this is a small feature, it is one that I appreciated.

Next, in order to make sure that I had the camera positioned to maximize the amount of crib space that was shown, I turned on the receiver with the touch of the power button. The resulting clear, crisp, full-color display was hard to tear my eyes away from and more than enough to see that I had the camera pointed right down on my little girl.

In the time since I have been using the Slim&Secure Handheld Color Video Monitor, multiple times I have found myself really understanding Summer Infant's description of themselves as "moms, dads, aunts and uncles who love nothing more than to make safe, sensible and quality products for you and your baby," because clearly it was people who are familiar with what parents want who designed this device.

First, the digital technology of this monitor means that I haven't once had to worry about static or reception and I have the ability to move the receiver up to 350 feet away and still be within range. Second, with all of the controls easily accessible, I can adjust the volume and brightness immediately - or turn the sound off altogether and still be notified by the Sound lights across the top. Or, conversely, the one touch video on/off button turns off the picture but leaves on the sound - great for at night.

Third, the lightweight receiver features a belt clip and flip stand, so hooking this onto your pocket while you cook or clean (even though you should be doing something fun for yourself while your baby is napping) is a snap. Or, by using the flip stand to adjust the positioning to almost any angle, you can set the receiver down and always have a great view.

The 10-hour rechargeable battery lasts more than enough time during the day (and the low battery indicator will tell you if it has been unplugged for too long) and then simply plug in the AC adapter at night and use the automatic black and white night vision to get a good night's rest.

The image in night mode is slightly choppier than when there is light, but it is still amazingly clear enough to see if you are truly needed. As Little Sister B is past the stage of me checking to make sure she is breathing, I love being able to see if her whines or cries are ones that legitimately require help or are just her delaying bedtime. And, after a long day, there is no better sight than clicking the power to this monitor on and seeing my daughter sound asleep.

For parents looking for the ultimate stylish, high quality color video monitor that allows them to view both during the day and at night, the Summer Infant Slim&Secure Handheld Color Video Monitor is a great choice. Its small, portable design gives the reassurance you need by allowing you to hear and see your baby exactly how and when you want to. There is even an included AV cable to transfer the image right to your television screen!

But more than just for babies, a video monitor has been priceless for all of childhood. When we moved Big Sister E from a crib to a toddler bed, I can't count the number of times that all I needed to do was look to see if she was taking advantage of the lack of confinement by getting out of bed when she should have been sleeping.

With the ability to connect up to four cameras to this monitor to see and hear clearly into multiple rooms (it uses a scanning feature to flip between them), this would be an amazing item for a first-time or veteran parent to be able to have a view of multiple children or even into a playroom.

By communicating with its customers and creating items that parents need and want, Summer Infant designs products that are consistently the best and this monitor is definitely no exception. Available in silver or pink exclusively at Babies R Us, the Slim&Secure Handheld Color Video Monitor retails for $199.99 and would be a gift that would last for years to come. And, thanks to the generosity of Summer Infant, one person will be able to give the gift of parental reassurance this holiday season, because...

One lucky person will win a Slim&Secure Handheld Color Video Monitor from Summer Infant! ARV $199.99!

To enter to win: Visit Summer Infant and tell me another of their high quality items you would like to own.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry if you head over to A Mom's Balancing Act and enter to win a Nature's Purest Hug Me Complete Comfort High Chair from Summer Infant!
1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Summer Infant on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook. 1 more Extra Entry if you leave the following message on their wall: The Summer Infant Slim&Secure Handheld Color Video Monitor is high quality and convenient for any parent! I just entered to win one at Thanks, Mail Carrier! http://bit.ly/9OKu7x
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the Holiday Gift Guide giveaways (Checking Our List giveaways ONLY) running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

Checking Our List 10: WIN a Summer Infant Slim&Secure Color Video Monitor (ARV $200)! #thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/9OKu7x #giveaway #win

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you have our Checking Our List {Holiday Gift Guide 2010} button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and Summer Infant. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on December 3rd at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

A big thank you to Summer Infant for providing a Slim&Secure Handheld Color Video Monitor for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.