Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Video Sensor Monitor Review
Closer to Nature
Video Sensor Monitor
with Movement Sensor Pad
Reviewed by Sharon McDermott
As far as baby monitors go, the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Video Sensor Monitor seems to boast all the features and functions any new parent could possibly want. With its under-mattress sensor mat, night vision video monitoring and high definition digital sound, this package sits near the top end of in-nursery surveillance technology.
The monitors and sensor pad come in a stylish package that would certainly win the biggest wow award at most baby showers. It comprises three main bits of kit: the baby unit, parent unit and sensor pad. The box also includes a rechargeable battery for the parent unit, two power adaptors for the baby and parent units and a step-by-step instruction booklet.
Because the Tommee Tippee has such a wealth of functions and features, a good read of the instruction manual is highly recommended. Once enlightened as to the powerful monitoring options you now possess it’s a five minute job to set it all up correctly. That said, some trial and error is inevitably involved in finding the optimum positions for the camera and sensor mat to work at their best.
The baby unit (the part that stays where baby is sleeping) features a night vision camera that offers angle adjustment, allowing it to be placed on a table, cupboard or windowsill and angled accordingly. However, if that perfect spot does prove elusive then a compatible tripod stand can be bought separately. The sensor mat itself is placed under the mattress relative to the position of the sleeping infant and connects to the baby unit via a separate cable.
Once the baby unit and sensor mat are set up it’s time for the parent unit to play its role in conveying all this video, audio and motion information to mum and dad. First impressions here are highly satisfactory: in daylight the video image is clear, colourful and of excellent quality. The night vision feature automatically kicks in under low lighting conditions resulting in an image that remains surprisingly sharp and free of excessive grain. A zoom feature also works well and preserves the high-achieving level of video quality.
The sensor mat fulfils its side of the deal by detecting baby’s breathing and movement; a light flashing reassuringly to show that all is well. During the test period everything worked beautifully and there were no false alarms apart from when baby was removed from the cot before turning the sensor off and this needs to become part of the night-feeding routine to avoid a loud surprise!
The digital audio was crystal clear and offered the option of setting the sensitivity levels to suit the degree of monitoring required. Anxious parents can have the sound on constantly and hear every tiny breath or alternatively the lower sensitivity levels will cause the monitor to kick in only when baby makes a louder noise. We opted for the latter option and never felt we were missing something we should be hearing.
Throw in a room temperature display, two-way talk back, brightness adjustment and nightlight and you have a fully-featured unit that doesn’t disappoint.
A welcome addition to any nursery.
Features:
- Infrared night vision camera
- Movement sensor pad
- Adjustable sensitivity settings
- 3” colour screen
- Baby’s room temperature display
- Up to 300m range with out-of-range indicator
- Two-way talk back
- Pager to find missing parent unit
- Baby night light controllable from parent unit
- Channel auto-select
Rating: 5/5 
RRP: £199.99
Available to buy from Amazon here.
