Comparison Motorola MBP855 vs Motorola MBP854

The screen size on the parent unit of the baby monitor. The larger the screen, the more detailed the image it can provide and the more convenient it is to view. On the other hand, a large screen size increases the size of the parent unit itself, and it must be portable. As a consequence, their own screens are comparable to the displays of portable electronics and have a size of no more than a few inches, which in most cases is enough. If you need a larger screen, and portability is not critical, you should pay attention to models with the ability to connect to a TV (see below).

— Two-way talk. This function provides two-way communication: you can not only hear the baby, but you can also talk to him/her. For example, if the baby woke up late, the parent's voice may lull him/her back to sleep. In addition, two-way communication can come in handy when the baby grows up — a baby monitor with such an opportunity actually turns into a portable walkie-talkie that can be used in games or hiking.

— Camera control. The ability to control the baby monitor camera (refer to "Product type") from the parent unit. This greatly expands the possibilities for monitoring the child's room: for example, if the child got up from the crib and is not in the camera's field of view, you can turn the lens and control what exactly the child is doing.

— VOX mode. A system that reduces the power consumption of the parent unit, and consequently its runtime without recharging the batteries. It can be realized in different ways. For example, the parent unit can be constantly in a kind of “sleep mode” (LEDs are not lit, the display does not show anything, etc.), until the child unit detects any significant sound or the touch mat is triggered (see below); in some models, this mode can be switched on and off manually. Another option is the special ECO mode, which reduces transmitter power and therefore power consumption; it can be activated when the distan...ce between units is short and significant power is not required.

— Volume control. The ability to adjust the volume of the sound of the parent unit. For example, in a noisy kitchen, the volume can be set to maximum to ensure that you can hear the sound from the speaker, and in a quiet atmosphere, the volume can be lowered to keep relatively soft sounds out of the way.

— Activity light indication. Baby monitors with this function are equipped with a special indicator that gives a light signal if the microphone of the child unit picks up noise in the room. Many models have a gradation of signals: for example, if the child just turned in his/her sleep, one LED is activated, and if he/she started crying, the entire set lights up. Such an alarm usually plays a supporting role, complementing the main speaker of the parent unit; in addition, in such devices, the speaker can often be turned off altogether and the baby monitor can be used in silent mode, with only a light indication.

— Vibration mode. Indication of activity in the child's room (increase in noise level) by vibration of the parent unit, similar to a vibration signal in mobile phones. Similar to light, such an alarm serves as an addition to the main speaker and can be used both in parallel with it, and separately as a silent mode; at the same time, it is more convenient than the light one (see above) — the parent does not have to constantly look at the device, because even without seeing it, he/she will immediately know about the operation. On the other hand, the price of models with vibration is higher.

— Out of range indicator. A special alarm on the parent unit, warning of the loss of communication with the child's unit. Without communication, the baby monitor becomes useless, and even dangerous, because the silence of the parent unit creates a false confidence that all is well. The presence of an out of range indicator will help to avoid such situations. Such an indicator can be visual (light indicator, signal strength indicator) or sound.

— Card reader. A card reader allows the device to work with removable memory cards — usually SD or microSD; the specific format and subtype of compatible cards needs to be specified separately. However, this function provides various additional features anyway. Memory cards are intended for storing recorded videos and photos (refer to "Baby unit"), downloading melodies for a music box, software updates, etc.

— Headphone output. A connector (usually a standard mini-jack 3.5 mm) that connects headphones to the parent unit and can be used to hear all sounds through the headphones. This feature can be useful, for example, if it is necessary to maintain maximum silence and any excessive sounds in the location of the parent unit are not desirable at all, or in a noisy place where there is a risk of missing a signal.

— Low battery indicator. The indicator that shows when the batteries in the parent unit are low. Usually, it warns in advance of the need to change or charge batteries, which reduces the likelihood of an unexpected failure of the baby monitor at the most inopportune moment.

— Timer. A kind of analogue of an alarm clock: after a specified time, the parent unit gives a signal, and parent will not miss the right moment (for example, when it is time for the baby to get up).

— TV connection. This provides the ability to watch the baby unit's broadcast on a TV, because the own screen of the baby monitor, even in the largest models, is very small (refer to “Screen size” for details) and not even comparable to the most compact TVs. In addition, the connection to a TV makes it possible to record video even if the baby monitor itself does not have such function (see below for more information on recording).

The maximum range of the baby monitor. Usually, the characteristics are indicated for perfect conditions, i.e. open area with no third-party interference; in fact, the range can be significantly less due to walls, other obstacles, as well as the impact of surrounding electrical appliances. A large range is not always optimal: for example, a city apartment is unlikely to need a range of more than 80-100 m. But the longer-range model is quite useful in the countryside, or if you plan to use the baby monitor in the future as a portable talk radio.

Approximate amount of time the baby monitor parent unit can operate without recharging or changing batteries. The value is rather conditional, because in fact, it depends on many parameters: the selected volume, sensitivity, the number of alarms, etc. As a result, the actual operating time may differ — usually downward relative to what is recorded in the characteristics.

The type of power supply for the baby unit of the baby monitor (the parent unit, by definition, is made portable and has only autonomous power).

— Mains. Power supply from an ordinary 220 V household network. Mains devices are cheap and reliable, there are no batteries that can die at an unnecessary moment, but the area of their application is limited to apartments and other places where there are sockets, and they are useless in case of power failure in the network.

— Mains/battery. Baby monitors capable of either mains or battery power, at the option of the parent. These devices are the most versatile — they can be used both in ordinary apartments, connected to the mains, and in nature, in the countryside, etc., where there are no sockets (which is especially important if you have a model with two-way communication and you plan to use it also as a portable walkie-talkie). On the other hand, the presence of a battery slightly increases the cost. It is worth noting that even if you plan to connect the baby unit to the outlet, you do not need to remove the battery — the power switches to it only when there is no mains voltage; as a result, in normal mode, the battery does not run out, and in case of a power outage, it can play the role of an uninterruptible power supply.