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The baby monitor is 11x8x7.5cm while the parent unit is 11x5x3cm.

A well written 40 page manual is well worth a thorough read just to see exactly what this multi functional unit can do. If you are just expecting a baby monitor then you are in for a big surprise. As an example the baby unit has no less than 50 lullabies built in to lull your baby to sleep, with technology ruling every other part of our life why not the baby monitor as well.

Being DECT means that indoors the range is up to 50metres and up to six times that outside. The parent unit has a belt clip and of course runs on two rechargeable batteries so you can hear everything while you get on with the endless list of chores safe in the knowledge that you will hear the slightest sound.

The baby unit can run either on batteries (not supplied) or mains, however it is suggested that you keep batteries in it in case of a power cut. There is a probe out of the back of the unit that looks like a stick microphone but this is in fact a temperature probe and this figure is displayed on both the units.

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Another novel feature of the parent unit is a range of five LED’s above the top of the display and these light according to the level of noise picked up from the baby unit, ideal should the parent be deaf or hard of hearing. The talk back feature could save a journey as just the sound of a parent’s voice could comfort the baby. The baby unit can also act as a night light for the slightly older.

However once the baby has grown up this unit can still be useful –not only for children – if someone is ill in bed and it can save the carer numerous journeys to find what the ill person requires only to have to go down and up again to fetch whatever it is.

This is a very clever unit and can make life a little easier for the parent. As the unit is so sensitive it is even possible for normal breathing to be heard and thus allowing the parent to relax more.

Having read the manual you should be able to understand the icons on the 3.5x2.3cm baby display or the 3x2cm parent display.

The baby display has five buttons below the display all clearly marked as to their use. The parent display has Menu, OK, + and – buttons. I would suggest a good ferret around the menu system on the parent unit with the manual beside you and certainly not with the baby unit switched on as you might get some unusual results coming out the baby unit that could disturb the baby. Know what you are doing before you adjust or set the options.

To me not being tied to a single room as with the old wired unit is great. The more modern wireless units can interfere with other wireless devices and those devices can also interfere with the baby unit for instance a wireless doorbell could mean a nearly sleeping baby would be disturbed.

While I doubt many parents would use the full 300 metre distance when outside for a baby with an older child or a sick or infirm or adult doing some gardening could be useful (as relaxation) and you know you can still get back quickly when required. Perhaps the talkback feature is also useful for this purpose.

Doing my Internet searches found the Vtech Clear Sounds Digital Baby Monitor Deluxe at a best price of £49.99 including free delivery from the first link below.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001UQ67ZA?ie=UTF8&tag=gadge0a-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634

http://www.vtechuk.com/products-and-accessories/clear-sounds-digital-baby-monitor-deluxe/