This video home or baby monitor improved a lot in quality and functionality compared to its past models. I still have and use one of Lorex's older models (3 years old). That old one seems likes a really ancient tool now. It doesn't have pan & tilt, the screen is very small, the picture quality is not so good, wireless range is limited, and there are no extra functions, such as temperature meter. All these things are featured in this newer video home monitor, LW2450.I've been using the new Lorex model for over a month now, non stop, for over a month, and I have had no single issue. The reliability of this monitor is just wonderful. I have more than 10 wireless devices running all the time at home, and this monitor has never interfered with any of my wireless devices. Unlike this one, my older Lorex monitor had some interference with my iPhone 3GS; therefore, I am rather pleased that interference has not been a problem.
The big LCD monitor (3.5") is good enough to identify what's going on in the scene. It is not super clear like the iPhone's retina display of course, but I can tell the picture quality has improved a lot from the past models. Night viewing is limited in color and range due to the nature of the technology, yet I think it's better than any other brands' I have tried. Also, the viewing angle from the lens seems wider than I had expected, and I prefer a wider angle than a normal angle. Pan and tilt is just as great. It works the way it should and as expected without an issue. Among the many features from this video monitor such as two way talk , recording, and expandability, my absolute favorite is the temperature sensor. The wireless camera senses the temperature and displays it on the monitor. This is very useful and the best feature for me personally.
Remote viewing is also a nice feature, and I like the fact that it's capable. However, setting up with Skype for remote viewing is not that simple and functionality is limited. It is not difficult to set up with Skype actually. I just had to make a new account just for the camera and changed the preference Skype to auto answer on the computer. It is not that big deal to go through, yet I can see there are many people just wanting something easy to install and simple to connect. And in my opinion, this is not the simplest solution for remote viewing. There's another way, still not the best, to use for remote viewing. Using iCam app on the smart phones and tablet allows slightly simpler setup with push notification on motion detection. I prefer using iCam app for remote viewing, and it's nice the wireless cam works with the application, not just Skype. But both applications are not able to control pan and tilt.
So my wish for this unit is for it to have a dedicated smart phone app for remote viewing with push notification and pan and tilt control. Lorex's other video monitor series have their apps for iPhones and tablets. This shows the company is capable with the current technology for more flexibility. I know it is nice and useful to have a separate viewing monitor unit, but we are living in a mobile era now, and we will probably never go back to old technology. So it's only reasonable for new Lorex to embrace technology and improve product functionality. The WIFI IP cameras are getting really popular these days because of the flexibility that one can use in his/her current smart phones, which do not need to be tied to a separate monitor unit. If you are technically advanced and have some networking knowledge, WIFI IP camera will be cost effective. If you want something simple and easy to use for monitoring home or baby with some nice extra features, this might be a good choice. We have owned Lorex baby monitors in the past and they were awesome. This is no exception. It is a little pricey but you are paying for quality. The camera pans and tilts quietly so your little one won't be woken up. The screen is great and you can see everything really well. Everything seems to be solidly built and the monitor holds a charge for a long time. We had a similar baby monitor from Motorola last year and it went out on us after less than six months. It was almost identical to this Lorex system. Based on reliability and my past experience with Lorex I would recommend this video monitor set up over pretty much anything else. Lorex is top notch and worth the money.
Buy Lorex LW2450 LIVE Video Baby Monitor with Pan/Tilt Wireless Camera (White) Now
I like that this product comes with a hard copy of the user's guide. So many products these days only come with a PDF version. I prefer to flip through pages to find what I need. This product also comes with a Quick Start Guide, so getting started was really easy.This monitor comes with one camera but is expandable up to 4 cameras.
This monitor can be placed on any flat surface. It is not the kind that can be mounted on the wall (unless you purchase the optional mount). It comes with 3 wire clips that are backed with an adhesive strip.
If you want to record with this monitor you will need to get a microSD card (not included). You can use up to a 32GB card.
You can also connect the monitor with a usb cable (provided) to monitor using Skype.
The video capture is good. It has a nice large screen. The colors are a bit muted. The camera pans up and down and side to side, which is a great feature.
What I find lacking is the audio capture. I have it turned up to the maximum setting and still I find it difficult to hear unless the sounds are loud.
Also, I seem to get the "out of range" message more frequently than I should. It goes in and out of range what seems to be randomly. (and I am only in the next room)
Read Best Reviews of Lorex LW2450 LIVE Video Baby Monitor with Pan/Tilt Wireless Camera (White) Here
Lorex LW2450 works well, as designed to be without zooming, and the 4-hour battery life seems decent, though insufficient for obsessive monitoring. The quality of the video functions is higher than of the audio. It is expandable and allows simultaneous views from many cameras. Skype works fine on Macs, as the Manual states. However, the personal Skype device needs a speedy downlink (4G) for smooth video reception outside home. Otherwise the connection may drop especially on small portables such as iPod Touch, iPhone 3GS, but unlikely on tablets or laptops connected via Wi-Fi.The setup is easy and well depicted on just 2 pages of the Quick Start Guide & in the Manual on the enclosed CD; both also available from the Internet. The night video quality is at the top of those from the Internet searched for "video baby monitor night". The day video quality is good considering the max. 320x240-pixel resolution available. Video can be recorded with or without sound.
The operating system ("OS") of the home device sending video to Skype and connected to router/modem must be at least Microsoft Windows 7/Vista/XP SP2, Apple Mac OS 10.5.8 Leopard, or iOS 4 (free upgrade from iOS 3)the most popular now. It cannot be original (1st) Windows XP, Mac OS 10.5.7 Leopard or lower, Android, or else. Macs with PowerPC processors are NOT supported, only with Intel CPUs.
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I have two baby monitors. The Lorex LW2450 LIVE, and the Motorola Blink1 Wi-Fi Video Camera for Remote Viewing with iPhone and Android Smartphones and Tablets, Silver. I only bring this up because I feel the need to explain why I think this product (the Lorex) is going to be better for some people even though the Motorola Blink1 ran away with a big win for us.Before I do that, I just want to say that the Lorex does everything intended well. The handheld controller/display is comfortable, has its own little 'kickstand' for tabletop display, and the thumb stick control is easy to use, and the camera responds promptly. The camera offers a quality picture whether the room is lit or pitch black, the motor panning and tilting the camera is quiet enough that it's not likely to rouse any sleepers. It is, by all measures, a fantastic product for people who want a self contained solution that they're going to use within the confines of their home.
And this is where the Motorola is different, why the Blink1 is a better solution for ME, but not necessarily for you. The Motorola doesn't have a dedicated device for viewing and controlling as it relies upon your iOS or Android device (phones or tablets). Because it relies on these devices, it offers an expanded range (quite literally) of options insofar as you can continue to monitor and control the device even when you leave your home. Wherever you are, you have the option of connecting and getting audio and video (the quality of which is commensurate, of course, with the quality of connection that device has wherever you are).
I loved the Lorex LIVE for what it was until we got the Motorola. And it's only because we're already toting around iOS devices wherever we are that the Lorex's control screen seems an unnecessary addition to us. That's not going to be the case for everyone else, however. So it seems a relatively simple equation for me, and that speaks to how you're going to use it and whether you'd prefer to have a dedicated screen for your monitoring or have it through a phone/tablet. The Lorex is a fantastic option if the latter isn't appealing and the mobility aspect isn't so important -which is why this is a rare case where I'm giving 5 stars to a product I've shelved because I've deemed a different one superior for my own needs. The Lorex is well designed, well engineered, attractive, intuitive, and smartly functional. It's self contained, you don't need or rely upon anything else, and it does what it sets out to do very well. I can say the same about the Motorola (and have, elsewhere), but even as it's the same type of device, serves the same purpose, they're still distinctly different enough in terms of HOW they do it that I'm cross reviewing each without penalizing or rewarding one or the other in the process.
Highly recommended if your needs are as described above -otherwise I'd take a long hard look at the Blink1. You're going to be very happy either way.


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