Comments on: ionKids Child Monitor and Locator System http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/06/08/ionkids_child_monitor_and_locator_system/ Gadget reviews and news by Julie Strietelmeier and friends since 1997 Sat, 26 May 2012 14:58:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Mickey http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/06/08/ionkids_child_monitor_and_locator_system/comment-page-1/#comment-48711 Mickey Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:25:19 +0000 #comment-48711 Hi. We tried this product for the first time today, and it seems promising. We have an 8-year-old child with autism who tends to wander. Today, we played at a large playground, and decided to try the product. My husband still followed our boy to ensure his safety, and we'll continue to do that, using this product merely as back-up. I did find that even with the range set at it's greatest distance, he was not able to go very far without the alarm going off. For us, this is not an issue since it's merely being used as a back-up system; our child's not ready to be allowed out of our sight anyway. However, we have lost track of him before, so we wanted something to alert us if he left the area when we were not aware. The "find" part of this device was relatively accurate. If I told the base to find my son, I was pointed in the correct direction. My son enjoyed wearing the watch, and was unable to get it off on his own. It seemed comfortable to him. I'm not sure if this is helpful to anyone, but as a parent with two children on the autism spectrum, I have had a difficult time finding affordable safety products and assume there must be many other familes in similar situations. For the price, this seems like a good product. Hi. We tried this product for the first time today, and it seems promising. We have an 8-year-old child with autism who tends to wander. Today, we played at a large playground, and decided to try the product. My husband still followed our boy to ensure his safety, and we’ll continue to do that, using this product merely as back-up. I did find that even with the range set at it’s greatest distance, he was not able to go very far without the alarm going off. For us, this is not an issue since it’s merely being used as a back-up system; our child’s not ready to be allowed out of our sight anyway. However, we have lost track of him before, so we wanted something to alert us if he left the area when we were not aware. The “find” part of this device was relatively accurate. If I told the base to find my son, I was pointed in the correct direction.
My son enjoyed wearing the watch, and was unable to get it off on his own. It seemed comfortable to him.
I’m not sure if this is helpful to anyone, but as a parent with two children on the autism spectrum, I have had a difficult time finding affordable safety products and assume there must be many other familes in similar situations.
For the price, this seems like a good product.

]]> By: Dawn Avre http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/06/08/ionkids_child_monitor_and_locator_system/comment-page-1/#comment-39700 Dawn Avre Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:27:34 +0000 #comment-39700 I purchased the ion kids product last may and had to wait almost 5 months because it was on back order and that was fine because I had heard endless great comments about this product, so I figured that it was worth it. When I finally got the product and took it out of the package, it was very easy to undertand and use, but the wristbands were not what I expected. They were very hard material and big and the wedsite said that this one size fit ages 2-10, when I put it on my son, who is 5 and normal weight for his age, there is no way it would fit until age 10. Then after only wearing the first one a couple times the third time the material above the pins let loose and broke and the whole clip fell off, so then I pulled out the second one and after a couple times that clip broke as well. My son was not rough with it, he did not pull on it and they both broke the exact same way and in the exact same spot. I was very disappointed because of all the reviews that I got about the product and how great it is. The product for its purpose is a great thing, but they need to make some major improvements on the wristbands. I cant afford to keep buying expensive wristbands, so I have decided to try another product for my autistic child that has tags, and an adjustable wristband with a better locking system. I am not saying that the product is a bad product, the wristbands just need some work. I would not buy them again, but will not tell others not to, that has to be there decision. I purchased the ion kids product last may and had to wait almost 5 months because it was on back order and that was fine because I had heard endless great comments about this product, so I figured that it was worth it. When I finally got the product and took it out of the package, it was very easy to undertand and use, but the wristbands were not what I expected. They were very hard material and big and the wedsite said that this one size fit ages 2-10, when I put it on my son, who is 5 and normal weight for his age, there is no way it would fit until age 10. Then after only wearing the first one a couple times the third time the material above the pins let loose and broke and the whole clip fell off, so then I pulled out the second one and after a couple times that clip broke as well. My son was not rough with it, he did not pull on it and they both broke the exact same way and in the exact same spot. I was very disappointed because of all the reviews that I got about the product and how great it is. The product for its purpose is a great thing, but they need to make some major improvements on the wristbands. I cant afford to keep buying expensive wristbands, so I have decided to try another product for my autistic child that has tags, and an adjustable wristband with a better locking system. I am not saying that the product is a bad product, the wristbands just need some work. I would not buy them again, but will not tell others not to, that has to be there decision.

]]> By: James http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/06/08/ionkids_child_monitor_and_locator_system/comment-page-1/#comment-39275 James Sun, 19 Jul 2009 15:03:44 +0000 #comment-39275 We purchased two units, and neither has worked. Had to replace a watch, then one unit wouldnt charge. Then BOTH watches wouldnt hold a charge. Then a metal pin inside the charging receptible BROKE OFF inside the charging plug. Then the other unit wouldnt even power up at all.... $200.00 ea for these units that have never worked. Better to go with the brickhouse locator tags. We purchased two units, and neither has worked. Had to replace a watch, then one unit wouldnt charge. Then BOTH watches wouldnt hold a charge. Then a metal pin inside the charging receptible BROKE OFF inside the charging plug. Then the other unit wouldnt even power up at all….
$200.00 ea for these units that have never worked.
Better to go with the brickhouse locator tags.

]]> By: Michelle http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/06/08/ionkids_child_monitor_and_locator_system/comment-page-1/#comment-32522 Michelle Sun, 29 Mar 2009 17:59:36 +0000 #comment-32522 Thank you for all the great reviews!!! We have a moderately-autistic little boy who has started leaving the house, despite locks to supposedly prevent this from happening. A door or house alarm is impractical since he would enjoy the game of setting it off purposely. After reading the reviews, most of my questions are answered and this looks like an excellent product to help keep this little boy safe. Thank you for all the great reviews!!! We have a moderately-autistic little boy who has started leaving the house, despite locks to supposedly prevent this from happening. A door or house alarm is impractical since he would enjoy the game of setting it off purposely. After reading the reviews, most of my questions are answered and this looks like an excellent product to help keep this little boy safe.

]]> By: Nicole Parker http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/06/08/ionkids_child_monitor_and_locator_system/comment-page-1/#comment-29999 Nicole Parker Sun, 01 Feb 2009 21:47:50 +0000 #comment-29999 I would like more info about where to purchase this item... Thank you Ms. Parker I would like more info about where to purchase this item…

Thank you
Ms. Parker

]]> By: madkins007 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/06/08/ionkids_child_monitor_and_locator_system/comment-page-1/#comment-22632 madkins007 Sat, 04 Nov 2006 03:07:35 +0000 #comment-22632 We trialed IonKids at work to see if they could help us monitor adults with confusion, poor impulse control, etc. If they would have worked, it would have really helped us use our manpower better. What we found in our actual use was that the ranges fluctuated wildly, probably being interfered with by our metal-framed buildings and all of the wireless, infrared, RF, and other signals used on our campus. We had a ton of false signals, what seemed like an endless series of reprogrammings, and so on. In the end, it did not work for our needs. This does not necessarily mean anything for anyone else- just that it is not a perfect solution in all situations. It should also be noted that the support we got fom the company was WONDERFUL! We trialed IonKids at work to see if they could help us monitor adults with confusion, poor impulse control, etc. If they would have worked, it would have really helped us use our manpower better.

What we found in our actual use was that the ranges fluctuated wildly, probably being interfered with by our metal-framed buildings and all of the wireless, infrared, RF, and other signals used on our campus.

We had a ton of false signals, what seemed like an endless series of reprogrammings, and so on. In the end, it did not work for our needs.

This does not necessarily mean anything for anyone else- just that it is not a perfect solution in all situations.

It should also be noted that the support we got fom the company was WONDERFUL!

]]> By: ajbarny76 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/06/08/ionkids_child_monitor_and_locator_system/comment-page-1/#comment-22631 ajbarny76 Wed, 25 Oct 2006 12:06:58 +0000 #comment-22631 I have had the Ion Kids system for about 8 months and find the wristags last anywere from 6 hours to 20 hours depending on the battery condition and how long you charge them. During a Disneyland trip I used two wristags per child, one they wear and one left charging in the car or back in the motel room. Bluespan states the units "fully charge" in two hours but that's incorrect, they need at least an 8-12 hour charge. The wristags also are claimed to have a low battery warning which rarely works. The units just go dead which the base unit picks up quickly, 2-3 seconds, and alarms with an out of range alarm, not a low battery alarm. The tamper alarm is buggy in that due to the wrist strap locking buckles breaking too easily you don't want to keep adjusting the strap to make the anti-tamper work right. On younger kids I find pining the tag to a shirt better. Overall I like the Ion Kids but for the price it's been one of those I not all that sure it's worth the money. Bluespan needs to fix the breaking buckles and battery problems and make a larger wriststrap for older kids. Right now this is a one-of-a-kind product so if you need this type of product then I would recommend it with caution. Buy the water proof wristags as you know kids just love to dunk their hands into water every chance they get and this destroys the tag and voids the warranty. READ the small print, the $49 tags are not splash proof in any way, just the strap is. I have had the Ion Kids system for about 8 months and find the wristags last anywere from 6 hours to 20 hours depending on the battery condition and how long you charge them. During a Disneyland trip I used two wristags per child, one they wear and one left charging in the car or back in the motel room. Bluespan states the units “fully charge” in two hours but that’s incorrect, they need at least an 8-12 hour charge. The wristags also are claimed to have a low battery warning which rarely works. The units just go dead which the base unit picks up quickly, 2-3 seconds, and alarms with an out of range alarm, not a low battery alarm. The tamper alarm is buggy in that due to the wrist strap locking buckles breaking too easily you don’t want to keep adjusting the strap to make the anti-tamper work right. On younger kids I find pining the tag to a shirt better. Overall I like the Ion Kids but for the price it’s been one of those I not all that sure it’s worth the money. Bluespan needs to fix the breaking buckles and battery problems and make a larger wriststrap for older kids. Right now this is a one-of-a-kind product so if you need this type of product then I would recommend it with caution. Buy the water proof wristags as you know kids just love to dunk their hands into water every chance they get and this destroys the tag and voids the warranty. READ the small print, the $49 tags are not splash proof in any way, just the strap is.

]]> By: dhaupert http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/06/08/ionkids_child_monitor_and_locator_system/comment-page-1/#comment-22630 dhaupert Fri, 30 Jun 2006 20:41:55 +0000 #comment-22630 Thanks for writing this review. With four little ones in my house, I've been thinking about this gadget for a few weeks now and so glad to see it reviewed. A few questions/comments for you: - Did you notice about how long the batteries were good for before needing a recharge? I know you said you charged it every night, but did it really need that? Hoping especially the watches can go longer than a day. - The ionkids website seems to sell waterproof versions of the watches in addition to splashproof versions. Perhaps that's newer than your review, otherwise, sounds like your wish was granted! - You mentioned that the watches could fall off and the alarm did not sound- that seems a bit disconcerting to me! I read another review where they said they were hard to get on tight enough without being too tight. Did you find that. Thanks in advance for any feedback! Thanks for writing this review. With four little ones in my house, I’ve been thinking about this gadget for a few weeks now and so glad to see it reviewed.

A few questions/comments for you:

- Did you notice about how long the batteries were good for before needing a recharge? I know you said you charged it every night, but did it really need that? Hoping especially the watches can go longer than a day.

- The ionkids website seems to sell waterproof versions of the watches in addition to splashproof versions. Perhaps that’s newer than your review, otherwise, sounds like your wish was granted!

- You mentioned that the watches could fall off and the alarm did not sound- that seems a bit disconcerting to me! I read another review where they said they were hard to get on tight enough without being too tight. Did you find that.

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

]]> By: Judie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/06/08/ionkids_child_monitor_and_locator_system/comment-page-1/#comment-22629 Judie Tue, 13 Jun 2006 02:31:00 +0000 #comment-22629 Thanks for this review! I would have loved something like this when Sarah was little. She was famous for "hiding", and I can recall several complete freak-outs (mine) because she wanted to "surprise mommy". <sigh> And now she is 16 and those days seem so long ago... :sad: Thanks for this review! I would have loved something like this when Sarah was little. She was famous for “hiding”, and I can recall several complete freak-outs (mine) because she wanted to “surprise mommy”. <sigh>

And now she is 16 and those days seem so long ago… :sad:

]]> By: matzoballn http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/06/08/ionkids_child_monitor_and_locator_system/comment-page-1/#comment-22628 matzoballn Mon, 12 Jun 2006 17:41:52 +0000 #comment-22628 I don't think it's illegal to give that information. Now that you mention it, you're right it does experience interference but only from buildings and the like in the sense that the signal gets lighter--I have yet to see it lose signal altogether. I only have cordless phones in my house on the 2.4GHz channel and i also have an 802.11b/g router and it doesn't seem to affect my signal at all. Hope this helps. Natalie I don’t think it’s illegal to give that information. Now that you mention it, you’re right it does experience interference but only from buildings and the like in the sense that the signal gets lighter–I have yet to see it lose signal altogether. I only have cordless phones in my house on the 2.4GHz channel and i also have an 802.11b/g router and it doesn’t seem to affect my signal at all. Hope this helps.
Natalie

]]> By: Altema http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/06/08/ionkids_child_monitor_and_locator_system/comment-page-1/#comment-22627 Altema Sat, 10 Jun 2006 01:10:37 +0000 #comment-22627 Good, that is what I expected, as the range will be affected by walls, fences, and other objects. What band is the transmitter? (if you are allowed to divulge that information, that is). I'm only asking because our home has a variety of wireless devices including 802.11b/g, baby monitor, wireless video, and a few wireless mics used for work. Good, that is what I expected, as the range will be affected by walls, fences, and other objects. What band is the transmitter? (if you are allowed to divulge that information, that is). I’m only asking because our home has a variety of wireless devices including 802.11b/g, baby monitor, wireless video, and a few wireless mics used for work.

]]> By: matzoballn http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/06/08/ionkids_child_monitor_and_locator_system/comment-page-1/#comment-22626 matzoballn Fri, 09 Jun 2006 18:56:20 +0000 #comment-22626 Altema--Yes, the range is completely user defined, you can set it to whatever you want. However, it's important to note that the range is not actually measured in feet, the device is capable of up to 350feet but the range is measured according to your comfort zone. For example, if you're standing at your front door and dont want your child to stray past the driveway: You secure the bracelet on your child and have him walk to the driveway, adjusting the dial on the base unit as you go (increasing or decreasing the range). Actually, its probably easier if you think of it as the volume buttons of a remote control. You increase and decrease the volume until your comfortable with the decibel level you hear. Similiarly, you increase and decrease the range until you are at a comfortable distance. I'm not really sure if I'm explaining it well enough--the website listed on the review has a great customer service department. They're very helpful and could probably explain it far better than I. Hope this helped. Altema–Yes, the range is completely user defined, you can set it to whatever you want.
However, it’s important to note that the range is not actually measured in feet, the device is capable of up to 350feet but the range is measured according to your comfort zone.
For example, if you’re standing at your front door and dont want your child to stray past the driveway: You secure the bracelet on your child and have him walk to the driveway, adjusting the dial on the base unit as you go (increasing or decreasing the range).
Actually, its probably easier if you think of it as the volume buttons of a remote control. You increase and decrease the volume until your comfortable with the decibel level you hear. Similiarly, you increase and decrease the range until you are at a comfortable distance.
I’m not really sure if I’m explaining it well enough–the website listed on the review has a great customer service department. They’re very helpful and could probably explain it far better than I.
Hope this helped.

]]> By: Altema http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/06/08/ionkids_child_monitor_and_locator_system/comment-page-1/#comment-22625 Altema Fri, 09 Jun 2006 14:36:20 +0000 #comment-22625 This sounds like something that would take a lot of stress out of caring for our youngest, who is known by the nickname of Houdini. He is fine in most situations, but this is one child we can't have in daycare! You leave him in a nursery with three adults, and he will be outside playing basketball within two minutes, even creating a distraction to facilitate his departure. Question about the product: Can you adjust the perimeter? For example, if you wanted to be alerted if they went beyond 100 feet, instead of 350? This sounds like something that would take a lot of stress out of caring for our youngest, who is known by the nickname of Houdini. He is fine in most situations, but this is one child we can’t have in daycare! You leave him in a nursery with three adults, and he will be outside playing basketball within two minutes, even creating a distraction to facilitate his departure.

Question about the product: Can you adjust the perimeter? For example, if you wanted to be alerted if they went beyond 100 feet, instead of 350?

]]> By: npkeith http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/06/08/ionkids_child_monitor_and_locator_system/comment-page-1/#comment-22624 npkeith Thu, 08 Jun 2006 22:13:55 +0000 #comment-22624 She neglected to comment that when you open the base unit up and push the find button, the lid becomes a directional antenna - not only do get a readout of approximate distance (not in units, but nearer/farther), by sweeping back and forth, you get an idea of direction too. The newer wrist tags are splash-proof at a cost of having quieter alarms. (I suggested putting a vibration unit in) My (hi-functioning autistic) son has his "safety watch" that he wears for trips to crowded places or new places. He thinks its fun. -Keith She neglected to comment that when you open the base unit up and push the find button, the lid becomes a directional antenna – not only do get a readout of approximate distance (not in units, but nearer/farther), by sweeping back and forth, you get an idea of direction too.

The newer wrist tags are splash-proof at a cost of having quieter alarms. (I suggested putting a vibration unit in)

My (hi-functioning autistic) son has his “safety watch” that he wears for trips to crowded places or new places. He thinks its fun.
-Keith

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/06/08/ionkids_child_monitor_and_locator_system/comment-page-1/#comment-22623 Julie Thu, 08 Jun 2006 18:50:12 +0000 #comment-22623 Post your comments here on the ionKids Child Monitor and Locator System review. <a href="http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/ionkids_child_monitor_and_locator_system">http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/ionkids_child_monitor_and_locator_system</a> Just click the POST REPLY button on this page. Post your comments here on the ionKids Child Monitor and Locator System review.

http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/ionkids_child_monitor_and_locator_system

Just click the POST REPLY button on this page.

]]>