Bought our remote system about 7 years ago. I live 3/4 mile from the dairy maternity pen.  We have directional antenaes (sp?). Reception can be spotty at times ( interference) but never so bad I have to go over and actually look.  Definitely beats getting all the way dressed and driving over there every night. The only thing we've replaced twice in that time is the monitor in our house.  We leave lights on in the 65 foot alley because the night vision is only good for about 10 x 20 feet on ours.  By now thee are so many options out there I'm sure you can get something that'll make life easier.  I'd be tempted to get something that could be checked with a cell phone next time......