Customer Reviews

3-CHANNEL DOOR INTERCOM SYSTEM (1 Door Station & 1 Interior Station)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I purchased this item on November 21, 2009. My wife wanted an intercom at the front door so she could ask who was there and decide if she wanted to answer. From the description on the website this sounded like a good, easy-to-install inexpensive option. The nice thing is that it doesn't require batteries in the outdoor unit or in the indoor unit.

My plan was to plug the intercom into the family room where we spend most of our time. The advertisement said that the outdoor unit could connect to the new transformer that comes with the kit through the existing doorbell wiring. After finding installation instructions and a connection schematic posted on another website (my kit didn't come with instructions), it appeared to me that all I had to do was replace the old doorbell transformer in the basement with the one in the kit and that would connect to the outdoor unit through the existing doorbell wire. It said that the transformer and intercom had to be plugged into the same electrical "loop" but I interpreted this to be on the same side of the incoming 220V line.

So, I installed the new transformer in the basement, plugged the intercom into the family room (both are connected to the same side of the 220V incoming power line) and - nothing.

First I discovered that this system does not operate the old doorbell. The intercom unit "chimes" when the doorbell button is pushed. I don't remember reading that in the instructions. The old doorbell must be bypassed.

Secondly I discovered that if I plugged the intercom unit into the basement where the transformer was plugged in, the intercom worked. The conclusion was that both the transformer and the intercom must be plugged into outlets connected to the same circuit breaker. In my house the basement and the family room are on different circuit breakers (actually, my house has a circuit breaker for almost every room). So when I plugged the intercom into the family room and ran a 100 ft extension cord from a family room outlet to the transformer in the basement, the intercom worked.

But since I could not figure out any easy way to plug the new transformer into the family room (without having an extension cord running through the house) and make a connection from there to the old doorbell wiring, I gave up and returned the unit. The unit has a good idea, just impractical for my application.

Not for average DIY. Needs electrician to install.. since rewires bell transformer. NOT PLUG AND PLAY. I returned.

I installed this product no problems with the instalation, it was a breeze however the unit would work great for a while then the door bell unit would act up with a loud buzzing sound, it seemed pit up interfarence from everything that passed car sterios, cell phone. If no one is at home to attend to it at the time it just goes on and on with the buzzing until someone cuts the power or something. I have tried switching channels everything the manual says to do and nothing helps. If i have to keep off half the time it sorta defeats the purpose of having it installed in the first place. If anyone wishes to comment or offer any ideas it would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

While we have not installed the item yet, it appears to be exactly what my mom needed. The fact that it connects to your doorbell's wiring was a huge selling point.

Not a bad product. More truble to hook up then expected. Had to get into the attic to find the wiring. The sound is good inside the house but outside could stand to be a little louder. Then again I do live close to the freeway.

Newly wired business but still barely carries a signal and only between two places. Lots of interference.

Good idea. Just didn't work for me.

This must be run on the same electrical loop as the doorbell. This is *not* wireless. As other reviews have pointed out, if it is on a different electrical loop, it will not work. It works fine otherwise, but if I'm putting in an intercom, it means that I'm physically away from the door and most likely on a different loop.

The manual even defines wireless as "using airwaves to transmit information, or existing electrical system." I really doubt this is how most people see wireless. I can't imagine needing to be on the same loop to use my WiFi router.

If you want to know who's at the door before opening it, then this is a great product to have. I love this product and would definitely recommend it to anyone who is security concious. The instructions were clear and easy to follow and the installation took about 20 minutes. For peace of mind at a great price, I highly recommend this product