Customer Reviews

Westinghouse 3-Channel Intercom System

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

The product information available to me before ordering this intercom was not as complete as I would have liked. The range at which the two units would work, for example, was not listed. It turns out to be 1500 feet, which would be great except for one thing. The units apparently transmit along the electrical wires. If the wires for the particular outlets that the two units are plugged into are not connected somewhere along the route, the units will not work. The units would not work in the two offices that needed to use them, but they did work in other offices where the wiring made the necessary connection.

This would not have been so bad if I could have simply returned the units. However, the company that sells this item charges a 15% restocking fee. Additionally, they have a different policy for "defective" products and what they call "buyer's remorse". If you return something and say that it is defective, they will test it. If it's not defective (which technically this product is not defective), they may, according to their return policy, charge an additional amount.

I was doubly disappointed at this product--first because it didn't work and second because of the company's return policy.

A well designed and functional item and certainly priced right.

The problem: In a quiet environment such as a bedroom the background hum is simply unacceptable. I've tried different channels and both sides of the circuit breaker box without success to reduce background noise.

Need it for break-room or kitchen and you won't be disappointed; elsewise it will keep you awake at night.

Thanks to Office Tech's detailed review we were able to trouble-shoot our system! We have three units that we hoped to loop together in our Kitchen, Downstairs Bath, and Upstairs Hallway, but were only able to get the Kitchen to speak to both. We tried swapping units with the exact same results, we tried different random locations and just couldn't figure out why some would work and not others. We were ready to give up when I found this review! We did not know that they transmitted along electrical wires either, but with that information, my husband knew that all bathrooms were on the same loop, so we simply moved the Upstair Hallway intercom to the Upstairs Bathroom and all three units work together!! I spent three days brainstorming what the heck it could be and am happy to have them work in the general vacinities of where we wanted them!! Now that I know this information, we are very happy with system. The voice quality is good and they are easy to use. My children, 5 and 9, have no problem using them!

These intercoms do not work as advertised. They worked while plugged in to some outlets but not others. When they did work, the background noise/static was at an unacceptable level. I'll eat the restocking fee just to be rid of them.

A technical explanation may help users understand how this kind of intercom works.

Most houses are wired with the capability of 220 volts (to run dryer, range, water heater, etc.). 220 volt home electricity consists of two 110 volt "phases". All the circuits in the house are divided approximately equally between the two phases. That means that there are two sets of compatible wiring in the house.

Unless you open and study the circuit breaker box, the only practical way to discover which circuits are on the same phase is by experiment. Plug in one monitor where you want it, set it locked on with a sound source (e.g., radio), and search around the other desired point to find an outlet that "talks" to you via the intercom.

This device is not wireless. It does not work by radio transmission. It works by trying to run on your home's electrical circuits. The last time I checked electricity ran over WIRES and not through the air.

Somebody should force the people who make these devices and call them wireless to take them off the market or not be allowed to label them as "Wireless". And not just this manufacturer but all of them.

I placed the main unit in the kitchen and the other 2 units in upstairs bedrooms. I had absolutely no problems with reception. I gave the item 3 stars because, before the year was out, one of the units upstairs stopped working and we could not repair it. Be sure to know your warranty and to keep your receipt. This is a relatively inexpensive, model, so I think I got what I paid for.

This intercom is working quite well for us, with the units in two wood frame buildings about 60 feet apart with one on the first floor and the other in a basement.
There is no static or hum whatsoever. Have encountered no interference just keeping it on "A" channel.

I purchased two sets of these intercoms for our home. They appear simple, set the channel the same on each box and press talk. At less than 30 feet absolutely no signal was received. At 10 feet (across the kitchen) The intercoms were full of static and feedback. An absolutely terrible product. DO NOT Buy these

I spent an hour with my wife trying to figure out why the damn things only
worked when in some rooms and not others,all the while thinking that the signal was wireless. Was going to ship them back when i discovered this review site explaining that they only work if they are plugged into outlets that are on the same line.
Now i will look to see if we can find a line that will work and stil be whee we want them....none of this was made clear in the advertising or the instruction manual....very deceptive and frustrating.