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Intercom system

14 years ago

We just got a quote from our security people for a wired

in-house, 4 panel intercom system for $1400. I mostly want it to monitor my children sleeping at night. We are not handy people and my husband is so busy right now that he will not try and do the wiring himself.

I was not planning on spending this much so I was hoping there was another option. What about wireless intercoms? Are there any good ones out there?

Thanks

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Comments (5)

bmmeaux
Original Author
14 years ago
I was mistaken it was quoted for $2980 and not $1400.
david_cary
14 years ago
I am giving up medicine and going in to the low voltage rip-off scam. I'll be ready to wire up your house soon.

$20 baby monitors work pretty well. The advantage with wireless is that you can put the speaker in your pocket and be on the deck (or sometimes at the neighbors).

I prewired the bedrooms with extra cat-5 to maybe listen in but I may never hook it up.

Another option to wireless is a phone system with built in intercom. These are far cheaper and don't add to wall clutter and make more sense since the phone can be placed at a desk they are working at or on a nightstand etc.

My house is wired up (security, HDTV feeds, speakers, even some prewire for automated lighting) but I didn't do the intercom thing. The wife didn't want it but sometimes it would be nice since the house is big and has a basement.

Go check out the phones and put the $2800 back in your pocket.
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I know someone who has a 70's/80's version of the one Pharaoh showed. It's fully operational and even has a tape player in it that plays in all the rooms. It's vile! The tape player that is. The rest of it isn't very useful. Theoretically, it would be useful to be able to talk to the front door from the back patio, but that requires the visitor to know how to operate it. In my experience, handset operated intercoms (i.e., with phone-like, or walkie-talkie-like receivers) work pretty well. The old systems were very tinny and not great for communication. For monitoring the nursery, a good baby monitor will work better. So in answer to Jeri's question: If it's operational, there's no need to tear it out, unless you want to get rid of the panels. If it's not operational, it's probably not worth fixing if you're not Jurassic technology fans. If the wiring is in good shape, it might be worth leaving it in place in case you might want to use it, or use it as a pull guide, for a new system at some point.
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Again, I would recommend using an off-the-shelf telephone system with a handset intercom feature. Only the base unit needs to be attached to the landline twisted pair. The other units just require power. Most of the systems come with four handsets, but check the specs because you can usually add more handsets purchased separately. Some of these systems even have video screens. The speakers on these are standard phone speakers so I would really recommend using a separate system for music.
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western_pa_luann
14 years ago
Our cordless phones have an intercom option....
way cheaper than your quote, and they serve another function.
creek_side
14 years ago
Check into Panasonic cordless phones advertising DECT technology. I'm pretty sure one or more models have a baby monitor capability.

Panasonic seems to be the only company left making decent cordless phones.
flseadog
14 years ago
Absolutely, look into a phone system with an intercom. They work well and you will be able to upgrade easily as new technology becomes available. I can't remember what phone system we are using since DS picked it out for me but it works for room to room contact and, as said above, doubles as a real phone.

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