atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums General General Telephone & Systems Information Advice--Modern Phones for Dummies

So my wife complains that the doorbell isn't loud enough. So I start looking at a new doorbell chime, which leads to wireless chimes, which leads to an intercom, which leads to a videophone. Need advice.

Live in a 8 yr old house in Reno. Figure might want a door intercom. But what should I consider about getting a phone system? How expensive is it to retrofit? What is a good price point? What are the advantages that would make me want to lay out some serious cash?

Thanks. I'm at [email protected]

Zenman,

Well the first thing you have to look at is your wiring.

If you go to a phone system - for residential, generally speaking most people will recommend a panny 624 as a good overall that will give you intercom, monitoring (this is nice if you ahve youg kids) and door bell - you need to have home run wiring not daisy chain. Most residentials are wired by electricians who do not know or anticipate the use of phone systems in homes even today, much less 8 years ago.

So depending on your wiring and the houses "ability" to be retro fit will be your first issue.

There are ways around this. For example, I carry a small system called the Bizfon that allows for the use of standard consumer grade cordless phones with full pbx functions including things like door bells and openers, so even if you can't run cable you can do it. You should expect to spend at least a $1000 but more likely around $2000 depending on the features, functions and number of lines and extensions you are looking for.