Hopefully I'm putting this thread in the right forum...

I'm looking for product recommendations for a "door phone" system. I would like to put a call box by my front door which would ring all the telephones in the house and allow me to speak with whoever is at the front door before going to the door to let them in.

I know such products exist as part of larger phone systems, but I'm looking for a less expensive solution since I really don't need all of the other functionality that comes along with a phone system.

The Elan Z600 communications controller does what you want but it isn't cheap and has much more capability. (I think it is redesigned and called the Com 2 or something now)

That would do it, but it looks like a full blown phone system that I was trying to avoid.

this is what my installer will be installing; http://www.channelvision.com/index/51 sounds like what you are looking for. when someone rings the door bell, the phone has a specific ring to it. when you answer the phone, you can communicate with the person outside.

I also looked at the Elan. It is a VERY nice system with lots of capability and options, but is 3-4 times the cost. ;)

Look at Doorbellfone at www.homephone.com
this should be what your looking for

Msrp is around 200

http://www.homephone.com/products/28it/Dp28it.htm

I've had good luck with products from Viking Electronics:
http://www.vikingelectronics.com/

The Elan peice is just a communication controller. It work in a home with any phones, doesn't need any kind of special phone system.

The Channelvision, Door Fon, & Viking all look like good options. Elan would be great, but I think that is beyond my price range.

Thanks for the rec's. I'll have to check out the technical specs and mounting options on these to see which will work best. I do have a run of cat 5e going to the mounting location, but I do not have AC power there. It also will have to be surface mounted.

this is what my installer will be installing; http://www.channelvision.com/index/51 sounds like what you are looking for. when someone rings the door bell, the phone has a specific ring to it. when you answer the phone, you can communicate with the person outside...

This is what I purchased for my house, but haven't had time to install it yet. It looks pretty nice, though I will either have to surface mount it (which is how it's made to be installed) or cut out some brick.

CJ

The Elan peice is just a communication controller. It work in a home with any phones, doesn't need any kind of special phone system.

But it does need an installer!

CJ

Please let me know how your install goes. I'm leaning toward the Viking because of the dimensions of the door boxes that are available.

I've had good luck with products from Viking Electronics:


I too recommend Viking Electronic products. I was in the telecom industry for over 20 years and always relied on their products.