More recently, the arrangement of an ordinary apartment call was associated with numerous technological difficulties (with drilling holes in the walls, ditching, wiring, and so on). Now the latest in modern electronics is penetrating deeper and deeper into our daily lives. Wireless calls, due to the convenience of installation and subsequent operation, crowd out their wired counterparts. The choice is very wide and varied (both in price and in functionality). And the modern design of the performance will not spoil the appearance of the door from the outside, nor the general style of interior design inside.
Operating principle
The principle of operation of all calls (both wired and wireless) is the same: when you press a button installed next to the front door (or a gate in a private house), a sound signal is emitted in the room notifying the owner that they have arrived. A distinctive feature of wireless calls is that the activation of an audio signal is carried out by transmitting a command from a button using a radio signal.
That is, the transmitter is installed in the button, and the receiver is in the call itself. This principle, for example, has long been applied when turning on / off a car alarm.
Varieties
By functionality, all wireless products can be divided into:
- the simplest devices for supplying an audio signal;
- products with a built-in motion sensor ;
- calls with integrated intercoms;
- Wi-Fi compatible devices
- devices equipped with a GSM module;
- products with a video camera and a monitor.
At the place of installation, the buttons are divided into:
- wireless calls to the apartment (for installation on the staircases of apartment buildings);
- for installation on the street (for example, at the external door of a private house or entrance gate).
Key Specifications
The main technical characteristics of wireless calls for the home include:
- range of action (as a rule, from 100 m in free space);
- continuous operation time on one set of batteries;
- signal transmission frequency: over the radio channel - 433.92-467.63 MHz; Wi-Fi - 2.4 GHz;
- number of pre-set ringtones;
- functional equipment;
- degree of protection of the button from negative environmental influences and temperature changes.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantages of wireless calls (compared to classic wired counterparts) are:
- Absolute safety of operation (the voltage of 220V is not supplied to the button).
- Easy to install and connect. It is enough to fix the blocks included in the delivery in the most convenient places.
- Possibility of a complete set at one’s own discretion: the number of buttons and receiving devices can vary from 1 to 5-6.
- Ease of dismantling and reinstallation (for example, after redevelopment of an apartment or a personal plot).
- Attractive appearance.
- A wide selection of model range (both in price and in functionality).
The main disadvantage of such devices is the need for periodic replacement of batteries.
Simple models
The simplest and most popular models consist of only two parts: buttons and speaker. As a rule, the reproducing device has a signal volume control and a switch for selecting established tunes. Moreover, the unit mounted indoors can have both autonomous power supply (from 2-3 batteries of type AA or AAA), and can be connected to a household electrical network (with a voltage of 220V). Inside the button, an LR23A standard battery is usually installed.
The Era wireless calls are very popular today. The lineup is quite diverse. For example, the C81 model with power supply to the main unit from 3 AAA batteries (1.5 V), a range of 100 m (with a code of the transmitted signal to prevent false triggering), the possibility of mounting on double-sided tape (or screws) and 6 tunes is worth today 500-550 rubles. And C41 with 32 tunes costs already 600-650 rubles.
A wireless call "Melody-017" (manufacturer: Russian company Mig) costs only 400-500 rubles. The range of action is at least 120 m. The indoor unit with a 3-step volume control and 38 preset tunes is powered by a 220 V household network.
Products that do not require the installation of batteries
The company "AuGreener" (China) offers consumers a line of wireless doorbells that do not require the installation of batteries. The main unit, mounted indoors, is powered by a household electrical network (100-240V). A wide range of permissible limits of supply voltage will undoubtedly please owners of country houses or cottages, where significant surges in the power grid often occur. To connect, just plug the unit into a power outlet.
The button has a special design. When a key is pressed, mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy. This is enough to send a radio signal to the receiver and turn on the ringtone.
The price depends on the specific model and configuration. So the AG101N model with one button, one receiver, 25 pre-installed polyphonic ringtones, with a range of up to 120 m costs today 1300-1500 rubles.
The E2 model with two receiving devices and 38 tunes will cost already 1700-1900 rubles. The design of the button is made with full protection against moisture (up to immersion in water). The button can be operated in a wide range of ambient temperatures: from -40 to +55 degrees. This allows you to use the device as a street call.
The C590 model from the Russian manufacturer Melodika with a piezoelectric button (waterproof design with protection class IP44) that does not require a battery, with a guaranteed life of more than 10 years, with 32 tunes and one receiving device (220V) can now be purchased for 1170-1250 rubles.
With intercom
Unlike the simplest models of wireless calls, such devices not only inform the owner about the arrival of the visitor with a sound signal, but also allow you to have a conversation with him. A microphone and speaker are integrated in both complete units (external button and internal bell). By briefly pressing the external button indoors, one of the selected ringtones sounds, while holding the button pressed, you can talk with the visitor.
Wolfhead's Lila model (powered by an external unit from 4 AAA batteries, an internal one from the built-in battery and the ability to recharge via a USB connector) with a range of 50-100 m costs 1100-1300 rubles.
With integrated motion sensor
These devices usually include:
- motion sensor (wireless);
- indoor unit;
- remote control.
Such devices can work both in the normal bell mode (when a visitor approaches your door, the melody you selected is heard from the speaker) and in the alarm mode (when the siren sounds from the speaker).
The remote control allows you to control the operating modes of the device (on / off, volume control, ringtone selection and so on). Such a product from Marlboze with a range of up to 100 m, LED indication of the motion sensor, maximum volume up to 113 dB and a remote control costs today 2000-2100 rubles.
Wi-Fi compatible devices
Installing an external button for the camcorder, microphone, speaker and Wi-Fi module into the case significantly increases the convenience of using a doorbell wireless call. When a visitor clicks on a button, the user automatically (via Wi-Fi) receives a signal to any mobile device (tablet or smartphone). The built-in camera transfers the picture to the display of the mobile device. You can not only see the visitor, but also negotiate with him (in intercom mode). Naturally, such products can also work in the normal call mode, since the speaker set inside the package is also included in the package.
Deycam's Bellcam-01015 model with a color wide-angle (120 degree) camera (with a resolution of HD 720P), a built-in motion sensor, an integrated Intercom system and compatible with any mobile devices (on IOS or Android operating systems) via Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz), it costs today 3700-3900 rubles.
With camcorder and LCD monitor
A set of such devices usually consists of:
- external button (with built-in video camera, microphone and speaker);
- multifunctional liquid crystal display with controls.
Such devices perform several functions simultaneously:
- alerts about the arrival of visitors, conducting conversations in real time with simultaneous video control;
- implementation of video surveillance of the outer space;
- photo recordings (with time and date display) of visitors who came to you in your absence.
Saful's TS-WP708 1V1 model is equipped with a 7-inch display, touch control panel, the ability to negotiate in Hands-Free mode and connect an electromagnetic lock. The external device works without recharging the battery: in standby mode - up to 2 months, in active use (approximately 10-12 times a day) - up to 15 days. Today the price is 6800-7200 rubles.
A similar device (with a built-in GSM module), which will notify the user via SMS / MMS messages in his absence, is much more expensive. So, the iHome4 model from Funxwe with a waterproof anti-vandal button, a 7-inch monitor (with a resolution of Full-HD 1080P) and a GSM module costs from 15,000 rubles.
Design features of street calls
Street wireless calls have increased demands regarding protection against external factors. According to the international classification, the outdoor units of such devices must comply with IP44-IP55. To protect against rainfall, an additional visor is usually included in the button mount kit (from a special material that does not impede the passage of radio waves).
Naturally, the external blocks of such products cannot be mounted on double-sided tape in any case (such fastening will fall off very quickly from temperature extremes). For these purposes, it is better to use the usual dowels and self-tapping screws.
Since such devices are usually installed at a sufficient distance from the location of the owners of the home, it is better to choose models with anti-vandal button execution.
What to look for when choosing
Several key indicators that you should pay attention to when choosing a wireless doorbell:
- Range of action. This indicator is important mainly for owners of suburban real estate. The bulk of the products has a minimum radius of about 100 m in open space. Walls, metal structures and other obstacles to the propagation of radio waves from the transmitting button to the receiving device significantly reduce this distance.
- The protection of the outdoor unit from weather factors. If the bell button is installed on the street, then the protection class must be at least IP44. Therefore, before purchasing, you must carefully read the instructions for a wireless call.
- The number of ringtones. Almost all modern models of these products have several predefined tunes (6-45), which the user can periodically change. For those who prefer to hear fragments of their favorite songs from the speaker, it is better to purchase products with the ability to download additional tunes or a built-in MP3 player and an installed SD card.
- Functional equipment. Here the choice depends only on your personal preferences and financial capabilities. Someone will be satisfied with the simplest product, consisting of a button and a receiving device for 400-700 rubles. And someone will want to install a high-tech multifunctional device with a built-in video camera, monitor, intercom, GSM-module and the ability to control via Wi-Fi. The price of such devices can reach several tens of thousands of rubles.
- External execution. Product blocks should harmoniously fit into the overall design of the room or house. For example, a button mounted externally can be matched to the color of the door or entrance gate.
- Manufacturer's warranty and the possibility of return or exchange.
Conclusion
According to numerous reviews, wireless calls are becoming increasingly popular and are successfully replacing the "archaic" wired counterparts. This is due to both the simplicity of self-installation (without involving construction workers for laying electrical cables) and a wide range of models. Everyone will be able to choose exactly the device that will meet his requirements for functionality, design and price.