With its intercom system, Ring offers an innovative solution that connects to an existing intercom system without involving the other residents of the condominium. We tested it and here is our opinion.
The Ring brand offers a complete ecosystem of products to keep an eye on your home, be it cameras, an alarm system or of course connected doorbells that have made the brand famous.
Unfortunately, in most cases, a networked doorbell is only possible in individual houses, as it has to be installed at the level of the main entrance. In condominiums, an intercom is often installed at street level or in the foyer, bringing all residents together. Of course, there are solutions to connect these, but these usually require an additional investment for the condominium and may not be suitable for everyone. In addition, these are not very scalable and rarely compatible with other services and language assistants.
With its intercom, Ring simplifies the situation by allowing you to connect a classic intercom to the internet and thus communicate with your visitors from anywhere, even opening the door for them from your phone or connected speakers. It can be installed in minutes and does not require co-owners’ approval, modernizing your accommodation at a lower cost.
design and installation
The Ring Intercom consists of a small white case measuring 109 x 109 x 31.5mm that connects to its intercom handset with a cable. It is therefore intended to be placed next to the latter and is battery powered, avoiding a multiplication of visible wires. It is compatible with many references, however it is advisable to do a compatibility test on the brand’s website before buying.
After compatibility has been verified, the battery included in the package must be charged before installation can begin. This is the same as the brand’s other products, which is very beneficial if you already have Ring cameras at home as you can easily swap them out to charge them. Unfortunately, this one connects in microUSB instead of switching to USB-C, which would make it easier to share with a smartphone charger or a computer, for example.
Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
Once the battery is charged, you’ll need to arm yourself with a screwdriver to proceed with the installation. If you don’t have a toolbox at home, don’t worry, Ring will provide one in the box. The installation process is guided entirely by the app and while it may seem scary, it’s fairly easy to complete as long as you read the instructions carefully and aren’t afraid to open the cover of your existing intercom.
Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
First, the application will ask you to remove the protective magnetic cover from the intercom and scan the product’s QR code to pair the ring box. Once the intercom cables have been exposed you will need to take the correct set of cables from the three provided and route them behind the listener plate and then connect as directed in the application. Depending on your intercom model, it can be more or less difficult to understand where to connect the wires, even if the Ring supplied ones have letters and colors to make them easy to identify.
Once connected, you will be asked to turn off the intercom and go to the lobby to test the connection. If it actually works, you can then reassemble the handset, close the intercom’s magnetic cover, and finally mount the Ring Intercom to the wall using the adhesive backing strips or the included screws.
This makes the installation very discreet, even if the cables remain visible. It’s also very convenient if you’re a renter because you don’t have to drill through the wall to install the box.
Application and Use
Once Intercom is installed, you can use the Ring app to interact with your intercom, visitors, and even your door. So when someone rings the intercom, the Ring app on your phone notifies you and offers to answer the call. This remains limited to an audio conversation, but also allows you to unlock the airlock door to let your visitor in. There’s a little latency between the notification of the call, but once it’s established audio quality is good and conversation is smooth.
Source: Hagop Kavafian
Since Ring belongs to Amazon, the intercom is of course compatible with Alexa and thus the Echo speakers, but neither with Google Assistant nor with Siri. However, this one is very improvable as you must first configure them to notify you when someone rings. Then, of course, you have to verbally ask Alexa to pick up to establish communication.
Opening the door, on the other hand, is less intuitive, as you have to verbally ask Alexa to hang up, which the person in the lobby hears. Then, when the communication is over, you have to tell him to open the door and verbally confirm your confidential code, which ultimately isn’t very intuitive, but can help when you’re really busy.
As with other Ring products, the app allows for the best personalization of the experience. In this way it is possible to share access with other users, allowing members of your household to access the application from their mobile phone and answer the intercom.
You can also share access with verified guests, giving them direct access to the building when they visit you on the date and time of your choice. It goes without saying that in order to gain access to the building, the person must create a Ring account and download the application. This use case is particularly useful if you employ a cleaner, nanny, or dog sitter, for example.
Likewise, the Ring Intercom allows you to grant access to a courier when you are away so that they can leave the package at your door. If it’s a package delivered by Amazon Logistics, you can even enable Amazon’s automatic delivery confirmation feature to grant access to the building without having to ring the intercom. Of course, this access is only possible after verification of the identity of the deliverer, his itinerary and the time of his request.
You should of course provide the delivery instructions in your Amazon settings for it to be delivered to the location of your choice. In addition, it is entirely possible to disable this feature if you prefer not to automatically let the deliverer into the building.
Finally, it is possible to link other Ring devices to your intercom, e.g. B. Set a camera so that it starts filming when someone rings your intercom. However, this functionality is of limited use in terms of use cases, but has the advantage that it exists.
autonomy
Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
As previously mentioned, the Ring Intercom is powered by a rechargeable micro-USB battery. Battery life should be the least of your concerns, as it’s expected to last anywhere from six to 12 months depending on usage. If charging at night and leaving your intercom unavailable for a few hours is not an option for you, you can also purchase an additional battery or the intercom in a multi-battery pack.
price and availability
The Ring Intercom is available in France from April 13th at an introductory price of 50 euros until April 27th. After that date, the product will cost 130 euros, similar to the Nuki Opener. It is also possible to buy a pack with an extra battery for 80 euros (introductory price, then 150 euros after April 27) and finally a pack with an extra battery and charging station for 110 euros (introductory price, then 170 euros after April 27).
However, the very long autonomy of the intercom does not justify the purchase of a pack, especially since it is possible to subsequently purchase an additional battery or a charging station for a price of 30 euros each.
As I’m sure you’ve understood, the introductory price is particularly interesting and allows you to make your intercom smart for a very affordable sum. The standard price is remarkable as it exceeds that of a wired doorbell! So it is to be hoped that Amazon will benefit from attractive discounts during Prime Day and Black Friday.
It’s important to clarify, however, that unlike other Ring products, the Intercom works without a subscription and therefore at no additional cost after purchase.