Spec my mother a doorbell

Quartz · 3 Dec 2023 at 23:06

Very simple, I hope: my mother needs a new doorbell as her current one is broken. But I don't know where to start. Her broken one is battery powered with a wired button and very old.

She has wifi and an iPad of recent vintage so a camera doorbell is possible, but she's 88 so that side of it has got to be very simple indeed, and function as a normal doorbell. The wifi router is at the other end of the house from the front door.

ristac · 5 Dec 2023 at 09:13

Personally I would go with a standard doorbell, £20 plug in a 3 pin plug battery operated door press. Then if required, something like a Nest Cam filming constantly and view through a tablet. You could also have access to the Nest Cam (or similar) if you felt the need to view

radderfire · 6 Dec 2023 at 09:56

I guess a Ring doorbell is worth considering as they seem to be popular. I don't have one so couldn't comment on usability. They do allow you to talk to the person though, and they can ring a mobile phone.

Quartz · 6 Dec 2023 at 10:40

I've done a little digging and a camera bell is probably not on as there would a cafe across the street in view.

mickyflinn · 6 Dec 2023 at 11:05

Is she hard of hearing as you can get 2 receivers an extra one for upsatirs just plug into the socket, like this.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SECRUI-Wireless-Doorbell-Waterproof-Receivers/dp/B09CT6DBRF/ref=sxbs_pa_sp_phone_search_thematic_btf_sspa?adgrpid=53533312496&content-id=amzn1.sym.469a90f7-eb38-4974-8387-586fa8568cd3%3Aamzn1.sym.469a90f7-eb38-4974-8387-586fa8568cd3&cv_ct_cx=doorbell&hvadid=259133583806&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=1006656&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9789023523062548846&hvtargid=kwd-297254911605&hydadcr=14252_1828295&keywords=doorbell&pd_rd_i=B09CT6DBRF&pd_rd_r=c06c2296-60e8-4789-a6e9-1d62160cde09&pd_rd_w=GkA50&pd_rd_wg=CLJOC&pf_rd_p=469a90f7-eb38-4974-8387-586fa8568cd3&pf_rd_r=52EH2EB7DVJSA9FCVNNH&qid=1701860338&sr=1-1-b25b1d43-cf3b-4443-a03a-3255cfe6ab54-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWNfYnRm&psc=1

Why is that link sooooo long.

radderfire · 6 Dec 2023 at 11:45

I would get a mains operated one installed if possible, as it saves faffing around with batteries.

Quartz · 6 Dec 2023 at 17:55

radderfire said:
I would get a mains operated one installed if possible, as it saves faffing around with batteries.

Agreed, especially as her current one probably has failed from a leaking battery.

radderfire · 7 Dec 2023 at 12:37

Quartz said:
I've done a little digging and a camera bell is probably not on as there would a cafe across the street in view.

Are you sure about this?

If you are an old person then being able to see the person at the door is a good security feature.

Quartz · 7 Dec 2023 at 16:15

radderfire said:
Are you sure about this?

The problem is recording other people.

radderfire · 7 Dec 2023 at 17:05

Quartz said:
The problem is recording other people.

If it was pointing directly into someone's front room, then maybe a problem, but a cafe, I don't see much of an issue, it's a public space.

dave28 · 7 Dec 2023 at 17:10

I bought a £5.99 rubbish one on ebay, the postman broke it and it was generally rubbish.

So i bought a Byron battery one for about £12 and it seems good so far.

radderfire · 7 Dec 2023 at 17:14

I know I said get mains powered, but if you just want a quick and easy replacement, then you could try a battery powered wireless solution like this. For £12.50 you could always try something else if it's no good, but it gets decent reviews:

Byron DBY-22311 Wireless Doorbell with Portable Chime - 150m | Wickes.co.uk

Byron DBY-22311 Wireless Doorbell with Portable Chime - 150m

www.wickes.co.uk

Hagar · 7 Dec 2023 at 17:56

You can also get a doorbell that flashes a light in several rooms for those hard of hearing.

ristac · 7 Dec 2023 at 22:30

radderfire said:
If it was pointing directly into someone's front room, then maybe a problem, but a cafe, I don't see much of an issue, it's a public space.

Also a problem of battery drain or recording alerts with too much activity

cuke2u · 8 Dec 2023 at 09:03

With most good quality door bells you can adjust the sensitivity and blank out for such activity. The designers weren't born yesterday...

Quartz · 18 Jan 2024 at 18:38

Just to update the thread I purchased and fitted the Byron @radderfire suggested, it's survived initial testing, and she's very happy. Naturally it took forever to arrive over Christmas.

She decided she didn't want a video doorbell: it was too much of a faff for her.

Btone · 18 Jan 2024 at 22:44

ive just fitted an Aqara g4 video doorbell for my 83Y old mother. can use battery's or power from the old bell wire (ive yet to use this as i need a new transformer for the bell), took about 20 mins to fit.
it uses a app what was very easy to setup and not only can she see who at the door she can talk to them via the app as well. I too can also see (and talk) vis the app on my phone.
over all i like it very much

Quartz · 18 Jan 2024 at 23:31

With a video doorbell in the time she had found her iPad, logged in, and used the app she could have walked to the door herself.