Are you struggling to find a one-stop Linear intercom review?
Hopping from one article to another, looking for specific information, can be incredibly frustrating. Therefore, we have compiled this article in a highly readable and information-rich format to give readers like you a complete picture of Linear intercoms.
In this article, you will find detailed product reviews that explore Linear’s connectivity options, pricing, and most importantly, authentic customer insights. Crafted after 17+ hours of deep market research, you will most likely find answers to all your Linear Intercom related questions before making a purchase.
Linear, originally part of the Gate Openers Unlimited (GTO) family, has been a trusted security solutions brand for over 60 years. But this article will help you determine if Linear has truly changed with the times to provide customers with state-of-the-art access control solutions.
Let’s dive deep.
Table of Contents
- Linear Intercoms by Nice
- Linear Telephone Entry Systems – Detailed Review with Costs
- Pros and Cons of Linear Intercoms
- Customer Reviews
- Alternatives to Linear Intercoms
- Final Thoughts
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Linear Intercoms by Nice
Linear is an offshoot of the Nice brand based in Carlsbad, California. It manufactures access control systems, garage and gate door operators, surveillance solutions, and more. For more than 50 years, Linear has served multiple industries, including but not limited to residential, commercial, educational, healthcare, and beyond.
The company’s long-standing presence in the market has led to millions of linear systems being deployed worldwide for various use cases. While the company manufactures multiple security solutions, such as garage door/ gate operators, radio controls, and accessories like surveillance cameras and transmitters, the focus of this article will be restricted to intercoms, or as Linear refers to them, telephone entry systems.
Let us explore these telephone entry systems in depth below.
Linear Telephone Entry Systems – Detailed Review with Costs
Linear AE-100
Suited for: Mainly multifamily apartments, condominiums, and office workspaces with a maximum of 125 people
Connectivity: The device is powered by and can facilitate cross-communication through standard telephone lines only.
The AE-100 features an antique design and connects visitors to residents or workers within the building via a telephone call. This model has a vintage 2-line LCD screen displaying a programmable welcome message, directory names, and codes. You can use the arrows to navigate and find the person you wish to call; simply enter the code against their name into the keypad and press the call button. When the resident receives the call on their phone, they can press 9 to answer it and communicate with the visitor. The answering mechanism remains the same for all intercoms.
You can find detailed Linear AE-100 programming manual and wiring diagrams in the ‘Resources’ section in the link.
Highlights
- Multiple installation options available: surface mount, recessed, pedestal
- Ability to connect with postal lock box systems and color CCTV cameras
- Multilingual display programming is available, along with assisting voice prompts
Cost
The company does not reveal the cost of this product on its website, but our research showed that it is available in multiple online stores, including Amazon. All prices mentioned in this article have been extracted from dealer sites and are subject to change from dealer to dealer.
At ‘All Security Equipment,’ the Linear AE-100 price is $819.99.
Linear EP-436 EntryPro
Suited for: Gated communities and multi-tenant residential buildings or complexes
Connectivity: The device facilitates cross-communication through standard telephone lines. You can also use a VoIP adapter to send audio signals to and from without using telephone lines or an Ethernet cable. This Quick Start guide provides a detailed IP address configuration and setup guide.
Compared to the AE-100, there are quite a few upgrades in the Linear EP-436 EntryPro system. With a 4.3” display to view and navigate to desired residents, this model can easily control 36 doors with 72 readers (expandable to 64 doors and 128 readers) instead of just the single door and up to 125 tenants in the previous model. With such flexible access control options, you should pick this model if you have a larger space and many doors requiring controlled entry.
You can find the Linear Telephone Entry Manual and all other information for EP-436 in the Resources section in the link.
Highlights
- Auto-adjusts to brighter display in sharp sunlight
- Stainless steel body and back-lit keypad
- Compatible with most VoIP adapters
- Optional internally mounted RFID reader (Radio Frequency Identification)
Cost
At ‘All Security Equipment,’ the Linear EP-436 price is $2,300.99.
Linear EP-736 EntryPro
Suited for: Gated communities and multi-tenant residential buildings or complexes
Connectivity: The device facilitates cross-communication through standard telephone lines. You can also use a VoIP adapter to send audio signals to and from without using telephone lines or an Ethernet cable. This Quick Start guide provides a detailed IP address configuration and set-up guide.
The EP-736 Entry Pro has no additional features compared to the EP-436 model, except that it has a larger 7” touchscreen display, which makes it easier to navigate. The system boasts weatherproofing, enhanced two-way audio calling, and scalability for varied uses. Like the previous one, it supports 36 doors with 72 readers (expandable to 64 doors and 128 readers). Additionally, you can buy various accessories separately for all models to take your access control a mile further. Choose from cameras, cards and credentials, mounting options, readers, and more.
Find the Linear Telephone Entry Manual and helpful user and programming guides in the Resources section in the link.
Highlights
- Auto-adjustment to brighter display in sharp sunlight
- Stainless steel body and back-lit keypad
- Inclusive of mounting hardware
- Compatible with most VoIP adapters
- Optional internally mounted RFID reader (Radio Frequency Identification) to provide another entry method to visitors
Cost
At ‘All Security Equipment,’ the Linear EP-736’s price is $3,469.99.
For any specific product details or technical specifications, you can contact Linear.
Pros and Cons of Linear Intercoms
Here’s a quick breakdown of the upsides and downsides of purchasing a Linear intercom.
Pros
- All Linear intercoms come with pre-embedded Linux software, so you do not need to install additional software.
- Flexible and scalable for addressing large property requirements by controlling multiple doors and providing access to a more significant number of residents for multifamily buildings
- Option for Linear intercom integration with VoIP technology through an Ethernet cable
Cons
- Access control happens only through landline telephone lines (pressing nine releases the door), so no mobile-based access control exists.
- Directories need to be programmed manually.
- Does not support video-calling, compromising on the security of the property.
- Missing facial/voice recognition technology for unlocking doors
- Lacks a mechanism to enable temporary visitor access (one-time PINs or codes).
Customer Reviews
The following feedback for Linear intercoms has been derived from trustworthy customer-first forums like Reddit, Amazon, and hardware supplier stores. While these reviews are deemed genuine and present an accurate picture of various entry systems by Linear, let’s keep in mind that these experiences are subjective and may differ entirely from yours.
As sourced from Reddit, users were unsatisfied with Linear Intercom’s user interface. They seemed to lean towards Swiftlane due to its IP65 and IK10 ratings (weather and vandal resistance) and Amazon Key for Business compatibility.
Customers have unanimously expressed dissent regarding Linear’s browser-based access control solution, eMerge. They have cited its hackability, high cost, and poor technical support from the company.
While gate control systems were appreciated, the AE-100 intercom managed only a 1-star rating on GOKEYLESS, an access control and security hardware provider.
Amazon, however, had mixed reviews for the same product. Some users applauded the product and service, while others highlighted programming difficulty since the device can only be programmed manually.
Alternatives to Linear Intercoms
Although Linear may have a firm market footing, you may need something else. Dependency on telephone lines proves to be a massive limitation for modern apartments/ workspaces. The basic features that Linear intercoms possess have been surpassed long ago by new-age companies in the security technology sector.
One alternative that exceeds expectations in terms of features and the overall offering is Swiftlane.
Swiftlane
Swiftlane’s video intercom solution has everything your property and residents seek in a security solution. It is modern, scalable, and designed to retrofit existing systems easily. Besides intercoms, you can also opt for an all-in-one access control solution for securing garage gates, elevators, and more. For the sake of this article, we will stick to its video intercom offering.
Here’s a side-by-side feature comparison to help you make a wise decision.
Head to Swiftlane to explore the many features it pioneers in.
Simply fill out this form for a free customized quote and other product-related information.
Final Thoughts
Linear offers three varieties of intercoms—the AE-100, EP-436, and EP-736. A Linear intercom is suitable for gated communities, multifamily buildings, commercial spaces, and more. They work primarily on telephone lines but can also use VoIP technology and optional RFID readers for smoother access control.
Choose Swiftlane if you don’t want to stand out in the sun and program each resident’s directory name and code manually. Additionally, look for an alternative to Linear intercoms if you wish your intercom to recognize your face and open the door without punching in a code whenever you come home.
As a feature-rich alternative to Linear intercoms, Swiftlane’s video intercom solution is cloud-based and mobile-friendly, catering to the needs of modern-day properties and residents.
When choosing an intercom system, it’s crucial to match the product with your unique needs and decide on an option that perfectly complements your security goals and budget.
Find a Video Intercom System For Your Building
Get a free quote or talk to a Swiftlane specialist about choosing the right intercom solution for your needs.
