Vintage Merlin 206

[nickasch]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a small, inexpensive phone system for my home. I've always liked the looks of the classic merlin series and was wondering what the rate of failure on these were. I'm looking at the 206. I don't need VM or anything special, just a few phones networked together to share 2 lines and do intercoms. House is already wired for Cat5, goes down to a patchpanel. Also, if anyone is familiar, on Feature Pack 2, can someone describe the Personalized Ringing? Are these similar to the Definity tones today?

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[aussie88]

The classic merlin tones are identical to the Definity tones today. The 206 was a good little phone system. Although the power supply did have some issues. Get feature pack II for sure, otherwise, the system can barely do anything at all. They are pretty cheap, and, with exception to that power supply, will run, and run, and run. I would get the BIS telephone sets if you want 2 way speakerphone, plus, some of the membrane phones had problems.

 

[nickasch]

Aussie88,

Thanks a bunch. Are the power supplies replacable, or is a whole new 206 in order if the old PS dies? Its not a big issue, since a 206 is really cheap these days. I will definitely get a FP2, and the BIS terminals. This may sound kinda weird, but I'm REALLY glad to hear that this thing has definity tones, I just love them, and its hard to get a system with these tones today without buying a Magix or something! Thanks again!

- Matthew

 

[aussie88]

Actually, LEgend and Magix do not have Definity tones. They share tones with the Partner. And the partner tones are EXTREMELY annoying. I do wish they would bring the Definity tones back. On the 206, I believe you can simply replace the power supply. But it would be easier to just get a whole new cabinet.

 

[exsmogger]

Yes the power supplies are replaceable. They are the same as the Merlin 410, so a lot of 206's were bought for their power supplies to repair dead 410's.

Brian Cox

http://www.jandjcommunications.com

 

[nickasch]

Thanks exsmogger,

Are bad power supplies a big issue with the Classic Merlins? I just don't want to get one and have it be toasted by the end of the week, if you know what I mean. I was just wondering how big of an issue the power supplies are.

Thanks again!
Matthew

 

[paul144]

Given that the system is quite old, and that any 206 that you buy will be quite old, it is a toss of the dice as to whether the power supply lasts 2 weeks or 5 years. Any electronic device is going to start having a fairly high failure rate once it is 10 years old. That said, the 206 is so cheap, why not buy 2 of them and keep one as a spare? If one blows, then you will be able to just swap in the back-up...

 

[aussie88]

Well, it also depends on what environment the equipment has been in during ite previous installations. If it was keept in a cool, well ventilated room, I would be willing to bet that you should get a good amount of life out of it. If it was kept in a terrribly hot room, that was not vented well at all. I would be careful.