Rice Lake Truck Scale Intercom vs. IntercomsOnline Solution

Customers of Rice Lake truck scale intercoms have reported poor audio quality and sought a superior replacement. The IntercomsOnline solution not only delivers significantly better audio performance but also offers multiple advantages that enhance overall functionality and reliability. Below is a detailed comparison of the two intercom systems:

Noise Cancellation

• Rice Lake: Lacking noise cancellation, these devices cannot filter out the loud noise of truck engines, resulting in poor communication quality.

• IntercomsOnline: Features industry-leading noise cancellation technology that virtually eliminates background noise from truck engines. One customer stated: "It is super clear when talking to the truck driver, even with their truck running. I literally cannot hear the truck outside when I'm talking with the driver over the scale house phone."

Server Requirements

• Rice Lake: Requires a Windows™ PC running TalkMaster FOCUS Server software in the background, introducing an additional point of failure and potential security vulnerabilities.

• IntercomsOnline: Features a built-in server, eliminating the need for an external computer, simplifying deployment, and increasing reliability.

Audio Adjustments

• Rice Lake: Offers basic audio profile adjustments within the TalkMaster FOCUS software, but this software is primarily designed for network configurations rather than optimizing audio clarity.

• IntercomsOnline: Includes a built-in web-based administration panel with advanced audio adjustments, providing unparalleled customization for different environments.

Rice Lake Audio Settings

IntercomsOnline Audio Settings

Mounting Flexibility

• Rice Lake: At 10 inches wide, it requires mounting to a flat, vertical surface such as a wall or mounting plate.

• IntercomsOnline: Offers flexible mounting options, including pole mounting without a flat plate. Various housing and configuration choices are available to meet different installation needs.

Additional Sensor Inputs

• Rice Lake: Includes inputs that can activate external devices like lights.

• IntercomsOnline: Features a sensor input that not only controls external devices but can also automatically alert scale house operators when a truck is present, improving operational efficiency.

Power Requirements

• Rice Lake: Requires a 110V AC power outlet near the intercom, and a power cord is not provided.

• IntercomsOnline: The amplified horn operates on 12V DC (power supply included), providing greater flexibility in positioning power outlets at a distance. The intercom is powered via PoE (Power over Ethernet) through a CAT-5 cable, further reducing power constraints.

Network Dependency

• Rice Lake: Must be connected to a local network, meaning network disruptions can disable the intercom.

• IntercomsOnline: Does not require a local network for operation. It can function independently by connecting all components to a standalone PoE switch, ensuring reliability even in the event of network failures.

Integrated Video Camera

• Rice Lake: Lacks an integrated video option. Users can add an external HTTP or RTSP camera, but this may require additional software licensing.

• IntercomsOnline: Offers a video intercom option for customers who require visual verification of truck drivers.

The IntercomsOnline truck scale intercom system outperforms Rice Lake’s solution in multiple key areas, including audio quality, ease of installation, and uptime reliability. With superior noise cancellation, a built-in server, flexible mounting options, and the ability to operate independently of a local network, IntercomsOnline provides a more reliable and advanced communication system for truck scale operations. For more information click here: Truck Scale Intercoms

Customer Review

Best AGG Scale Intercom Available at this time.

"We had a Rice Lake network scale intercom system installed many years ago, our scale was .5 miles away from the scale house, so this had to be a network intercom via fiber, we had allot of truck noise, although I will say it worked fairly well, but the IntercomsOnline system is far superior. We were also able to connect multiple stations, we have a load shack, and office, an inbound and outbound scale that can all communicate with each other now. The people at IntercomsOnline also know their stuff, pretty sure after talking with them, they have quarry experience and are not just another company selling intercoms. I would recommend this system to anyone that talks to loud diesel trucks."

Wayne Easter, Irving Materials Inc. Fishers, IN