Community Forums

scottandjean · 04-28-2011, 01:20 PM

I was curious if any of you have tried the magic jack phone system. Either at home or connected to your computer while travelling. My understanding is you can get phone service if you have internet service.
If you have what are the pluses and minuses.

Thanks
Scott

edj · 04-28-2011, 01:30 PM

I have used the Magic Jack for the past year. I just renewed it for five more years for $69. It works great IF; your computer is relatively fast, you are not downloading/uploading a lot of data when trying to make a call and you are hooked to a relatively fast ISP connection. I use mine mostly hooked to a cable modem, but have used it many times linked to a WiFi signal in CG/hotels. If the connection is too slow/busy, there will be a degraded phone connection that is noisy.

Overall, the Magic Jack is well worth the cost and I am glad I got it.

Don't buy it on the net. You can get it for the same price at Best Buy or other electronic shops. The advantage of buying locally is that if it is DOA, you can easily bring it back for a replacement.

GaryKD · 04-28-2011, 01:53 PM

Hi scottandjean,
I have used the MJ since it became available. The 5 year plan brings the cost to a buck a month. My unit works as advertised and I would make the same purchase again. MJ is connected to an old 1.5 Ghz desk top unit running XP. The PC is also streaming XM radio. The Internet connection is through a DSL line.

golden · 04-28-2011, 03:05 PM

I use it as my primary phone both at home and on the road. The only time I've had problems is when the wifi is not strong enough, but that's pretty rare.

fxdave · 04-28-2011, 03:26 PM

how do you get it for a buck a month ! i want it

edj · 04-28-2011, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fxdave

how do you get it for a buck a month ! i want it

You buy the Magic Jack for $40. That includes the hardware and the first year. When that year is up, you renew for five years for $70. That works out to $1.16 per month. (70/5)/12=1.16

DRosedale · 04-28-2011, 04:33 PM

It sounds good, but what is the advantage of MJ over a cell phone? I suspect if you have wifi, you will have cell service.

GaryKD · 04-28-2011, 04:43 PM

Hi DRosedale,
The difference between the MJ and a cell phone is cost. MJ provides unlimited USA calling for about a buck a month. No cell phone does that.

golden · 04-28-2011, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fxdave

how do you get it for a buck a month ! i want it

WalMart, Walgreen, etc., etc. I got my online direct from MJ, but that was about three years ago.

southland · 04-28-2011, 05:07 PM

If you live in the US and travel to Canada, it works there too. Used MJ and WIFI hot spots to make calls back home. No .70 cent per minute international cell calls.
Jerry

DRosedale · 04-28-2011, 05:26 PM

Hi GaryKD

Nope you can't get cell service for a buck a month. That certainly makes it worth taking a look at. I guess my only concern is, if I understand how it works, you have to have an internet connection, is that correct?

Jimwo · 04-28-2011, 08:25 PM

MJ advantage = No long list of taxes that end up costing more then the phone line itself.

Monacoach · 04-28-2011, 08:25 PM

You buy the little magic jack box ( size of a match box) it plugs into your usb port of your computer and you plug a household telephone into the the magic jack. Pick up the phone and you will hear a tone and you are good to go. call any where in North America.... unlimited..... Skype does the same thing but they charge more. I have used both and they both work well.... I would consider using magic jack as my primary phone. It has all the features of your home phone including voice mail.... all included in the price....

BigV · 04-28-2011, 08:43 PM

My problem with devices like that is they require being tethered to a running computer. There are other options. I have the same complaint about Skype.

For free, you can go to SipGate.com and get a number. Works with sip software on soft phones or you can buy an adapter that plugs into your network directly and use a standard phone. Those adapters run about $40 at your favorite auction site.

Another choice is to get an OBi110 adapter. It will work with a service like sipgate and also with Google Voice, also for free.

None of them are going to work well unless you have a decent connection. My son is currently in Victoria BC and using the wifi in his motel. Google Voice works pretty good with only an occasional glitch.

There are other services out there. I'm just not a MJ fan.