[Review] MagicJack..

[SingleCharles 0]

A while back I found that my mother was making use of MagicJack. Her calls are always crystal clear, zero connection problems. She sold me on the idea and I decided to buy one to send to Gabriella in Brazil. I chose MagicJack because of the low upfront cost ($39), zero monthly cost, small annual fee ($29/year after the first year), and its compact and portable size.

When I received the MagicJack I was impressed by the size and ease of installation. All the software is built into MagicJack itself and loads automatically when you insert it into the computer. I plugged my telephone into the magicJack and placed a few calls. Nobody had an idea I was using anything other than a regular telephone line. Thoroughly satisfied, I packaged it up and sent it to Gabriella.

When Gabriella received the MagicJack, she immediately plugged it into her computer to install it. The installation was easy and went without any problems. Note: the MagicJack software is in English only. Gabriella did not have a phone immediately available, so she used the computer interface to place her first call. While I received the call to my telephone, we had problems with her microphone (due to her using Skype at the same time). She resolved the issue and called again. It worked!!

The one downside to our call was that there was an incredible amount of background noise. This could be caused by any number of things...

• the speed of her internet (A minimum bandwith speed of 128 kb/s is required)
• the speed and usage of my internet
• the distance between her house and my house (over 6,000 miles)
• the usage of a camera microphone, the microphone settings on her computer

I was not able to diagnose it. Subsequent calls (still without the use of a telephone) contain a lot of background noise. So it does seem consistent.

Overall, I would have to say that I am pleased with the magicJack. It is an affordable alternative to more expensive voip solutions (i.e. vonage). I am also happy that we can leave it with her family when she comes to the US, so they can continue to keep in touch with us for a relatively low cost. My only disatisfier is the current sound quality. We will try it with a regular phone and see if that resolves the problem.

I hope this helps others considering VOIP solutions.

Good luck.

[Marilyn. 340]

don't you need to have the computer on in order for the magic jack to work?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I have two friends near where I live with Magic Jack using broadband. I can hardly hear what they are saying, and it is hard to carry a two way conversation with them. Sucks, IMO.

[Marilyn. 340]

yeah I saw Magic Jack on an infomercial and it looked like a good idea so I went online and read reviews and the majority of the reviews said the Magic Jack sucked...

so I figured I would stick with Vonage...

[bslsailor 0]

I've been very happy using a little VOIP company www.callcentric.com

[disclaimer - have no ties other than using them]

You can port your home number - and they have various plans -

Since I don't use my home number much for inbound calls (have a cel)

I have a pay as you go plan that costing me about 5.00/month (2.50 of that is 911 fee)

I call Brazil land lines for about 3-4 cents a minute - however

Brazilian Cel phones are a pain in the neck 32.5 cents/minute

You have to buy an UNLOCKED Linksys PAP2 box to use the service -

look on ebay - they go for about $30-40 buy it now.

Couple of advantages -

1. once plugged in to your DSL IT'S ALWAYS "ON"

2. If your other party has one - CALLS ARE FREE

3. you can also make calls from your cell using an access code

4. you can configure it for voice mail to go to your email as a wave file!

Any questions - ask

John

[bslsailor 0]

I've been very happy using a little VOIP company www.callcentric.com

[disclaimer - have no ties other than using them]

You can port your home number - and they have various plans -

Since I don't use my home number much for inbound calls (have a cel)

I have a pay as you go plan that costing me about 5.00/month (2.50 of that is 911 fee)

I call Brazil land lines for about 3-4 cents a minute - however

Brazilian Cel phones are a pain in the neck 32.5 cents/minute

You have to buy an UNLOCKED Linksys PAP2 box to use the service -

look on ebay - they go for about $30-40 buy it now.

Couple of advantages -

1. once plugged in to your DSL IT'S ALWAYS "ON"

2. If your other party has one - CALLS ARE FREE

3. you can also make calls from your cell using an access code

4. you can configure it for voice mail to go to your email as a wave file!

Any questions - ask

John

Correction - Brazil cel phone calls cost $.2145 / minute- gonna call my SO now!!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

stick with vonage or skype.

[Danno 1,228]

I have always liked Skype. I can call russia for like 2 cents a minute (skype to phone).

It was also handy to have a skype account to call back home or any where else where when traveling abroad as many internet cafes have skype.... If I don't have a laptop with me.

As for Magic Jack or some of these other similar services, I have heard you can choose a local number as "your number" when you get the device.

You then send that unit to what ever country you call most and then THEY can call you for free as it appears it is now dialing another local number.

HAs anyone tried this?

[Marilyn. 340]

stick with vonage or skype.

we have had Vonage for over 2 years now with no problems... I love it.... would never go back to regular phone...

[SingleCharles 0]

I want to add that we use Skype also, and almost always have. I would rather use skype any day. I bought her magicJack so she could call me during the day without incuring cost on her cell phone, or cost from skype.

MagicJack is good, but Skype is our default.

Thanks to the others that have given their opinion on Skype, MagicJack and Vonage. Hopefully a lot of people will find this thread useful.

[bslsailor 0]

I've also used Skype for years.

Vonage and my service www.callcentric.com use the same converter box, only when Vonage

sells their box to you, they "lock it" down so you can't use it with another service.

You can use these boxes anywhere there is relabel internet service and it's just like having

your phone at home. No need to leave your computer on.

Great discussion - hope this helps anyone who is looking to reduce calling their SO

John

[SingleCharles 0]

Thought I would follow this up. Gabriella used the MagicJack I sent her about three times total. All three times it was terrible. It stopped working after the third time. It could be her computer or the internet at her house, both, or none of the above.

Skype still rulez!

[sasha414 0]

i too have a magicjack and im very pleased with it.

[Niels Bohr 72]

I use T-Mobile@Home service. In fact, it's free because I have the corporate discount.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I have a friend that everytime he has a large download, he decides to call me on Magic Jack while he is waiting. It sucks.