Magic Jack

Carolina Momma · 12-15-2007, 01:42:02 PM

Does anyone use or know someone that uses Magic Jack? From what I can gather it's like Vonage but less expensive. My DH heard about it on Clark Howard and is now gung-ho about trying it. I've been reading mixed reviews about it online, so I'm a little skeptical. We make very few long distance calls and no international calls. But we pay about $60 a month for phone service. So there would be some savings.

Thanks for any advice or info!

John in CO · 12-17-2007, 09:28:55 PM

I'm ordering it now and will let you know what I think in a few weeks. I currently use Vonage so I'll be doing a VoIP to VoIP comparison. I think the bigest pain will be that I don't see a way to transfer my existing phone number.

bargainhunter · 12-18-2007, 12:23:39 AM

I'm also ordering one today and don't think there will be much of a risk since there is a 30 day free trial. The shipping is $6.95 so that is the most you can lose. I heard about it on Clark Howard during the summer and it has taken me this long to get around to it as I was waiting to transport my current number. Originally, they said it could be done in November but I am not seeing it on their website. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Carolina Momma · 12-18-2007, 06:52:31 PM

Thanks for the input! I don't really want to change numbers if I don't have to, but I read they would have number portability by the end of this year. Please keep me updated with how the service goes.

John in CO · 01-07-2008, 04:58:25 PM

I received my MagicJack and hooked it up. The install was easy, just plug it into the USB port and it installs. I wanted to configure the call forwarding but the Web address on the package was incorrect so I couldn�t get to the config page. (More on that later). I answered the questions about what city and number prefix I wanted my number for. (There is only one prefix for my area). Then I was ready to make calls. I plugged a line from the MagicJack to my phone distribution box in jack and everything was working fine. I had previously used Vonage so had already removed the outside connection from the TELCO at the dist box. (I was simply swapping the Vonage line in for the MagicJack line in.)

First thing I noticed is that when you make or receive a call the MagicJack dialing console pops up. It has ad space on it that currently provides tips but may in the future be regular ads. I agreed to this when I accepted the EULA (yes I actually read it). The pop up window was annoying but I figured for virtually free phone service I can deal with it. I forwarded my Vonage # to the MagicJack number so all calls came in via MagicJack. Everything ran great for several days, I had run the optimizer (something the ad window suggested) and calls came and went without a hitch. The clarity of calls was as good as with Vonage. The only issue I had was that when I was making a call there was always music from some local radio station on the line. I tried different lengths of phone cable between the PC and wall figuring the additional run of 35 feet was the cause but even after I moved the PC so that I could use a 3 foot cable I still had the radio.

After a few days of use the real trouble started. I was downloading a TV show and received a call. The call was broken up and it was impossible to understand each other. I�ve had this happen with Vonage and if I stop the download the call clears up. So I stopped the download. The call did not clear up. I hung up and called the party back and had the same problem even though the download was stopped. I had to reboot to clear the line.

After that I switched my phone system back to the Vonage box which is separate from the PC. To be fair, I have been having issues with my PC lately and it really needs to be wiped and reloaded (I haven�t done it in over a year now). Also, I did find the call forward config Web page (due to the advertising box in the MagicJack dialer). My intention is to reload my PC and see if the MagicJack works any better.

A co-worker of mine also purchased a MagicJack. He has had minor problems with some people not being able to call due to SoCal Bell not updating the valid phone numbers from 3rd party carriers like MagicJack. He has to call them an ask them to add his number to there computer system. The other issue he has is with clarity. When I call him there is constant static on the line, not enough to interfere with the call but it is always there. He is working with tech support to resolve this issue.

Carolina Momma · 01-07-2008, 06:21:31 PM

Thanks for the feedback John! I really appreciate it.

zalani · 01-16-2008, 07:37:53 PM

John that was a very thorough review. I have one question though, if your computer were in sleep/hibernation mode, would this still work. In other words, do you have to set up your computer not to go into sleep mode? Please advise. Thank-you!

GregN · 01-28-2008, 01:19:07 AM

I think the most important point to make is that systems like Vonage and AT&T Call Vantage install on your incoming internet line BEFORE your computer and they always get priority status. That helps maintain call integrity even if you're using your computer.

Plugging the magic jack into your PC makes your phone vulnerable to anything that is happening on you PC at the time of the call. If this device is for casual use it might be OK. As a main phone source, I'm not sure. I have AT&T Call Vantage and my computer can be off if I want, it doesn't matter and has no affect on the call. Since I run my business out of my house, I can't suffer the quality loss you risk if you're in the middle of a download or your computer is threatening an emminent crash.

Having said that, I plan to try this with my laptop. I'm often checking email while I'm on the road and making or taking calls using the Magic Jack would beat cell phone usage hands down. I'll give the 30-day trial a full workout using this and see what happens.

I love gadgets!

Greg

nightglider · 02-01-2008, 10:01:42 AM

My friend has been using Majic Jack and it is terrible!!! I can never hear him, the calls are always breaking up and it's almost impossible to have any conversation. Half the time it doesn't work or something else is wrong. I would not recommend it.

BILLJRIV · 02-01-2008, 11:38:10 PM

Just so everyone knows magicJ has a sales chat at the bottem of the page,the operator offered me a $2 off coupon code during our chat.Plus I have Vonage and told them I wanted to cancel so the offered me $10s off a month.So I'm getting the full boat for $15's a month right now.