| reply to jeffnyc
Re: My review of MagicJack I just got my MagicJack today. It took me some time to get it to work, but I bet some people won't have any trouble. I tried it first on some low level computers I had in order to minimize power consumption. When I tried it on the third computer, it installed without a hitch, but I already had my number at that point.
On one computer, the MJ wouldn't provide a dial tone without a powered USB hub. The blue light not lighting up was the giveaway that I had an underpowered USB connection.
Now that I have it running, I have to say that I couldn't rely on it as my only phone line. My phone doesn't always ring when I call in to the MJ line. When I hang up the MJ line, it doesn't always hang up properly.
Sometimes when I call the MJ, it autoanswers with the phone still on the hook.
But as a second line primarily for making outbound calls, it is a pretty good option. |
|
|
|
| Playing around with it some more, the sound quality and performance are dependent on how powerful your computer is. I'd say that any computer you buy today would run the MagicJack fine, but my crappy old Toshiba 2065CDS laptop won't cut it. A Pentium III, 450 MHs is marginal on the sound quality, but the hanging up performance is fine. My Pentium 4, 1.8 Ghz has great sound quality, but I'd prefer not to use it for security reasons. None of these machines have USB 2.0. We just got a new HP with USB 2.0, and I am going to try the MJ on that next. |
|
| reply to swanboy
so 17th is only 3 days away, anyone know if there web portal is gonna go live??? |
|
| reply to swanboy
I guess I just feel that if a shipping order can not be combined (even though they were shipped in the same manila padded, envelope with a $2.32 stamp on it), the very least it would come in two packages. As far as shipping goes, a $2.32 stamp on a 65cent padded manila envelope is excessive. Yes 11 bucks overage to put in 2 jacks in a envelope and put a label on it Then wait for the postman to stop by. The proper way to ship this is the 2 pound first class with delivery conformation. I think the postage on that is $4.85.. How you ship and what you charge is important to me as a customer. |
|
| MJ support pointed me to a handy utility:
»www.magicjack.com/site/downloads···etup.exe
Run it, and then unplug the MJ, wait a bit, and then plug it in again.
I used it to restore the blue light. Sometimes the blue light will go out, and you won't have a dial tone on a phone, but the soft phone will still work. This utility restores the blue light and dial tone. I thought one of my computers had underpowered USB ports, but using the utility fixed the problem.
I now have the MJ on a P3 450 Mhz box, and the sound quality is great. I don't have any problems with hangups (on the phone), and things seem great.
Found out there isn't a way to block my funky Caller ID, but they are working on it.
On the shipping issue, you could look at it as a restocking fee. You are paying $46.90 for each device with free shipping and a 15% restocking fee. Maybe they should describe it that way, or maybe not, but $46.90 doesn't seem unfair for the INCREDIBLE value they are offering.
I see their Tech Chat is back. |
|
| reply to swanboy
I have 2 major problems with this thing.
First its USB instead of ethernet which means I have to run a computer 24/7
This creates my second problem. there most DEFINATELY is a monthly fee. Just because you pay yearly does not mean there is no monthly fee. your just paying 12 monthly fees at a time.
NOW granted its pretty cheap (though NO assurance it will STAY $20 a year) so right now were at $1.67 a month BUT it does not stop there. While this device might only take 500mah at 5v or so the COMPUTER takes quite a lot more.
Your average computer today takes 200-250 watts of power JUST SITTING THERE. Its gonna cost you ALMOST $10 PER MONTH for every 100 watts of power your machine consumes (PLUS maintenance of that machine)
For me and my SPECIALLY BUILT server to record my tv programs thats $7.50 (It takes 74 watts idle) a month but I would not dare risk the reliability of that machine on this device so I would have to built another machine to run this. So figure $150 to build a cheapy machine. Lets ignore that cost for now.
SO the average user is going to pay between $15+$1.66 a month and $25+$1.66 a month in "cost" to use this phone service. If your using an older computer VONAGE's 500 minute a month plan is cheaper is your using a hotter machine to run this Vonages full unlimited $25 a month plan is cheaper (and no computer to keep running and maintaining) etc.. etc.. So this $20 a year phone service turns into $200 a year on an older machine and $275 a year on the hotter machine (I subtracted 15% for NORMAL usage where you would be paying to run that computer anyway)
NOW if I can make this run on my old 233mhz windows 98 tablet computer that I also keep running (weather information display) then I will be a bit more interested since it only costs me $3-$4 a month to run that machine.
On this machine my yearly cost would be max $68 still no where near $20 a year but still a VERY good deal !! ESPECIALLY if I can run more than one on the same machine. Plus its such a slow machine that there are no moving parts except the hard drive so maintenance should be low if not zero. BUT can this machine handle running both WIFI and Magic Jack if it can even run Magic Jack?
If this thing was ETHERNET instead of USB I can not see it consuming more than 1-2 watts. lets assume 2 watts (though I am betting less than 1) but at 2 watts its $2.40 a YEAR in electricity plus the $20 so $22.40 a YEAR
NOW THAT would be a good deal 
ALSO if you need it just to MAKE phone calls. Such as KIDS wanting there own line or something like that. IE its only plugged in WHEN they want to talk its also a great deal.
SO PLEASE Magic Jack come out with a ETHERNET version please!!! |
|
| The actual magicJack is just an USB to RJ11 adapter with a flash drive and it uses a softphone on your computer for all voice processing. The best VoIP device for power consumption would be an ATA.
--
Vote for Ron Paul in the Republican Primaries |
|
| reply to swanboy
Huh did not realize that. So this service is nothing more than skype with a gadget that makes a phone into a headset? can you DIAL numbers from the phone?
Is there a super low profile windows app that will work with this service IE one that will work on lower performance hardware? Linux is not an options since many of the required drivers for this do not exist namely the touch screen
Odd I thought this was an actual voip phone that just used the PC for power and internet connection. Drat :-( |
|
1 edit | Yup. Thats why my magicjack is for backup purposes only. I use Onesuite prepaid for long distance calls and Onesuite voip for incoming which can be use on ATA.
I still had my cell phone though. |
|
| reply to swanboy
I WAS INTERESTED ALSO BUT ACCORDING TO THE FOURM REVIEWS I AM KIND OF DISAPPOINTED THAT THEY DONT HAVE POTS TELEPHONE SWITCH AS WELL AS THE AREA CODE AVAILABILITY.ANY MORE INFORMATION OR EXPERIENCE.I TRIED CHATING WITH THEIR WEB PORTAL(EVERYTIME I HAD A CHAT WITH GELLEN) THIER SAYING IS THAT WE ARE WORKING ON IT.NEXT MONTH AREA CODE WILL BE AVAILABLE.
OK,THE GUY WHO HAS INTRODUCED THE 10-10 NUMBER PORTAL,I THINK THIS BETA WILL BE POWERFUL CHANGE IN THE MARKEET AS THEY SAY.
THANKS |
|
 JYLD
@friendlycity.net | reply to banaa007
Re: My review of MagicJack Your information is incorrect. Magicjack is far different from skype and is connected to a true local exchange company.
Skype can only call other skype people. Magicjack is true VOIP and can call any phone number whether it be a POTS number or a vonage number or whatever. POTS people can call your magicjack from their regular POTS phone. They can't call a skype number(sip address).
Unlike many VOIP providers that lease lines from POTS companies and are subject to rate increases that put them out of business (Sunrocket, etc.), Magicjack and its parent YMAX communications has built a nationwide network of CLECs (local exchange carriers) so they don't lease their lines from other CLECs. They are their own CLEC.
Magicjack isn't as perfect as a POTS line, but has voice quality as good as any VOIP provider (better than most) and has in my experience about 95% to 99% uptime.
I don't use it as my primary line. My primary line will always be a POTS line, but magicjack has allowed to drop my second POTS line and add the convenience of a 3rd line (also magicjack).
$40 for a year including unlimited long distance is a great deal even if you have to run your computer to run the phone. It appears ATA support, etc is planned for the near future, but its a great deal even if ATA support never comes.
Gary |
|
 ZOverLordPremium
join:2003-10-20
Minneapolis, MN
2 edits | said by JYLD :
Skype can only call other skype people. Magicjack is true VOIP and can call any phone number whether it be a POTS number or a vonage number or whatever. POTS people can call your magicjack from their regular POTS phone. They can't call a skype number(sip address).
What!
Not true.
Skype can also call any phone number as well.
Actually, with Skype Pro, for $3.00 a month, you can call any phone in the U.S. or Canada from the U.S. or Canada and you can cancel at anytime.
You can use Skype services remotely to call people on Skype or MySpaceIM and check your voice mail for FREE, from any phone, landline, cell, or any device like a blackberry that has dial-tone and use Skype rates, when needed to make local, long distance and International calls from those phones and devices as well.
If you want/need to have a telephone number that others can call you on from their POTS lines, you can do that as well for $12.00 for 3 months or $24.00 a Year as well. Some people may just want the unlimited calling feature only for $3.00 a month so this is optional.
--
Black, Grey and White Hats Unite here -> »testing.OnlyTheRightAnswers.com |
|
| A key difference is that skype is peer to peer. Using it you make your computer part of the chain that others may well use for calls to get to their destination, with whatever risks that may occur, as well as using your system's resources. Magic jack is voip. It uses sip; it isn't peer to peer. Magic jack also doesn't install anything on your computer either. You can take the little thing and use it on any other computer. The front end cost is higher but overall it might well be cheaper than skype, and it certainly is safer and others won't be using your system as a transit point.
-er |
|
| said by ejrobinson:Magic jack also doesn't install anything on your computer either. I have to correct you here. MagicJack does install software on your computer plus makes changes to the registry. Take a look for a folder named "mjusbsp". |
|
JYLD
@friendlycity.net | reply to swanboy
So for skype to provide all the services that magicjack provides you have to cobble together various options and pay $60.00 or 50% more than the first year of magicjack and 200% higher than the second year for magicjack.
Plus with magicjack you can use any old extra phone you've got laying around and with skype you have to buy a headset and mic or skype phone for another $20 to $70 the first year.
Yeah skype is frickin fantastic.
Gary |
|
 RockyBBPremium
join:2005-01-31
Steamboat Springs, CO | said by JYLD :
Yeah skype is frickin fantastic. Skype works, too.
--
"Teleblend has an agreement with the Assignee to solicit and support former SunRocket customers." |
|
ZOverLordPremium
join:2003-10-20
Minneapolis, MN | reply to ejrobinson
said by ejrobinson:A key difference is that skype is peer to peer. Using it you make your computer part of the chain that others may well use for calls to get to their destination, with whatever risks that may occur, as well as using your system's resources. Magic jack is voip. It uses sip; it isn't peer to peer. Magic jack also doesn't install anything on your computer either. You can take the little thing and use it on any other computer. The front end cost is higher but overall it might well be cheaper than skype, and it certainly is safer and others won't be using your system as a transit point. -er If you are behind a NAT router, there is no worry, you won't be used as "A transit point" as you say, and you can also disable the possibility of this happening via a registry key. Urban legends die hard I guess.
--
Black, Grey and White Hats Unite here -> »testing.OnlyTheRightAnswers.com |
|
Reviews:
 ·CenturyLink
 ·Verizon Wireless..
 ·Mediacom
| reply to JYLD
Depends on your needs. I don't have a single "regular" phone laying around. I'd actually need to go buy a cordless phone to use with MagicJack, so figure another $20 or $30 for even a cheap one.
I do, however, have a pair of Skype CIT400 phones which don't require a PC to be running and work fantastic.
MagicJack looks interesting. It may be worth it for some, not worth it for others. My main beef is your FUD and BS about Skype - which has a proven track record and WORKS, and will never give me advertisements. YMMV. |
|
ZOverLordPremium
join:2003-10-20
Minneapolis, MN
3 edits | reply to JYLD
said by JYLD :
So for skype to provide all the services that magicjack provides you have to cobble together various options and pay $60.00 or 50% more than the first year of magicjack and 200% higher than the second year for magicjack.
Plus with magicjack you can use any old extra phone you've got laying around and with skype you have to buy a headset and mic or skype phone for another $20 to $70 the first year.
Yeah skype is frickin fantastic.
Gary
Magic Jack = Magic Words ("First Year") How many more years?
Also, as I said before, which can be of some importance to others, Skype is Portable, you can use it from other phones, even landlines. No computer, WiFi, Special Cell Phone needed. That can/could be worth something to others.
Can you use Magic Jack to talk for free to people in countries all over the world, and even from your other phones, and at no cost? Can you Chat with Magic Jack? Can you host Conference calls with 24 other PSTN calls you made at no cost?
Skype Pro offers $12.00 in Skype Out Credit with a 1 year purchase, so, you could use these credits to purchase a SkypeIn number, so the total cost for you for unlimited calling in the U.S. and Canada, and a Telephone number with Voice mail, FREE conference calling with as many as 24 people at a time on PSTN lines.
$24.00 U.S. - $36.00 - $12.00 U.S. Free Credit = $24.00 U.S.
$24.00 U.S. - SkypeIn ("PSTN telephone number")
------
$48.00 U.S.
Again, NOT everyone needs/wants another telephone number, so if you just wanted unlimited calling for 1 year in the U.S. and Canada that is $36.00 U.S. and you would get $12.00 worth of Skype Out Credit that can be used for International calls. Some might call that $24.00 a year.
--
Black, Grey and White Hats Unite here -> »testing.OnlyTheRightAnswers.com |
|
