Have any of you bought/used Magic Jack? My husband is pushing this since it is cheaper than our regualar phone line. I have actually been considering cancelling our land line and using just cell, but was worried about 911 calls...Hubby told me you can register Magic Jack with your address so 911 calls will know your address. Just curious if it works as well as hubby thinks. Would like to know all the pros and cons. Also curious about phone number, do they assign you another number or can you use your current number? Can you pick a number? Thanks Mamas!
Just bought the Magic Jack 2 days ago. So far it works great. We had an extra laptop from my job so we hooked it up to the internet cable box and it worked like a charm. We could have a number assigned to us for free or pick one out for $10. I chose to pick our own. Our old carrier will have a recording with the new number for 2 months so we are all set. Total cost $39 for the Magic Jack and $10 for the phone number (very easy one to remember, I love it!!). It does let you register for the e911 service so evidently if you call 911 the address will come up for the dispatcher. Thanks to everyone who responded!
Hi T.,
I've had Magic Jack since last year and I like it. I exclusively use my cell phone but I wanted a land line for emergencies, especially if I have trouble with my cell. I picked a number I liked and I pay $3 extra per year. If you want a certain number it might be about $5. Random is free. I think the service is $19.95 per year but with the $40 purchase of the jack the first year is free.
I didn't get one because your computer has to be on all the time to use it. Computers use a lot of electricity, so where is the savings?
I have magic jack and really like it. It's not perfect, but for the money, it's JUST fine. You can put your address in for 911, but if the power goes out, make sure your cell phone account has your home address in it for 911 as the magic jack only works when your computer is on.
They assign a number for free, but you can buy a custom number for very cheap.
The computer has to be ON for it to work, so you have to "restart" the MJ when you restart the computer.
Otherwise, it seems fine to me :)
We bought our MagicJack about a year and a half ago and it works great. The call quality is good, as long as you have sufficient bandwidth from your modem. We had to share a wifi with 2 neighbors previously, and the calls tended to get choppy when everyone was online. Since we've moved, our calls have been perfect. And if you have a lot of different users on your wifi or regular modem, you can choose a computer that has a hard line to the modem that won't be as affected. As far as 911 goes, you register your address when you sign up and if you make a 911 call, they will go by that. You can pick your own area code and number, which was great since I'm from Texas and my family can call a local Texas number without being charged long distance and still reach me in California. I think it's a great tool and we've saved so much money!
I have used the Magic Jack before and I agree that it does work and can save you a lot. However, your computer has to be turned on for that to work, so it was a bit counterproductive as far as savings are concerned.
We decided to go with Ooma instead (check out their website, or purhcase at Amazon.com). It works with the same voip technology (like Vonage, which is also relatively cheaper than a landline), but we save so much more with less Magic-Jack-related hassle, like having the computer perpetually turned on, getting dropped calls and choppy lines with a bad internet connection.
Good luck on your decision!
I've had it for a year and like the service, love the price! I joke that you get what you pay for - e.g. a dropped call now and again. But for me that is well worth saving $100's per year! I would not use it for a business line. I called 911 from home just to check it, and it worked.
We have had our Magic Jack for over a year and love it. We have been exclusive cell phoners (if that's a word) for about 2 1/2 yrs so when the MJ came out, we decided to give it a chance. Last year we were on a trip and I lost my cell phone (dropped it as I was getting off a train). We were about 5 hours from our home. I was devastated because all my important phone numbers as well as some priceless pics were on the phone. We had our laptop so my husband was checking his email and there was a voice mail from our MJ. Luckily the 15 yr old girl who found my cell phone called my 'home' number listed on my cell phone about 15 minutes before we disconnected our cell service and left a message. When you get a voice message on the MJ, you get an email. I was able to not only get my cell phone back but I was able to regain faith in both other people and especially teenagers. It's a great little phone! Good luck on deciding!
Hi T.-
My husband and I switched to OOMA about 6 months ago and like it. y hubby looked at Magic Jack but the drawback is that the computer has to be on when you use it. With OOMA the computer doesn't need to be on. We picked our own number which is the phone number that we have had for the last 17 yeras, and we save about $40.00 a month. The drawback is if my husband is downloading a file, then the quality isn't the best, but then I'll just finish the conversation on my cell and since we don't use our land line much it really isn't an issue. As far as 911 calls, we are signed up with a service called "E911" or something like that.
If you are interested in OOMA, we got a coupon yesterday that is something like refer a friend and we both get something. I didn't look at it but if you are interested then email me offline and I'll find out what it is.
Good Luck!
Stephanie.
Hi there,
my parents live in Florida and they purchased Magic Jack. It alway sounded funny on the line. It was annoying so I ended up calling them on thier cell phone to aviod the phone. They sounded far away compared to a regular phone. They ened up canceling it because everyone they called complained about it. They switched back to a normal phone. Sorry, not the news your husband was looking for, BUT, if you don't plan on using it much, and only want it for emergencies, then it should work just fine.
Good luck!
T. Magic Jack is not good. I have talked to many ppl who dislike it. It drops calls all the time, that is when its working. If your in a rural area or a somewhere that magic jack does not have great coverage it won't work well. Plus most of the time ppl on MJ sound like they are under water. One friend who had It we finally told him not to call us unless it was from his cell as our conversations were always being cut off etc. Plus their only customer support after you order it is online. So you can never reach anyone by phone!! Which from others I hear is not too much fun. I did hear recently though when you do finally get intouch with someone online for help if it is really serious they will set up a time to call you back?? But its rare. I think they only did it for this person because he was telling them he wanted to disconnect. So I advise against it. Ratings and reviews online are not good either.
But that is only from what I have heard and experienced being on the other end. One of our friends went back to Vonage, and alot of ppl we know love Vonage. Look them up!:)
we have it and love it...and we picked a number with our area code..and did register our address for the 911 thing..you do have to have high speed internet and you do have to leave computer on 24-7..or if your computer is off it wont work
This is definitely a good way to go. You need to dedicate a computer just for it, since you computer will have to be on to use it. We have a family computer in our kitchen and that is where it is hooked up. We have had it for a year now and find it very useful. Sometimes while using the computer certain programs will slow down, but it doesn't hinder much of anything else. We love it, it is clear as a bell, and you can call anywhere. Many of our family members have them now as we all live in different states and everyone seems very happy. We got to choose our number. Our main phone number for our children's schools is my cell phone number, but when we are home and need to make a call we use the magic jack all the time. Good luck! Great money saver!
Hi T., we have magic jack, but we only use it for long distance. J.
good question I, too, would like to know
It works - home and abroad!
I don't know Magic Jack. But I am not comfortable without an old fashioned land line. If there is an earthquake and we lose cell service then what? If you lose electricity and can't charge your cell then what? A regular land line that doesn't need cells or electricity is always good to have especially if you have kids. Just my opinion but I think it's worth it to be safe.
