Magic Jack???

[Deep C]

Has anyone tried one? Do they work?

I'm looking to improve communications for our long stay in the islands. I'm hearing that Magic Jack works over there and its the way to go anywhere you can get wifi signal...
I take it that it plugs into USB port and you plug a phone into it and you are good to go... I see that the initial fee is like $40 and then $19.99 a yr to continue. I then see that calls from the Bahamas is like 8 cents a minute but not sure how they bill you. Cell phone over there is $2 a minute! Sat phone is a buck a minute... This would be a whole lot cheaper if it works...

[floridadeckie]

this may be a silly question, but have you check around the internet for pro/con reports and reviews? That would shed some good light on it, whether its worth the coin or not. plus it would help you back up your suggestion to the boss man

[joeksr]

I tried one for a while and was not impressed.
Lots of static and un reliability. Pc has to be on to use.

If you have a pc and high speed connection check into Vonage.
Actually dont think you need a pc if you have a high speed internet connection.
Thats what I use now and has been totally reliable so far.
About $25 a month unlimited local/nationhwide and some countries.
Also different plans.
I think other countries are pretty resonable.
They give you a modem that plugs between your internet connection phone and pc. Pc does not have to be on to use the phone.
Look at the site and see if it can work for you.
There are other internet phones out there.
If you have speakers & mic in your pc and the people you want to call have em you can go thru msn messenger ? Free ?
Hook up a camera on each end and you can see each other.

Good luck.

[Deep C]

I'm getting mixed reviews online thats why I'm asking here. The units seem to work ok but people bitching about free trial and fine print piddly crap.
I don't have a problem with having to have the PC on... Vonnage is $25 a month and doesn't work in a lot of places... I think Admin had an issue like that. I don't have Skype capable laptop...

I do have strong Wi Fi where I'm going. The Device is $39 and covers the first whole year. A couple cents a minute is a whole lot better than $2.

I really need phone there to contact passengers comming in or get parts flown over or to talk dirty to my wife...

[gottaflylee]

skype is what you need, cheep and good. All you need is a good headset to plug into your puter and your good to go. Lots of free local US calls amd very inexpenceive out of country calles. Capt_John and I talked a bunch while he was in TCI and my buddy George and I use it when he is in Costa Rica. I think it 4 cents a min. from there...

[welder]

My Uncle just started using Magic Jack about 2 weeks ago.

I like it on my end , I hear very little static with the head set he is using now . When he 1st hooked it up he was using a regular phone and it was like he was standing next to me .

When he started the program he picked a number that is local to me [ I'm in texas and he is in Montana ] the thing will do all that your house phone will do and more .

You pick your phone number and you can change it once for free the 3rd time it's $10.00.
It's free 24/7/365

My uncle figured out that most bitches were , NOT getting calls untill the user figured out the PC has to be ON, DUH, it works thru your PC.

He paid $40.00 for the Jack and that included the 1st year and it's $20.00 a year after that .

If I had High Speed I would get a MJ in a hart beat. For now it's my cell phone.

Lester

Deep C , email me and I'll out you in contact with my uncle, he says calls from the bahamas are free and MJ to MJ is free any where in the world. I am OMing you with his #

[joeksr]

A quick look at the web site says It is compatable with WIFI.
Free 30 day trial.
Can't go to far wrong giving it a shot.

[cravertosu]

Hey Deep,

I was going to suggest Skype also. I'm not sure what you mean by not having a skype capable laptop. It's what most of us use over here to talk back home. It's the way to go in my opinion. If you give them a call I'm sure they'll know of a way to get it on your laptop.

Tim

[perfectscore]

Hey Deep,

I was going to suggest Skype also. I'm not sure what you mean by not having a skype capable laptop. It's what most of us use over here to talk back home. It's the way to go in my opinion. If you give them a call I'm sure they'll know of a way to get it on your laptop.

Tim

go out and buy the magic jack, Borislow needs a bigger boat (triple crown hines 66) i am sure he'll thank u