My exsperience with Magic Jack Plus

[c4yourself2]

Just wanted to give a play by play account of my exsperience with the MJ+.
A little backround information, I was not happy with my Internet Service Provider (ISP) speed from Verizon, bare bones basic land line and "high speed Internet" of 3.32Mbps.... all this for $63/mo including land line.

So I signed up with Comcast for the Internet only, (and boy did they push the "Triple Play", I said no thanks, I really like dishnetwork) after the promotion the price is $60/mo plus the junk fees I guess. So I figured if I got a inexpensive phone service, I could create a win/win situation. (Faster Internet/Same output of money) I would like to mention that my new service with Comcast, speed test showed a 27.13Mbps (download speed).

I ordered the Magic Jack Plus through the telephone number, not a issue now since I see it's a option on the website, it took about 1 week before it arrived at the front door. I plugged it in direct to the computer to register it and then put it on the router hub and plugged it in to a power outlet.
And proceeded to call my Brother and chat for a few minutes and finally asked him about the quality of the call, he said "what do you mean, you sound clear to me".
I did not notice anything, no echo, no delay, only thing is you have to dial the area code when placing all calls, of course this makes sense if you think about it. Not a deal breaker for me, I just added the local area code to the memory bank of phone numbers programmed on the home telephone/answering system I bought last yr. http://www.amazon.com/AT-SL82318-Cordle ... B0012CP1VS (Great range by the way)

So to some it up for about the same money, (Thanks to Magic Jack Plus) I have Internet at 9X faster and still have my same phone number. My land line phone got ported today, it took about 6 days including the weekend. If I buy the 5yr block of service, the price/mo. comes out to less then $3/month !!! I almost forgot, calling Verizon tomorrow to cancel service, going to seem weird not paying them after 32 yrs.....

Edit: ok called Verizon today to cancel service, they automatically cancelled the service when the number got ported to MJ+

Chuck

[Matt9876]

So I signed up with Comcast for the Internet only, (and boy did they push the "Triple Play", I said no thanks

Edit: ok called Verizon today to cancel service, they automatically cancelled the service when the number got ported to MJ+

Chuck

Nice to know it works that way, I'm in day 2 of a land line port to a MJ+ from AT&T (formally Bell South) I will let you know when it's successful.

I use Charter cable for Internet only,Use a Dish Network 211k with an external hard drive to make it an HD DVR and use MJ+'s for my phone service.

This triple play is high quality and you would be hard pressed to beat the low cost.

[c4yourself2]

I had a surprise today, two voice mails fowarded to my email account. I'm guessing that was because, I was on the phone when the calls came in... so instead of the calling party hearing a busy signal and hanging up, they heard a option to leave a message... nice. I didn't have that before with the bare bones land line.

If I had figured out how to put the one party on hold to answer the incoming call, I would not have gotten any voice mail. Finally after the 2nd call came in and the phone was beeping again (3rd call coming in) all I had to do was hit the "Phone" button, and I was talking to the incoming caller.
I was calling my Brothers and Sister telling them about MJ+, got some answering machines and they where calling me back....

Chuck

[c4yourself2]

So I signed up with Comcast for the Internet only, (and boy did they push the "Triple Play", I said no thanks

Edit: ok called Verizon today to cancel service, they automatically cancelled the service when the number got ported to MJ+

Chuck

Nice to know it works that way, I'm in day 2 of a land line port to a MJ+ from AT&T (formally Bell South) I will let you know when it's successful.

I use Charter cable for Internet only,Use a Dish Network 211k with an external hard drive to make it an HD DVR and use MJ+'s for my phone service.

This triple play is high quality and you would be hard pressed to beat the low cost.

I have the VIP622 HD DuoDVR Reciever, which is HD. 250 channels with the HD package for $91/mo. set up for 2 TV's.
Comcast doesn't have near that many channels for that price, DVR included.

Just got off the phone with my Brother again, this time he did hear a beep once in a while, he said it sounded like I was pressing one of the number buttons, and at the begining of the call the famous echo/skipping was in full effect..... but it didn't last that long and we both agreed that we could live with it since it was temporary and the 1st time it happened to me.

Chuck

[Matt9876]

The famous echo/skipping was in full effect..... but it didn't last that long and we both agreed that we could live with it since it was temporary and the 1st time it happened to me.

Chuck

I only seem to get an echo on certain land line local calls, Long distance and calls to a cell phone are always echo free.

The MJ+ seems to have better echo control, I have been lucky at my home location no chop or garble ever, sometimes when I travel I run into bad Internet and the MJ will chop,garble and disconnect.

[c4yourself2]

I just got off the chat line with MJ rep, and was told the port charge of $20.95 is a one time charge, not a annual fee. I called them because I had a question on my charge card, everything is fine. With the porting fee and the 6yr total prepay my cost was $207.13 or $2.88/mo for the next 6yrs. !!!

Chuck

[Matt9876]

I also took the 6 year deal, I've had good luck in the past with MJ hope it's a bit better in the future.

Hope they invest in expanding their servers & YMAX network.

[Andrew14]

Just saying probably not a great idea assuming a long term contract is a completely good deal. I recently signed up for a 5 year term (original MJ) and yesterday MJ told me I have to throw it away if I want to upgrade to a MJ Plus. I used to be such a proponent of MJ, but now I am rather cool to their business practices and business sense. Kind of a rip off on their past customers if you ask me!

[nailgunner]

I just got off the chat line with MJ rep, and was told the port charge of $20.95 is a one time charge, not a annual fee. I called them because I had a question on my charge card, everything is fine. With the porting fee and the 6yr total prepay my cost was $207.13 or $2.88/mo for the next 6yrs. !!!

Chuck

There was never any question about the annual fee being that high. It was going to be $20 one time and $10 per year. As of 5 minutes ago, they are now quoting only the $20 fee with no annual charge. Who knows what tomorrow will bring. What a bunch of knuckleheads running that place.

[nailgunner]

Just saying probably not a great idea assuming a long term contract is a completely good deal. I recently signed up for a 5 year term (original MJ) and yesterday MJ told me I have to throw it away if I want to upgrade to a MJ Plus. I used to be such a proponent of MJ, but now I am rather cool to their business practices and business sense. Kind of a rip off on their past customers if you ask me!

Per the same chat person above, you don't technically lose your unused 5 years. They are still allowing you to add the Plus to your current MJ account, use the same number, and both will work until their respective expiration dates. If you want to transfer time between the 2 devices you are SOL.

[Andrew14]

I repeat, people should NOT assume a 5/6 year contract is always a fantastic decision. In my case, I really wouldn't need or use the old MJ dongle once I purchase the new MJ+. It is just kind of disappointing that my prepaid contract becomes worthless if I buy the new MJ+, Yes. I think this is a bad deal. The prepaid contract was money down the drain.

[nailgunner]

my prepaid contract becomes worthless if I buy the new MJ+

Not to split hairs, but it ISN'T worthless.

If you don't want to use the old device with time left on it, you can give the old MJ to a friend or relative that you trust to have access to your MJ account, and they can change the phone number for $10 and use your remaining years.

I'm not defending MJ. But the current price for 5 years of the regular MJ, is lower than the current price for 5 years of the Plus. If they transferred like you want, what would stop everyone from loading up on the regular MJ for 5 years then a week later transferring it all to the Plus?

[luv2uallday]

The MJ+ is just a copy of the netTALK DUO. how it works even it's pricing plan. The only difference is u pay more for less.


Customer service
MJ+ online chat NT DUo live customer service and live tech support or online trouble ticket support

Customizable voice mail
MJ+ no netTALK duo yes



videophone function
MJ no netTALK yes

number porting
MJ+ yes netTALK coming soon


The MJ+ is unimpressive and the only thing MJ has managed to do is catch up but not surpass netTALK.

[c4yourself2]

Happy to report, so far so good, phone calls have come and gone.....
If I could have done something different, I probably would have held off on buying the next 5 yrs in addition to the 1st yr. right away. But this way it is locked in, just in case the price goes up...

Chuck

[Frankfone]

I got the new MJ+ about a week ago and I was even able to send a fax for testing and it went through perfectly. I requested to port my home number to it (AT&T) and it was done in 48 hs. The only thing is not picking up is my answering machine which I like to use to screen calls (yes, voice not numbers since MJ+ has caller ID) I will try a different answering machine and report to you people.

[surfzombie]

The MJ+ is just a copy of the netTALK DUO. how it works even it's pricing plan. The only difference is u pay more for less.


Customer service
MJ+ online chat NT DUo live customer service and live tech support or online trouble ticket support

Customizable voice mail
MJ+ no netTALK duo yes



videophone function
MJ no netTALK yes

number porting
MJ+ yes netTALK coming soon


The MJ+ is unimpressive and the only thing MJ has managed to do is catch up but not surpass netTALK.

I Totally agree. There is No incentive to purchase this unit in My opibnion. In fact there is more incentive to switch to netTalk because they have real customer service and don't play stupid games like MJ does. MJ needs to straighten up and fly right fi they plan to stay in business.

[c4yourself2]

The MJ+ is just a copy of the netTALK DUO. how it works even it's pricing plan. The only difference is u pay more for less.


Customer service
MJ+ online chat NT DUo live customer service and live tech support or online trouble ticket support

Customizable voice mail
MJ+ no netTALK duo yes



videophone function
MJ no netTALK yes

number porting
MJ+ yes netTALK coming soon


The MJ+ is unimpressive and the only thing MJ has managed to do is catch up but not surpass netTALK.

I Totally agree. There is No incentive to purchase this unit in My opibnion. In fact there is more incentive to switch to netTalk because they have real customer service and don't play stupid games like MJ does. MJ needs to straighten up and fly right fi they plan to stay in business.

Trying to keep this thread on topic, how about you start your own thread, and call it "I don't like MJ+, (but I still find myself on this support board)". I don't know anything about net talk so I'm not going to comment on them. I guess if I liked them more, I wouldn't be on this site....

I have contacted "live chat" twice now and both times they answered my questions and concerns.... that's my experience so far.

Chuck

[surfzombie]

I still have and use on a daily basis an original Mj attached to an old pc I had sitting around and I also have the magic features plug-in for it. I was very excited about the MJ+ when first announced and was planning on getting one until delay after delay only to find out it is nothing more that what he NT Duo already is was a VERY BIG let down. Now MJ has to work out all the bugs amd kinks of the new device and the Duo already has at least a two year track record and all that fixed by now. To top it all off the raised the price to match the NT Duo.. I LOVE My original Mj but. what a major let down on the MJ+

[Paul777]

What is meant by "customizable" voice mail ?

[Melman]

The MJ+ is just a copy of the netTALK DUO. how it works even it's pricing plan. The only difference is u pay more for less.


Customer service
MJ+ online chat NT DUo live customer service and live tech support or online trouble ticket support

Customizable voice mail
MJ+ no netTALK duo yes



videophone function
MJ no netTALK yes

number porting
MJ+ yes netTALK coming soon


The MJ+ is unimpressive and the only thing MJ has managed to do is catch up but not surpass netTALK.

I Totally agree. There is No incentive to purchase this unit in My opibnion. In fact there is more incentive to switch to netTalk because they have real customer service and don't play stupid games like MJ does. MJ needs to straighten up and fly right fi they plan to stay in business.

Trying to keep this thread on topic, how about you start your own thread, and call it "I don't like MJ+, (but I still find myself on this support board)". I don't know anything about net talk so I'm not going to comment on them. I guess if I liked them more, I wouldn't be on this site....

I have contacted "live chat" twice now and both times they answered my questions and concerns.... that's my experience so far.

Chuck

I have been using magicJack since 2008 and had a very good success with the phone service. Hmmm..I have not heard of Net Talk Duo until maybe about 1 years ago, so I do not see who is copying who, but I actually see the benefit of competition. My experience now for 1 month using the MJ+ has been great, easy setup and installation, faster response time, better clarity from the original MJ and I no longer have to have my computer on to use the phone.
I have just updated to the newer released version a few days ago. I have heard the beep problem before the updated fix, but I also have heard the beep just using my cell phone and not only from MJ. Anyway all the success for the Net Talk, but I am sticking with MJ+ and when Net talk can figure out their port numbering problem good luck to them.

[c4yourself2]

Well I'm not as fired up about MJ+ as I was......
have alot of crappy choppy conversations that mysteriously clear up, while I'm on the phone....not a deal breaker yet but, not the sound quality that I'm used to having.....

Chuck

[scotty200]

same here it choppy more times then not calls get cut off sometimes that has not happen as much as choppy calls i am not happy at all with mjp and now i have trad everything even tried it on a friend net same choppy calls but when i use MJP on computer it works good not choppy at all so i think it must be defective in same way or it not compatable with Canada net
hope they will fix it or send me a new one

have a good one

[thealien]

same here it choppy more times then not calls get cut off sometimes that has not happen as much as choppy calls i am not happy at all with mjp and now i have trad everything even tried it on a friend net same choppy calls but when i use MJP on computer it works good not choppy at all so i think it must be defective in same way or it not compatable with Canada net
hope they will fix it or send me a new one

have a good one

Same here. I'm in Canada Quebec, and my MJ+ is terribly choppy when used as a stand alone, but flawless plugged in my computer. I don't think it's a question of Canadian network incompatibility, I think it's a "buggy as hell" little box that came out too early without all the kinks ironed out yet...hopefully.

I think they'll get a lot of returns from the MJ+ at this rate. I've decided to use mine as a regular one (plugged in my computer) for the time being. Even though this one costs more than the regular MJ, it's still 3 times less expensive than my land line used to be. And next year it'll be 6 times less expensive !

Hopefully waiting for another software/firmware update for it.

See ya.

[Pablo123]

recall???

[c4yourself2]

Talking to a friend yesterday, and she said, "Is one of your boys pushing the buttons on one of your phones, I keep hearing beebs, like someone is pushing the buttons". I had to explain to her that it was my new $3/mo telephone service....

Chuck

[thealien]

Talking to a friend yesterday, and she said, "Is one of your boys pushing the buttons on one of your phones, I keep hearing beebs, like someone is pushing the buttons". I had to explain to her that it was my new $3/mo telephone service....

Chuck

You know there's a fix for that problem, right ? You need to make sure you've got the latest firmware installed on your MJ+. I had a beeping problem when I first got my MJ+. Since the firmware upgrade, it's gone.

Now, if only they could make it work properly when not connected to my computer with another upgrade, I could finally enjoy using it as intended.

[c4yourself2]

Talking to a friend yesterday, and she said, "Is one of your boys pushing the buttons on one of your phones, I keep hearing beebs, like someone is pushing the buttons". I had to explain to her that it was my new $3/mo telephone service....

Chuck

You know there's a fix for that problem, right ? You need to make sure you've got the latest firmware installed on your MJ+. I had a beeping problem when I first got my MJ+. Since the firmware upgrade, it's gone.

Now, if only they could make it work properly when not connected to my computer with another upgrade, I could finally enjoy using it as intended.

I have the latest firmware on MJ+ I put it on the day after it came out. I never tried MJ+ from the computer USB, I shut the computer off when I'm away from the house and overnight. Just on the phone tonight, it was cutting out, catching only parts of what the other party was saying..... I don't want to put it on the computer, that's not the product I bought... the good thing is, I don't get that many calls.... and still saving a ton of money.

Chuck

[BethyM]

We got MJ+ a couple weeks ago to replace our land line.... the beeping is driving me nuts.

I contacted chat support and I updated the firmware -- I still have beeping! Any idea what the solution might be??

[c4yourself2]

We got MJ+ a couple weeks ago to replace our land line.... the beeping is driving me nuts.

I contacted chat support and I updated the firmware -- I still have beeping! Any idea what the solution might be??

No, I don't, I went with a new cable modem and new wireless router when I made the plunge to cable ISP (Internet Service Provider). All items are pretty much top quality, computer is new also, 6 core AMD Flagship chip, 16 gigs of ram, SSD... Win 7 64 bit Pro, etc.

[BethyM]

With MJ+, is the computer even an issue? I'm just trying to understand if the computer has any roll in it at all. It seems to me that once you unplug from the USB and go StandAlone, the computer is a non-issue. I'm trying to understand what options can be 'set' in the MJ+ before you go standalone. For example, someone kindly suggested setting to AirCard mode to improve call quality, but that appears to be a softbutton in the software.

We are in the same boat as you.. brand new router (xyzel), brand new cable modem. Between beeping and call quality I'm very frustrated. The manual isn't much help either Oh wait, I didn't get one

[conniemadagain]

Just faxed 11 pages ... HP "all in one" at 9600 ...

[Matt9876]

Just faxed 11 pages ... HP "all in one" at 9600 ...

It also will do 2400 baud data connections.

[conniemadagain]

Just faxed 11 pages ... HP "all in one" at 9600 ...

It also will do 2400 baud data connections.

It will also do it at 14.4 from my computer ...

do I hear 4800 ???

[c4yourself2]

I didn't know that anyone still faxed.... email over here.

Chuck

[Bob859]

my prepaid contract becomes worthless if I buy the new MJ+

Not to split hairs, but it ISN'T worthless.

If you don't want to use the old device with time left on it, you can give the old MJ to a friend or relative that you trust to have access to your MJ account, and they can change the phone number for $10 and use your remaining years.

I'm not defending MJ. But the current price for 5 years of the regular MJ, is lower than the current price for 5 years of the Plus. If they transferred like you want, what would stop everyone from loading up on the regular MJ for 5 years then a week later transferring it all to the Plus?

They could adjust it and give MJ customers who have time left a lesser amount. For instance, a customer with four years of paid service left on their old MJ could be given two years of service onto their new MJ+, in addition to the one year that they have to buy when they purchase the MJ+.

.

[nailgunner]

They could adjust it and give MJ customers who have time left a lesser amount. For instance, a customer with four years of paid service left on their old MJ could be given two years of service onto their new MJ+, in addition to the one year that they have to buy when they purchase the MJ+.

And then we would have to listen to all the bitching from those who had 4 years left and were only getting 2. And I can guarantee you it would happen.

I am surprised that they haven't done something. But then again, for a company that has a hard time chewing gum and walking at the same time, I guess I'm not surprised.

[c4yourself2]

Just want to check back in, all in all I am satisfied with the MJ+ phone calls keep coming and going, I gave up on keeping the answering system time and day stamp current. For some reason every time the phone rings it will lose it's settings, other then that not to much to complain about..... The check book balance seems to like it, and that is really, what counts.
Hope everyone is enjoying the savings like me.... now, back under my rock.

Chuck

[sicnarf]

We got MJ+ a couple weeks ago to replace our land line.... the beeping is driving me nuts.

I contacted chat support and I updated the firmware -- I still have beeping! Any idea what the solution might be??

Somewhere on this forum I saw someone post something about tweaking their router. What I did was type in the name and model of my router followed with the words MagicJack Plus. It took me to a site that has the tweaks for the router that are supposed to take care of the problem.

[hp2008]

i have magic jack plus for two weeks ....i port my # to magic jack which help us to decide future plan with magicjack plus.....

1.i was able to fix time and date issue without any help from magic support just added one my contact

2.during busy time with everybody is using internet /netflix then magicjack phone is almost gone ....cannot hear people or have conversa...broken voice......

breaking voice issue (during peak time when we are home).....which i decided to port out phone back to my phone company.......

second issue.....cust service......donot hope much...

buy from walmart or radioshack....so can return in 30days....

it cost me to port in and port out......$51.....

thanks
hp

[dlong]

They could adjust it and give MJ customers who have time left a lesser amount. For instance, a customer with four years of paid service left on their old MJ could be given two years of service onto their new MJ+, in addition to the one year that they have to buy when they purchase the MJ+.

And then we would have to listen to all the bitching from those who had 4 years left and were only getting 2. And I can guarantee you it would happen.

I am surprised that they haven't done something. But then again, for a company that has a hard time chewing gum and walking at the same time, I guess I'm not surprised.

The simple answer? Prorate what each customer have left. If you paid $100 for 5 years (or $1.67/m). Now, if you have 4 years left then you have $80. For MJ+, at $30 per year, it is $2.50 per month. $80/$2.5 = 32 months on the new MJ+. If you have 8 months left then you have, $13 which then translates to 5 months of MJ+ (or if they were nice, round up to 6 months).

Instead of say, oh, we can't "move the money over". That is just plain dumb from a customer retention/word of mouth advertising/etc. I am certainly not going to buy an MJ+ now that I know about the NetTalk DUO. Actually, wouldn't even be using my MJ if MJ didn't sneak in the auto-renew some where along the line. I had to really search to find that sucker to turn it off. My MJ should expire soon, when it does, I'm gone!

-d

[bitstopjoe]

The simple answer? Prorate what each customer have left. If you paid $100 for 5 years (or $1.67/m). Now, if you have 4 years left then you have $80. For MJ+, at $30 per year, it is $2.50 per month. $80/$2.5 = 32 months on the new MJ+. If you have 8 months left then you have, $13 which then translates to 5 months of MJ+ (or if they were nice, round up to 6 months).

Instead of say, oh, we can't "move the money over". That is just plain dumb from a customer retention/word of mouth advertising/etc. I am certainly not going to buy an MJ+ now that I know about the NetTalk DUO. Actually, wouldn't even be using my MJ if MJ didn't sneak in the auto-renew some where along the line. I had to really search to find that sucker to turn it off. My MJ should expire soon, when it does, I'm gone!

-d

I guess when you start your own VOIP company you can do exactly that, right???

[c4yourself2]

I had to set the time and day in the wireless router, guess what, now have correct day time stamp on answering machine and hand sets.... duh...

Chuck

[Jcadig2]

Chuck said:
I have the latest firmware on MJ+ I put it on the day after it came out. I never tried MJ+ from the computer USB, I shut the computer off when I'm away from the house and overnight. Just on the phone tonight, it was cutting out, catching only parts of what the other party was saying..... I don't want to put it on the computer, that's not the product I bought... the good thing is, I don't get that many calls.... and still saving a ton of money.

Chuck: How did you install the MJ+ firmware update if it was not plugged into your computer? I found the installation instructions rather confusing because it was said that if you didn't want to use it with your computer, you just plugged in the ethernet and phone cords and plugged it into your electrical outlet, but then somewhere else, it said you had to register it first by plugging it into your computer. That's what I did. Could that be why mine won't work except when plugged into the computer USB?

[c4yourself2]

You have to plug the unit in any USB port on the computer for updates and also to register it, then simply unplug it from the USB port, after updating or registering it.

Then connect it to the wireless router (10/100 port looks like a phone jack only slightly bigger),house current and phone line (connected to your phone).

Call customer service for help if you are having problems.


Chuck

[Pablo123]

sorry but you cant call for help only chat.

[c4yourself2]

sorry but you cant call for help only chat.

I contacted them twice at the start of my journey, I guess it was the private chat room, thanks for the correction!

Chuck

[c4yourself2]

Just wanted to check in, all is well here, phone calls come and go, caller ID is very nice feature that I never had before (being a cheapsgate and all). Most calls are very acceptable, some are less then perfect, but keeping my eye on the check book balance.....

Would I buy magic jack again?
Yes, I'm saving real money...

Chuck

[FriskyKid]

My girlfriend in the Philippines may get an iPod Touch with Wi-Fi.

Can the MagicJack work on the iPod Touch with either the original MJ or the MJ+?

If there is an iOS app for this, can the iPod Touch work in someone else's Wi-Fi (open) or only your own with the MJ+ in your house?

Does the power adaptor on the MJ+ use 220V as well as 115V?

Can the MJ+ plug right into a wall internet jack, or does it have to go thru a router?

[Matt9876]

My girlfriend in the Philippines may get an iPod Touch with Wi-Fi.

Can the MagicJack work on the iPod Touch with either the original MJ or the MJ+?

If there is an iOS app for this, can the iPod Touch work in someone else's Wi-Fi (open) or only your own with the MJ+ in your house?

Does the power adaptor on the MJ+ use 220V as well as 115V?

Can the MJ+ plug right into a wall internet jack, or does it have to go thru a router?

Can the MagicJack work on the iPod Touch with either the original MJ or the MJ+?

It"s a downloadable app from the app store and works well via wi-fi on the Ipod touch,You can assign a number from a MJ or MJ+ to the app but once assigned it can;t be changed.

Does the power adaptor on the MJ+ use 220V as well as 115V?
YES.

Can the MJ+ plug right into a wall internet jack, or does it have to go thru a router?
Yes,but most use a router.

You must attach the the ear phone and mic to make the Ipod touch a phone, You must also turn on push notification for the MagicJack app to get incoming calls.

[c4yourself2]

Matt,

Thanks for answering the above post, I'm the 1st to admit that I'm not a techie on here.

Just posting my experience with the product, and it's still working...

Chuck