Difference between the MJ and the OBi202?

[Integraoligist]

Been using MJ for 2.5 years, over the last 1/2 year been using the MJ+
For some reason there is static on the line, calls getting dropped... this and that.
I have always used a Google Voice # for people to reach me by MJ or my Cell


Noticed someone talking about the OBi202 and using GV. But I can't find much info on it and am confused a little on their website.

So to my knowledge, you buy the OBi202 ($70) and setup GV on it. And thats it, no yearly fees, no restrictions, and when making a call out, the other person gets your GV # and not the # coming from the OBi. Is that right? Is there no yearly subscription like the MJ? Are there no issues with it as far as "overusage" and shutting down like the MJ?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!

[bitstopjoe]

Been using MJ for 2.5 years, over the last 1/2 year been using the MJ+
For some reason there is static on the line, calls getting dropped... this and that.
I have always used a Google Voice # for people to reach me by MJ or my Cell


Noticed someone talking about the OBi202 and using GV. But I can't find much info on it and am confused a little on their website.

So to my knowledge, you buy the OBi202 ($70) and setup GV on it. And thats it, no yearly fees, no restrictions, and when making a call out, the other person gets your GV # and not the # coming from the OBi. Is that right? Is there no yearly subscription like the MJ? Are there no issues with it as far as "overusage" and shutting down like the MJ?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!

The 202 might be overkill for you if all you want is to make calls via GV as the 202 also has a built in router and the ability to use 4 different sip's. The 110 has a port to hookup your landline phone, if you still have one, and answer either GV or your landline on the same phone. Whereas the 100 does not have this port is is slightly smaller. Both are cheaper than the 202. In fact there was just a sale on the 100 on Amazon for 39 bucks
Yes the person whom you call sees your GV number as the OBi number is more of an internal number per OBi device which allows one Obi user to call another without ANY sip at all.
Other than the cost of the OBi unit no addition per year cost ( unless GV starts charging)
Since NOTHING is unlimited anymore I would "assume" GV has a limit but I have yet to hear or read anyone complaining about it.

Hope this helps and there is a great forum for the OBi where one can read and learn a LOT. http://www.obitalk.com/forum/

[nailgunner]

I'm starting to sound like a shill.

But if you already have a MJ device, and are already using GV, I would maybe give the GVJack App a try.

You can try it for free, and if you like it can buy it for $20 and it is frequently on sale for less than that.

http://www.pcphonesoft.com/

[Integraoligist]

Yeah I seen this app and plan on using it for my house later on when this MJ+ expires... but for my business I need 2 lines, one voice line and one Fax line... and I've heard that only like 5% of MJ users are able to receive faxes... while this Obi202 device does 2 lines and apparently accepts faxes too.

No we dont have a landline and I was looking at the 100 version too but they said that the 202 has a lot more "fetchers" that haven't hit the spot light yet... so I assume they are going to come out with more options via software upgrades?

But anyway, the ability to accept the fax is a big thing for me, because MJ couldnt accept them I was going to get one of those Fax services, like $5/mo that receives a fax for you then emails it to you... but then I would have to print it out anyway so it's kind of redundant.

Problem I came across now is, I guess GV has issues with faxes too? I dont see how though, since the call connects isnt that all GV is used to do? Once it connects GV is finished? Why would it screw with a fax?

[VaHam]

Yeah I seen this app and plan on using it for my house later on when this MJ+ expires... but for my business I need 2 lines, one voice line and one Fax line... and I've heard that only like 5% of MJ users are able to receive faxes... while this Obi202 device does 2 lines and apparently accepts faxes too.

No we dont have a landline and I was looking at the 100 version too but they said that the 202 has a lot more "fetchers" that haven't hit the spot light yet... so I assume they are going to come out with more options via software upgrades?

But anyway, the ability to accept the fax is a big thing for me, because MJ couldnt accept them I was going to get one of those Fax services, like $5/mo that receives a fax for you then emails it to you... but then I would have to print it out anyway so it's kind of redundant.

Problem I came across now is, I guess GV has issues with faxes too? I dont see how though, since the call connects isnt that all GV is used to do? Once it connects GV is finished? Why would it screw with a fax?

One approach you may wish to consider involves using an OBi110 and NetTalk Duo and a second OBi device of your choice to connect with your voice telephone(s)

I have had great success using NetTalk Duo as a fax line and NetTalk also supports e911 which Google Voice does not. The downside of NetTalk like MJ is that there are call limits on both.

If you use an OBi110 for your fax then you can plug the NetTalk Duo into it as well and have both Google Voice and NetTalk support in the same device; although I would suggest configuring the OBi100 to route fax calls thru the NetTalk connected to the "phone" line of the OBi110.

A second OBi device of your choice 100/110/202 can be used to support voice phone(s) and their 911 calls routed to the OBi110 which is being used for fax, so that you phone system has direct support for e911 and good support for fax.

[cell14]

But anyway, the ability to accept the fax is a big thing for me, because MJ couldnt accept them I was going to get one of those Fax services, like $5/mo that receives a fax for you then emails it to you... but then I would have to print it out anyway so it's kind of redundant.

Problem I came across now is, I guess GV has issues with faxes too? I dont see how though, since the call connects isnt that all GV is used to do? Once it connects GV is finished? Why would it screw with a fax?

Google voice does not support fax.
However, Callcentric does. You can get currently a free incoming DID from NYC and you only pay the mandatory 911 charge of $ 1.50/month.

Here is my set up:
Obi 202
Line one : SP 1 Google voice
SP 2 ( **2 access) Google Voice
Line two : SP 3 Localphone with 3 incoming numbers US, Netherlands, Belgium
SP 4 (**4 access) Callcentric with free unlimited incoming US ( NYC area code)

Since neither GV nor Localphone support 911, 911 calls are routed through Callcentric.

If you do a lot of international calling you may consider this set up. You may also choose a different SIP provider as SP2 instead of second GV.

BTW, I donated my fax to Vietnam veterans. No need to use this technology these days.

[Integraoligist]

thanks guys for the new options...

BTW, I donated my fax to Vietnam veterans. No need to use this technology these days.

ah, yeah I would like to do that as well... i've been trying to figure out other alternatives to using a fax. These orders that I will be receiving are only 1 page, but I can't seem to find anyway around getting a fax.

[nailgunner]

i've been trying to figure out other alternatives to using a fax. These orders that I will be receiving are only 1 page, but I can't seem to find anyway around getting a fax.

Obviously not sure what your client's technology level is at. But if they have figured out a fax machine, most should be able to scan the page and send it to you in a PDF file via email. The upside is the quality is about 99% better.

[black_icon]

I agree with your point nailgunner. A big hand to that...

[SteveHC]

As far as I know, the MJ+ device - at least when connected directly to one's router or modem - is fully fax-compatible. I don't know of *anyone* who's been using it successfully for voice calls and who's also connected it to a fax machine that's had it fail at sending or receiving faxes.

Personally, I don't bother with a fax machine at all - I've been using eFax (for people and businesses that didn't have email access) successfully and reliably for years now, but these days so many people, businesses and service providers have email that I can probably dump eFax and just use PDF file attachments as at least one other person has already mentioned... works great, especially if you have Adobe Photoshop or any other program that allows you to edit pre-existing pdf files. I can't even remember the last time I actually used my eFax account, so I just might not renew it this time around.