50 replies to this topic

[jonerich]

Now that my husband is in Zacatecas he put cable in along with the internet and phone. I purchased another Majicjack and now we use the computers to talk. It has saved us a bundle in phone charges plus he can call anytime instead of waiting until he gets somewhere his cell phone works. He now longer has to put credit on his mom's phone. It works well.

i think skype is much better been using it for like 5 years i have a number and you get unlimited calling us canada and mex and 32 diff countries for 88bucks a year if you want just us and canada its 50 or you can get the mexican plan check it out at WWW.skype.com computer to computer is free plus free video calls i use the sony mylo www.sony.com so wherever you are in a wifi you can call it also has mp3 player video player and still camera uploads and donwloads its like a mini computer inyour pocket!!!!peace

[Scooby]

MJ isn't worth the headache. I got less than 6 months use from the device before having it quit. When it "worked", it didn't function well. I suppose I got my $40 worth but not the extra 40 to 60 usd in international calls (mostly MX). I admit that I was (& still am) attracted to the fact of be able to use a regular phone. It's not worth it though.

I'm more sold on Skype now. One doesn't have to buy a little unreliable device nor always even need a computer (Skype-to-go).
My calculations are similar to jonerich:
For less than $100 usd/year, you've reliable unlimited calls through the US & Canada (& discounted MX calls) with a phone number. Or you can pay it quaterly or ....?
I you don't like using your pc's softphone nor leaving the pc on, I'd suggest this:
Philips VOIP3211 - Cordless Dual Phone @ http://shop.skype.co...l/en-ca/phones/
Fry's had it last week discounted for $40 usd.

I've the older model which costed me more than $150.

[Scooby]

As I mentioned above, MJ's attraction for some of us is it's capability to allow users to utilize their regular old-style land-line phone (now known as a "PSTN" type phone using an RJ-11 cable which is the same old-fashioned phone cord/line/wire/etc). Now Skype has that capability also with a unit called "D-Link DPH-50U Skype USB Phone Adapter" seen & read about here: http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=466

I've just installed this unit for testing and it does seem to work. How well though, time will tell.

The down side is that it requires your computer to be on.
The upside of this downside is that if you have the following type router (seen here: http://www.dlink.com...?pid=530&sec=0),
then it can be connected to it's USB port in which it then will become a "router phone" similar to the one pictured in my last post.

Some hustlers on Ebay will try to you a router phone, but will call it a "Wifi phone" which is incorrect.
This is a Skype wifi phone:

This I've tested and don't really like it. Reception is intermittent.
Also, these type of phones need to have an easy to use wi-fi detector which distinguishes between lock and unlocked networks.

[jonerich]

As I mentioned above, MJ's attraction for some of us is it's capability to allow users to utilize their regular old-style land-line phone (now known as a "PSTN" type phone using an RJ-11 cable which is the same old-fashioned phone cord/line/wire/etc). Now Skype has that capability also with a unit called "D-Link DPH-50U Skype USB Phone Adapter" seen & read about here: http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=466

I've just installed this unit for testing and it does seem to work. How well though, time will tell.

The down side is that it requires your computer to be on.
The upside of this downside is that if you have the following type router (seen here: http://www.dlink.com...?pid=530&sec=0),
then it can be connected to it's USB port in which it then will become a "router phone" similar to the one pictured in my last post.

Some hustlers on Ebay will try to you a router phone, but will call it a "Wifi phone" which is incorrect.
This is a Skype wifi phone:

This I've tested and don't really like it. Reception is intermittent.
Also, these type of phones need to have an easy to use wi-fi detector which distinguishes between lock and unlocked networks.

hello ive used the dlink box in my house hooked up to a set of regular Panasonic cordless phones and worked alrightwth the ocasional freeze but no big deal you are basically making free phone calls!!!! i will say that the skype phone you have pictured is junk i use the sony mylo here is the sony link:sony style

and also here is a pretty good review of the device they come in white and black:Review



You will not regret the 199.00 best money i ever spent i get free wifi at mcdonalds, starbucks ,barnes and nobles ,and any open wifi hotspot these days theres wifi everywhere i hardly ever in a spot where i cant go make a call or just scan and find a open network HEHE i bought mine on ebay the latest firmware update includes a video camera but the thing that separates this device from others is the ability to authenticate threw a browser witch this has and it has a hotspot finder for warwalking etc AND A NETWORK PROGRAM WHERE YOU CAN SCAN AND EDIT SSIDS AND PASSWORDS also with full browser plays flash, mp4,avi **youtube **so this is the senario your out you shoot a video and you can upload it directly to youtube how cool is that!!!etc mp3 player movie player still and video camera u can upload and download files games supports a 16 gig sony pro dou memory stick the device itself is 1 gig its really everything you need right in your pocket used it for 3 years and today i dropped it in my pool slid off my leg across the deck and plop going to let it dry and see if she survived but if no i will buy another one for sure.
peace
jonerich
ps anyone that needs some tech support on anything computers related or fta satellite feel free!!

[Scooby]

........ i will say that the skype phone you have pictured is junk ........

Which device are you saying the is junk, the Netgear wifi phone or the Philips cordless ?

I've discovered that the performance of the D-link device with my Uniden "PSTN" phone was mixed. Skype to Skype worked fine.
Skype to landline had my connection severed several times on the same call.
Could also have been just web or network problems at those moments.

Thanks for the Mylo info. Definitely looks like something more to my liking.
Wish I knew of it a few years ago. Fry's obviously doesn't have everything.
Wonder if any stores around SD would stock them.

[jonerich]

Which device are you saying the is junk, the Netgear wifi phone or the Philips cordless ?

I've discovered that the performance of the D-link device with my Uniden "PSTN" phone was mixed. Skype to Skype worked fine.
Skype to landline had my connection severed several times on the same call.
Could also have been just web or network problems at those moments.

Thanks for the Mylo info. Definitely looks like something more to my liking.
Wish I knew of it a few years ago. Fry's obviously doesn't have everything.
Wonder if any stores around SD would stock them.

scooby wuts up with the dlink you should forward ports through you router and also you can get the mylos from sony now for 149.00!!!! i cant believe it i have to order another one because although after i dropped mine in the pool it does power up and amazinglig everthing works but the touch screen so i backup all my stuff did a hard reset thinking it might solve the problem now it stuck on the screen calibration screen OUCH!!! you will really like this device then you can hit up all those free wifi spots in tj HAHA

[Scooby]

scooby wuts up with the dlink you should forward ports through you router and also you can get the mylos from sony now for 149.00!!!! i cant believe it i have to order another one because although after i dropped mine in the pool it does power up and amazinglig everthing works but the touch screen so i backup all my stuff did a hard reset thinking it might solve the problem now it stuck on the screen calibration screen OUCH!!! you will really like this device then you can hit up all those free wifi spots in tj HAHA

Maybe you didn't notice, but this D-link device connect to the web though a USB port only.
Most routers don't have USB ports that I know of except for the one I mentioned above
or
use an RJ45 ethernet port to USB type of adapter (do they exist ?).
I really wanted to try it out via the router to bypass all the BS the computer includes.
The D-Link DPH-50U Skype USB Phone Adapter device must have your computers Skype software installed with it's softphone open in order to work.

Wow, $150 for the Mylo device sounds very reasonable. The two Skype wifi phone (Belkin or Netgear) are both over $125 and they hardly do anything !
The question is, when will these devices make coffee.

Btw, I just checked Fry's and they do have it (at least online). They never told me they had other Skype phones when I inquired.
Whatever. Besides, they want $299.

Sorry about the soak job with your toy. My dig camera recently had it's extra batteries go through a wash & dry machines as they sat forgotten in my trouser pockets.
They still work though.

[jonerich]

Maybe you didn't notice, but this D-link device connect to the web though a USB port only.
Most routers don't have USB ports that I know of except for the one I mentioned above
or
use an RJ45 ethernet port to USB type of adapter (do they exist ?).
I really wanted to try it out via the router to bypass all the BS the computer includes.
The D-Link DPH-50U Skype USB Phone Adapter device must have your computers Skype software installed with it's softphone open in order to work.

Wow, $150 for the Mylo device sounds very reasonable. The two Skype wifi phone (Belkin or Netgear) are both over $125 and they hardly do anything !
The question is, when will these devices make coffee.

Btw, I just checked Fry's and they do have it (at least online). They never told me they had other Skype phones when I inquired.
Whatever. Besides, they want $299.

Sorry about the soak job with your toy. My dig camera recently had it's extra batteries go through a wash & dry machines as they sat forgotten in my trouser pockets.
They still work though.

sorry i was talking about ports forwarded through you router for the program skype 1743 FOR INCOMING AND ALSO WOULD FORWARD PORT 443 i would just order from sony the thing is kick ass ive used it in costa rica bahamas florida chicago etc smaller then a laptop and does the same stuff and fits in your pocket!! also working on the coffee hack sys+ctrl=c
peace

[ElNegrito]

It appears Magicjack VoIP telephone service may be a good fit for those living in Tijuana.


If anybody has any "hands on" experience with Magicjack I'd appreciate a review.  Thanks.

We have been using Magic Jack for three months. It works great as long as you are not downloading a bunch of things at the same time. But I probably need to upgrade my speed with Telnor. The only drawback for me is that I can't access conference call lines and the computer must be on. I have had Vonage in the past and you don't need to have the computer on and it works with conference call lines. For the price, Magic Jack can't be beat.

[Daniel]

Magic Jack works well for my calls to/from the U.S. $20.00 a year is hard to beat, but it isn't a good fit for Mexican numbers. I checked out Skype's North America Plan. The rates seem worse than using my pre-paid Telcel to call within Tijuana and Movistar for long distance calls within Mexico.

http://www.skype.com...SubscriptionTab
Rate's for Skype's North American Plan
"Unlimited Mexico subscription also includes discounted rates to Mexico, outside of Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.
--4¢ per minute to landlines
--20¢ per minute to cell phones"

Most of my Mexican calls are to Tijuana cell phones--not to landlines in Skype's free cities of Monterrey, Gudalajara, and DF.
Is there something I missed while reading Skype's ad because 20¢ per minute doesn't look like a bargain ?

[bajashrink]

We have been using Magic Jack for three months. It works great as long as you are not downloading a bunch of things at the same time. But I probably need to upgrade my speed with Telnor. The only drawback for me is that I can't access conference call lines and the computer must be on. I have had Vonage in the past and you don't need to have the computer on and it works with conference call lines. For the price, Magic Jack can't be beat.

I've had MajicJack for about 6 months now. I've noticed that it tends not to work very well calls-wise when my anti-virus program does its automatic update download, which normally is no more than a few minutes a couple of times per day.

Last week I couldn't access the voicemail. Every time I dialed it, it would just hang up. After a couple of days, I logged onto the MajicJack website and ended up chatting live with a service rep online. She said that the VM needed to be reset, which she did remotely and promptly. I was then able to access the VM without any further problems.

After the service rep and I disconnected, a questionaire popped up on the screen requesting that I rate the customer service. I gave it an "excellent".

Line reception is always good otherwise, and like others have said, you can't beat the price for what you get.