Customer Reviews

GE 96595 InstaJack for Phones

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I bought this product because I needed a phone in my family room, which is really an enclosed patio without electrical wiring in the walls. I actually first bought the Radio Shack branded product, which I returned becuase it picked up too much static and stopped working after a couple of hours. After getting the GE product, I looked at the back panel and found out that it, the Radio Shack and the RCA product are all identical except for branding.

Both the Radio Shack and GE products worked perfectly when first hooked up. The Radio Shack product did not come with a manual, so after I returned it and got the GE product I read the manual and learned that they cannot be used with an extension cord. I hooked up the GE product directly to an outlet with high hopes one night.

The next morning, the static made the extension line useless. By the afternoon, I could not get a dial tone off either the base unit or the extension. Worse than that, every other phone in my house, not even attached to the product, lost their dial tone! Unplugging and resetting the units only solved the problems for all phones for a day or less. I experimented, and found that the problem was that I ran my phone line in and out of my computer. Luckily, I have a cable modem and only used my dial up as an emergency backup, so I was able to disconnect the phone line from the computer.

Although the product now works fine, I cannot give it the full 5 stars because (1) the product is fussy and the manual does not provide all fixes, and (2) I doubt the product will work when I switch to DSL and need to connect my phone line to the DSL modem. For that reason, I will actually return the product this week. I would hate to spend [the money]now, only to trash the system when I switch to DSL.

I purchased this item hoping I could use it to get my DirecTivo talking with the mother-ship again after I moved to a new house that had no phone jacks near the TV area. I followed the simple instructions to set it up and was able to get a dial tone (with little to no static), but the DirecTV Tivo failed to connect every time it dialed in. A quick call to the DirecTV support people revealed that this unit is not compatible with their service. In fact, only 3 wireless phone jack replicators are. One of them is the Belkin F8V1027, also available from Amazon (ASIN: B0000CG4GF -- Amazon used to have a way to recommend items instead of this one, but I can't find it now, so plug the ASIN into Amazon's search and you should get the item).

I'd recommend that you buy the Belkin version even if you're not using it for DirecTV. The Belkin version is less expensive and provides superior functionality. Specifically, it's Caller ID compatible, whereas the GE version is not (the GE works with Caller ID phones, but does not display the incoming numbers). So, save some bucks, and get a better product: buy the Belkin.

This product was purchased after finding several that were well over ($). It was as easy as implied. You just plug it in and you are done. I plan on purchasing another one for my mother soon and have definately spread the word to others about the great value this InstaJack phone is.

For all you out there trying to decide if the GE Instajack is worth buying--
I've used one for years, virtually without trouble. Can't even remember when I got it, it was so long ago (at least 8 years). It occasionally goes off line, but it's a simple matter to just unplug the main unit, hit the reset button, and find the dialtone restored. I was really happy to learn the product is still available, and plan to purchase another one. I figure it's gotta fail sometime...

We purchased the GE-Instajack believing it would solve our want of jacks problem as it claimed to be as good as regular jack and was caller ID compatible. However, what we found out was that: (a) if you talked longer than 30 seconds (through all the static), the phone would go dead; and (b) after calling the manufacturer complaining about this and the fact that caller ID was not working, were told the claim "caller ID compatible" just meant that a phone with caller ID will operate on the system but the caller ID function will not work --pretty misleading if you ask me. They gave us tips on resetting the units but it never worked for us. Anyway, we took care of the problem by paying the phone company to come out and install a real phone jack... - something we were trying to avoid (and save money) by purchasing the GE Instajack. -Not worth the frustration!

There is no mention as to how this product works with dial-up. This is because the results may vary. My results? Nada. Zip. I get a dial tone, but nothing more. My phone works, sure. But I can't get on the Internet. I'm going back to my 50' phone cord draped across the living room floor because this puppy is GOING BACK.

I have had this item for 3 years and have never had any problems. setup was as easy as plugging it in. I have had it connected to phones, modems and currently a Tivo. No problems with any devices, a great product.

Bought this unit specifically for use with a TIVO unit I had recently installed. Followed the instructions that accompanied the unit and it worked immediately. I've never had a problem with it and have been using it now for several months.

I've owned InstaJack setups twice in my life, and have never experienced any problem with them. The tech info specifically states the units work by sending signals over your AC electrical lines, not by infrared or line of sight - at least not with the units I have purchased. I've never had any problem with distance or "corners." I'm using it now on my all-in-one fax/copy/scanner. I do have to turn off my phone answering machine on the main line, but I use the fax seldom and this doesn't present a problem to me. My house is relatively new but the phone jacks are not active in every room, although they are present. InstaJack solves the "phone company install-activation" problem at over $60 per jack (robbery!). After plug-in is completed, press the reset button on the main (two-input) unit first - a green light comes on. Then go to the second unit (one input) and press the reset button there. This green light will blink, signifying it has connected with the main unit and is OK. Everythings works from that point forward - it's that simple. It's been my experience that "noise" over a phone line is interference generated by a number of sources, such as fluorescent lights, wall wart transformers, or unshielded electrical items. Try to ensure your InstaJack is plugged into a dedicated circuit and not with a bunch of other stuff - also note how close it may be to anything that can generate interference. Otherwise, I'm perfectly satisfied with my units.

I've owned this product for several weeks. The setup instructions weren't great, but I was able to figure out how to make it work. I've tried using it in several different rooms and have the same trouble in every room.. there's an annoying "buzz" for every phone I've tried with it. There are no suggestions in the booklet as to what might be wrong. Overall, I'm not impressed. I don't think it's worth the price. Consider your other options before you buy this one.