Customer Reviews

Phonex PX-441 Wireless Jack System for Modems

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I actually bought this "extension" to use with my computer and fax software. Having cable internet service and no phone jack close to my machine, this was an excellent alternative to running a "hard line." The connection is just fine for voice and fax - it works perfectly, (@ about 20 feet in my situation). However, I found it's not too great for internet service. My cable recently went out and I decided to use my dial up temporarily until the cable service was back on-line. Although I have a 56K modem, the fastest it would connect was 19~20K. The wireless jack certainly worked in a pinch as I was able to retrieve email, but as a primary setup, it falls a bit short of the MFG claims.

Once connected, this unit resulted in so much static on the line, that my Tivo could not successfully make its nightly call to download new guide information.

After lots of testing, I found that the unit simply would not work unless it was within about 10-15 feet of the base unit. An amazingly short distance for a device such as this.

I then headed down to the best buy and picked up the RCA version of this device and it has worked flawlessly. An interesting note here - both devices appear to be identical as far as their guts are concerned. In fact, the instructions for both items were identical - the exact same words used on every page.

I am not sure why there was such a difference in performance (perhaps I just got one that was off a bit), but I would suggest you think twice on this item. I was able to return it but had to pay all shipping costs - something you don't have to do if you need to return it to the local store.

I have a Tivo in a room without a phone jack, and had spent the better part of a year with a cord draped through several rooms while my husband and I procrastinated rewiring the house. Stumbled across this product and my problem was solved! Setup was super easy, and it worked instantly. The price was right too ...I have heard tell that some people who've used this kind of device for the telephone have had more static on the line than they would on a hard line, but for Tivo purposes, it works like a charm (and honestly it didn't sound bad when I plugged a phone into it either, though I didn't make an actual call). No more messy cord!

I bought the Phonex under the Belkin name brand for my parent's computer. The speed usually connects at 34-36 kbps. Which for my taste is slow, but for email and simple web browsing is probably acceptable. I don't know if the wiring makes much of a difference, but their home is at least 15 years old.

Installation was easy. I had it up and working in minutes.

Had a interesting problem when my son accidentally reset the code on the base unit. I couldn't figure out why it wouldn't work. (Of course I didn't have the manual anymore) Belkin's website was no help. Phonex says reset without any instruction. RCA's website was more helpful. If you are getting interference, you may want to reset both units, first the base, then the extension. Do this by pressing the little recessed button on the side with a pen/pencil.

This device is not perfect. You can't get a perfect dial tone in every situation. But you can alter the envirement and make it flawless.

What I've found is that if there is any power hunger device nearby - computer, lamp, tv, etc - it distorts the signal. However, you only need to worry about proximity to electronics with the reciever, not the base.

Here's my setup: I got Voice over IP, so my phone line goes through my router. I have the base station in my room, and my VoIP phone line goes into the base station. The reciever is in the basement, attached to a power line that comes directly off the circuit breaker so it gets a strong signal. Down there, the phone line conects to all the phones in the house so all the outlets run off voice over IP.

Again - in my situation, the signal is great. Just make sure it will fit yours.

Bought this in the hopes I could use it as the phone connection for TIVO. It works perfectly!

This is a great inexpensive solution if your satellite receiver is caller id ready and a phone line is not close to your television.

This is exactly what I was looking for. I did not have a phone jack by my Tivo and had put off buying one. I was able to install this in about 10 minutes...it only took this long because I put the transmitter upstairs...and it still worked fine.

I just moved into a 3 bedroom house with only 2 phone jacks.
I needed a jack in my office so I called the phone company.
The guy told me that it would cost me at least $350.00 bucks
to get 2 jacks installed because the phone company charges $30 bucks every 15 minutes and a $135 just to come to your house.
So before I did that, I decided to try this wireless jack system. Much to my surprise it works and it works great! I'm using right now. So if you need a phone jack for your pc,
get this one. It saved me a lot of time and money.

I bought this item when I bought my direcTV system with tivo. Standalone Tivo's can be home networked with your broadband connections so it didn't used to matter that there was no phone line nearby...but DirecTV has not enabled that functionality yet so you have to have the receiver plugged into the phone line.

Was very pleased with this product...works fantastic in this application.