Ooma Linx Wireless Phone Jack for Ooma

As a current user of multiple Ooma Telos, and multiple Linx units, I’m very satisfied with the Linx performance. For years, I’ve been forced to keep a traditional land-line available for use with a fax machine. Ooma Linx is a game changer for me with that respect. More on that in my review. First things First – A Linx REQUIRES that you purchase an Ooma Telo and use the Ooma Phone Service. The Linx ties to the Telo,and uses the phone service from Ooma. Because it’s wireless, you don’t need to run phone lines everywhere. Because it’s digital-wireless, you get very good noiseless audio from the system. The Like the Ooma, the Linx has a phone jack which allows you to use traditional land-line type phones with it. These items can be answering machines, fax machines, corded phones, wireless phones, caller ID boxes, and possibly (although I have not tested this) devices like DirectTV boxes or TiVo boxes. In a nutshell, the Linx provides a remote wireless phone jack for your Ooma system.

Pros:
1. Wireless. Linx lets you have a phone jack virtually anywhere in your house without running cables.
2. Digital. the wireless communication between the Linx and the Telo is digital, meaning less noise, better range, better security.
3. Encrypted. While some equipment may be “digital”, not all equipment is encrypted. Linx uses DECT6.0 encryption. This means nobody can snoop or listen in on any of your calls.
4. Status light on unit. If it’s glowing blue, you are good to go, if not, you can determine what’s up by the color.
5. Fax machines WORK with Linx. There is a configuration – but they work great!
6. Existing traditional phone equipment works with the Linx.
7. VERY flexible configurations. I could go on and on about what Oomas benefits are but this is a review for the Linx!

Cons.
1. If you lose power,you lose your phone line. Ooma & Linx (and your internet as well) require power unlike traditional phone lines. I recommend connecting your internet equipment & ooma to a UPS (uninterruptable power supply).
2. In the pros, I list that a fax machine will work, and that is absolutely true. However, like modems, fax transmissions have evolved to take advantage of better phone lines and can now utilize faster phone line connection speeds than older fax machines could. When using a VoIP service such as Ooma or Vonage, you will not be able to use your fax machine at the fastest possible settings. It’s not a bad thing but it is something I should mention. I have had zero issues sending and receiving faxes using a newer type fax machine with Ooma, Just remember this if you are expecting the absolute highest speed from your fax. (If you want/need that, then stick with a traditional land-line – or use a service)

In a nutshell, I recommend the Ooma, the Linx, and the service for anyone who wants reliable, inexpensive, and flexible phone service without a traditional land line.

I normally wait awhile before writing a review, but thought I’d share early. So far it’s been good. Plug it in near the Ooma telo, press a butyon for 3 seconds and the Linx downloads any firmware updates and links with the Telo automatically. Take the Linx anywhere in the house, plug it into the wall and plug your phone and you have an extention.

The only reason for the 4 star rating is I bought 2 of these. The 2nd one keeps losing it’s link with the Telo. I’ve had to go through relinking a couple of times now. The 1st one hasn’t had a problem yet. When the Linx are working, they work great. Crisp sound that to me sounds better the the phone companys landline.

I waited a month before porting my number to the Ooma to make sure it’s working to my expectations. So far, it’s exceeded my expectations. Porting my landline number was a breeze an only took a couple if days. After I ported my number, I called the phone company to drop my landline. As a result, my phone company was going to nearly double the price of my DSL.

So, I took Leo Leporte’s advise and switched my DSL provider to DSL Extreme for less than I was paying the phone company. Before, I was paying just under $60/month for phone and DSL. Now I’m paying just under $30 a month ($24.95 for 3mb DSL + $3.75 for tax on Ooma). And everything is working great. Bye bye phone company! I should add that with my Roku streaming Netflix for $7.99 a month and my hdtv over the air TV, I have phone, internet and TV for under $40 / month.
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Updated Oct. 8, 2014: Bumping rating to 5 stars. Have had for over a year and a half and my Ooma is still going strong. Congress should get this. It might help with their communication problems.

……………..works just fine. I usually do not have high praise for products made in China because my experience has been that many, if not most, of the stuff I have purchased that was made in China is pure junk. Not all, but most. However I find no fault with this Ooma Linx so in the spirit of fairness I must give it 5 stars.

My main phone for many years stopped working when I switched from AT&T landline to U-verse voice and then to Ooma. The U-verse system put a loud hum on my home phone wiring which I cannot eliminate without eliminating other U-verse service. I really have missed that phone because of its excellent voice quality so when I spotted this Linx I decided to give it a shot even though it is quite pricey.

As usual, Amazon had this shipped in two days. The contents included the Linx and quite possibly the best Quick Start Guide I have ever seen. It is easy to read, right to the point, and contains superior illustrations. Those are the only two items that were in the box. No cable was included but my phone had a cable which worked perfectly so an additional cable was not necessary.

The initial step was to plug the Linx into a power outlet in order to link it to my Ooma Telo. After being plugged in the Linx started blinking with an amber color. I then pushed the “Page” key on my Telo and the Telo told me that it was linking. In a short time the Linx started blinking both amber and blue which meant that it was doing a software update. This took only a minute or two and the indicator turned a solid blue indicating that the Linx was all linked and ready for action. I moved the Linx to a power outlet near my old phone and plugged the phone cord into the phone jack on the Linx. The Linx did a couple of blinks and turned solid blue. I tried out the phone and it worked flawlessly.

The whole setup from unpacking to verifying the phone usage was just a matter of a few minutes, maybe 5 or so at the most. This is one fine gadget and although, as I mentioned previously, it is on the pricey side I am glad I made the purchase. Some day if the price comes down I will buy additional units but for now I am happy with what I have.

Update: 2/19/2013

This unit has died after just a couple of days so I changed the rating to one star. I am waiting to hear from Ooma and will update again when I do hear from them.

Update: 2/27/2013

I never received a reply from Ooma but Amazon came through as they always do. They sent a replacement immediately at no cost to me. I have installed the replacement and it is working perfectly so I changed the rating back to 5 stars.

It’s just what I like it to be