Jupiter Jack is advertised as a small electronic accessory can be attached to any cell phone and any stereo system in any car, promising hands free wireless calls. This sounds like a great idea, as many states now prohibit hands-on cell phone use while driving. As smart consumers, we want to know if it keeps this promise.
The initial set-up seems easy enough; simply attach Jupiter Jack to your phone, set your radio to 99.3 FM and you’re all set. No messing around with hands-free kits, Bluetooth devices, or other such gadgets. When a call comes in, simply hit the answer button on your phone and talk. The whole conversation takes place over your car’s speaker system.
The dashboard mount allows easy, convenient and safe access while driving. Some customers have reported that they have even been able to play music from their MP3 players through their car stereo using this accessory, or while at home through other devices.
That all sounds great! So, what about performance? Well, unfortunately, we find more negative than positive reviews. There seem to be several major issues that need resolving.
The first concern is finding a recommended radio station setting that is not broadcasting on air. If a local area broadcast is occurring on the recommended station setting, it cannot be used to carry call. Initially, the manufacturer recommended connecting only through FM radio frequency, 99.3. More recently, they have added 88.3 FM, 89.3 FM and between 99.3 and 101.3 FM as a suitable range of frequencies, providing for plenty of opportunities to find an unused frequency.
However, if your stereo is tuned to a currently broadcasting station, the device will be rendered useless, calls will be missed, and you may not even know when a call is coming in. This can be a real problem for those of us who enjoy listening to music or talk radio on a favorite station while driving. Perhaps, if you have the correct preferred frequency set on a quick access button on your stereo, you will be able to switch over in time to take your call, provided you know there is one.
Further, complaints of undue noise, squealing, static, interference, low volume and choppiness are aplenty. There are even reports of being able to hear what is assumed to be another nearby user’s conversations, leading to the conclusion that they most probably hear yours as well.
Keep in mind that any interference, whether it is another’s conversation, or interference, will be broadcasted over your car’s stereo speakers. This might call for some quick action on the part of a driver with young children in the car, which could tend to make the use of the Jupiter Jack more of a liability on the road than holding onto your cell phone while talking.
Moreover, while the manufacturer states that the device is compatible with all cell phones, however, an adapter is necessary in for use with Blackberry, and that incompatibility carries over to other brands, including Sony, Ericson, and more.
Finally, if you expect to have a private conversation, and you have passengers in the car, well, obviously that will not be possible.
Thankfully, this all comes with a guarantee. Simply return the entire package for any reason within 30 days and get a refund (less shipping and handling). Of course you need to return it in working condition with its original packaging. In my opinion, it would be well worth your while to save all original packing materials and documentation until you are sure that this device will work with your phone, and to your satisfaction.
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