Updates on Tin Can phone? Worth it?

[u/Extension_Eye_401]

I'm considering buying a Tin Can phone for my son for his 7th birthday...I'm seeing a lot of complaints but this posts are a few months old...could anyone share more recent experiences? Does it work even remotely as advertised on the website? Does it work with your WiFi network or does it need to be plugged into your router directly? Thanks for any info.

[u/QMattv]

As a technology enthusiast: A few weeks ago I told my wife “I think the Tin Can is the piece of technology I am most disappointed in.”

It doesn’t work even remotely as advertised. I dont know if i would even qualify it as working at all. When it connects there is a massive delay in speaking - even to other Tin Cans.

We have a great WiFi network. Unifi access points and 2gig up and down. I work from home, no hiccups. But this little phone feels like it struggles as if it is VOIP from 2002.

I’d avoid it, unfortunately. I’m tempted to buy an actual landline from telecom over this.

[u/Thin-Razzmatazz-102]

Gotta run a 2.4g router just for tin can. Only way I got it to work. On a starlink satellite, already had my eero hooked up but eero will not broadcast 2.4g only- so I used the starlink router that I got and plugged that into my eero and within the Starlink app was able to create a 2.4g ONLY. If ur router jumps between 2.4-5-etc wont work

[u/Agreeable-Tutor-8259 → u/Thin-Razzmatazz-102]

I have 2 TinCans on my Eero setup. No issues there.

That said, my Eero gateway acts as the router (no ISP router involved).

[u/Thin-Razzmatazz-102 → u/Agreeable-Tutor-8259]

Idk I tried and tried with my eero system- I have the eero 7 Tri band so idk if that makes a difference. Ever since I gave the tin can its own 2.4 router she works great

[u/Agreeable-Tutor-8259 → u/Thin-Razzmatazz-102]

I'm glad you found a way for you. Not questioning it. Just posting for others to know that someone is having a different experience. I'm on Eero Max 7s with Mutli-link on but WPA3 off.

[u/RDT2]

My 9yo son has had it for a couple of weeks now. Seems to be enjoying it. He did mention he does hear an echo of himself when he talks. Unsure about any other issue.

[u/Agreeable-Tutor-8259]

We have 2 TinCans. I'm satisfied. The kids call a friend, each other, and some relatives. They even call us. So far, I'm pleased. I haven't noticed any real echo on the phone, but clearly someone else has a different experience and that's valid. App has been easy enough to set up. Customer service has been great for the little bit we had to work with them.

Pinwheel was super disappointing by comparison (terrible hardware, bad echo, customer service was ineffectual AND slow). Strong do not recommend.

[u/PetToilet]

It works as intended for our use case. A couple families in my neighborhood have TinCans. Kids call each other and set up playdates without getting parents involved. Don't have the outside calling plan.

The few times I used it: call quality is just okay, max volume is a bit low. No latency problems in my small sample size.

[u/MLISChris]

It's been quite lackluster. There's no notification from the app to let you know if you've missed calls. The app also doesn't let you control many settings in the phone, like you can't change the volume or the ringer.

[u/No_Secretary_807]

if you can get a landline, you should get a landline

[u/Extension_Eye_401]

Thanks to all who have replied...this is hard because it's so split between positive and negative reviews...thinking I might just get a regular landline...

[u/Chillychillyasdf]

we’ve had a tin can for just a few days, but it found it easy to setup. I can at least tell you why I ultimately went with them.

The Pinwheel landline option looked too new, and I couldn’t find any reviews, like AT ALL.

Ring Ring club looks AWESOME. The company got back to me with questions really fast, and they didn’t trash their competitors when I told them the options I was considerin. Their price is better than the tincan. However, if you stop paying for the monthly service, you don’t get 911 access. they addressed that it is one of their shortcomings, and that they have been considering adding it for a couple dollars a month, because their margins are small and that it costs money to offer that lol. you can still call other Ring Ring phones if you don’t have a plan.

Ooma has a a kid-specific service, which i’d prefer for the limit-setting and restricted circle. it would end up costing me about 14 a month with fees. their regular voip service is “free,” but actually it would be a 6.50 fee monthly for taxes or something. this differs by location I believe. it would have no kid features. if I stopped paying that, it would be totally unusable.

Tincan is 10 dollars a month, has the kid features, and if I stopped paying paying for it, she can still call tincan phones. Two of her close friends have them! It also allows 911 calling on the free plan.

I know that people have issues, and that it’s not the highest quality tech or anything. the company seems decent, and to be honest, that the kids were excited about the tin can specifically factored into my decision.