latest Mi-Fi type units (for SIM cards)
Nov 19, 2011, 10:05 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 389
latest Mi-Fi type units (for SIM cards)
Here is a link to the latest models by Novatel.
http://www.novatelwireless.com/index...d=19&Itemid=12
Can anyone report back on usage for international AND US
with one of the newer models?
Thanks!
http://www.novatelwireless.com/index...d=19&Itemid=12
Can anyone report back on usage for international AND US
with one of the newer models?
Thanks!
Nov 19, 2011, 10:57 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,151
Can't talk about international usage, but I've got a 4510 on Verizon, and it works great - with one major flaw.
Performance is great. I've used used it on both 3G and 4G and wouldn't say that I've noticed much difference in performance, although I haven't tried doing any form of speed tests on either network.
Battery is OK. Maybe 3-4 hours of continual use, although I've never run it down enough to be fully sure. Definitely makes it past the 2 hour mark without any issues.
Charging is the problem. It charges via a micro-USB connector from a plug pack or over USB, but when you're charging via USB connected to a computer it disables the device! No 3G/4G, no Wifi, no USB tethering! The moment it sees the computer on the other end of the cable it goes into firmware upgrade mode. There are solutions involving hacking the cable or buying a 'charge only' cable that has the data pins disconnected and shorted out so that it thinks it's connected to a plug pack rather than a computer, but the fact that have made it this way in the first place makes no sense to me...
Given the choice again I'd probably go with a different device that allows charging from USB whilst using it (and possibly even USB tethering), but other than that I'm happy with it for now.
Performance is great. I've used used it on both 3G and 4G and wouldn't say that I've noticed much difference in performance, although I haven't tried doing any form of speed tests on either network.
Battery is OK. Maybe 3-4 hours of continual use, although I've never run it down enough to be fully sure. Definitely makes it past the 2 hour mark without any issues.
Charging is the problem. It charges via a micro-USB connector from a plug pack or over USB, but when you're charging via USB connected to a computer it disables the device! No 3G/4G, no Wifi, no USB tethering! The moment it sees the computer on the other end of the cable it goes into firmware upgrade mode. There are solutions involving hacking the cable or buying a 'charge only' cable that has the data pins disconnected and shorted out so that it thinks it's connected to a plug pack rather than a computer, but the fact that have made it this way in the first place makes no sense to me...
Given the choice again I'd probably go with a different device that allows charging from USB whilst using it (and possibly even USB tethering), but other than that I'm happy with it for now.
Nov 20, 2011, 8:52 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NJ/NYC
Programs: AA EXP/LT Plat, SPG Plat/LT Plat, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Plat, IHG Plat, MR Silver
Posts: 2,786
Charging is the problem. It charges via a micro-USB connector from a plug pack or over USB, but when you're charging via USB connected to a computer it disables the device! No 3G/4G, no Wifi, no USB tethering! The moment it sees the computer on the other end of the cable it goes into firmware upgrade mode. There are solutions involving hacking the cable or buying a 'charge only' cable that has the data pins disconnected and shorted out so that it thinks it's connected to a plug pack rather than a computer, but the fact that have made it this way in the first place makes no sense to me...
Given the choice again I'd probably go with a different device that allows charging from USB whilst using it (and possibly even USB tethering), but other than that I'm happy with it for now.
Given the choice again I'd probably go with a different device that allows charging from USB whilst using it (and possibly even USB tethering), but other than that I'm happy with it for now.
Nov 20, 2011, 9:00 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: Fallen DL DM (PM) 2MM
Posts: 4,783
Nov 20, 2011, 11:12 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,151
Indeed! On a whim I went looking for new firmware last night, found the new version and upgraded to it.
You can now power the device via USB whilst using it, but it still doesn't charge the battery via USB whilst it's turned on. (Due, I'm presuming, to limited power being available?)
Still not perfect, but a good step forward over the previous firmware.
You can now power the device via USB whilst using it, but it still doesn't charge the battery via USB whilst it's turned on. (Due, I'm presuming, to limited power being available?)
Still not perfect, but a good step forward over the previous firmware.
Nov 21, 2011, 5:05 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: I 35 south bound, finally stopped
Programs: LT Plt, 4mm, *A GLD, burned out medical provider, executing our estate plan
Posts: 1,665
Nov 21, 2011, 6:54 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: PHL / NYC / PSA-BLQ
Programs: AA PPRO, Marriott/Hilton Gold, AMX-Plat, Global Entry
Posts: 3,109
I bought a mifi spot from Vodafone when I was in Italy earlier this month.
http://www.vodafone.it/190/trilogy/j...rnet_wifi_pack
Price is now up to E49 but when I bought it it was E29 - 3GB over 3 months (I was there for two weeks and burned through about 2GB). It's a contract but can be terminated with no penalty.
Am back now so I own the mifi (it's unlocked). Haven't used it in the States yet as I have a Clear 3G/4G but if I could find a reasonable priced paygo data SIM (non TMO because of the UMTS frequencies), I would probably get it for coverage backup.
http://www.vodafone.it/190/trilogy/j...rnet_wifi_pack
Price is now up to E49 but when I bought it it was E29 - 3GB over 3 months (I was there for two weeks and burned through about 2GB). It's a contract but can be terminated with no penalty.
Am back now so I own the mifi (it's unlocked). Haven't used it in the States yet as I have a Clear 3G/4G but if I could find a reasonable priced paygo data SIM (non TMO because of the UMTS frequencies), I would probably get it for coverage backup.