EVDO - card or USB modem?
May 26, 2009 | 6:26 pm
#16
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Did you sign up for a 2 yr contract?
"I had an older Verizon USB modem, the USB720. I upgraded and decided to get the MiFi rather than the USB760. It literally was delivered to my office today and is charging. I will install it tonight. What do you see as the drawbacks to the MiFi? For me, it was only the lack of international use, but I do have a 3 USB modem for the UK and most other places I end up using WiFi rather than broadband because of the horrific costs."
I looked at this review:http://www.evdoinfo.com/content/view/2783/179/ and want to have flexibility for the future, as this version is only for Verizon. Also, the fact that the Wifi turns off when it's tethered to the computer via USB would be a problem for access by other computers. Also the 30ft range is very limited for me, & the lack of a jack for a booster antenna totally doesn't work for me.
It certainly looks compact & useful for the purposes that it's specifically designed for, but I think it's too limited for my needs.
"I had an older Verizon USB modem, the USB720. I upgraded and decided to get the MiFi rather than the USB760. It literally was delivered to my office today and is charging. I will install it tonight. What do you see as the drawbacks to the MiFi? For me, it was only the lack of international use, but I do have a 3 USB modem for the UK and most other places I end up using WiFi rather than broadband because of the horrific costs."
I looked at this review:http://www.evdoinfo.com/content/view/2783/179/ and want to have flexibility for the future, as this version is only for Verizon. Also, the fact that the Wifi turns off when it's tethered to the computer via USB would be a problem for access by other computers. Also the 30ft range is very limited for me, & the lack of a jack for a booster antenna totally doesn't work for me.
It certainly looks compact & useful for the purposes that it's specifically designed for, but I think it's too limited for my needs.
May 26, 2009 | 6:38 pm
#17
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For my situation, do you think it makes sense for me to go the USB/Cradlept. router 'route' -- as I discussed in my earlier post? I'm really wanting to make sure that I'm not overlooking any other options available to me.
May 26, 2009 | 8:00 pm
#18
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Yes, we did. I still have 3 weeks to return it, but it is unlikely that I will. I do agree that the one thing that annoys me the most is tethering shuts off the WIFI. I never even thought about the Ethernet jack. To make something this small work as well as it has for me, there have to be design compromises.
As far as being a locked down device goes, I have fallen into that trap we often do with technology. As much as I loved whatever cell phone I have gotten at contract time, only once has a device survived renewal. Since the MIFI is a company provided device, I am afraid I have regarded the $100 as disposable, like my Treo. We live in a disposable world.
If it makes you feel any better, my car is 9 years old and has 120,000 mi. on it.
PT
As far as being a locked down device goes, I have fallen into that trap we often do with technology. As much as I loved whatever cell phone I have gotten at contract time, only once has a device survived renewal. Since the MIFI is a company provided device, I am afraid I have regarded the $100 as disposable, like my Treo. We live in a disposable world.
If it makes you feel any better, my car is 9 years old and has 120,000 mi. on it.
PT
May 26, 2009 | 8:44 pm
#19
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I hear ya, as far as the life of the device vs. the contract length. For me, my cell phone will still get much more use than the USB modem, but I appreciate that technology just changes so quickly w/new products coming out all the time. I'm already dealing w/the 'disposable' issue w/my computers!
Sounds like the MiFi is the right device for you -- good luck w/it!
Sounds like the MiFi is the right device for you -- good luck w/it!
May 26, 2009 | 9:06 pm
#20
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I love the MiFi - but you are right that it has limitations you won't be able to get around. The lack of an antenna connector is one of them -the USB/tethering issue is annoying, but since I don't share my connection with anyone else, I don't mind it.
Cradlepoint routers rock, and so does the MiFi, I just see them being aimed at different audiences.
That said - it would not surprise me if we see a Cradlepoint with integrated modem soon...
May 26, 2009 | 9:14 pm
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May 27, 2009 | 7:20 am
#22
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Posting from a commuter train with my MiFi now. I love it. Very compact. I turned it on and tossed it in my briefcase, then got out my MB Air and logged connected. A simple, streamlined solution.
Activation on the other hand was for some reason a bear. I was online with VZW tech support and account support for well over an hour. I finally got disconnected and was able to sort it out myself by trial and error. Still not sure why it happened but it is fine now. The tech support guy acknowledged they have had training but I was his first customer with one and also I had a Mac. The problem was it kept was that it kept wanting to activate as a new device each time I used it. In any case, resolved now and working great.
Activation on the other hand was for some reason a bear. I was online with VZW tech support and account support for well over an hour. I finally got disconnected and was able to sort it out myself by trial and error. Still not sure why it happened but it is fine now. The tech support guy acknowledged they have had training but I was his first customer with one and also I had a Mac. The problem was it kept was that it kept wanting to activate as a new device each time I used it. In any case, resolved now and working great.
May 27, 2009 | 12:14 pm
#23
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Posting from a commuter train with my MiFi now. I love it. Very compact. I turned it on and tossed it in my briefcase, then got out my MB Air and logged connected. A simple, streamlined solution.
Activation on the other hand was for some reason a bear. I was online with VZW tech support and account support for well over an hour. I finally got disconnected and was able to sort it out myself by trial and error. Still not sure why it happened but it is fine now. The tech support guy acknowledged they have had training but I was his first customer with one and also I had a Mac. The problem was it kept was that it kept wanting to activate as a new device each time I used it. In any case, resolved now and working great.
Activation on the other hand was for some reason a bear. I was online with VZW tech support and account support for well over an hour. I finally got disconnected and was able to sort it out myself by trial and error. Still not sure why it happened but it is fine now. The tech support guy acknowledged they have had training but I was his first customer with one and also I had a Mac. The problem was it kept was that it kept wanting to activate as a new device each time I used it. In any case, resolved now and working great.
May 27, 2009 | 2:02 pm
#24
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May 27, 2009 | 8:55 pm
#26
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May 27, 2009 | 9:05 pm
#27
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I ended up ordering a USB760 modem & a Cradlepoint PHS300 today (along w/service from Verizon) & took advantage of some great discounts from 3GStore. I think shiv666 was simply answering the OP's query as to 'card vs. USB.'
May 27, 2009 | 9:19 pm
#28
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May 27, 2009 | 11:01 pm
#29
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PT
May 27, 2009 | 11:05 pm
#30
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Posting from a commuter train with my MiFi now. I love it. Very compact. I turned it on and tossed it in my briefcase, then got out my MB Air and logged connected. A simple, streamlined solution.
Activation on the other hand was for some reason a bear. I was online with VZW tech support and account support for well over an hour. I finally got disconnected and was able to sort it out myself by trial and error. Still not sure why it happened but it is fine now. The tech support guy acknowledged they have had training but I was his first customer with one and also I had a Mac. The problem was it kept was that it kept wanting to activate as a new device each time I used it. In any case, resolved now and working great.
Activation on the other hand was for some reason a bear. I was online with VZW tech support and account support for well over an hour. I finally got disconnected and was able to sort it out myself by trial and error. Still not sure why it happened but it is fine now. The tech support guy acknowledged they have had training but I was his first customer with one and also I had a Mac. The problem was it kept was that it kept wanting to activate as a new device each time I used it. In any case, resolved now and working great.
PT