you need to pay a monthly fee, right?

In the old days, laptops didn't have wi-fi cards built in, so I could see the point for needing one of these gadgets, maybe 5 or 10 years ago. So what point am I missing here?

Can this replace my Comcast rental modem?

blissful0ne wrote:you need to pay a monthly fee, right?

No. Mobile in the name means a wireless router that is mobile. Not mobile like mobile phone monthly fee.

Functionally the only difference between this router and a "regular" one is this is smaller and has less ports, because it's meant to be used on the go. Does have USB, though. That's kinda surprising.

roxannez wrote:In the old days, laptops didn't have wi-fi cards built in, so I could see the point for needing one of these gadgets, maybe 5 or 10 years ago. So what point am I missing here?

Multiple connections. Ever stay in a hotel with one wired Internet connection at the desk? Plug this thing in and connect your laptop, phone, tablet...all at once.

Also the mobile data connection, if you have that account (I don't). I'm tempted for multiplying an individual connection, though.

bittermang wrote:No. Mobile in the name means a wireless router that is mobile. Not mobile like mobile phone monthly fee.

Functionally the only difference between this router and a "regular" one is this is smaller and has less ports, because it's meant to be used on the go. Does have USB, though. That's kinda surprising.

Thanks for the explanation.

jjmcgaffey wrote:Multiple connections. Ever stay in a hotel with one wired Internet connection at the desk? Plug this thing in and connect your laptop, phone, tablet...all at once.

Also the mobile data connection, if you have that account (I don't). I'm tempted for multiplying an individual connection, though.

Thanks x2. Helpful information.

Sure hope this works with my verizon modem... To think I can connect my laptop, iPad, and iPod touch all that the same time on the go...sweet.

roxannez wrote:In the old days, laptops didn't have wi-fi cards built in, so I could see the point for needing one of these gadgets, maybe 5 or 10 years ago. So what point am I missing here?

You don't need it if there is wifi available. That's not what it is for.

I've got the single-USB version of this, and it works well. You need to enter the configuration for your USB modem, but that info is available online. You can then save the config to reload it later if you ever need to.

I got it because there are times I'm not near wifi and I want to look something up, but I don't want to take the time to get out and fire up my computer. I can use this with my TouchPad and find what I'm looking for.

I also used it a couple of weeks ago when my power was out and my DSL was down.

BernieJDufrene wrote:Sure hope this works with my verizon modem... To think I can connect my laptop, iPad, and iPod touch all that the same time on the go...sweet.

The description included a link to a page full of compatible modems.

Can you use this for WiFi repeating. Taking one wifi sigal and spitting it back out amplified. Assuming that it can't. Just USB mobile tethering and ethernet right?

Anyone using one of these with Clear/ClearWire WiMAX products? Anyone specifically using the "Clear Stick" product?



And yes, I know Clear provides crappy service and atrocious customer service, but it's far cheaper than any other option for me.

does this mean i can use this with my current wireless phone plan? i have verizon.

Overall, the device looks like a Cradlepoint, with less battery life and the ability to connect to an Ethernet source at the same time. And it costs less. Doesn't sound like a bad deal at all.

I got this back in February to use as a stationary wireless router. The set-up was a tad confusing to a non-tech person like myself, but I managed. I plugged the ethernet cable in from my cable modem, and now I have wifi in my house. For the price, even with a little set-up head-scratching, you can't beat it.

(Actually, it looks like I bought the MWR211 instead of the MWR222, but it's the same idea for what my use is.)

bittermang wrote:Functionally the only difference between this router and a "regular" one is this is smaller and has less ports, because it's meant to be used on the go. Does have USB, though. That's kinda surprising.

It also supports USB broadband modems (that use cellular networks), so it's not just a small router/access point. That's the reason I bought one (well, a similar model).

camwow13 wrote:Can you use this for WiFi repeating. Taking one wifi sigal and spitting it back out amplified. Assuming that it can't. Just USB mobile tethering and ethernet right?

Yes, enquiring minds want to know.

craigthom wrote:The description included a link to a page full of compatible modems.

Thanks!

wsj3 wrote:Can this replace my Comcast rental modem?

no, you'd want to replace that with an actual modem you own though. "rental modems" are a scam, insuring you pay far, far more than it's worth over the life of your contract. Buy your own, then pick up a cheap wireless N router for 15 or 20 bucks from any computer store. Or a mifi mobile hotspot, which WOULD replace your modem...but would require a monthly data plan instead. or you could get tethering on your phone, again for a monthly fee....all depends on your situation, usage habits and needs.
This would have come in handy in florida a couple months ago... single wired connection in the room, 6 people all with their own lappys and phones...it was not happymaking.

Many carriers now sell MiFi devices but they have a limit of 5 client devices. These units get around the 5 client limit when using the carriers USB stick.

They work great in the car on those long road trips. I use the 211 model with the Sprint 4G card

The main point of this device is the USB connection. If you have a USB "data modem" (as in the list of compatible devices), this will allow you to share that normally one-computer device with several computers at a time. This can turn the USB data device into a "mobile hot spot", as many recent phones can do on their own.

Other devices (Zoom, Cradlepoint) can connect to a cell phone via USB for data "tethering", but this one may not have that ability.

Who else watched the video and followed along with the liveblog? Good stuff! ;)

jblatman wrote:Anyone using one of these with Clear/ClearWire WiMAX products? Anyone specifically using the "Clear Stick" product?



And yes, I know Clear provides crappy service and atrocious customer service, but it's far cheaper than any other option for me.

Just buy one of the Clear Spot Voyagers, it would work better and they are 50% off right now.

/my brother uses them in Dallas and they are much faster than the crappy DSL he had to put up with before

//not sure why Clear has such a small number of devices Clear has for sale right now...must mean something??

I have one of these. I use it for two things:

1. When the power fails, my internet goes down. While waiting for the net to come back up, I remove the SIM card from my smart phone, and insert it into a 2G modem that I purchased cheap. The battery-powered router then can run for a couple of hours, giving me slow but usable internet until the power comes back on.
   
2. When I travel, sometimes my hotel room only has a single wired connection. Connecting it to this router allows me to move about the room with my laptop, and also put my phones and tablets online without any trouble.
   

I thought it was a bathroom scale.
Which is too bad, because I could really use a scale.

blissful0ne wrote:you need to pay a monthly fee, right?

You would need to pay for whatever kind of internet connection you connect the device to. It seems like you can connect any kind of modem to it, LAN or USB.

wireless router w/ built in battery( WOOT EDITION!)




[MOD: Nice job. Thanks!]

Can I stick a SIM card into this thing? Can't find that info anywhere, but I see that it's supported by T-Mobile, which makes me think it would have to have a SIM card slot.

maxticket wrote:Can I stick a SIM card into this thing? Can't find that info anywhere, but I see that it's supported by T-Mobile, which makes me think it would have to have a SIM card slot.

Sorry, no SIM card Slot. You would need to have one of the two Tmobile USB Modems that are on the Modem Supported list. The Modem list is available from a link in the description area. This MUST have a seperate USB Modem from your preferred carrier in order to work as a 3G/4G device. Without one, it is nothing more then a small Cable / DSL Router.\

I would like to know how they are supporting several Express Card Modems without having an Expresscard Slot. I am willing to bet you will need to buy an Express Card to USB Adapter. I dont see where one is included. So if you are using an Express Card 3G/4G Cellular Modem, I recommend you check this feature out more completely.

Keep in mind, I see no support for Cell Phones. Cradlepoint Portable 3G/4G Roputers also support Cell Phones (certain models check to see if yours is supported) So if you want to use the device with a Cellphone, the Zyxel is NOT for you.]

So , just to clarify, if you do not have a USB Modem WITH a Monthly Service Plan , on the approved Modem list, from Verizon, Sprint, Clear, ATT, T-Mobile, Rogers, Virgin Mobile (and a few other carriers are possible if you have a Unlocked ,or a No Carrier Branded Modem listed at the bottom of the list. If you do not understand that, you most likely do not have one) You will NOT be able to use this as a 3G/4G Wireless Hotspot Type Router. You will only be able to plug it into a WIRED Internet Connection, such as your home, office or hotel.But once you disconnect from a WIRED location, you will not have Internet Service.

Below is an example of a Verizon USB Modem (UMW190). Solely used as an example of what one looks like. Although I did check and it is on the approved modem list (Link Below).
http://us.zyxel.com/creative/3G/

ThunderThighs wrote:Uses for this as I understand:

• Wireless connection via a router if you have an Air Card. Plug it into this and you and someone else can access wireless via this gadget.

• Easy wireless router when only Ethernet is available. I could have used this in a vacation condo last year that only had Ethernet and no wireless. There were 3 of us with iPads, computers, and phones.

The big feature is the small size and that it's easy to pack and go.

Thanks!! That's exactly what I wanted to know.

For those of you looking for just the portable router/wi-fi hotspot without the 3g/4g capabiity, check out the TP-Link TL-WR700N. I got mine for ~25 free ship from Meritline or similar, but I see it on Newegg for $30 as well.

ThunderThighs wrote:I did! I did! I agree, fun stuff.

Ok, really, I tried to read every little thing, please...where's the link to the video?

I used to like this brand. I initially bought this brand because they had a few features available before the other major brands incorporated in their network equipment. My two gripes for this brand, customer service support and over heating. The last router I bought would always run hot until it over heated. Yes, it was kept in a well vented area. I thought that it was just the router having issues, but a switch that I bought from them did the same. Except that unit would get hot enough to cook an egg. It's not a bad brand, but check the review of what you are buying on newegg.

There's one important point that nobody has mentioned.

Whenever I use my laptop in a hotel room, I use a travel router, primary for security. When you connect to a hotel's network -- whether through an ethernet cable or WiFi -- you're on the same network as everyone else in the hotel, including the bored hacker three doors down who decides to spend the evening seeing which laptops on the network he can hack into. There is no better protection than having a router between you and the rest of the network.

If you spend any time at all using a laptop in hotel rooms, get yourself one of these or something like it.

I have this. It is awesome.

I use it when I travel. For my USB stick I use a cheap Huawei that I got off eBay for less than $10. It's a lot easier to use with my laptop, phone, tablet, and other wIfi devices than my old technique of trying to tether everything though my phone.

This is one of those things I didn't know I needed until I had one. Very much worth the $30.

I just bought the Google Nexus and unfortunately I'm in the hospital for a long time. What's worse, the ICU floor doesn't have WIFI. Will this solve my connection problem? I have an AT&T 4s phone if that makes any difference. Thanks if anyone answers.