Several months ago, I brought my laptop to school to work on a research paper during a four-hour gap in between classes; after beginning the first two lines of the paper, I was less than thrilled to discover the school's wireless Internet was temporarily out of service. Of course, with my luck, all my sources were Internet-based. It is instances similar to this one that induce my yearning for my very own, personal hotspot. 

I’m sure you have had similar longings during those inconvenient instances in which you were unable to connect due to network failure, traveling in a car, or temporarily residing in a location that lacked an established wireless network. I often imagine a world where I no longer need to rely on an already existing network to have an Internet connection. That’s right, I crazily wish for a portable device that can provide me with Internet access no matter where I am, whether or not there is a wireless hotspot to pick up on.

Well folks, I am pleased to announce my prayers have been answered with the Clear Spot 4G+.  The device (which is about the same in size as a Post-It pad and weighs approximately 4.5 ounces) can easily be transported wherever you go, to create your own personal hotspot on up to five wireless devices.  The battery life is three hours, but keep in mind that it gets easily drained in an area of weak signal strength.  The Spot 4G+ works in conjunction with any Wi-Fi enabled device; laptop, Ipad, game console, netbook- you name it. As far as cost goes, a 2-year contract can be purchased for $225. Monthly leases are available for $6 a month (2-year rental minimum required).                

For those of you who struggle with newly marketable technological devices and are hesitant to use a device that sounds as if it dropped from another planet – don’t be. Let me break it down for you.

1. Place the cable into the Spot 4G+ and plug the adaptor into an outlet, so it can charge. The screen will light up and notify the user on the charged percentage completed.
    
2. When fully charged, press the power button. When the screen indicates that a 3/4G network has been established, you can look for the “Clear Spot” network under the networks that are available to your wireless device.
    
3. Enter the password that you created to ensure the network's safety, and you’re ready to surf the web!

Overall, I found the device extremely simple to use (and I am definitely not a techie). The speed was a bit slower than what I’ve become accustomed to in this day and age of ADD.  Perhaps it was my computer, or the signal strength, but I found myself getting slightly agitated during the several seconds I had to wait for web pages to load. The device turned off by itself once or twice, but worked fine again after pressing the power button.

The Clear Spot 4G+ review bottom line: The ability to create your own hotspot and surf the web in the middle of Central Park?

"I'll call you back in a minute, I'm in a dead zone."

Many people are fortunate enough to rarely use this phrase in a cellular phone conversation. But for the unlucky few living in a dead zone, this is a way of life. Short of moving, waiting for a tower to be built nearby, or calling a professional for help, these poor souls can't do anything about it…or so they think. Wilson Electronics allows them to take matters into their own hands and solve this problem themselves. The world leader in cell phone signal boosters has amplifiers and antennas to strengthen the weakest signal and drastically expand calling range.

For the urban dweller, the Dual Band Window Mount Panel Antenna (301134) is one of the smartest and most practical options. Its compact size allows it to enhance the signal without distracting from the interior environment, making it perfect for small spaces. The antenna is made to receive signal from outside, and the suction cups make it easy to install and test on all interior windows to see where to get the best signal. And with the combination of cellular, SMR, and PCS1900 frequencies in one antenna, finding a strong signal becomes significantly easier.

Yesterday I reviewed the Sprint Overdrive by Sierra Wireless. It’s a nicely sized, compact device that’s easy to carry around at 3.14″ x 3.14″ x .61″. It takes almost two hours for the Overdrive to fully charge, which is a little bit annoying, but reasonable considering how long it lasts. The battery lasts for approximately 4-5 hours, and that includes checking the speed every couple of minutes. On standby I’d imagine it would last much longer. There is also a useful indicator on top informing you if the Overdrive is running on Sprint’s 3G or “4G” service.

My first test took place in my office. After ten minutes the device said it was at 12 MB which didn’t make so much sense at the time. That’s a nice speed for something wireless, but the office network itself is a lot faster. I then realized that 12MB was the data sent and received, not the speed. When the device is connected, type in http://192.168.0.1/ into your web browser to see information about your current session. This was a very convenient tool for me, because I couldn’t read all the keys on the screen, and the online portal helps magnify them. After registering the Overdrive, you can log in and check what’s going on online. It turns out that at my office the signal was “very weak” (10%), which explains why none of the music videos I tried to access on YouTube would buffer. Some stats I saw were that I used 28.4 MB in data (2.32 MB sent and 26.1 MB received) and that I was roaming (in New York City?). So that’s why my Yahoo homepage took a good 30 seconds to load…
It’s a lot more convenient to use the Overdrive in a more open area, like in a moving car. I tried that after I got off from work with an iPod Touch and the service was great. I could instantly access both my Facebook and e-mail. Downloads were at least twice as fast as I had expected. I would definitely not mind using it on my commute to and from work each day, and it would be even handier on a long road trip. It would be interesting to see if the Overdrive could find a connection on a boat if it were only a mile or two from shore. There will be more news regarding connecting the Overdrive on a boat to come.
The most beneficial use of the Overdrive, however, took place in my basement. The Overdrive had almost perfect connectivity and its speed even surpassed what my Linksys router provides. Some of the slowest websites online went faster than I have ever experienced with a wireless network. I would definitely invest my own money in it just for that, cancelling my useless DSL to make room for the new and better WiMAX service available today.

Cradlepoint CTR350 WiFi Travel Router (CTR-350)

The Cradlepoint CTR350 (Product replaced by CTR35) is a wireless router that takes accessibility to another level. Connect to an active USB modem, plug in the CTR350, and you’re set.

You will be able to enjoy the ease and convenience of instant Wi-Fi without the hassle of searching for a hotspot or dealing with a non-secure connection.

The CTR350 (Product replaced by CTR35) is the smallest router in its class and can go with you anywhere. For those who are constantly on the road, it is the most indispensible and practical device on the market. Connect to family and friends, work with colleagues, and stay updated on current events from almost any location.

The CTR350 (Product replaced by CTR35) is compliant with IEEE 802.11 b/g standards and tethers to cellular phone or cellular USB modems for Wi-Fi access anywhere in coverage. It features a 10/100 Ethernet port for wired uplink when available and an additional firewall prevents unauthorized use of your connection.

It is, to date, the most compact and portable Wi-Fi solution available and allows for instant vital communication. At a time when accessibility is the key to staying connected, the key to accessibility is instant Wi-Fi and the Cradlepoint CTR350 (Product replaced by CTR35) will give you just that.

Contact Us for more information at 1-877-259-4629

Failsafe Gigabit N Router for Mobile Broadband (MBR-1200)

Overview

Cradlepoint makes a lot of quality routers, one of their best is MBR 1200. This advanced router comes with a failsafe mechanism that keeps those connected to the internet when the primary internet connection goes down.

It’s perfect for  businesses that can’t afford to be unplugged to the internet. When the original connection is restored, the MBR 1200 automatically switches back. Emergency response crews can use the 1200 to set up a mobile command shelter. It’s perfect for colleagues that want to share an internet connection on-the-go. Set up it up in your RV, boat or vehicle and enjoy unparalled WiFi service on 3G/4G networks.

The 1200 comes with WiPipe technology that allows for the device to direct bandwidth by giving video, audio or other large files priority over those files that don’t take up as much bandwidth. It has a range of over 260 yards and you can have up to 64 people using the device at one time. The durability of the 1200 lets users connect it to a DSL line and provide internet with GB ethernet ports.

The security features allow users to manage the network with the standard WPA/WPA2 security settings along with a firewall that includes Network Address Translation and Stateful Packet Inspections. It’s easy to install and there’s no software involved. Other security controls include  encrypted and open modes, as well as password protected Internet Access to prevent unauthorized usage.

Specs

WAN / INTERNET
3G/4G via Five Modem Ports (3 USB 2.0, 1 ExpressCard, 1 PC Card); One Ethernet Port (10/100/1000); One LAN Ethernet Port re-configurable to WAN for redundancy

LAN
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Four Ethernet Ports (10/100/1000)

ANTENNAS
internal WiFi antennas (300+ yards range), external antenna ports for optional antennas providing additional distance and performance

BUTTONS / SWITCHES
WiFi On/Off Switch, WPS Button (WiFi Protected Setup), Modem Signal Strength, Reset, and Power Switch

LED INDICATORS
Power, Ethernet LAN (1-4), Ethernet WAN, 3G/4G WAN, 3G/4G Modem Status (5), WPS (WiFi Protected Setup), Signal Strength

DIMENSIONS
9” x 5.1” x 1.57” ( 230mm x 130mm x 40mm )

CERTIFICATIONS
FCC, IC, CE, WiFi Alliance

OPERATING TEMPERATURE
0oC to 50oC

Wi-Ex zBoost YX510 PCS-CEL Dual-Band Cellular Signal Booster

If you’re looking to increase signal strength for your cell phone without having to hire a professional to install the equipment, then the Wi-Ex zBoost YX510 PCS-CEL Dual-Band Cellular Signal Booser provides the boost you need without the hastle of having someone install it for you.

The 510 allows users cover a maximum of 2,500 sq ft or 25 feet over 360 degrees. It will work in 4 or 5 medium sized rooms, perfect for a small business office or a moderately-sized home.  The booster supports up to 10 users using the device at the same time. It works with most major cell phone carriers, except Nextel Walkie Talkie phones.

The product requires at least one bar where you mount your antenna. It takes the tower signal and pipes it through the cable down to the amplifier, boosting the signal and creating a cell zone inside your home. The online user guide is simple to understand, providing easy instructions on how to install the 510.

This unit also has many upgradeable antenna accessories that add coverage area. The most complete  upgrade is the YX029. It is a replacement antenna with many directional antennas. This upgrade is perfect when you desire larger coverage areas or when you have little to no signal available.