Top Wifi Reviews

1. 

   J. Escobar
   September 28th, 2010 - 05:26

   Review by J. Escobar for Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 3G Mobile WiFi Hotspot Modem (Verizon Wireless)
   Rating:
   I recently purchased and sadly returned one of these devices within a couple of days. I’ve been researching these for the better part of a month and had very high hopes for it. Think about this… a credit card size portable wireless hot spot that you could carry in your pocket (watch out it gets hot) that you could connect your laptop, home computer, cellphone, iPAD, iPOD, etc to the internet anywhere you get a Verizon cell signal. Before I had a smartphone, i always had the need for a portable wireless signal for my laptop so I could search for restaurants, hotels, directions while i was out and about. How about not having to pay that hotel WiFi access fee anymore? It could also serve as your internet provider at home if you only occasionally used the internet. (For home use you could easily go over your 5GB max download ($60/mo) so this is more suited for on the go activities) Yes like I said some of us have smartphones that can do all the above but this device (in theory) could be used for all your WiFi devices mentioned above. I specifically got this to use with my iPhone to make and receive calls through Skype Mobile and access the internet on my phone, taking my phone bill from 150+ to ~$65 but it just didn’t work as planned.

   Setup:
   
   Fairly simple, I am tech savvy but if you set up a wireless network in your home this will be no problem. Setup took about 5-10min. You access Verizon activation website, have your computer recognize it, enter some codes, reset and your ready to use.

   Initial Testing (Stationary):
   
   After activation I saw my phone was getting a signal from the device but a weak one which I attributed to being inside at work. I’ve received poor cell phone reception in the building before so this was not the MiFi’s fault. Did a WiFi speed test on the phone and it was horrible,
2. 

   Tom
   September 28th, 2010 - 05:52

   Review by Tom for Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 3G Mobile WiFi Hotspot Modem (Verizon Wireless)
   Rating:
   For the US, this is a good deal: for $40, you get 30 days of unlimited Internet usage with no contract. Speeds are around 800kbps down and about 180kbps up in my area. That’s not great, but it works fine for most applications. It’s the same speeds you would get on Verizon (for comparison, in many places in Europe, you get nearly 10x the speed for half the price). Configuration is done through a straightforward web interface. The default setting for the MiFi is a secure network with a key printed on the back (this can be changed through the interface). There are some limitations: battery life is nominally only 4h and Internet connectivity in moving vehicles is not all that great. I’ve used this with iPad, iPod Touch, netbooks, and laptops, and it has worked well with all of them.
   
3. 

   Corrado Arcilesi
   September 28th, 2010 - 06:16

   Review by Corrado Arcilesi for Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 3G Mobile WiFi Hotspot Modem (Verizon Wireless)
   Rating:
   The device works well in areas that I have traveled to or lived in with good Verizon coverage.

   Your result will vary STRICTLY based on VERIZON COVERAGE IN YOUR AREA.

   I believe that the operation and connectivity functions of the MiFi device deserve 5 stars. The configuration page (accessible at 192.168.1.1 when connected to the MiFi) allows you to encrypt your connection and even setup a MAC filter. Unfortunately you cannot change the DNS servers at the device level (but of course can still do this through your computer’s connection settings).

   The signal to and from the device is strong enough to put the MiFi under your seat, in your pocket, etc and still maintain a fast connection.

   The battery life will vary based on what you are doing online. Streaming audio and video will shorten battery life quicker than checking email, looking up web pages, etc. This is an easy fix if you are in a vehicle: plug in a cigarette lighter adapter or even plug in the USB cord to your computer or laptop inverter to keep it charged and running all day long.

   The only real con that comes up on a regular basis is a fairly small one… the blinking activity light on the MiFi is so bright, it is distracting in a dark vehicle. I wish they had instead set up a solid green “connected” light similar to the one that is on the Apple Airport Extreme Router.

   Overall, with good Verizon service, definitely worth the purchase and ridiculous price Verizon charges for the service.

   *NO cellular device or service is going to be able to stream uninterrupted audio and or video while you are traveling. As you leave cities and regions, your device will lose service while it is searching for the next tower, etc. Your best bet if you want smooth audio and or video is to stick with satellite radio or portable satellite TV, downloaded podcasts and videos, etc. However, if you are commuting back and forth in a metro area or staying in the same basic spot (parking lot, etc) this is fantastic for video and audio streaming and everything else.
4. 

   Michael Orr
   September 28th, 2010 - 07:06

   Review by Michael Orr for Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 3G Mobile WiFi Hotspot Modem (Verizon Wireless)
   Rating:
   The Verizon Mifi (made by Novatel) is a combination of a great, hugely convenient product and some annoying quirks.
   
   However, first you need to set your expectations. When you use this, your PC, iPad, Smart-phone etc. are all sharing a “3G” link to the internet, which is basically a cellular line. The speed if this connection is whatever “3G” means in that particular place at that particular time – but if you expect Mega-bits per second, you will be disappointed – that usually only happens in Verizon ads.
   
   That said, this is EXTREMELY useful for business travelers like me. When you need to get or send an email, attachments and all, or check a web-site for some information or updates – you can be sure you WILL be able to do it. Even while in motion 9and yes, it does work while in high-speed motion, if you are in a good coverage area), and even when visiting a company that does not have any arrangements to give visitors internet access.
   
   Operation is dead simple – you turn it on, and connect your PC/iPad/Whatever to the WiFI network as usual. by default, the network requires a Password, and supports up to 5 simultaneous connections.
   
   The battery seems to last about 2-3 hours, but in most cases, you can power it up, synchronize your email, and power it back down, with each session lasting openly a few minutes – which will allow this to give you a day’s worth of service.

   Now for the “annoying” part
   
   1. When you connect it to a charging source, it turns on, even if you don’t want to. to be
   
   clear – you can’t charge it without having it broadcast a WiFi network for the entire duration.
   
   Aside from this limiting where you can charge it (e.g. not on a plane) this is simply
   
   stupid – If i want to charge it, broadcasting a WiFi signal DISCHARGES the battery,
   
   making the charging time longer. I find it strange that the On/off Button does not work
   
   when charging. I am told this is by design, but I still consider this a bug.
   
   2. If you connect it to your PC to charge, it will go into an “I’m a cellular modem” mode,
   
   providing service to just the PC it is attached to, and not putting out the WiFi network
   
   which is its main function. This is probably a conscious choice by the designers of this
   
   product, and sort of makes sense – you may WANT to service only a single PC, and not
   
   serve as a WiFI Access point. However, in practice, you want to charge it when in use,
   
   and having to connect it to a separate AC outlet, and lugging yet one more power-adapter,
   
   where it SEEMS the device is charged via a USB port, of which you have several free
   
   in your PC is annoying. (Note some Internet searching will tell you how to change some
   
   internal settings to prevent this). The product could benefit a lot from having one additional
   
   “mode” switch instead.
   
   3. It is quite finicky about what can charge it. If you want to use some universal AC-to-USB adapter,
   
   you will find that most of them do not work. if you want to try it, do lots of research before you buy.
   
5. 

   Mlikesit
   September 28th, 2010 - 07:25

   Review by Mlikesit for Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 3G Mobile WiFi Hotspot Modem (Verizon Wireless)
   Rating:
   I can’t get DSL or anything else in my area, so I had to settle for the MIFI 2200. When I first got it, about 3 weeks, the speeds were sufficient for what I needed, even though there were several periods of slow/no connection. Then after about 3 weeks the connection turned pathetic, I was lucky to get a connection. I kept it past the 30 day trial period thinking it would go back to how it was, and cause I need internet. I hasn’t improved yet. I even took it to vegas and it was dead slow there if it had a connection at all. Occationally I get speeds as high as 170kb/s but that is rare. Most of the time, like for downloads I get anywhere from 5-30kb/s. Most large downloads ( > 10MB ) will fail before they finish. The thing I don’t understand is that even with 5 bars, at 2 AM when no one else is using the tower, it still slower then hell. Basically I’m stuck with it, but if you have ANY other choice, don’t even consider the MIFI.

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