Cradlepoint vs. wifi ranger

gscudder wrote:
We start fulltiming this winter and the wife needs good internet for work, who has which and what are your suggestions/recomendations?

Thanks, Gregg

I have owned both but the WiFi Ranger was problematic due to USB modem incompatibility. It was one of the earliest versions and the company refunded my purchase price. Both are rated highly by many so I don't think you would have any issues with either one. The only caution that I would give is to make sure your USB modem, if that is what you intend to use, is compatible with whichever one you choose. If you intend to use a MiFi device or the campground WiFi both do a good job. I currently have the Cradlepoint CTR35 but I have to use a switch since it only has one RJ45 port.

In my working days of running all over the US the cell phone service of choice was always VERIZON. Has been that way ever since. The early days was a VERIZON AIR CARD plugged into a stand alone cradlepoint router unit giving all of working TEAM WIFI from a single Verizon internet connection.. The whole crew had use of their laptops and we was on VPN as well.

Today I do the same thing using VERIZON MIFI 2200 which gives me a 3GB DATA PLAN to use with up to five of my WIFI enabled devices. The 3GB dataplan is perfect for us to check our emails, pay our bills, keep in touch with the kids, and do some searching on the web. This of course works anywhere in the US where you have Verizon Cell Phone service which is pretty much everywhere. The MIFI unit has internal batteries for up to four hours service and also has a 120VAC xfmr setup. I think a 5GB dataplan is the smallest available now with Verzion.

If I was going to be doing alot of downstreaming data for internet TV and videos etc I would go with the MILLENICOM net which will give you 20GB of data and is using the VERIZON NETWORK. You can go for even more data with the MILLENICOM but it changes to SPRINT for up to 50GB of data I think it is.

My VERIZON MIFI small handheld stand alone unit sits in a WILSON SLEEK Cradle docking station velcroed to the wall behind my ceiling curtain valance out of sight. The WILSON SLEEK CRADLE has an external outside antenna connection will enhances everything just great. IF we want to run down to the beach and sit and watch the surf etc I just slip the small MIFI unit in my shirt pocket and then we have use of our tablets etc down on the beach. Sure beats the heck out of the campground poor WIFI service and is secured enough for me not to worry about connecting into all of these McDonald's type WIFI connections you find everywhere. The VERIZON MIFI was a good move for us...





Roy ken

I used the WiFi Ranger (actually the original Ranger, Ranger and Boost, the Ranger Go and the Go and Mobile and most recently the Ranger X) for over 3 years as the product evolved. I believe it continues to evolve but I no longer use the Ranger products and recently purchased a Cradlepoint MBR95. I have not had a single issue with the Cradlepoint and setting up WiFi as WAN to save my the use of my cellular data is simple and the connection remains solid. I don't think the Cradlepoint as quite the range that the Ranger X does but I think it's better than the range of the Go router.
I believe that both operate better with a stand alone USB WiFi device vs. a MiFi type device but if you have a MiFi air card you most likely do not need either device as the MiFi is it's own full blown router.
If you have a MiFi air card you might look at a stand alone WiFi antenna for those times when good, free open WiFi services are available.

I would suggest that you look at the new Asus line of routers. In a short time on the market, they have received some of the highest rankings by IT guru's. I purchased one for my home to replace a failed linksys router.

The Asus is faster, has more features, has 2 USB ports that accept 3G or 4G wireless cards or network hard drives. Being an "n", it will has greater throughput and more power than your standard linksys. It even has a feature where you can setup a guest network without giving out your master password.

They are about 3 times more than a linksys, but around the same price as a Cradlepoint or Ranger. Google them and look at their features.

Wayne,
Does the Asus do WiFi as WAN and if so, have you tried it?

I use a WFR with my VZ air card.
Works very well. Also conn. to park WiFi and boost the signal.

Bill.Satellite wrote:

I believe that both operate better with a stand alone USB WiFi device vs. a MiFi type device but if you have a MiFi air card you most likely do not need either device as the MiFi is it's own full blown router.

The drawback to using a MiFi as the only router in an RV is that if you are at a park that actually has decent wifi (and these really do exist) then each device in your RV has to be separately connected to the park's wifi. You may be surprised how many devices that includes.

We currently carry two laptops, an iPad, a tablet, a Roku, a printer and a DirecTV DVR all of which are require internet access. I find it a lot easier to use a single router with WiFi as WAN capability than to connect each of these devices one at a time every time we go to a new park. I find that we use park wifi more often since it's easy to change back to our phone's hotspot if the wifi slows down; all it takes is a single keystroke to transfer all the devices on our network from one internet source to another.

I forgot to mention that there is a Pepwave air card router as well. I did not hear about it until after I bought my Cradlepoint but I have heard good things about it as well.
Lots of choices out there.

Bill.Satellite wrote:
I used the WiFi Ranger (actually the original Ranger, Ranger and Boost, the Ranger Go and the Go and Mobile and most recently the Ranger X) for over 3 years as the product evolved. I believe it continues to evolve but I no longer use the Ranger products and recently purchased a Cradlepoint MBR95. I have not had a single issue with the Cradlepoint and setting up WiFi as WAN to save my the use of my cellular data is simple and the connection remains solid. I don't think the Cradlepoint as quite the range that the Ranger X does but I think it's better than the range of the Go router.
I believe that both operate better with a stand alone USB WiFi device vs. a MiFi type device but if you have a MiFi air card you most likely do not need either device as the MiFi is it's own full blown router.
If you have a MiFi air card you might look at a stand alone WiFi antenna for those times when good, free open WiFi services are available.

Is there a particular reason that you switched from WiFi Ranger to the cradlepoint? Ive considered using just my MiFi card but I need a router so that I can connect a VOIP phone.

I was a beta tester for the company from their infancy but now that I have a Cradlepoint. I don't know why other than they provided all of my equipment at no charge.