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

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, GreggI 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?

Cradlepoint vs. wifi ranger | Good Sam Community

rvten
Explorer
Sep 19, 2013
Guess I will be getting a replacement from WFR.
They contacted me. Gave me a six to try that did not work.
2Fliers
Explorer
Sep 18, 2013
My Cradlepoint has served me well for almost 4 years. Wife and I work full time, and the MBR-1000 could not be more reliable. We're connected with our work computers 8-10 hours per day / 5 days a week, and have not had any issues.
rvten
Explorer
Sep 18, 2013
No I have the WFR GO.

UPDATE A FEW MIN. AGOR
I can conn to WFR with computer. WFR sending conn/
But will not work with ipad/phone.
Sorry to HiJack this. But maybe will help other to decide on what to use.
aluminum03
Explorer
Sep 18, 2013
rvten wrote:
Just updated my WFR. It was working. Turned it off and now NaDa.
Has power. Boots up I get five GNR lights than gone. Ant light comes on than us gone.
Have GNR lights next to power conn.
VZ air card powered up.

Sent an e mail with my iPhone to WFR. See what results I get.
Something like this happened before. The WFR bricked. They replaced it.
Using iPhone as a Hit Spot right now
.

Hi RVTen,

WFR wil replace any unit that fails due to an upgrade. Do you have the original WFR? The black cased one? If so, they will upgrade you to the Go with the replacement, which will give you a bit more power and some better power options. Look for an email response today.
docj
Explorer
Sep 18, 2013
rvten wrote:
Just updated my WFR. It was working. Turned it off and now NaDa.

Were you updating it to the 6.6.3 firmware? The company is aware that certain units are unable to take the update because of defective chips n the OEM units on which the WFR routers are based. All routers affected by the update have been replaced at no charge regardless of warranty status.

I'm sure the folks at WFR will be in touch ASAP to diagnose and/or replace your router.

Joel
rvten
Explorer
Sep 18, 2013
Just updated my WFR. It was working. Turned it off and now NaDa.
Has power. Boots up I get five GNR lights than gone. Ant light comes on than us gone.
Have GNR lights next to power conn.
VZ air card powered up.

Sent an e mail with my iPhone to WFR. See what results I get.
Something like this happened before. The WFR bricked. They replaced it.
Using iPhone as a Hit Spot right now
.
camper_david
Explorer
Sep 18, 2013
My wife works on the Internet as well and we are full timers (relatively new ones). I am using a pep wave balance 30 router, which does pretty much anything that I want, though it is expensive. What I like is that it will take a USB modem as well as wifi as wan and load balances everything. I have a passive external antenna on an extendable flagpole for better reception plugged into the modem. This modem does not have wifi in it, so I am using two wifi access points plugged into the LAN side (one for 2.4, one for 5 ghz connections).

I bought most of my stuff through 3gstore.com, and they were very helpful. I also have the printer and a home server on the network, so it is pretty busy on the two bands. We are with Verizon right now, but I bought a refurbished modem to avoid a new two year contract. This setup is working very well for us so far, and we homeschool and work through it.
joebedford
Nomad II
Sep 18, 2013
I have a WiFi Ranger with Boost. Works well, but it's picky. Less so with latest firmware ... it's less trouble than trying to hook everything to a MiFi.

Can't speak to Cradlepoint.
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Sep 17, 2013
I was under the impression that cradlepoint would not connect to MiFi units, in fact that's what they told me when I called them. Are they connecting wirelessly or are your MiFi's tethered? Which MiFi units are you using? Also are you able to use park internet with your cradlepoint?

Yes, the WiFi Ranger, Cradlepoint, Asus, Pepwave (likely others) can connect to the parks WiFi using what is called WiFi as WAN. If you are looking at a router you want to be sure that this is an option. Not all routers will do this including some of the Cradlepoint routers.

All routers should be able to connect to a MiFi device wireless since that's nothing more than a wireless broadcast. As long as you know the passcode you are in. The issue is wanting to connect a MiFi to the router via USB cable so first the MiFi has to have a USB port and the router has to be able to support it.
Cradlepoint only lists one Verizon MiFi that is compatible via USB and that is the Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200.
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Sep 17, 2013
I only got "off the train" about 2 weeks ago!