Cradlepoint MB1400?

[paulcardoza]

Is anyone out there using a Cradlepoint MB1400 in their RV?

I'm looking for something to replace my Wifi Ranger that actually works! I've been with WFR from the beginning, but performance and lack of regular progress in development has run me out of patience. Right now, my laptop connects to the WFR just fine, but none of my 4 iOS devices will transfer data when connected, even though it shows them connected fine.

My big question regarding the MB1400 is will it connect to a filtered internet connection, such as Tengointernet? My old CTR35 would not, but that was many moons ago.

I know the MB1400 is pricey, but reviews have been stellar and I'm ready to spend more to have something I can count on!

Thanks for any feedback in advance!

[paulcardoza]

Not true Bill, at least in the case of my new MBR1400.

I have an AT&T mifi unittethered to the router. I also have a Verizon mifi connected via wifi to the router. Both are set up for load balancing and the MBR1400 is using both are equal data usage rates. Very impressive unit!!! It will not, however access Tengo Internet via the splash login screen. Since Tengo generally is terrible service, I can live with that fact for now.....

Bill.Winegard wrote:
You are not going to find a device that will do load balancing with wifi networks as you would need to be able to log into both simultaneously. Even the Cradlepoint that allows you to plug in 2 air cards does not do a "true" load balancing but rather kicks in the 2nd card if the connections on the first reach a certain level. This means one card will do most of the work and you would need to swap them between ports from time to time to get any useful balance.

[wintersun]

Both the Cradlepoint 95 and 1400 are excellent. Both provide Wifi as Wan for use with Mifi devices and both support VPN tunneling. We had the 95 and replaced it with the 1400 which is a "business class" router and has a few more features and greater range - neither of which are important in an RV but we use the Mifi alone in the RV and the 1400 at home.

[Bill_Satellite]

You are not going to find a device that will do load balancing with wifi networks as you would need to be able to log into both simultaneously. Even the Cradlepoint that allows you to plug in 2 air cards does not do a "true" load balancing but rather kicks in the 2nd card if the connections on the first reach a certain level. This means one card will do most of the work and you would need to swap them between ports from time to time to get any useful balance.

[blangen]

1492 wrote:

paulcardoza wrote:
Does the MB1400 play well with filtered wifi connections, which require a splash screen login????

These are typically referred to as captive portals.

Thanks for the "captive portals" answer. I think what OP and I are trying to do is find a router that will load balance across other available networks, some or all are captive portals that require clicking through terms of service splash screens. Is there a router available that will just "agree" and connect?

[1492]

paulcardoza wrote:
Does the MB1400 play well with filtered wifi connections, which require a splash screen login????

These are typically referred to as captive portals.

[paulcardoza]

But to my original question....... Does the MB1400 play well with filtered wifi connections, which require a splash screen login????

wintersun wrote:
We currently have one and it replaced a MBR95. Both have WiFi as Wan capability so a mifi can be used as an internet gateway access device. The 1400 has greater range than the MBR95 which helps with our house setup with computers and printers and a bridge scattered in various rooms. On the road the mifi provides more than enough range for our laptops. Only reason for a router would be if we wanted to hook in a non-wireless printer and we do not print while traveling and if we did we would take a printer with 802.11 connectivity.

We do use a signal booster and external antenna to get the best possible signal strength to the Novatel 4620LE mifi and often it means the difference between having a usable signal and connecting or not.

[wintersun]

We currently have one and it replaced a MBR95. Both have WiFi as Wan capability so a mifi can be used as an internet gateway access device. The 1400 has greater range than the MBR95 which helps with our house setup with computers and printers and a bridge scattered in various rooms. On the road the mifi provides more than enough range for our laptops. Only reason for a router would be if we wanted to hook in a non-wireless printer and we do not print while traveling and if we did we would take a printer with 802.11 connectivity.

We do use a signal booster and external antenna to get the best possible signal strength to the Novatel 4620LE mifi and often it means the difference between having a usable signal and connecting or not.

[1492]

For those who may be interested in WiFi MultiMedia(WMM), you can find an FAQ from the WiFi Alliance(PDF).

Open Source router firmware such as DD-WRT has supported WMM since 2006.

[jamnw]

I use an MBR1000 and it works great.

[docj]

paulcardoza wrote:

Right now, my laptop connects to the WFR just fine, but none of my 4 iOS devices will transfer data when connected, even though it shows them connected fine.

In iOS6 Apple created a requirement that WMM support be enabled for the WiFi connection. The current WiFi Ranger firmware (5.6.1) does not support WMM. However, the 6.6.1 version which is currently in Beta testing, does.

We regret the difficulty you are experiencing, but we do have the ability now to resolve your issue. I can arrange for your system to be updated to the new firmware and I can tell you, from experience, that my wife's iPad works very well with it.

[Robin1953]

I have the Pepwave Mini as well that I use to get campground WiFi if it is available and have the CTR35 that I have setup to get my Millenicom WiFi as well as the Pepwave signal. I had a WFR in the beginning but it never worked with the Sprint USB modem so they refunded my money.

[sljkansas]

I use the Cradlepoint MBR1000 and when I upgraded the air card from 3G to 4G I emailed Cradlepoint to verify if the new air card would work. They send me directions and the firmware updates that were needed to upgrade the router firmware. So give them a call, it may solve you problem.

[Dutch_12078]

I'm currently using a Pepwave Surf Mini On-The-Go in our coach, and a Cradlepoint MBR95 in our base cottage. I've used both in the past to connect to Tengo systems without any problems. I also have a CTR350 that I use with a small battery pack for portable use, and that too has been used to connect to Tengo. I think the MBR1400 should work just as well. I prefer the Pepwave OTG for our RV use though, since it works well with external antennas at a modest cost.