Verizon Pantech UML290

[2chiefsRus]

Anyone using this aircard/modem in a Cradlepoint router? Are you happy with it? I currently have a Sprint Sierra 595U aircard I use in a Cradlepoint CTR35 router. The coverage area on Sprint is normally very good but every once in a while we find ourselves in a roaming area and I'm tired of getting kicked off at 300mb when that happens.

UPDATED - just ordered one from the 3GStore. Still wondering how folks like it because I have a 30 day return window. After talking with 3G sounds like this should work for us. Have ordered from them before and been very happy with their advise. Hope this goes well too.

[GlennH]

that's what I've been using for 6 months. works great!

[jamnw]

I have the UML290 with a Cradlepoint MBR 900. It is connected to an external Yagi antenna at my home.

It works fine. I take the 290/900 setup with me when I travel/camp.

In the truck I plug the router into an inverter, my wife can surf with her ipad, and kids can play that stupid Minecraft game while traveling down the road.

Camping, I just plug it into the AC in the camper and put it on a shelf.
I am thinking of buying the omni 4G antenna for the camper from 3GStore.

Overall I am happy with it.

[2chiefsRus]

Original Poster here - received the Pantech USB Modem air card this morning from the 3Gstore as promised. Took about 30 minutes to set up, mostly due to my checking and doublechecking everything. Verizon was happy to activate the card for me under their Share Everything Plan. Being able to increase and decrease our usage every month will most likely save us money overall. I've been tracking our usage for 3 years now with Sprint and we rarely go over 4G. The new card is smoking fast right now since we are near Salt Lake City. We'll have to wait until next week to see how it does out in the boonies for us.

[Bill_Satellite]

I had a Millenicom MiFi for a time but ended up pulling the sim card out and putting it in my Pantech290. This allowed me the added capabilities of a full router plus the Millenicom usage and fees. I later went back to Verizon when the Share Everything plan came out as I never really needed 20GB/month anyway and the new Verizon plan saved me money.

[2chiefsRus]

Bill.Winegard wrote:
I have had the Pantech 290 for over 3 years and it's great. I use it in a WiFi Ranger but you should have just as good of a result with the Cradlepoint.

Thanks Bill that is exactly the type of first hand information that I was looking for. I have several friends who have went the MiFi route and have noticed a spike in the amount of usage. I have no idea why a MiFi would result in more usage than an aircard/router combo but decided there was no reason to risk it when I already have a perfectly good Cradlepoint router. I don't like to replace things just to replace things.

[Bill_Satellite]

rr2254545 wrote:
I know what a router is, the current Mifi can handle 10 devices so it is a router - guess you did not know what a Mifi is

I know what a router is and the MiFi IS a router. So while you said

Never needed any routers etc as have had service in 130 of 131 campgronds over the last 4 years

You might have wanted to let someone know you had actually being using a router all along.

I meant no offense, just trying to make things clear. The fact that you have a MiFi would have made that clear all by itself.

[1rooster]

I agree with TechWriter. I've had the MBR95 for 3 years and not had any coverage problems or connection problems. I have the 3G unlimited plan (Verizon).

[TechWriter]

I use my UML290 in a CradlePoint MBR95 router. Works like a charm. Note that the MBR95 (and other CradlePoints, I believe) can automatically switch between 3G & 4G -- a great feature.

[rr2254545]

I know what a router is, the current Mifi can handle 10 devices so it is a router - guess you did not know what a Mifi is

[Bill_Satellite]

Just a note to rr2254545, a router has nothing to do with the reception of the cellular signal. The router simply allows multiple computers, tablets, or gaming devices to share the single air card service plus allow the user to setup an in-house network for sharing other devices as well such as printers and network storage devices.

[rr2254545]

I have had 3 over 4 years nothing ever wrong with any of them, just got the newest one when my contract was up

Never needed any routers etc as have had service in 130 of 131 campgronds over the last 4 years. Only place we did not have signal was in Big Bend National park this winter

[sljkansas]

I have a Cradle Point MBR1000 wireless router and a Verizon 4G air card (don't remember the model) and it works very well for us, in the RV and at home. I did have to update the firmware on the router, because it had never been updated for 4G.

[Carl_n_Susan]

Another "UML290 in a CTR35" user. In remote areas with poor signals, I use an Wilson external antenna and an amplifier. All the gear came from the 3G Store. I be happy, happy, happy.

[firemedic08]

Yes and Yes. I am Full time Army National Guard and the Govt uses these. I set it up in alot of different places and love it. I even have an external antenna i can use for limmited signal.