Comments on: Travel Routers: Cradlepoint CTR500 vs. AirPort Express

By: Mark Astmann

Mark Astmann — Thu, 14 May 2009 16:11:47 +0000

Hi Terry,

I’m actually looking at the CradlePoint PHS300 Personal WiFi Hotspot. While it only works with a Cellular USB it will also tethers to a cell phone. Best of all, it has a lithium battery and can run for hours on a single charge. Pretty cool.

Mark Astmann
Lighting Product Manager
Bogen Imaging, Inc.

By: terrywhite

terrywhite — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:59:33 +0000

I’m not a lawyer! However, the main restriction I see is that the carriers impose a hidden in the fine print data cap each month on how much bandwidth you can use. So sharing that connection is going to help you reach that cap quicker. You’ll (or your lawyer) will have to read the fine print of your contract with your provider to figure out if there is any other restrictions that would be a concern to you.

By: Michael Dodson

Michael Dodson — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:51:10 +0000

Are there any restrictions against allowing other folks (as in a conference room) to share your Verizon or AT&T modem through the routers?

By: EVDOinfo

EVDOinfo — Wed, 06 May 2009 15:48:55 +0000

@Mike Lao — the cradlepoint supports devices that use either 3G/CDMA/EVDO or 3G/GSM/HSPA and even 4G/WiMax technology.

a list of supported phones and modems can be seen at: http://www.EVDOinfo.com/routers

By: Ed Dombek

Ed Dombek — Tue, 05 May 2009 09:22:52 +0000

I have traveled for years with a D-Link AirPlus G DWL-G730AP Wireless Pocket Router/AP. It works as a router or access point. Great for ad-hoc connectivity for work and keeping the costs down when traveling with the kids and their netbooks. Very small and functional. Best part, it just works. Here is a link: http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=0&pid=346

By: Jake

Jake — Tue, 05 May 2009 06:11:04 +0000

Terry;
Great review; have you tried using the Airport Express to extend the range of the CTR500? I’ve been tring to do that with my Airport Extreme Base Station and CTR350 combo with limited success.

Jake

By: Dean Mueller

Dean Mueller — Mon, 04 May 2009 21:42:38 +0000

Great video review Terry! Unfortunately when you review stuff, my wallet tends to get lighter. I just ordered it! Keep up the great reviews.

By: Todd Turner

Todd Turner — Mon, 04 May 2009 18:44:42 +0000

Neat travel router, but I’ll stick with my Airport Express (refurbed at half the cost) and Verizon Expresscard, which I can run in my MacBook Pro and share wireless to my iPod Touch or co-workers. For me, there’s not much advantage of using the Expresscard modem in such a router when it’s relatively unobtrusive and mobile when being used with the laptop.

By: Mike Lao

Mike Lao — Mon, 04 May 2009 15:39:03 +0000

hey terry – great video! i like the apple airport express a lot and you made me consider the new cradlepoint!

btw, it’s HSDPA i think…

By: terrywhite

terrywhite — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:43:18 +0000

EVDOinfo,
Wow! Thanks, I knew that Load Balancing was a desired feature of this router, but I didn’t know that they had actually implemented it. That’s fantastic.

By: EVDOinfo

EVDOinfo — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:27:30 +0000

Terry,
just finished watching your great video, but didn’t see you mention one other cool trick the CTR500 can do for you: load balancing

Thats right, if you were to have the ATT 881 USB modem AND the Verizon V740 operating attached to the CTR500 at the same time, you can change a setting in web admin that allows all connected computers to enjoy the combined bandwidth of BOTH modems (not load bonding/aggregation, but true load balancing!)

more info about load balancing at:

http://www.EVDOinfo.com/LB

By: EVDOinfo

EVDOinfo — Mon, 04 May 2009 12:35:35 +0000

those of you who don’t have a mobile broadband device and contract yet, can save a whole lot of money on their cradlepoint when its bundled with a 2yr verizon or sprint contract. The same CTR500 terry is talking about for $179.95 is only $114.99 and the CTR350 is only $64.99! more info at:

http://3gstore.com/cp