Best MiFi device

[fsa259]

Have a wifi only tablet, and just found out about the gigabags which seem the best data plans going.

Which mifi device do you folk recommend from an unlocking and signal strength perspective? Is there one clear winner, or they all have varying pros and cons? ?40 sound reasonable for a used one?

Planning on getting one off the bay.....

[Jim.Mahoney]

Have a wifi only tablet, and just found out about the gigabags which seem the best data plans going.

Which mifi device do you folk recommend from an unlocking and signal strength perspective? Is there one clear winner, or they all have varying pros and cons? ?40 sound reasonable for a used one?

Planning on getting one off the bay.....

Huawei is top of the list!

The E58xx series can all be unlocked, see E58xx unlock thread!

Far better than ZTE...

[fsa259]

Thank you, Jim! I take your word as gospel given your extensive experience in this field. Many thanks.

[fsa259]

In your Huawei modem thread, you gave a useful review post on different dongles. Have you a similar one on the various Huawei mifis?

I'm eyeing up the newer e585 with the one touch operation, but is it trickier to unlock?

[Jim.Mahoney]

In your Huawei modem thread, you gave a useful review post on different dongles. Have you a similar one on the various Huawei mifis?

I'm eyeing up the newer e585 with the one touch operation, but is it trickier to unlock?


You can unlock the E585 but not for free! DC-Unlocker can do the unlock via their server, I think it's around 8 - 10 Euros...

E5832s is probably my first choice, I'm not sure I want touch facilities on a Wi-Fi device...

[fsa259]

Thanks, Jim. Didn't consider the whole 'accidental activation while in bag' issue. Seems to be few E5832s' on the bay, but I'll keep looking.

Just to throw something else into the mix...is the e586 worth it for future proofing, or chances are most other UK networks won't expand to feature the 21.5mbps speeds?

[Jim.Mahoney]

Thanks, Jim. Didn't consider the whole 'accidental activation while in bag' issue. Seems to be few E5832s' on the bay, but I'll keep looking.

Just to throw something else into the mix...is the e586 worth it for future proofing, or chances are most other UK networks won't expand to feature the 21.5mbps speeds?

We have 21.5mbps here in South Africa and on 2100MHz is not much faster. It is on 900HMz but they would never allow 900MHz for HSPA in the UK as it's already busting full with 2/2.5G voice and data!

LTE will be the way forward once the spectrum is auctioned off in the UK. This will use much of the frequency that's now free following the analogue TV switch-off.

You wouldn't want to think of buying a LTE device yet as standards could change. Wait until things are operational, then LTE should be offering 50 - 100mbps and in theory way over this as LTE progresses!

So you could even save more and go for the E5832 which has LED's in place of the display and look at LTE in a few years. The E5832 is also dual band (900/2100) which is handy if you are going to travel with it. It offers 7.2 down and 5.7 up.

Remember that these are 'theoretical' speeds and provided it's 3.45am, there is no wind, it's not raining and there isn't a moth taking a snooze on the serving cells antenna you might get near that speed! My 28mbps capable modem is probably only 5 - 10% faster than my 7.6mbps device during the day.

[fsa259]

Thanks Jim. That's some very useful info. Really appreciate your time.

The display on the e5832s is so much more useful, but I'll see what comes my way.

[Jim.Mahoney]

Thanks Jim. That's some very useful info. Really appreciate your time.

The display on the e5832s is so much more useful, but I'll see what comes my way.

You'll pay almost twice the price for a display that you'll probably never look at! :)

[fsa259]

As ever, the brutal truth from you :D

[tonynw]

Why go to the expense of a mifi unit ?? it is more cost effective to tether you mobile phone and use it as a wireless hub.

tonynw

[fsa259]

Oh, that's because my phone is on a cheap giffgaff ?5 goodybag that gives lots of texts but poor data rate, whereas for the mifi I was planning on getting the ?5 gigapack. Don't think I can combine the two as tethering is only allowed on the gigapack deal.

I figured ?10 pcm would suit my needs....

My phone is an old symbian 60, so no native tethering, but there's JoikuSpot.

[tonynw]

Oh, that's because my phone is on a cheap giffgaff ?5 goodybag that gives lots of texts but poor data rate, whereas for the mifi I was planning on getting the ?5 gigapack. Don't think I can combine the two as tethering is only allowed on the gigapack deal.

I figured ?10 pcm would suit my needs....

My phone is an old symbian 60, so no native tethering, but there's JoikuSpot.

cheq with giffgaff they say they don't support tethering and there will be a data restriction if they do.

i had a tesco sim gave me 500 mins 1000 text and 512 mb data for ?20 per month and an unlocked mifi unit i used an 02 sim in it and paid about ?15 per month for 3gig of data, i now have a Samsung Galaxy Note on 3 network pay ?31 per month 2000 mins any network 5000 texts 3000 mins to other 3 mobiles and unlimited data usage even if i tether my phone to as many devises that i want to. i use about 6 gig of data every month some times even more.

tonynw

[fsa259]

cheq with giffgaff they say they don't support tethering and there will be a data restriction if they do.

i had a tesco sim gave me 500 mins 1000 text and 512 mb data for ?20 per month and an unlocked mifi unit i used an 02 sim in it and paid about ?15 per month for 3gig of data, i now have a Samsung Galaxy Note on 3 network pay ?31 per month 2000 mins any network 5000 texts 3000 mins to other 3 mobiles and unlimited data usage even if i tether my phone to as many devises that i want to. i use about 6 gig of data every month some times even more.

tonynw

GG says tethering is ok on their gigabags, but not goodybags.

You've got hold of some great deals there....I definitely don't call or text as much as that and data would be for emails mainly. Around uni buildings I've got access to their WiFi...I just need something for when I'm at/commuting to work.

[Jim.Mahoney]

Why go to the expense of a mifi unit ?? it is more cost effective to tether you mobile phone and use it as a wireless hub.

tonynw


1. It doesn't tie up your phone!
2. Instant WiFi 'Office' anywhere!
3. Better Battery life verses a phone!
4. Easier to use for a traveller as large databases of connect profiles can be stored!
The list goes on...

[fsa259]

One more thing, Jim...which Huawei would also support 850...what I think rogers and fido use for 3g in Canada? Is there a quadband mifi you recommend? (planning a holiday in a few months)

[tonynw]

1. It doesn't tie up your phone!
2. Instant WiFi 'Office' anywhere!
3. Better Battery life verses a phone!
4. Easier to use for a traveller as large databases of connect profiles can be stored!
The list goes on...

1 Can use phone at same time to text or call
2 battery life on my note is about 12 hrs will out last your laptop or if using on a desk top plug into usb and charge ate the same time.
3 office anywhere can still be used
4 don't need data base if on cell site

tonynw

[Jim.Mahoney]

1 Can use phone at same time to text or call

Been there done that with cables getting tangled etc...


2 battery life on my note is about 12 hrs will out last your laptop or if using on a desk top plug into usb and charge ate the same time.

Huawei Mi-Fi does the same...


3 office anywhere can still be used

And your point is?


4 don't need data base if on cell site

Most cell phones need settings downloaded and changed each time a new SIM is used. Just one click in Mobile Partner!

[fsa259]

One more thing, Jim...which Huawei would also support 850...what I think rogers and fido use for 3g in Canada?

I'm getting the feeling quadband mifi units are few and far between...

[Jim.Mahoney]

One more thing, Jim...which Huawei would also support 850...what I think rogers and fido use for 3g in Canada?

I'm getting the feeling quadband mifi units are few and far between...


The E5838 has HSPA on 850, 1900 & 2100MHz.

Rogers use both 850 & 1900 for HSPA. Plus LTE on 1700MHz!

Fido is no longer listed, is it not part of Rogers now?

Maps and frequency used country by country can be found here:

Mobile World Live - Coverage Maps (http://maps.mobileworldlive.com/)

Do note that some networks listed may not be available to retail consumers! Plus the network licence holder name may not be immediately obvious for example; Telef?nica UK Limited is actually O2.

[mrmattd0]

Vodaphone mifi seems to perform well, the problem is that 3G isn't that great, but with new hotspots in wifi coming thick and fast, it's a better solution and alternative.

[BestSpace]

You can unlock the E585 but not for free! DC-Unlocker can do the unlock via their server, I think it's around 8 - 10 Euros...

E5832s is probably my first choice, I'm not sure I want touch facilities on a Wi-Fi device...

Good choice. I have 3 of them and work seamlessly

[fsa259]

Just wanted to let you guys know I got hold of a new unlocked e5838 off eBay for ?70. Seemed a bit steep, but I didn't find any other retailers. So far it works fantastically and I'll try the 850mhz when I'm in Canada next month.

Thanks for all your help!