Home >> Computer Add-Ons >> Networking
Home >> Computer Add-Ons
Cradlepoint Travel Router CTR-500 | List Price: $179.99
Discount Price: $169.99
|
Brand: Cradlepoint
Binding: Electronics
Features: Works as advertised...and then some [Posted on 2008-11-26]
I have had a Verizon EVDO Expresscard modem for almost 2 years now. This is an older model, the V640 I think. According to Cradlepoint it's a non-supported device but I took a chance anyways....I'm due for a wireless card upgrade so figured I'd try first with my old one. Works perfectly out of the box. This thing is small, ultra portable and totally extends the life and value of my wireless card. In the past, I would have to use the card then pass it around to my family and/or colleagues who also wanted to check their email or surf for a few minutes. Now I plug it in and everyone is sharing the card. There's even a "rapid access" feature which gives minimal security (requires you to enter last six digits of Mac address to gain access to internet) but allows just about any wifi device, even those that don't support WEP, to quickly use your EVDO card to gain access. Right now I've got 3 laptops, an iPhone and the Xbox360 all accessing this thing while I'm visiting family for Thanksgiving holiday. Amazing product...totally worth the investment.
Just need to update Firmware and it works great! [Posted on 2008-11-29]
I was having a lot of problems with getting my AT&T Option 3.6 expresscard to work and set up a network, so I began troubleshooting on cradlepoint's website. They suggested to update to the latest firmware, which my CTR-500 did not come with, it was one update behind. I downloaded the firmware update, and I was very skeptical. After downloading the update, I set up my new network via expresscard in literally a minute. I was up and running, and no complaints thus far!
Its very lightweight and tiny, again, I was extremely skeptical that this would help me at all, but it did boost my signal and let me share my expresscard!
Best investment [Posted on 2008-12-09]
I live in a building that has no phone access or internet. so I purchased a Sprint 597 USB Internet card, just to find out that it could only be used by 1 pc at a time. We have 2 laptops & a home PC. So I had heard of this gadget and didn't really believe it at first. So then we purchased a "MagicJack" in order to recieve calls on a phone. Then finally I recieved the Cradlepoint by UPS (This is why I rated it a 4 star because it took 2 weeks) But then I couldn't figure out how to use my existing wireless router with the cradlepoint since I have a USB to Lan box connected to the wireless router. I also found out that the MagicJack would "skip" because of the multiple conversions. So here's what I did (For future reference) to get it to work perfectly:
Assuming you have previously adjusted the settings on the Cradlepoint & pluged in the Internet card & adjusted the settings on the WiFi router.....
1. Make sure your router is configured as an ACCESS POINT (This is usually the default).
2. Plug the Ethernet on the CTR-500 to the Router's Ethernet MODEM port with a separate ethernet cable (This MUST be pluged into the MODEM port NOT the PC port. IE: The Cradlepoint is treated like a DSL/Cable modem.)
3. Plug the PC with the MagicJack to one of the PC ports using an ethernet cable.
"POOF" you now have a hardwired internet & FAST Too! PLUS you can access the internet wirelessly using the older WiFi router.
I assume this will work with a regular non-wifi router too. Just reverse step 2 I think.
Now my wife & I don't fight anymore over the USB internet card. It's the best $200 I've spent......lol
Thanks, Amazon!
Works as described [Posted on 2008-12-16]
This is my first router so I have nothing to compare it to but it works for us. We using a single Sprint 595U air card, shared wirelessly between our old laptop and our new laptop. We also added a wireless printer to share between the two laptops. The only difficulty I had was setting the correct security level because the old laptop was so old. I called Cradlepoint and they got back to me very quickly and walked me through setting a security level that would work for both laptops. The cradelepoint representative was very helpful.
Excellent router [Posted on 2009-01-04]
Router installed quickly and easily after update of firmware. Does not support bridging but not an issue in this application. No complaints
Click here for more details and discount information...
|
){kind=link}