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Tired of leaning out your window or walking outdoors to talk on your cell phone? Wi-Ex comes to rescue with its zBoost YX500-CEL-800MHz signal booster. This unit features 57dB signal gain for better performance.
This booster is compatible with most carriers’ phones operating on 824 - 894 MHz (Cellular) and comes with everything needed including an amplifier base unit, power supply, based unit antenna, coaxial cable, mounting hardware and an external high-gain antenna that can be easily mounted on a window or outside wall, so you don’t have to be a pro to have good cell phone reception.
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- 5
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- 74%
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8 |
Exceeded Expectations
- Pros: I did a LOT of research before buying this, and I'm extremely glad I did. This works perfectly for my needs. I have Verizon, and I live in the Appalachian Mountains. Cellular signal here is extremely touchy. Although I'm only physically 4-5 miles from the cellular tower, at BEST I get about 1-2 bars on my phone by the time the signal is destroyed by all the mountains - that's OUTSIDE. Inside my home, I got absolutely no signal at all. I purchased this unit from NewEgg, and I bought an additional high-gain Yagi directional antenna, along with some LMR-400 Ultra Low-Loss coaxial cable from another site that specializes in cellular antennas and such. In any event, I now get 4-5 bars solid in my living room (where the unit is installed) and I get about 2-3 throughout most of the rest of the house. The fact that I get MORE bars inside the house than I can get anywhere outside my house speaks wonders!
- Cons: This is not a CON, it's an understandable limitation of the unit: BUYER BEWARE: This product will NOT give you the maximum range of 2,500 feet UNLESS you have VERY GOOD signal outside where you place your antenna. In other words, if you only get 1-2 bars outside, expect your range to be closer to 800 square feet. The unit cannot extend a weak signal as far as it can a good signal. If you DO suffer from very weak signals outside, you can (and should) purchase a stronger antenna and low-loss cable (for about $100, which I think is reasonable). The bigger, better antenna and lower loss cable will exponentially increase your inside signal strength and range. However, the antenna for this unit is about 10 times STRONGER than the dinky little antenna inside your cell phone. If your phone can steadily get 1-2 bars outside, then this unit will very likely give you 3-4 bars inside (and that's with the hardware that comes in the box.) Just don't expect to get the maximum range.
- Other Thoughts: Make sure you call your cellular company BEFORE you purchase this unit and verify which frequency they broadcast on in your area. I called Verizon to verify that they use the 800MHz signal frequency in my area because this unit is made ONLY for the 800MHz frequency band. Also, make sure you space the outside antenna a good distance from your inside antenna, or the unit will reduce its range automatically to prevent feedback from the outside antenna. Since I'm using a directional antenna, I was able to shorten the distance a bit, but the antenna that comes with this unit (which is a good one if you get 2 bars or more outside) is omni-directional. Place it as close to 20 vertical feet ABOVE the inside unit for the best results. If you can't get it that high, add horizontal distance, and point the inside antenna away from the area that the outside antenna is installed. Lastly, read the directions, they're very helpful and easy to understand - FOLLOW THEM!
Really works!
- Pros: Not too expensive, doesn't require you to plug into your phone. Great conversation piece and makes your co-workers huddle near your office to make calls.
- Cons: Signal drops off pretty fast as you move away from the unit. Installing the coax in an office ceiling was a bit troublesome and the exterior antenna is large enough to be noticeable. Power adapter cord was too short.
- Other Thoughts: Using this in an office building with a metal roof where my office is >50ft from a window. Before I was getting 0-1 bars and my calls were often missed, dropped or broken up. I put the antenna inside near a window and ran the cable through the ceiling tiles (on a Saturday!). Had to extend the RG6 coax cable another 25ft, as the manual said could be done, still worked fine. Now I get 3 bars when close to the unit, and calls aren't dropping or broken up.
| Model | YX500-CEL |
| Type | Signal Booster |
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- 5
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- 74%
- 4
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- 13%
- 3
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- 13%
- 2
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- 0%
- 1
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| Total Reviews: |
8 |
Excellent performance
- Pros: The item was simple to install with basic tools. Drill a few screws into the mount on the side of my eve, drill another small hole just above my foundation to run the coaxial cable, and one more to bring the cable up through to my living room where the base is located.
Although the instructions indicate that the unit only brings in the peak signal from outside, the most I can get is 4/5 bars in an absolute perfect position for only just a moment, but more likely between 2 and 3 out of 5 bars. Inside, I can very often get 4/5 bars, even sometimes 5/5. However, even when on the other side of the house and getting 2/5 bars, the quality is crystal clear.
Can't ask for much more than ease of installation and better-than-expected performance.
- Cons: Would like more than 50 feet of cable, although maybe that would result in signal loss.
It is recommended that you keep the base 15 vertical feet from the antenna which is difficult with a 1-story. It is suggested then to add horizontal distance between the two to compensate. This is a little tricky with only 50 feet of cable if you have to run the cable down the house and through the basement.
- Other Thoughts: Pay attention to instructions and be sure to have enough separation from antenna and base to avoid interference. Also, instructions suggest putting the base around 4 feet high as this is the height at which phones will be during use. I guess that assumes that you will be sitting during phone use. I have mine at 5 feet which splits the difference between the phone height while sitting or standing and seems to get the best results.
My guess is that many people put it near the ceiling and may get resulting lesser performance.
Impressive!
- Pros: Easy to install, and works better then I anticipated. I had 0-1 bars in my house, 1-2 bars outside (at one corner of my home). I put the signal antenna on my roof and the base in my home office. I now have two "usable bars" anywhere in my one level 2800 sq ft home.
- Cons: Since mounting outside the home is prefered for best results, it would be nice if it came with the outdoor grounding kit (which is optional)
- Other Thoughts: I will no longer have to give my cell and home number to associates and customers. One un-missed call from a client will pay for the zBoost.
YX500 is great
- Pros: This is a must have for anyone who gets a poor signal inside their home or office. I get 4-5 at&t bars inside my home now instead of 1-2 like I did before the YX500.
We have one at work and there are dozens of Verizon and at&t cell phone users and it works great in that setting as well.
- Cons: None
| Model |
| Brand |
Wireless Extenders |
| Model |
YX500-CEL |
| Spec |
| Type |
Signal Booster |
| Color |
White |
| Compatibility |
Works with Cingular, Verizon and Alltel cellular wireless phones in the frequency range of 824 - 894 MHz. |
| Specifications |
Frequency: 824 - 894 MHz (Cellular)
Networks: CDMA, GSM, and TDMA AMPS, GPRS, EDGE, 1xRTT, EVDO
Total Signal Gain: 57dB (adaptive)
Output Power: <0.5 Watt EiRP (w/ included antenna)
Unit weight: 1 lb.
Unit size: 5" x 7" x 2"
Power input: 100-120 VAC 60 Hz
Power output: 5VDC, 1.5A
Signal antenna cable: Outdoor rated 75 ohm DBS satellite coaxial cable, Type-F male
Base unit antenna: 50 ohm, TNC male
FCC Approved
Industry Canada Approved
UL Approved
Patents pending |
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Reviewed By: Dave on 5/29/2009
Tech Level: somewhat high - Ownership: 1 day to 1 week
