Cradlepoint Black Personal Wi-Fi Hotspot w/ 3G&4G Ready / WiPipe Powered (PHS300)

Pros: Low price, portable, wireless, connects up to 16 wifi devices. Works after firmware update and realm change. Pay no attention to the other reviews stating this device from newegg.com will not work unless on the sprint network. All is needed is a device firmware update and modem carrier realm change which can be found on cradlepoint.com.

Cons: Device is not plug and play out of the box unless on the sprint network.Device shipped is actually model PHS300S which is defaulted on the sprint network. No instructions saying you must go to cradlepoint.com and update firmware and do a realm change.

Overall Review: Don't worry if your device don't work defaults to sprint networkHere I tell you how to get your cradlepoint PHS300(S) up and running:go to www.cradlepoint.compoint to support and click on Product Firmware and Supported Modems-scroll down and click on PHS300-under Troubleshooting click on How Do I Update Firmware?* follow the instruction on that page-make sure after updating the modem on the http://192.168.0.1/ pageyou click on the modem tab and scroll down change the realm to the carrier your usb mobile device card is using and scroll up and save settings. Wait til cradlepoint resets.on the same page click on the Basic tab and Launch the internet wizard setup. Follow the onscreen instructions.plug in your usb device and you are set to go-if you want wep/wpa(where you type in a passwork to access the wifi network) then click on the basic tab and on the left click on wireless(wifi)-chose security mode you want and on the pre-shared key chose a password scroll up save setting and your set

Pros: Small size. removable battery.

Cons: Could not use it because Newegg shipped model that only works with Sprint modems. Newegg product description stated model PHS300. Cradlepoint website lists my 3G modem (VirginMobile Novatel MC760) as a supported modem. I could establish WiFi connection with PHS300 setup pages but there was no internet access. When I tried to access internet I got an error saying I was using an unsupported device. Talked to Cradlepoint and they had me check model # in battery compartment. It was actually a PHS300S rather than a PHS300. The PHS300S works only with Sprint modems. Newegg shipped a model different that what was ordered. The PHS300S is not listed as a Newegg item so I am not sure why I received one. Cradlepoint tech support was very helpful.

Pros: Good concept

Cons: Bought first unit thru Newegg and paid premium to get a PHS300 Version 2 hardware that support 4G and received that. Unfortunately, the unit died after a day. RMA'd it back to Newegg and sure enough, they sent me back an older Version 1 device that doesn't support 4G. Fortunately, this time Cradlepoint is coming thru and appears to be agreeing to swap the unit for a Version 2.

Overall Review: Feedback to Cradlepoint: The PHS300 Version 1 model should simply be called the PHS300 model. The Version 2 should carry a different model number, like PHS400. Feedback to Newegg. Likely not your fault since you're just pushing products, but, you have a picture of a PHS300 Version 1 model which does not support 4G but your product description says it supports 4G. You may want to consider contacting Cradlepoint and work this one out.

Pros: Compact, lightweight, fully portable with included battery. Fairly simple, easy configuration - should be familiar to anyone who's set up a home Wi-Fi router before. Latest firmware from CradlePoint supports more 4G USB modems.

Cons: Aging hardware, limited by previous-generation standards (USB 1.1 vs. 2.0, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g vs. 802.11n). Throughput limited to 6 Mbps due to hardware limitation (USB 1.1 modem port), only recently acknowledged on CradlePoint's website. Multiple "branded" versions make for confusing shopping: Newegg lists this as a PHS300, but I received a PHS300S (for Sprint WiMAX) in a box stickered as a PHS300CW (for Clear WiMAX). There are also versions marketed for Comcast (PHS300CC) and Time Warner (PHS300TW). Somewhat confusing compatibility: need to manually find and update to different firmware to work with newer modems and alternate carriers. Product description (both here and on CradlePoint's site) implies that 12V auto adapter is included - it's not, and it's an expensive (~$25) option.

Overall Review: Fortunately, this Sprint-specific PHS300S I received was easily updated to the latest "generic" PHS300 firmware, and now works fine with my LG VL600 4G LTE modem on Verizon. Just follow the instructions on this CradlePoint support page to *MANUALLY* update to the latest PHS300 firmware: knowledgebase.cradlepoint.com/questions/13 (Note: You can ignore the modem driver update unless you're using WiMAX.) Finally, this is the only CradlePoint router that offers built-in battery power, if *completely* mobile operation is a requirement for you. If you can live with being tied to either AC or a 12V auto adapter, though, the newer CTR35 seems like a much better, faster choice for a similar price.

Pros: portable size-works with most aircards with firmware-indicator lights are helpful-works on ac adapter if you want to use it indoors but remove the battery first to save it for portable use only

Cons: battery life is not very long-instructions are not low tech user friendly but most good techs should be able to figure it out-air card sticks out making the unit a little large overall. I can tuck it into my pocket and let the air card stick out. I just have to be careful not to break off the USB that is on a swivel.

Overall Review: I use 2 of these. One at home for travel and one at my office. I just take the air card back and forth with me. I would use this on the train but the battery life is limited to maybe a couple of hours. You can firmware the device to accept whatever air card you like. I use the Verizon 4G LTE and it works great. I have the CradlePoint Sprint PHS-556 but I loaded the Verizon firmware onto it. I could always change it back to the Sprint firmware if I want to but it's working fine this way.

Pros: Works great. I dont run it on batteries for too long just because its always connect to power when I use it. I use it with a Sprint Card 3G/4G.

Cons: single from WeeFee is not as strong as it could be.

Overall Review: If you need battery get it but if not get the CradlePoint CTR35. It has USB, Ethernet and Wireless N.

Pros: Worked right out of the box with a USB760 Verizon modem and my Sprint sphm500 phone.

Cons: None

Pros: Once you get it set up it works really well, faster than directly tethering my PB to my BlackBerry. Must be the WiPipe technology.

Cons: Way too complicated to set up. Read all the FAQ's from the support site. Update the firmware and Modem driver to the latest levels first.

Overall Review: I recommend you disable the "Require User Login" feature right off the bat. If you have security set up correctly, you won't need the User Login feature and it just gets in the way on certain client devices.