CDU-550 by Franklin - EVDO USB Modem

Michael · Last edited by Michael on Sun Oct 01, 2006 6:20 am; edited 2 times in total

This thread will discuss CDU-550 by Franklin, a USB EVDO Modem.

Finally, an EVDO device that will work with virtually any computer! The Franklin CDU550 allows any computer with a USB port to connect to Sprint's high-speed broadband data network, no PC slot needed. It's small, so it's easy to travel with, but it's also powerful, so you can rely on it to provide speedy, consistent service.

Mobile Broadband USB Modem

Franklin leads the wireless industry with its advanced CDU-550 EVDO USB modem. It provides instant wireless connectivity for mobile email, web browsing, and other mobile applications. Simply plug the CDU-550 into any supported Windows® or Mac (PowerBook, iBook, MacBook, MacBook Pro, Desktop, Mac Mini, etc) or laptop and you can send and receive data. The CDU-550 works with high-speed, CDMA 1xRTT and EVDO networks and is backwards compatible with IS-95A/B networks.

PROVEN TECHNOLOGY

Franklin’s ground-breaking USB modems are based on its line of proven CDMA embedded modules. Widely used in name brand handsets, Franklin’s modules have earned a reputation for solid reliability and exceptional performance. Leading wireless operators worldwide have depended on us to deliver robust and cost-effective wireless modem solutions.

FRANKLIN WIRELESS ADVANTAGE

Franklin Wireless has a proven track record of delivering high quality and cost effective CDMA 1x and EVDO modules to major wireless operators worldwide. Our products are both state-of-the-art and innovative with technology roadmap covering from CDMA2000 1x, 1xEVDO to UMTS/WCDMA HSDPA, providing a wide range of reliable mobile wireless internet solutions and products to laptop computer users, including the industry's first USB plug-in version. For vertical applications and fixed wireless users, we offer standalone, fixed wireless EVDO modems with or without Wireless Router and Access Point capabilities.

Mastersonics · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 12

Hi Mike
thanks so much for such a great review
very, very helpful.

questions:

1. How about warranty?
2. Where do I go if something happens to it?

please let me know
regards,
Charles

kenreed · EVDO Newbie Joined: 07 Oct 2005 Posts: 1

I see the first allotment is 100 units. I've placed an order but have no idea if I'm in the first 100. Will you provide occasional updates for us ?

Michael · Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 5:41 pm Post subject:

There is a 1 year warranty on the device, currently the warranty is handled directly by Franklin. The warranty does not cover customer misuse or damage (e.g. you smash it with a hammer).
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Emily · Guest

Hi - This is great information. Thank you. I just have a couple questions:

1. When you buy the USB modem and Sprint service, is it registered to a single computer. For example, can I use it on my iMac at home and then unplug it and put it on a laptop to take with me?

2. Are there any other options for getting wireless broadband access on a desktop Mac? Any other devices, protocols or providers I should consider?

3. Is there a return policy if the signal in my location is terrible?

Thanks,
Emily

Michael · Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 6:59 am Post subject:

1) No, the service is on the device, not the computer. As long as you install the software (on Windows) on each computer, you can move the device from computer to computer. On Intel Macs running Mac OS X 10.4.7, there is nothing to install. On PowerPC Macs (G3/G4/G5), you can use without software, you just have to go through some extra setup to configure/recognize the CDU-550.

2) You can use a Kyocera KR1 and and shipping PC Card from Verizon or Sprint and hookup via Ethernet OR Airport.

3) Yes, there is a 14 day return policy and also there is a same policy to cancel out of your Sprint/Verizon contract. However, Contact Us, before ordering, we can check coverage for you.
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Emily · Guest

Thanks! That all sounds good. A couple more questions then:

1) Do I need a router to share the service with other Macs? Can I just plug in the USB modem to one and use Airport for sharing with the others? Do I need a Base Station?

2) Is the $59.99/mo without a cell phone plan a promo or will that likely be offered for a while (at least a month or two)?

3) Does VOIP work on this USB modem?

4) What about security? Does the modem provide any firewall protection or should I plan to set that up via software on the Mac?

boneznet01 · Guest

1) Do I need a router to share the service with other Macs? Can I just plug in the USB modem to one and use Airport for sharing with the others? Do I need a Base Station?
You can use the MacOS X network sharing to share via ethernet or airport.

2) Is the $59.99/mo without a cell phone plan a promo or will that likely be offered for a while (at least a month or two)?
I don't know on this one.

3) Does VOIP work on this USB modem?
Friend of mine has Verizon EVDO, he says VOIP works just fine.

4) What about security? Does the modem provide any firewall protection or should I plan to set that up via software on the Mac?
Your firewall on your Mac should be on at all times, no matter what type of connection you are using.[/i]

jackrodgers · EVDO Addict Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 1131

Why would the Franklin be preferred over say the Treo 700p using PAM.

Is there any functional improvement using the Franklin.

The Treo has a 4.5 hour battery, calendar, address book, phone, still and video camera, smart card, accepts programs, etc. and can serve many purposes.

Jimincalifornia · EVDO User Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 72

c title

southbound747 · EVDO User Joined: 24 Jul 2006 Posts: 85

jackrodgers · EVDO Addict Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 1131

polygoo · EVDO Newbie Joined: 16 Aug 2006 Posts: 6

will this work for verizon evdo? or is this sprint only???

Ben Miller · Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 7:11 pm Post subject:

The EVDO modem is powered by the laptop that's dialing out, so you don't have to worry about battery life. I use my Treo 650 to dial out using 1xRTT relatively often and it's a pain because you have to find a place to charge the phone if you need to stay connected for a few hours.

Dialing out through phones is also inconvenient because then the phone cannot be used for calls (though this may be slightly different with EVDO). I get annoyed when I miss calls because my phone is being used to get my laptop connected.

The last problem is the phones like the Treo 700p are expensive. You're talking $500 instead of $120 after subsidies for agreeing to a two-year contract.

If you only need to get on wireless Internet access occasionally, dialing out with your phone via a USB or Bluetooth connection is probably adequate. This is what I've done for the past year and a half. If you find that you need to get wireless Internet access more frequently through your laptop, you're probably going to be better off paying the $60/month (instead of $40/month for phone-as-modem) so that it's not such a hassle to get online. That's my view on it.

thesmalls · EVDO Newbie Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 1

i have not purchased/used a cdu550 but friends tell me they work as described. i have had 4 treo 650's, 4 treo 700w's, and am waiting for my 4th treo 700p in the last 22 months through verizon. yes - those numbers are correct. i get anywhere from 1-3 months out of these phones before they have to be replaced. no one at verizon or palm seems to understand why (it appears to be a memory leak). i have had "refurbished" replacement phones fail after just two weeks. the failure mode begins with a series of memory erros when trying to open applications, the phone freezing during the middle of calls, and eventually constant rebooting. if i wait to long, eventually the phone will not come out of the reboot phase (this has happened with a 700w and 700p)

i use my phone extensively for work and routinely use the MS Office applications to view and rework Excel, Word and occasionally Powerpoint files. i have used both the 700w and 700p as EVDO modems. i travel extensively for work. i found this to be inconvient where i ended up being on the phone as much as i was online in airports and such. further, the battery life of the treo's is reduced dramatically when using as a modem. i frequently get online with the phone itself and get roughly half the life as i do when making normal phone calls (probably due to screen brightness more than anything). if you are only using the treo occasionally to get online - then you could piggy back off your current cell plan and be better off. if you are buying a new phone just for this purpose or routinely need to be online and on the phone, i would not choose this option. in my experience, you will be replacing the phone often and losing your internet capability while awaiting "fixes" or replacement phones.

i currently use the merlin pci card with service through sprint on my laptop. the cdu550 was not available at the time.