KR1 firmware updates (lack there of)

MLevdo · EVDO Newbie Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 3

You'd think that since practically none of the current EVDO cards (Rev. A) that are being sold by either Sprint or Verizon work in the KR1, DLINK and Kyocera would get their act together and at least get one of them to work soon. It's not like all these cards just showed up yesterday, and now its all the consumer can purchase. Why would you buy a Rev 0 card when you know your going to have to turn around and shell out more money in a few months to a year for a Rev A card... it doesn't make sense.

I guess unless you have an old card your screwed out of using this router. Then again, pretty soon everyone with a REV 0 card is going to be screwed since it seems there is no support for this paper weight in REV A.

Once again... the consumer gets it in the rear. Thanks Dlink and kyocera. Your're the best. At least linksys (cisco) has one of the Rev. A cards working and gives their customers an option and a path to move forward... or at least some hope.

Walter · EVDO Junkie Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Posts: 307

Ummmm...

D-Link claims to support the S720. So that's one Rev. A card at least.
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Scott · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 6:59 pm Post subject:

Linksys has more than one Rev A card working, yet they still have some things to learn from Kyocera concerning their support.

That said, why beat up on Kyocera?

Kyocera (w/D-link) was the first manufacturer to offer EVDO card support and their cost was far below those that soon followed. Still is in many cases. Their support is vastly superior to the other manufactures, even with their flaws. Having dealt with the other manufacturers' support departments week by week, we actually know this from experience.

Kyocera DOES offer Rev A support for the Novatel S720 Rev A card. They currently offer the only EVDO router with a USB port, even IF U720/USB720 speeds are limited to 500k... that will be fixed. They still work. (and considering they were never intended to, this is pretty cool)

Kyocera is working on Rev A compatibility for a number of cards. Things don't happen immediately when it comes to modem support development, as frustrating as that may be to users out there waiting for Rev A support.

Everyone with Rev 0 cards will NOT "get it in the rear". Rev 0 cards will continue working as they currently do on both Sprint and Verizon, since Rev A network updates allow backwards compatibility for older Rev 0 cards (though some cards need firmware updates... which is trivial).

As far as the KR1 is concerned, maintaining Rev 0 card compatibility is exactly why Kyocera is taking the time to do the Rev A card support updates RIGHT. Keep in mind that modem cards are not merely some ethernet stack but an altogether different electronic device, and the code for controlling them is proprietary, not openly available.

There are other EVDO card routers that offer Rev A compatibility if you have to have it.

Michael · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 7:00 pm Post subject:

RK1008 for the Kyocera KR1 does indeed support the Merlin S720 for Sprint.

You are correct the lack of support for many of the newer Rev A cards (Verizon and Sprint) is currently hurting sales of the KR1.

We used to sell 30 KR1s for every other router we would sell. Lately, the sales are way down, because of the lack of support of the other newer Rev A cards.

However, look for the KR1 to support most of the newer Rev A cards soon Smile

Once that happens, the KR1 will be a very attractive option for many.
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Mackieman · EVDO Junkie Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 485

MLevdo · EVDO Newbie Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 3

Ok.. the S720... I don't have sprint, and sprint in my area doesn't even know what EVDO stands for...

I just wish they would give some sort of status as to what they are doing and maybe even a guestimate as to when they are expecting a firmware release... All they need to put on thier support page is something like.... "working on Rev. A card support. Check back for new firmware soon!" You know... gives a nice warm fuzzy.

I see the DIR-450 that Walter linked to supports the 595 card... will the 3G store be reviewing that router soon???

MLevdo · EVDO Newbie Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 3

I do feel better by the way... thanks for asking.

Walter · EVDO Junkie Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Posts: 307

Alex · Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 11:33 am Post subject:

Mike is going to the CTIA show next week.

If he can find anyone worth talking to from DLink he will.

We had our reasons for not wanting to sell/support their unit.

If those reasons are no longer in play, then maybe we'll sell it.

Watch for lots of CTIA info to be posted in the coming week.

Clue · Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 10:05 pm Post subject:

I'm looking forward to a firmware upgrade for the KR1 that will support the Pantech PX-500. I was assured when I purchased the KR1 from Booster Antenna in December that firmware to support it was forthcoming soon.

FYI..I AM using my PX-500 in my KR1. It will work with firmware RK1002 but with limited speeds of around 350-400k. Every couple weeks or so I have to reboot the KR1 as it logs a series of flushing errors and eventually stops responding but other than that and the slower speeds I haven't noticed any other issues. I have one desktop wired, two g laptops and a Wii wireless to it successfully.

glenns · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Posts: 12

From a previous post, for those of us that use tethered devices and newer aircards we've gotten screwed by Kyocera. Would of been nice if the new D-Link DIR-450 supported USB devices.
Has anyone heard if Kyocera will be putting out any new firmware updates soon, haven't seen any in months, I'm getting the impression they've given up on this router and those of us that have the need to use USB tethered devices or newer devices on the market. After spending well over 250.00 dollars for the router it's turned into a paper weight and dust collector given I can't use it tethered with my Moto E815 (which is supported by Verizon Tethered) or UTstarcomm XV6700. Would be a great product if it supported more mobiles. Hopefully Kyocera will wake up soon........

Michael · Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 4:57 pm Post subject:

I think the next firmware release for the Kyocera KR1 will add new life into this little router.

We have sold 1000s of KR1s over the last year, but sales have dropped because of lack of support of the newest Rev A modems.

I expect sales to return or be even better, once the new firmware is available.
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Bigdave · EVDO Addict Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 1069

Yeah, but this is something we've been hearing for quite a while now. The new Top Global MB6800 seems to be a KR1 killer. (Check it out here) It will hopefully support our USB devices (U720, etc.) right out of the box but what I personally like best about it is the new technology that allows it to recognize new cards without having to upgrade the firmware. This will hopefully keep us from being held hostage for months at a time while new firmware is supposedly being updated. With the popularity of a device such as the KR1 Kyocera's slowness to respond to changing technology (which didn't exactly sneak up on them anyway. . . . ) simply boggles my mind!

If the Top Global comes out before the KR1 firmware update, which if the past is any indicator should be a given, then I am ordering one and putting my KR1 on eBay and moving on. Hopefully I won't be sorry because other than the disappointment of no new firmware support for the USB devices the KR1 has performed flawlessly for me.

Michael · Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 7:29 am Post subject:

We of course will offer products that we test and evaluate and "pass our tests". We are excited about the MB6800 and we are looking forward to getting one in for testing (should be happening soon, according to Top Global).

Also, we are more excited about the next KR1 Firmware upgrade.

BTW, this is a pretty good comment of what you have now:

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