Sierra AirCard 595U and Mac OS X Compatibility

Michael

This thread will discuss the AirCard 595U and compatibility with Macs (intel or PPC).

We saw a demo of the AirCard 595U running with a MacBook Pro at the CTIA show at the end of March, so we do anticipate it working with Macs, BUT we will have a lot more to say after the Sierra AirCard 595U is officially launched.

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Michael · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 5:08 pm Post subject:

The AirCard 595U is being launched today. We should get one this week for testing.

It looks like there is a "Watcher Lite" application that will be available for download to allow Macs to to use the AirCard 595U.

To simplify using this device for Mac Users, if you select our "Mac PreActivate" service (no charge, just pay for shipping), we will do the following before shipping to you:

- unlock, activate, update the device
- add a Mac CD with software

We will add a complete review, pictures and comparisons with other USB modems soon.
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gbshuler · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 12:21 pm Post subject:

Michael · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 6:01 am Post subject:

We have been testing one and continue to test it before we recommend it.

There have been some very strange issues, related to using it on a Mac that we have noticed (can you say kernel panics), we are still testing it and building a lot of internal support notes on it.

On our Mac, we initially had the dialog box below appear, we clicked OK, it appeared in 10 more seconds, and every time we clicked OK, it would appear again in 10 seconds - NOT very "Mac Friendly" and it makes it hard to use the internet when a dialog box pops up every 10 seconds.

We figured out how to correct this problem, BUT I wonder if the "regular" user will OR if Sprint really has anyone with Mac experience to help customers.

For Mac customers we don't recommend it yet, let us finish testing it, there is still one HUGE issue that we are trying to get a grasp on that may affect many users and their ability to actually use the 595U.
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gbshuler · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 6:25 am Post subject:

I got the same dialog box when I tried to provision my 595U. My error code was 13, not 14. No idea what that means. It provisioned immediately on the PC.

No kernel panics on my Macbook Pro running OS X 10.4.9. I hope you got the Data light to come on -- I haven't yet. I think you may be right. It may be too early to use this modem on a Mac. Mine may be going back.

Are there any pages which show how to purge all records, settings, caches, etc from my prior modem? I deleted the network configuration, but still wonder if that goofed me up somehow..

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

Could these issues be a conflict between the installed files via U595 and those installed by Apple or others?

Michael · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 8:30 am Post subject:

We do testing on multiple models and usually have drives partitioned with different OS versions, some virgin OSs. We will continue to test on a PowerBook G4 as well.

FYI, the green data light is on.
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dappledandy · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 10:37 am Post subject: advantage over U720?

I have a Powerbook G4, 17-in, using OSX 10.3.9.

Hesitant to upgrade to OSX 10.4, but will do so to accommodate the Sierra AirCard IF it offers noticeable advtange over the U720.

How does it compare?

Thanks,

TD

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

Note that the U720 using Apple's new drivers is problem free, mostly. The battery can only be charged by the USB port which means you must be plugged into AC or you'll drain your battery. Forget to recharge before leaving home... I thought the battery might be an advantage but with that in mind I am not sure.

My thought would be why buy something that is buggy when another product isn't.

Count Tracula · EVDO Newbie Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Tampa

any updates on how effective this modem is coming along with the mac???

I plan on running one of these sprint modems for my G4 with 10.3.9. any advice or reccomendations?

jenz · EVDO Newbie Joined: 11 Jul 2007 Posts: 2

I just purchased both a Sprint 595U and Verizon USB720 for my Macbook Pro. My question is easy - I played with both units and want the 595U - so if I buy it from 3gstore, can I use it *without* getting that painful "data provisioning" error message as posted above every 10 seconds.

Why do I want the 595U? By no means is this truly scientific but in testing the download speeds tonight, the Sprint card was consistently ~1300 DL while the VZ was 500-600k probably more due to Sprint's network here in Santa Monica vs the card itself.

So, 3gstore, I have 13 days left to return this Sprint card. I'm more than happy to do so if you have figured out a way to make that painful error message disappear.

Alex · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 6:34 am Post subject:

Jenz, it seems you've determined that the Sprint network is the way to go based on coverage in your area based on side by side testing. That sounds logical to me.

But just because the USB720 you tested was on a slower carrier, doesn't mean that the equivalent U720 from Sprint will also be slower.

I personally will not recommend the AC595U to anyone who asks for an opinion or recommendation.

Get the Sprint U720 through 3GStore.com

jenz · EVDO Newbie Joined: 11 Jul 2007 Posts: 2

Thanks, Alex. That is actually a good point re: U720 on Sprint vs the USB720 I tested on Verizon. Also, is the main reason you do not recommend the 595U due to the aforementioned provisioning error?

If so, I think I may have good news to report to the forum, as I think I got lucky and stumbled upon a fix. As of now, I've been running the 595U on my Macbook Pro for almost 7 hours with absolutely not a single error pop-up.

After I followed the initial installation instructions per the PDF Sprint tells you to download and ran Sprint's Watcher Lite (which caused all those errors), I wondered what would happen after a restart and simply plugging in the modem without starting the software.

It works just like the Verizon USB!!! It is now being managed by the Mac toolbar instead of Sprint's Watcher Lite and as a result, I have not seen the error a single time.

As far as my exact setup, I have a MBP w/all full updates on my Apple software. For Sprint, I went to sprint.com/downloads and DL'd the software for the MAC. I followed the instructions to a T in the PDF instructions that come with the DL in that I installed Watcher Lite, activated the card and connected (and subsequently disconnected) using the Watcher Lite this first time.

Happy surfing to others!!!

Alex · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 11:10 am Post subject: Re: MAC + 595U problem solved

Johntron · Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 10:44 pm Post subject:

I just bought the 595U for my Macbook. After a couple of minutes of initialization, entering codes, and suc, I was able to connect and start browsing. My preliminary estimate would be that I'm getting around 800kbps on average, with no drops to date.

I've tried the modem in three different geographic locations with the same results (although one area averaged around 1000kbps).

I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

And that's my experience. I'm still trying to figure out how to get GPS working in KisMac.

Oh, and a PS concerning the battery:
The Sierra representative mentions the words "duty cycle". I'm not going to explain what this is (many of you probably know), but based on what I know, to operate at full duty cycle, you would have to essentially be transmitting and receiving at full theoretical speeds using maximum radio power to drain the battery in 80 minutes. I doubt anyone could do this if they wanted to. Assuming the modem has something like a switch mode power supply, the battery is charging whenever it is not being used. So if you're at 50% duty cycle, you would essentially be draining the battery 50% of the time and charging it the other 50% of the time. I guess the real question is how much the modem relies on the battery. I've been connected to Rev A through my Macbook for about two hours straight now. I'll let you know how long it takes to kill it.