Sierra USB 598 w/ GPS for Verizon Wireless

Maureen

You may have heard of the Sierra Wireless USB 598 EVDO device for Sprint's network, but now it is available for use on the Verizon Wireless network from 3Gstore!

What makes the USB 598 for Verizon from 3Gstore so special?

* The USB 598 is the first and only EVDO device available for Verizon that supports GPS
* It is the first EVDO device that supports SMS text messaging on Mac computers
* First 3G Device to have native Windows 7 support
* Full Mac OS X Support (Leopard, Snow Leopard)
* 3Gstore.com support included
* Compatible with CradlePoint Routers (including GPS Tracking support within the router admin)

The USB 598 for Verizon is available from 3Gstore for $229.99 with NO contract, making it a great device for existing customers to upgrade to. If you need to sign up for service as well, activation credits are available - contact 3Gstore for more information.

Click to read our full review of the Sierra Wireless USB 598 for Verizon

jimsander · EVDO Newbie Joined: 02 Nov 2009 Posts: 1

This looks like a fantastic product. Just a few questions. Thanks in advance for any information!

Does the GPS device provide standard interfaces for use by external applications - so that navigation software, etc. will be able to see and use the device?

How does plugging it into a 3G router affect that? Can a device using WiFi directly query the GPS? In general - is this a function of hardware, software, or both?

Is the OS X Watcher application AppleScript-able?

Also, about "activation credits" - if I purchase service with a 2 year agreement, a router, and a 3G USB device all together - will credits for these devices "stack" or is it a one-per-account type of thing?

im_electronic · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:18 pm Post subject:

changeagent · EVDO Newbie Joined: 29 Dec 2009 Posts: 6

I assisted a local volunteer fire department (http://www.mapletonfire.com) to outfit one of their fire trucks as a mobile WiFi spot. I purchased them an MBR1000 3G EVDO Router to go along with a Sierra USB 598 modem. The combination works good over a Verizon cell network to provide a WiFi 'bubble' around the truck. However, tests with the GPS accuracy of the 598 have been disappointing. We drove the truck throughout our coverage area comparing it's GPS readings with those from a GlobalSat GPS bluetooth device connected to a laptop. I posted a few screenshots of the results here:

http://www.911routes.com/forum/gps/

Whether looking at the lat/long results in the router manager software, using a browser to 'read' from the router GPS port, or running GPS output from the router as network activity for Google Earth...the readings are more often than not off target. When signing up for the Verizon service, we received a USB modem for $25.00. I spent a good bit more for the Sierra modem. Any idea what may be gong on here?

verizonrocks · EVDO Junkie Joined: 12 Dec 2008 Posts: 177

Torrey

Stormhunter · EVDO Newbie Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 2

Does the LED signal strength meter work without having to shut off the modem on the CTR-500 - i purchased one and havent been home to get it yet

Stormhunter · EVDO Newbie Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 2

changeagent · EVDO Newbie Joined: 29 Dec 2009 Posts: 6

I guess I’m going out on a limb purchasing another Sierra Wireless modem to test its GPS capabilities now that I know it is a true GPS tracking device.

Testing it with the Sierra Wireless Watch program seems to indicate it is rather accurate in tracking ones’s position. However, match it up with the MBR1200 Cradlepoint Router and GPS readings not only take 5 to 10 minutes to appear when the device is first turned on, but they tend to be very inaccurate at times. For example. My wife is driving my van (where the MBR1200 is set up) a short distance from our home to a shopping plaza a few miles away. Go here to see the path she took to reach the site:

http://www.911routes.com/forum/gps/routetoplaza.html

The MBR1200 GPS Modem combo was way off on showing her progress.

The above site has a couple video clips helping to demonstrate this.

Is anyone having any success with either an MBR1000 or MBR1200 matched up with a Sierra Wireless GPS Modem?