Sierra Announces AirCard 595U - EVDO USB Modem

bdhadhdnh · EVDO User Joined: 08 Apr 2007 Posts: 30 Location: So Cal

[quote="Bigdave"]

Bigdave · EVDO Addict Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 1069

I use the Y-cable pretty much all the time. Not sure the performance is that much greater but it seems safer to me. Less chance of breaking it off in the USB port on the side of the laptop. That's my feeling anyway.

And you can assume no routers will support the new devices for a while. Just natural that they have to play catch up. Still waiting for the KR1 to support the U720. Should be soon though.

earglued · EVDO Newbie Joined: 30 Apr 2007 Posts: 7

My posthad urgency since I have 4 days left to return the u720. With download speeds of 1200 I am generally happy. But in tech the newest may be the best.

The y cable does not increase my speeds. I am using a desktop with external usb 2.0 port which is self powered. The modem can be extended near a window which improves the signal. The Novatel has a better signal than my Sprint v3 Razor that I often have to set to roaming to get an adequate signal.

The Novatel was a beast t set up especially the e-mail 3 pop accounts. After I figured how to set up the send options to use my sprintpcs account I am generally able to use the e-mail as before wireless.

The info on this site was also extremely helpful to get the e-mail working.

It seems that the Sierra with a self powered docking station would help position the antenna and add power to usb ports that are adequately powered. I assume the docking station has a 2-3' lead.

bdhadhdnh · EVDO User Joined: 08 Apr 2007 Posts: 30 Location: So Cal

I am still trying to decide between the U720 and the new 595U. At least we know the U720 works with the KR1 router, although at reduced speed. The KR1 never worked with the 595 PC card so I'd be surprised if it works with the 595U. How power-hungry is the U720 or 595U when used with laptops? Do you notice any reduced battery life?

The only reason I like th 595U better is its looks. Hope there's a brain to go with it.

Any news on the 595U/KR1 testing?

copper · EVDO Newbie Joined: 29 Apr 2007 Posts: 1

I am moving from a cable connection area to an area where only dial-up is ava. I just purchased the 595U and expect it to arrive any day now. I was wondering if this card can be routed for more than one computer. I have one Vista desktop, XP Desktop, and a mac lap top. If it is possible to use a wireless router any ideas on the best one to get would be great. As to the connection speed, I do not forsee me getting anything more than 300K due to the coverage where I live. I use a verizon card in my lap-top for work, and the OS is 2000 windows NT in a tough book thats about 7 years old.

Anything anyone could tell me about what I should buy or not buy is helpful, I am new to the EVDO world.

Thanks

Michael · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 5:50 am Post subject:

Hello,

Been playing with a 595U for the last few days. Of all the data cards, this one has many quirks compared to all other data cards (especially when used on a Mac). We are building a lot of support info for it on our internal forums (used by 3Gstore employees). We will trickle "some of" this info over the coming days/weeks.
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Chuck · EVDO Heavy User Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Posts: 149

Michael,

Would any of these quircks for PC users make you think of getting a different USB device?

I was going to pull the trigger and replace my 620 PC-Card with this unit, should I wait?

Thanks,
Chuck

Alex · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 8:04 am Post subject:

chuck, some questions we want to come up with answers for are:

-- what does battery do for performance?
-- how long does battery last (assuming laptop also on battery power)
-- what happens to performance when battery is dead?

the battery is charged ONLY via USB cable.

i'm no rocket scientist, but if some engineer felt that there were going to be some laptops that didn't provide enough power via USB under weak signal situations, such that it warranted adding a battery to act as a kind of capacitor...

then how in the world is that battery going to be recharged by that same lack of power in that same USB port, AND at the same time allow the USB modem to have enough power to operate at full speeds??

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

bdhadhdnh · EVDO User Joined: 08 Apr 2007 Posts: 30 Location: So Cal

Michael · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 10:05 am Post subject:

The Sierra AirCard 595U DOES NOT work with the Kyocera KR1.
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bdhadhdnh · EVDO User Joined: 08 Apr 2007 Posts: 30 Location: So Cal

mattengland · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 2:19 pm Post subject:

I'd like to see someone post a list of the benefits of the 595U over the U720. Disclaimer: I have used PCMICA EVDO cards in the past (not a current user but am looking to buy a USB-based rig), but no little about the USB stuff, certainly haven't used any USB cards...so I'm quite ignorant.

The benefits of the 595U seem a bit fuzzy to me. For example:

* The 595U can be shared? Is this via anything more than USB sharing? (And if so, that's not a very useful IP network for me; I have a hard time fathoming a USB network for general IP access over ethernet.)

* Comments on this discussion thread seem to relfect that the docking station is "cool." Is it actually useful? ie, does it does something practical other than have a convenient means to plug in the modem (which is reasonably nice for me...but not that much)?

* Speed: does the 595U provide any theoretical potential to go faster? (I realize that theoretical and practical may be two different things.)

* I'm quite unclear as to what benefits the new (diff?) battery stuff provides. Presumably some performance over when the U720 isn't powered sufficiently? Can someone point me to more specifics on this? (eg, what are Y-cable challenges for the U720 when I only have 2 USB ports on my laptop, and I have a USB mouse in addition to the U720, which will at times require 2 USB ports on its own?)

* Does the 595U offer any other benefits?

To the potential downsides:

The 595U looks *HUGE* compared to the U720. First of all, the base device seems quite larger than a U720. Add in the docking station, and it seems about a third the size of my laptop. (And I'm thinking...this is design for _mobile_ users??) Can I connect the 595U to a laptop without the docking station?

OS compatibility may be another challenge, although I'm sure it will get ironed out over time. For me, I don't want to have fiddle any more with my Linux kernels more than I already have to get previous EVDO cards working.

Further, the 595U isn't KR1 friendly.

There's also some vague mention of "wireless" in the hardware press release; is this anything more than EVDO-wireless communication, or is there some sort of wireless communication between the 595U device and it's docking station and/or a PC? (I'm grasping as straws to figure out the benefits of the 595U...)

Bottom line: I'm left scratching my head as to why I would practically want to purchase a 595U over a U720 (less price diffs). Does the 595U offer something more than USB sharing, a docking station that's only used for plug-in convenience, and looks? And why would I want to deal with the extra size?

I'm confused...

-Matt

bdhadhdnh · EVDO User Joined: 08 Apr 2007 Posts: 30 Location: So Cal

Michael · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 3:51 pm Post subject:

I took some pictures of the U720 vs. the 595U, going to use them in the review of the 595U that we will post on EVDOinfo.com.

The battery can only be charged when plugged in the USB port. Still unclear what happens if you are "always" in a fringe area and how that may affect the battery and charging.
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