5220 vs KPC650 vs V620 vs 5740

Flash Gordon · EVDO Newbie Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 1

I have been using an Aircard 555 for about 2 yrs, and now am eligible to upgrade to an EVDO card, coincidentally convienent with the launch of EVDO service in my home area Seattle. I was hoping to get some recommendations on which card among those supported by Verizon is superior. Price, fortunately, is not a factor as the full cost is covered by one of Verizon's promotions for me.

The Cards I am considering:

Audiovox 5220

Kyocera KPC650

Novatel V620

and the new

Audiovox 5740

I have read that the new audiovox has higher data speeds (wonder if this is up or down or both) 2.4Mbs vs 2.0Mbs but it cannot support an external antenna or signal booster, potentially bad as I use it offshore on the water while on boats at times.

Advice would be very appreciated.

luitinghin · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 11

For the card offering currently in market,
Both V620 and KPC 650 provides a higher speed than the PC 5220 card.
If you are using a Windows laptop, then I will say the V620 is the best choice.

It is because it is the cheapest, and alos with internal antenna, which is especially important is you use notebook which PC slots nears the keyboard. (Looks better also, right?)

If you are using a PowerBook, then pickthe PC 5220, because it works the best on Macs.

nethole · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Posts: 16

I live in Southwest virginia (hills). I get reasonable internet (national access) with my LG VX4400, but I get spotty/intermittant performance with the PC 5220 card. I've tried amplifiers, omnidirecitonal antenna, and even Directional yagi (With dog collar to shield other signals).

The best so far has been the yagi (no amplifier) with the dog collar,

but it's still spotty. It'll be fine for a while, then 'nothing' for a while.

I'm in a high noise, area, rather, low signal to noise ratio. Hills and trees.

Which of the newer EVDO cards would be best for this environment?
(largely 1x, but I do travel to evdo areas).

I may have gotten verizion to allow me to 'upgrade' cards early due to the problems I've been having.

catows · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 07 Jun 2005 Posts: 13

Go with the KPC650. It seems to get the signal in better than the others. We have about 400 cards here at work and have all of the different models

Zorog · EVDO Heavy User Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Posts: 135

So far, the Audiovox PC5740 has turned in the EXACT SAME performance results as the Kyocera 650 (using the internal antennas). I suspect the internal modules are identical.

Both are using the Qualcomm 6500 chip set. Remember the 5220 and the Sierra Wireless 580 used the 5500 chip set, and does not perform as well.

Between these 2 - If you ever need to attach external antennas, go with the 650. If that does not matter at all to you, then the $69 PC5740 looks awfully attractive...

All tests were conducted on Dell laptops with CLEAN Win XP/XP pro/2000K Pro setups with latest service packs, along with ALL THE PERFORMANCE TIPS in these Forums. Devices were tested using both SIP and MIP, identical slot cycle indexes, etc.