Advice on correct router

ralber · EVDO Newbie Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Posts: 3

I'm looking for a bit of advice. I'm outfitting some shuttle vans with PC's that need to have constant internet connection for data transfer. I've got the PC system unit (a Cappucino SlimPRO SP625 running Windows XP) and have a Sprint EVDO aircard working fine. Now I'd like to provide wi-fi access to passengers in the shuttle van. It looks like I have a selection of portable hotspot deviceslike the Cradlepoint CTR-350, D-Link DI-725, or Kyocera's KR1 that should provide this functionality. Can anybody recommend one over the other for my application? Does anybody know of a cheaper solution that will provide wi-fi access?

tz1 · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:27 am Post subject:

If you could share the Sprint card connection over ethernet to a plain router or just create an AdHoc network from the PC itself it would likely be cheaper than the other alternatives.

Alex · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:39 am Post subject:

tz1's suggestion would be cheaper from a cash outlay perspective, but could be costlier from a support perspective.

if you want an easier to support system, i'd go with CTR350 so long as you have a compatible sprint usb device like a u727.

Jim_in_VA · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:51 pm Post subject:

yup, I'd go the CTR350 route since you are doing all this via 12v. Get the auto adapter for the router and you have the perfect in-vehicle hotspot.
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JoeCHecht · EVDO Junkie Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 409

rickey318 · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 3:12 pm Post subject:

Yea, the CTR350 is the best way to go. Very Happy

Fast setup and just forget about it if your not moving it that much.

gregh2000 · EVDO User Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 40

I use my ctr-350 in the car and it runs just fine most of the time. I have had one occasion that it lost its settings and needed to be re-setup. It occurred when I didn't hold the key long enough when starting the car and the engine didn't catch and created a low voltage situation which wiped the router.

As mentioned above the battery powered phs-300 might be a better choice because the battery could save the config. Only thing is you would have to shut it off when you are done driving the van otherwise it would run the battery down and be charging and discharging all the time. I don't know if that would be good or bad but it would be something to think of. The ctr-350 would just shut off with the van.

Mine is wired to a switched cigarette power adapter so it turns on and off with the car. I use the car power cord from 3g store. Also you can use the login page to have the users login in the van instead of a straight up open wifi. Depends on where you are, like if you are parked at the airport and there are a bunch of people using your connection. Then you could just tell the passengers the password for the internet and they would be on.

I use a Sierra 595U on Sprint by the way and the card has held up well this winter here in MN. I will have to see how it runs this summer but it should be fine.

Hope that helps.