Verizon Wireless 4G USB Modems

[K-Star]

I am trying to find out, from those with personal experience, how dependable the Verizon Wireless USB Modems are. I am not trying to trash Verizon Wireless and I have no affiliation with them.

I do consulting work and I work out of my RV. I use Verizon Wireless exclusively for my connectivity. I currently use the 3G USB760 modem connected to a Cradlepoint router and an external antenna. This setup has been working flawlessly for me for 2 years. My only issue is that with 3G my MagicJack phone is sometimes choppy even though I have set my Class of Service in the router to prioritize the voice packets. I have also set my laptop options to give more processor time background services (ie MagicJack).

I figured with the speed of 4G I would get better performance for the phone and the extra data speed is a nice benefit.

I logged into the Verizon Wireless website to review their 4G connectivity options. They have 3 4G USB modems, but only one has an external antenna jack. But the reviews of all 3 modems are horrible at best. Now I understand that the majority of those who post reviews are those who have issues. Maybe it is a way of relieving frustration, or maybe it is just trying inform others of their experience. Not many will write a review that it works flawlessly, albeit a few reviews said just that.

I have also looked into the 4G HotSpot devices they have. Still not an option as they are all battery operated and none will last more than 5 hours on the battery. I need something that is AC powered and can stay up all day.

So after all of that, I am interested in finding out how many RV’ers out there are using a Verzion Wireless 4G USB Modem and what your experience is. Good or Bad.

Remember I am not trying to start a “bash Verizon” thread, and if it goes that way I will ask a moderator to shut it down. Additionally, I am not interested in changing to another vendor. I believe Verizon still has the best coverage, especially in western Texas (Kerrville) where I spend a lot of time. Plus I understand that the LTE technology is faster than the HSPA+ that AT&T uses.

So please; constructive comments from Verizon users only.


Thanks

[2Fliers]

We've been using Verizon's LG VL600 for several months now, with no issues. I ordered the device in February, just to take advantage of the additional data allowance. As a matter of fact, I haven't even been in an area with 4g service yet. My wife and I are telecommuters, living full time in the toy hauler, and are able to share a connection using a Cradlepoint MBR1000 router. We're probably a little too connected, between our work computers, a mac book and our nook readers, but we leave the router and VZ card connected all of the time.

[Gdlow]

My wife has the Verizon Thunderbolt 4G LTE phone...She got it while we were staying in Phoenix, so that we could use it and try out the 4G...It has the wireless hotspot and it was free for a month or so, so we used that..With my computer I obtained speeds upwards of 15.8mbs (and she was also on line)...or almost 4 times faster than my DSL at home...Typically though my speeds were in the neighborhood of 8-10mbs..still a lot faster than my DSL...Since getting back to Boise, we don't have 4G, but 3G speeds are comparable to what we were getting before if not a hair faster...and "seemed" to me while using as very reliable...

[Norm4015]

I just got off the phone with the 3G Store. I live in an area with 4G, but travel in the motorhome six months a year all over the country. I always have two laptops turned on and a WiFi printer and sometimes use a third computer. I asked Ian at 3G what he recommends for me and he recommended a Verizon LG VL600 air card and a Cradlepoint MBR1000 3G/4G router. He said those are the best products for 3G / 4G and traveling in a motorhome.

The last four years I have been using a Sprint air card and a Kyocera router and they have worked flawless. But since Verizon has 4G in my home area I am looking forward to the increased speed.

[okmunky]

My Verizion 4G Mifi Device has a 10 hour battery that is recharged by an AC charger that I keep permanently plugged in via a 150 watt inverter plugged into a 12 volt socket.

My only challenge is that it frequently needs to be rebooted. Seems like everytime I cross a state line, I must reboot. I have to unplug the charger and wait forever for it to power down or pull the battery. The first device they gave me had a defective
charger port that failed after 2.5 weeks and only 4 states. I hope that's not the case with all of them.

[SVTotem]

I recently upgraded to the Verizon 4G MiFi from the 3G model.

So far I have not spent much time in a 4G area so my comments are not based on long term 4G use.

While in 3G areas in the Florida Keys and on Sanibel Island in May the MiFi worked as well as the 3G version with the exception of reduced battery life. We ended up just leaving it connected to the AC charger.

This week in Orlando I had strong 4G service at the Honda dealer and it was very fast. When I got home I had a weaker signal but tested the speed at 6.2m down and .23 up. Wish I ran the test when I had the stronger signal.

[K-Star]

so far sounds like either the VL600 air card in my router or use the MiFi and leave it in the charger all the time.

I'm still taking advice.

This is why I love this site!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tomsm]

John,

I used a 3G MiFi device for several years in the RV and kept it plugged into AC all the time - never used it on battery. This caused no problems. I recently upgraded to the 4G MiFi and plan to use it the same way. There is nothing in the user's manual that prohibits leaving it plugged in all the time. In fact, it even mentions that the unit will not automatically time-out and shut down if plugged into the charger. It is undocumented, but there is what is almost certainly an external antenna jack on the device. As you probably know, you get a fully configurable router (limited to 5 IP addresses) in a package that you can slip in your shirt pocket.

Unfortunately, I don't have 4G in my area yet so I can't comment on it's 4G performance. It does work just as well or better than my 3G MiFi in the 3G environment.

You can download the user's manual for the MiFi 4510L on Verizon's website.

I used a 3G USB Modem and a router that the modem plugged into before I changed over to MiFi. I really prefer the simplicity of the MiFi devices.

[randco]

We've also been using Verizon's LG VL600 for several months now, with no issues. We only have one laptop at the present time so I can't tell you about the router. I did contact Cradlepoint and they assured me they have routers that can be used with the VL600.

[M&EM]

Quote:

Originally Posted by K-Star I am trying to find out, from those with personal experience, how dependable the Verizon Wireless USB Modems are. I am not trying to trash Verizon Wireless and I have no affiliation with them. I do consulting work and I work out of my RV. I use Verizon Wireless exclusively for my connectivity. I currently use the 3G USB760 modem connected to a Cradlepoint router and an external antenna. This setup has been working flawlessly for me for 2 years. My only issue is that with 3G my MagicJack phone is sometimes choppy even though I have set my Class of Service in the router to prioritize the voice packets. I have also set my laptop options to give more processor time background services (ie MagicJack). I figured with the speed of 4G I would get better performance for the phone and the extra data speed is a nice benefit. I logged into the Verizon Wireless website to review their 4G connectivity options. They have 3 4G USB modems, but only one has an external antenna jack. But the reviews of all 3 modems are horrible at best. Now I understand that the majority of those who post reviews are those who have issues. Maybe it is a way of relieving frustration, or maybe it is just trying inform others of their experience. Not many will write a review that it works flawlessly, albeit a few reviews said just that. I have also looked into the 4G HotSpot devices they have. Still not an option as they are all battery operated and none will last more than 5 hours on the battery. I need something that is AC powered and can stay up all day. So after all of that, I am interested in finding out how many RV’ers out there are using a Verzion Wireless 4G USB Modem and what your experience is. Good or Bad. Remember I am not trying to start a “bash Verizon” thread, and if it goes that way I will ask a moderator to shut it down. Additionally, I am not interested in changing to another vendor. I believe Verizon still has the best coverage, especially in western Texas (Kerrville) where I spend a lot of time. Plus I understand that the LTE technology is faster than the HSPA+ that AT&T uses. So please; constructive comments from Verizon users only. Thanks

K-Star,

I have the LG LV600 for several months now and use it with a Cradlepoint mbr1000. Prior I had the 3G MiFi and had good results with it also . However my needs require 4 ethernet LAN connections to DTV receivers as well as the wifi connectivity to laptops and iPhones. At home I have 4g service and found performance with the LV600 set up good enough to enable me to cancel out my Cox broadband service. We go mobile 4 to 5 months per year so this has become the best solution for our needs. One issue that I consider minor now is the 2 to 4 times a week when activity is low or zero and our connection drops. A reboot of the LGLV600 and 25 seconds is all that is needed to get reconnected.

Marty

[WheelingIt]

Good thread for me. We've been using the 3G aircard for a year now, but we're looking to update to the 4G in order to lower costs and get access to the higher 10Gb data-plan. Good info!

[M&EM]

Quote:

Originally Posted by M&EM K-Star, I have the LG LV600 for several months now and use it with a Cradlepoint mbr1000.-----------------------. One issue that I consider minor now is the 2 to 4 times a week when activity is low or zero and our connection drops. A reboot of the LGLV600 and 25 seconds is all that is needed to get reconnected. Marty

update:
I have found that running the MBR1000 at lower or lowest power as well as the 10 foot separation between the router and modem all but eliminates dropouts for me.

Also found out the LGLV600 does have external antennae capability. There are 2 ext ant inputs under the back cover covered with little sticky plastic covers. One is for a 3G other is for a 4G ext ant. . Any body tried utilizing these yet?

Marty

[K-Star]

In my current setup I have the USB760 with an external Wilson Truckers antenna. I mounted the bracket to spring clamps and just clamp it to the edge of the slideout. Works great. Where I am at now, without the external antenna, I get either 1 bar EVDO or even National network which is sloooow. With the antenna I get 3 bars.

I was looking at that 4G modem and 3G Store sells a combination 3G/4G external antenna but I haven't investigated it enough to know how it connect to the modem.