Novatel MiFi 2200 Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot Modem (Verizon Wireless)

Mi(y) Mi-Fi with Wi-Fi - Awesome little device. June 4, 2009

Reviewer:  Tarun Chachra "Tarun Chachra"  (Hillsborough, NJ) -

I have had a Verizon Wireless MiFi Broadband Router for about weeks now and felt it was time to share my real world experiences and thoughts on the device. In three words: IT IS GREAT!

What is it? It is basically a Verizon Wireless EVDO card in a small casing that acts as a Wi-FI Router and allows for 5 simultaneous devices to connect to it.

How does it work? The MiFi is like any other router, on the underside of it you will find a SSID and a WPA Security key so you can connect any of your devices to it via wi-fi. If you dont have a device with wi-fi y ou can plug it into your computer via usb and use the VZAccess Manager software to gain connectivity.

How big or small is it? Simply put, it is the size of a Kit-Kat bar.

Battery Life? I charged it fully for testing purposes and connected my blackberry 8900 and iPhone 3g to it. My commutes are usualy about 4 hours round trip per day and thus this was the best way to test the device. I enabled streaming stock quotes on the blackberry and browsed using my iPhone for the entire time to really put it through its paces. Real world is after heavy usage about 5 hours of battery life. This will of course change based on coverage areas and the such.

Speed? This is where the MiFi shines - I must say I was impressed. Since there is no easy way to do a speed test from a mobile device, I simply connected my laptop to it via wi-fi and did 4-5 speed tests in different locations to make them as accurate as possible. The average speed is about 1.75mbits down and close to 800kbps up. Impressive to say the least...especially in remote parts of New Jersey and while moving in a vehicle. (Someone else was driving :-))

I am no stranger to mobile connectivity. The MiFi is a truly amazing device and its size alone makes it a MUST BUY! The ability to have wi-fi on all mobile devices via EVDO and not having to worry about connecting cards and cables is truly AMAZING.

Why then does it get a 4/5 - Simple - No unlimited data plans mean we have to keep our eyes on our usage and we may go over if we are not careful...especially because its so easy to get connected.

Replaced 2 devices with 1. June 24, 2009

Reviewer:  J. Howard "Gadget , Tech & Computer Geek"  (San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA) -

Purchased this via Verizon's web site for $99, to renew my contract. I had a Cradlepoint PHS-300 and a Verizon V740 Expresscard EV-DO Modem. I connected the two with an Expresscard to USB adaptor. It was a big annoying 3 peice setup, but was totally battery powered and self contained. I thought, "It does nt get any better than this.

But it does. I get a device that is smaller and half the thickness of my Cradlepoint PHS-300, but also contains the EV-DO modem. I take it with me everywhere I go. I connect to it via Wifi with any one of my 3 laptops, including a Mac, and even my iPhone!! Haha. If I am out and about friends connect their laptops and PDA's including the iPod Touch to it, and browse the web just as fast as if it was directly connected.

Of course it has a USB connection on it. I wish they had gone with the older style Mini-B connector, but went for the new flatter one. Supposedly it is more durable than the old one, but still. I have like a million of the old A to Mini B cables laying around. If the battery drains and I have a laptop with me, I can just hook it up via USB and use it as a USB modem while it charges. WiFi no longer works when it is in USB mode.

Its a very nice touch that it comes with an AC adaptor. I would hate to rely on charging it ONLY with the included USB cable. Also has a very nice web interface that you can access when connected to it via WiFi, just go to http://192.168.1.1 to see reral time information on the device, including signal strength and battery power. Speaking of battery power, it lasts between 3 and 4 hours and is user replacable. Just pull off the door and stick another one on. I would like to see Verizon or Novatel, someone, offer a bigger battery for it. But I am guessing that is not going to happen and honestly the built in battery is fine for my needs.

I have had it for about a week and it has been this power users dream! I did have a little trouble with it last night though. WiFi was extremely slow on the device, even the built in web interface was suuuuuuuper slow. I am not sure what happened. But today it is back to normal.

I hope this review was helpful.

- J

Great for the RV traveler!! July 15, 2009

Reviewer:  J. Wilson "jsaturn"  (Coram, MT) -

I've had the mifi for a week, and am completely satisfied. It's surprising how easy it is to connect when traveling in an RV (I'm retired, so I find myself in many geographical locations, when connecting...) and this gadget has provided me with wifi connection in the Grand Canyon's RV Trailer Village, in the mountains above Boulder, Co, and at the border of Glacier Nat'l Park (at the portal of West Glacier, East of Whitefish).
Verizon had the unit overnighted to me at no charge, it was very easy to set up, and so far, I've not come near using my 5 Gig usage limit (extrapolated, not a full month has elapsed). Also, I stayed in Vegas at MGM for two nights, and have always used their $12.95/night wifi; not this time! No need, thanks to MiFi. What a great product. And I will use it when visiting my farms in IA and IL, where I stay "on farm" in my RV, in the boonies, and have been frustrated in past years, by lack of internet access. Wherever you can catch a Verizon cell phone signal, you will receive, even stronger, their broadband service...

Works as adverstised October 6, 2009

Reviewer:  Dennis R. Henrickson III  (Marion, IA USA) -

I wouldn't buy this from Amazon. Buy it from a Verizon store (or website). That's what I did.

It works great for me. I was worried after reading these reviews and was expecting to return it to the Verizon store within the 30 day trial. It performs exactly as advertised. I use it once a month to connect three coworkers at a meeting in the middle of nowhere. It works in my car and in my basement. My iPhone doesn't work very well in the basement with 3G. I've yet to find a place in my travels where it doesn't work. It may be slower in some locations but it's usable for business (email, VPN, web, and smaller file transfers).

Several people had issues with installation and configuration of the device. The included PDF manuals answer every one of the issues I've seen posted in these reviews. The only exception is coverage problems. I think those are completely legitimate and I would test it for the 30 days before committing. Just because I've had good luck doesn't mean you will.

I use the device with a MacBook Pro and a Windows laptop. Connections are just like any other wireless Internet device. It's slower then my cable modem (which is 20 Mbps) but I don't plan on streaming HD TV with it. The performance is great to get work done.

I'm not giving it 5 stars for the following reasons:

1. It requires Verizon special software for the initial activation.

2. The Verizon special software didn't work with my OSX laptop.

3. The Verizon special software caused a blue screen of death on my Windows XP machine (it did allow the the modem to be activated).

4. 5GB/month isn't enough for the price.

5. Verizon needs an unlimited data option.

6. It doesn't allow WIFI sharing if it's plugged into a laptop with the USB. You have to plug it into a wall outlet with the included cables if you want to charge it and use it for WIFI.

Better than standard Mobile Broadband July 28, 2009

Reviewer:  Busy Executive  (Long Island, NY) -

I have my MiFi device about a month now and so far I'm really impressed - glad I went with the MiFi over the alternatives. I find I can just stick it in my backpack and I get hassle-free connections from my laptop or iPod, without anything to plug in or share, and in emergencies, I can even share my bandwidth with a few other people without sacrificing too much performance.

I tend not to use the supplied Verizon software...Windows out of the box connects just fine, once you configure in the SSID and encryption keys. Only time I use the Verizon software is when the battery runs low and I want to use (and charge) the device from a USB port connected to my PC.

As for performance, in my office (where I can see the cell tower just across the street), [...] reports amazing 3.0MB downloads and about 700KB uploads. This is the fastest mobile device I've seen. Unfortunately, I live in an area where there's spotty coverage, and from home I seldom see over about 500KB/200KB (down/up). This is with zero to one bar in the signal strength meter in Verizon's software.

I have two small gripes: One, I'd prefer a way to set the SSID and encryption key manually. So far haven't found a way to configure anything other than the Verizon chosen settings. This makes me hesitate to share my bandwidth with coworkers I might be traveling with...in essence, there's no way to "revoke" it once shared.

[UPDATE: Yes, this is possible to do - you just point the browser to the IP address of the MiFi itself, and there's a fairly typical web-based admin capability built-in that includes the ability to change the SSID, encryption type and keys, etc. Add an extra half-star for this, although it should have been better documented so mere mortals could figure it out!]

My other complaint is something I suppose I should have thought about, but it seems to be a hassle (and expensive) to get the device working outside the USA. The rep mentioned something to me, but I didn't think about it until I was out of the country, and regretted not being able to connect.

Still, if you want to be connected at broadband speeds - even across multiple devices - anywhere you can get a cellular signal, it's a great option.

Had high hopes - didn't work out May 27, 2009

Reviewer:  Sandygi  (CA) -

I had read positive reviews about this product and talked at length with Verizon personnel- I had planned on replacing our Verizon wireless broadband card with it. Bought one as soon as available (May 17, 2009). Unfortunately the installation never got to the activation stage, it reported an error that it couldn't get a strong signal. Strange since each member of my family has a Verizon cell phone and use them in our home with no problem, it must require a very strong signal. Verizon has a "30 day, no worries" return policy so I shipped it back immediately.

Works, has Quirks August 25, 2009

Reviewer:  sligett  (New England) -

A. The Mifi gadget does just what I need - provides high-speed Internet for me no matter where I am. I have no other reasonable option for high-speed Internet at home and it's very convenient elsewhere. The 5GB/month cap will not be a problem for me.

But ...

B. The purchase process was Byzantine. The first time I tried, my address was rejected by Verizon. Thereby all data of that order was deleted, and I had to start again, guessing what I might change to have my order accepted. (I also therefore missed out on an offer of free activation.)

C. Verizon started billing me from the order acceptance date, which was a week before I got the Mifi. (I had them refund (unbill?) that $14.)

D. The Mifi needs a firmware upgrade. The "802.11g+802.11b" selection doesn't work, and no security options work with my 802.11b devices at all, so I'm left running an open 802.11b network. (I don't know how or where I'll get such an upgrade if it ever comes out.)

E. I haven't managed to figure out how to sign up and onto the myverizon web site yet. Their standard procedure is to text you a password, but I don't have a Verizon phone, just the Mifi. I called them and they said there's a "get text messages" option in the management software, but I don't see that in the Mac version. I'm sure that one day I'll have the time to get that straightened out.

F. (deleted this item as I was able to work the problem out with help from Verizon tech support)

Can't buy here for discount July 16, 2009

Reviewer:  New to high speed  (IN, USA) -

You can't purchase this from here for a $0.01. Amazon will only sell it for that price if you are a new Verizon customer. Verizon will not approve the sale unless you are an existing customer. Do not waste your time; you will lose a day of shipping. I ended up finding it for a a good price at another online wireles store. I just recieved it today 5hrs ago and it works great, installed flawless. Was easier to activate than a cell phone; happened automaticaly. As fast as cable and normal broadband. So far I'm impressed with this device. I'll update if something changes my mind, but today it is exactly what It was hyped to be.

Works well so far June 8, 2009

Reviewer:  Jedediah Parish "the joiner"  (Brooklyn NY United States) -

I've had this item for a few weeks. I'm pretty much only using an iPod touch with it. But I've been very pleased. It was slightly tricky to set up, but that may have had more to do with the iPod than this device. Once i'm connected, I'm very happy with the speed it provides. As an experiment I connected my iMac to the Mifi and went online and got completely acceptable speeds. It is true there is a 5GB monthly limit so you either need to be willing to pay extra or be thrifty with your data (don't download huge files, don't be on constantly). All in all I like this thing.

BE CAREFUL before you buy December 27, 2009

Reviewer:  Peter Payne "Peter in Japan"  (Isesaki, Japan) -

Bought at full retail price, and returned immediately once I found out that Verizon's policies are all intended to get you to sign up for a contract, no matter what. Even if you pay full price and intend to use the device as a prepaid device, you'll find that they've structured things against you. Instead of the $59 for 5 GB that is widely reported for non-contract, prepaid use, it's actually just 500 mb for $50, so you get nowhere near the use you need to get through the month. The fix is to sign up for an automatically renewed account which is difficult to get, you need to do the credit check and fax in a copy of your monthly bank statement, just to turn this on, as well as pay a $35 activation fee. None of this is clearly noted and you should NOT purchase this otherwise fine device without knowing all of this. Really, it's useless unless you are going to do it with a contract, period.