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Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 3G Mobile WiFi Hotspot Modem (Verizon Wireless) | 
 enlarge | Brand: Novatel Wireless
Category: CE
Buy New: $224.00
New (2) Used (4) from $139.98
Avg. Customer Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 15044
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 6.5 x 5.6 x 2.2
MPN: MiFi-2200
Model: MiFi 2200
UPC: 343446514817
EAN: 0343446514817
ASIN: B003JUBQE2
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Mobile Broadband (BroadbandAccess and NationalAccess) (CDMA Rev. A, Rev. O, 1XRTT) | | • | WiFi Mode: 802.11 b/g for connection of up to 5 devices | | • | Type A USB port compatibility via included microUSB cable | | • | Antenna System: Internal; Receive diversity 800/1900 MHz CDMA | | • | VPN Compatible; Dial Up; NDIS support |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
With Mobile Broadband Service and WiFi capability, the MiFiTM2200 enables you to take full advantage of America's largest and most reliable 3G network! The MiFi2200 enhances the Mobile Broadband Service experience by also providing a wireless hub for up to five WiFi-enabled devices at one time - multiple users can take advantage of an instant hotspot. And with its compact and lightweight form factor and rechargeable battery, provides the ultimate in on-the-go flexibility!
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| Customer Reviews:
 good for the money, some limitations August 30, 2010
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
For the US, this is a good deal: for $40, you get 30 days of unlimited Internet usage with no contract. Speeds are around 800kbps down and about 180kbps up in my area. That's not great, but it works fine for most applications. It's the same speeds you would get on Verizon (for comparison, in many places in Europe, you get nearly 10x the speed for half the price). Configuration is done through a straightforward web interface. The default setting for the MiFi is a secure network with a key printed on the back (this can be changed through the interface). There are some limitations: battery life is nominally only 4h and Internet connectivity in moving vehicles is not all that great. I've used this with iPad, iPod Touch, netbooks, and laptops, and it has worked well with all of them.
 Very Slow/No Connection, Rarely Decent. August 23, 2010
I can't get DSL or anything else in my area, so I had to settle for the MIFI 2200. When I first got it, about 3 weeks, the speeds were sufficient for what I needed, even though there were several periods of slow/no connection. Then after about 3 weeks the connection turned pathetic, I was lucky to get a connection. I kept it past the 30 day trial period thinking it would go back to how it was, and cause I need internet. I hasn't improved yet. I even took it to vegas and it was dead slow there if it had a connection at all. Occationally I get speeds as high as 170kb/s but that is rare. Most of the time, like for downloads I get anywhere from 5-30kb/s. Most large downloads ( > 10MB ) will fail before they finish. The thing I don't understand is that even with 5 bars, at 2 AM when no one else is using the tower, it still slower then hell. Basically I'm stuck with it, but if you have ANY other choice, don't even consider the MIFI.
Works well in areas with good Verizon coverage July 30, 2010
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The device works well in areas that I have traveled to or lived in with good Verizon coverage.
Your result will vary STRICTLY based on VERIZON COVERAGE IN YOUR AREA.
I believe that the operation and connectivity functions of the MiFi device deserve 5 stars. The configuration page (accessible at 192.168.1.1 when connected to the MiFi) allows you to encrypt your connection and even setup a MAC filter. Unfortunately you cannot change the DNS servers at the device level (but of course can still do this through your computer's connection settings).
The signal to and from the device is strong enough to put the MiFi under your seat, in your pocket, etc and still maintain a fast connection.
The battery life will vary based on what you are doing online. Streaming audio and video will shorten battery life quicker than checking email, looking up web pages, etc. This is an easy fix if you are in a vehicle: plug in a cigarette lighter adapter or even plug in the USB cord to your computer or laptop inverter to keep it charged and running all day long.
The only real con that comes up on a regular basis is a fairly small one... the blinking activity light on the MiFi is so bright, it is distracting in a dark vehicle. I wish they had instead set up a solid green "connected" light similar to the one that is on the Apple Airport Extreme Router.
Overall, with good Verizon service, definitely worth the purchase and ridiculous price Verizon charges for the service.
*NO cellular device or service is going to be able to stream uninterrupted audio and or video while you are traveling. As you leave cities and regions, your device will lose service while it is searching for the next tower, etc. Your best bet if you want smooth audio and or video is to stick with satellite radio or portable satellite TV, downloaded podcasts and videos, etc. However, if you are commuting back and forth in a metro area or staying in the same basic spot (parking lot, etc) this is fantastic for video and audio streaming and everything else.
Might work for some, technology still needs some work July 10, 2010
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
I recently purchased and sadly returned one of these devices within a couple of days. I've been researching these for the better part of a month and had very high hopes for it. Think about this... a credit card size portable wireless hot spot that you could carry in your pocket (watch out it gets hot) that you could connect your laptop, home computer, cellphone, iPAD, iPOD, etc to the internet anywhere you get a Verizon cell signal. Before I had a smartphone, i always had the need for a portable wireless signal for my laptop so I could search for restaurants, hotels, directions while i was out and about. How about not having to pay that hotel WiFi access fee anymore? It could also serve as your internet provider at home if you only occasionally used the internet. (For home use you could easily go over your 5GB max download ($60/mo) so this is more suited for on the go activities) Yes like I said some of us have smartphones that can do all the above but this device (in theory) could be used for all your WiFi devices mentioned above. I specifically got this to use with my iPhone to make and receive calls through Skype Mobile and access the internet on my phone, taking my phone bill from 150+ to ~$65 but it just didn't work as planned.
Setup:
Fairly simple, I am tech savvy but if you set up a wireless network in your home this will be no problem. Setup took about 5-10min. You access Verizon activation website, have your computer recognize it, enter some codes, reset and your ready to use.
Initial Testing (Stationary):
After activation I saw my phone was getting a signal from the device but a weak one which I attributed to being inside at work. I've received poor cell phone reception in the building before so this was not the MiFi's fault. Did a WiFi speed test on the phone and it was horrible, <100kbps download, <100kbps upload. I put the device in my pocket and went outside to try again. ~600kbps download, 300kbps upload, thats more like it. I tried a Skype test call and it was perfect, low cell phone bills here I come... so I thought.
Testing Pt2 (Mobile):
So I tried this out while driving home from work and it failed... miserably. Made a few calls, Skype test and real calls. Calls were very choppy, unusable. I ran another speed test as i was driving and would range from <50kbps to 200kbps. Very unstable signal. I don't know if that was due to trying to acquire a signal from a moving vehicle but hey, if a cell phone can do it then this should be able to. I tested this for about a 1/2hr in all different sections of town (Phoenix). My opinion is that this is not reliable enough to use while in a moving vehicle. Maybe if you pulled over and parked but thats not what I was looking for or expecting.
Testing Pt3 (Home):
Tried it at home and had similar results to when i was driving. Signal not strong enough to make phone calls. Speed ~100-150kbps. I can get cell phone calls fine in my home, so why can't MiFi get a decent signal? I switched my phone's signal to my home WiFi just to compare it and I got 3000 - 5000kbps speeds from my home wireless router. Night and Day difference.
Final thoughts:
I'm guessing maybe the antenna isn't as powerful as a cell phones' antenna. For what ever the reason I just don't think the technology is there yet for this, at least not over a 3G network. What this could be used for is the occasional need to access the internet, while not moving, read emails and surf non data intensive websites. Large email + attachments, videos, data heavy website I think would just take to long to load to use feasibly so I as well as others might skip on this for a while. Especially if you are going to be locked into a 2yr contract and paying up to $60 a month for this, at that price and commitment you should be getting at least low-mid level speeds that you could get with your home ISP. If you want to try this out also check out Virgin Mobile version of this, same exact device and manufacturer except there is no contract and plans range from $10-$60. Also check out Sprint's device, you might be lucky and live in a Sprint 4G network area. If Sprint had 4G network in Phoenix or if they have it in your part of the country...then this might just work. Sprint has unlimited download limits over 4G network for $50 a month and it's supposedly 10x faster than a 3G network. So that in theory could provide my laptop, home computer and cellphone with all the WiFi I need, no need to worry about going over the limit or have any speed issues. I believe in this device but not until it goes on a 4G network. Make sure you try before you buy and are able to return it within a certain amount of time, you do not want to be locked into a contract or pay for a device that doesn't meet your expectations.
Note: This device does get warm to the touch if active for a while.
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