Vodafone R206 Pocket WiFi

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StarBlazer

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#132163 10-Oct-2013 22:21

I've been thinking of buying one of these for things like camping trips and possibly use on our UK holidays.

First question is are they any good? They claim 21.1Mbps which is okay for reading emails and following Geekzone it won't be used for big data or streaming. Is this realistic or do you really get much slower? What is their connection quality like for joining the VF data network?

Next question is regarding battery life. Can't see anything on the VF website that shows how long I can expect out of one of these - I saw on the UK one around 4 hours. Again realistic?

The we talk about using overseas. The intention is to buy a UK SIM card for the device. As they sell the exact same model in the UK and they appear to have the same bands I'm presuming it will work over there. Does anyone know if it needs to be unlocked?

Finally do you recommend anything else. I used my S2 last time but of course it eats my battery and data allowance (work phone so not very high cap). The PAYG for a data only SIM appear much better than a phone SIM so I think I'll probably make my money back on the first trip.

Thanks

Procrastination eventually pays off.

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19282 posts

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#913345 10-Oct-2013 22:23

They are not SIM locked and maybe look at the R208

Wade

2225 posts

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#913349 10-Oct-2013 22:30

I've got the earlier model R205 and it works great, VF don't promote the fact (understandably) that these are unlocked and work on VF/TNZ/2D networks and pretty much the rest of the world without issue

Battery life is good, on standby/light use I think mine lasts maybe 8hrs, if you are moving constant chunk of data its still good for 2 or 3 hours

Gobit

40 posts

Geek

#913406 11-Oct-2013 07:40

G'day StarBlazer

I haven't had a wired internet connection at home for over ten years. Instead I've used the sticks and then the R201, R205, R208. Have just got an R212 and am very happy with it (see this thread http://community.vodafone.co.nz/t5/Mobile-Broadband/Mobile-WiFi-and-4G/m-p/108810#M7504).

Am getting at least 7 hours of battery life (emails, web browsing including some video, downloading software updates, etc; no gaming or hard-out data downloads).

It's predecessors worked well when travelling in Europe.

Can't find a link to it on the Vodafone NZ website (I got mine from the Vodafone shop in Lower Hutt) but here's a link to it on Vodafone UK's site:
https://www.business.vodafone.com/site/bus/public/enuk/support/10_productsupport/wi_fi_devices/r212/05_summary/p_summary.jsp

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Gobit

Kirdog

202 posts

Master Geek

#913912 11-Oct-2013 23:25

R208 Is excellent device, 10 Hours connection time minimum, good signal receiving.

I have done speedtest via wi-fi on ipod 4g and laptop.

Speed-tests R208:
Average speed: 19 Mbps Download 2.3 Mbps Upload.
Highest readings: 20.1 Mbps Download 3.4 Mbps Upload.

I have R205 as well. And i don't like it after using R208.

Speed-tests R205:
Average speed: 6 Mbps Download 0.9 Mbps Upload.
Highest readings: 8.2 Mbps Download 2.0 Mbps Upload.

All tests done in Auckland, near city center.

Question for vodafone: I have bought r208 with prepay plan without contract, is it locked device or i can use TELECOM/2degree Simcards on it?

Sorry about my English guys :>

johnr

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#913913 11-Oct-2013 23:29

As above already posted

coffeebaron

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#913916 11-Oct-2013 23:36

Or wait for a 4G router

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johnr

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#913917 11-Oct-2013 23:38

coffeebaron: Or wait for a 4G router

Already been selling the R212 CAT3 the R215 CAT4 is coming

Sharesies

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StarBlazer

961 posts

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#914538 14-Oct-2013 08:44

johnr:
coffeebaron: Or wait for a 4G router

Already been selling the R212 CAT3 the R215 CAT4 is coming

Hi John

I can't find the R212 on the website and the R215 has not been released. Do you have any more details?

Thanks

Procrastination eventually pays off.

kiwifidget

"Cookie"
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#914548 14-Oct-2013 08:56

Wow, mine must be really old, I"ve got an R201, though I'm sure I bought it brand new only a year ago.
I use it at our beach place where my Vodafone phone gets no reception, but the R201 gets a signal and works really well, just for checking email and a bit of web browsing. The battery lasts about 6 hours but it has to work hard keeping a connection open.

UberGeek, is mine unlocked as well? I was going to take it to England with me but a person at Digital Mobile told me it would only work here on Vodafone. And if only I could share my phone data on it as well.

Delete cookies?! Are you insane?!

StarBlazer

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#926638 3-Nov-2013 17:42

So I went into the Vodafone store on Lambton Quay on Friday to ask about one of these and though I would see what information they had regarding connectivity and use overseas. The person serving had to go away into the back to find anything out and then said that even if I use Vodafone UK it is unlikely that the network will be compatible and if it is I'll have difficulty in configuring the APN settings.

That doesn't sound true to me. Any comments. I presume the APN settings are just the network/IP address information of the network I'm connecting to.

Procrastination eventually pays off.

johnr

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#926657 3-Nov-2013 18:36

The APNs are easy to configure

StarBlazer

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#926672 3-Nov-2013 19:08

johnr: The APNs are easy to configure

I thought so - thanks John.

Any news on the newer models - price/release date? Still only showing the R206 on the website and in store.

Procrastination eventually pays off.

Gobit

40 posts

Geek

#926814 4-Nov-2013 07:28

G'day StarBlazer

Re the APN: apart from once, when I've put a local SIM card in it's configured the APN automatically. Had to manually change it once – really easy to do through the router interface, took about 10 seconds.

Re availability: The Vodafone shop in Queensgate/Westgate, whatever it's called these days, in Lower Hutt had the R212 in stock and is where I got mine. Can't tell you the cost sorry as it was a swap-out under warranty of an R208, of which they had no more. I've found service and staff knowledge there (and in the Vodafone shop in the Johnsonville Mall) to be much better/greater than either the Lambton Quay or Reading stores.

Cheers, Gobit

StarBlazer

961 posts

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#926833 4-Nov-2013 08:47

Thanks Gobit - Much appreciated.

Procrastination eventually pays off.

StarBlazer

961 posts

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#928634 7-Nov-2013 11:33

I've just got off the phone from VF and after being passed round three people nobody in the customer service or sales teams is aware of any other product than the R206!!

They've basically said if it's not on the website they can't sell it - which if that the case okay - but it limits my options.

@johnr (or any other VF member reading) have the other models been withdrawn for something else, is the R206 really the only version available? (other than the R205 in the VF store on Lambton Quay which is presumably a step backwards).

For everyone else - can you recommend a similar device preferably with HSPA+ (42.2 Mbps) or 4G (thinking future proofing the purchase a little)?

Thanks

Procrastination eventually pays off.

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