Recommendations re Portable Router?

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eracode

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#95748 12-Jan-2012 07:40

I am looking for a portable router so that I can make my own wifi on holiday when in hotel rooms that have internet but no wifi. I am looking for something along these lines:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/16/tp-link-portable-3g-wireless-n-router-fits-in-your-pocket-draws/

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=BR-6258n&hl=en&num=10&lr=&cr=&safe=images&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=8927257255381424026&sa=X&ei=ZskNT9zZK4LBiQey0oyOBg&ved=0CB0Q8wIwAA

http://www.theverge.com/2011/11/17/2568579/tp-link-tl-mr3020-portable-3g-router

Would be pleased to hear if anyone has any comments or can tell me whether I can get something like this in NZ without needing to go to Amazon, eBay etc.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

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#567702 12-Jan-2012 07:59

There would be at least a dozen such units on sale in NZ - both units with integrated 3G, and those that use an external USB dongle. The first thing you need to decide is what path to go down.

robjg63

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#567703 12-Jan-2012 08:02

Wouldnt a cheap android phone with hotspot/tethering facilities be more usefull?

I believe that for example the Huawei Ideos (U8150) had this facility for around $150 (2degrees).

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

cyril7

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#567705 12-Jan-2012 08:04

Hi, over the holidays I just teathered my SGS, worked a treat with 2 netbooks and an ipad hanging off it. I had concidered getting a portable router and had eyed up the Asus WL-330N3G but after the pleasing results with the SGS will probably put it off for awhile.

Guess the main thing for me is the price of data bundled with my phone is cheaper than any prepay option that I would put with a mifi device.

Cyril

Stu

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#567707 12-Jan-2012 08:17

I believe the OP is wanting to use the hotels wired internet port in their room, and plug a wireless AP into it to give themselves wireless internet access at hotels that don't offer this facility. At least that is how it reads to me.

eracode

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#567710 12-Jan-2012 08:23

BigHammer: I believe the OP is wanting to use the hotels wired internet port in their room, and plug a wireless AP into it to give themselves wireless internet access at hotels that don't offer this facility. At least that is how it reads to me.

That's exactly right BH. I have an SGS but don't want to incur data charges via 3G if there's free internet in the room.

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sbiddle

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#567712 12-Jan-2012 08:26

In which case you don't need any special hardware, just any old AP. This will then bridge the L2 network and you'll have access to the net or captive portal via your AP.

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#567714 12-Jan-2012 08:33

Hi I understand now, the Asus I mentioned is very compact, size of a pack of fags, therefore can be easily packed away, can be configured as a router, or bridge, AP or client.

Cyril

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RunningMan

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#567716 12-Jan-2012 08:35

Airport Express. Rock solid performance, and about as small and light as you will get. Interchangable power plugs for overseas too if needed.

kiwitrc

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#567721 12-Jan-2012 08:54

We have two of these, from Edimax, one has both 3G USB (ala Vodem) capability (3G-6200L) and RJ45 Eth inputs, the other is just RJ45 Eth (BR-625N) . They work very well. Photos coming. Or check this out for the smaller one. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=BR-6258n&x=0&y=0

eracode

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#567869 12-Jan-2012 12:53

kiwitrc: We have two of these, from Edimax, one has both 3G USB (ala Vodem) capability (3G-6200L) and RJ45 Eth inputs, the other is just RJ45 Eth (BR-625N) . They work very well. Photos coming. Or check this out for the smaller one. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=BR-6258n&x=0&y=0

Thanks to those who provided helpful and positive advice.

kiwitrc: The smaller unit you show above is one that I was looking at. I see that Ascent have them.
I am looking to be able to use wifi on my iPad in hotels where there is internet in the room but no wifi.

Do you know whether I will simply be able to plug the router into the hotel’s internet socket with an Ethernet cable, power the router, and then be able to connect my iPad to the internet using wifi between the iPad and the nano router?

Is it as simple as this? Just wondering what sort of set-up is involved?

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

hashbrown

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#567873 12-Jan-2012 13:00

RunningMan: Airport Express. Rock solid performance, and about as small and light as you will get. Interchangable power plugs for overseas too if needed.

+1 That's the first thing I though of too.

kiwitrc

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#567877 12-Jan-2012 13:10

eracode:
kiwitrc: We have two of these, from Edimax, one has both 3G USB (ala Vodem) capability (3G-6200L) and RJ45 Eth inputs, the other is just RJ45 Eth (BR-625N) . They work very well. Photos coming. Or check this out for the smaller one. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=BR-6258n&x=0&y=0

Thanks to those who provided helpful and positive advice.

kiwitrc: The smaller unit you show above is one that I was looking at. I see that Ascent have them.
I am looking to be able to use wifi on my iPad in hotels where there is internet in the room but no wifi.

Do you know whether I will simply be able to plug the router into the hotel’s internet socket with an Ethernet cable, power the router, and then be able to connect my iPad to the internet using wifi between the iPad and the nano router?

Is it as simple as this? Just wondering what sort of set-up is involved?

You need to set it up first (password, SSID encryption etc) but thats a oncer, then yes plug and away you go.

Edit, if you are in Welly you are welcome to drop by and have a play with it.

eracode

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#567906 12-Jan-2012 13:37

kiwitrc:
eracode:
kiwitrc: We have two of these, from Edimax, one has both 3G USB (ala Vodem) capability (3G-6200L) and RJ45 Eth inputs, the other is just RJ45 Eth (BR-625N) . They work very well. Photos coming. Or check this out for the smaller one. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=BR-6258n&x=0&y=0

Thanks to those who provided helpful and positive advice.

kiwitrc: The smaller unit you show above is one that I was looking at. I see that Ascent have them.
I am looking to be able to use wifi on my iPad in hotels where there is internet in the room but no wifi.

Do you know whether I will simply be able to plug the router into the hotel’s internet socket with an Ethernet cable, power the router, and then be able to connect my iPad to the internet using wifi between the iPad and the nano router?

Is it as simple as this? Just wondering what sort of set-up is involved?

You need to set it up first (password, SSID encryption etc) but thats a oncer, then yes plug and away you go.

Edit, if you are in Welly you are welcome to drop by and have a play with it.

Thanks again. Sorry - I'm not strong on this stuff - do you mean set it up once, say at home, then take with me on holiday and then can use it in hotels? Or do you mean I would have to set it up in a hotel each time before I can use it? Can I set it up on from my iPad or do I need a laptop/PC to do that?

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

RunningMan

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#567917 12-Jan-2012 13:53

Generally speaking, set up the device once (at home), then just plug it in each time you want to use it while away.

Most devices have a web interface, so can be configured with a web browser (like Safari on the iPad). Some require computer to do the initial setup (like the Airport Express).

Something to consider - the Airport Express has a built in power supply, so you plug it directly in to the power point, and then there would be just the network cable to go to the network socket in the hotel. Some of the other routers will require an external power supply to be carried as well - don't know if this is a consideration for you...

kiwitrc

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#567918 12-Jan-2012 13:54

No just the once, for your choice of SSId (eg eracodeswifi and password you want to use, etc

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