Thread: Seperate phone versus all-in-one
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johnkzin is offline johnkzin
2008-02-24 , 23:13
Posts: 1,878 | Thanked: 646 times | Joined on Sep 2007 @ San Jose, CA
#25
Originally Posted by brecklundin View Post
johnkzin:

Sorry but I use that setup DAILY and it is tremendeously portable and transparent. The term USB router in this case means the USB modem connects to the ROUTER.
Ah, so you DO have it connected via a router. Good to know :-)

Do you have the Cradlepoint CTR-350 or the MBR-thing that Millenicom has on their site? I couldn't tell which one you have, from your message.

And, where did you get the battery pack for whichever one you have? What kind of battery life are you seeing on it, and under how much use? And how is the quality with skype? clear? Do you get many interruptions or distortions? (the one or two times I tried skype, it was a distortion every 30-60 seconds; my gf didn't appreciate that at all :-} )

Last, what do you use to carry around the battery+router+usbDongle? I was thinking about getting another Pelican case to hold all of that, but I don't know which one is sized right to be "just big enough to hold all of that and the foam inserts to secure it", and how good the signal strength is through the high density plastic.

Plus, I'm pretty sure I'll need to move to the next larger Maxpedition bag from the one I have, in order to carry the iGo keyboard, N810 in a pelican case, and a 2nd pelican case for the above. Though, I've been thinking of moving up to the Jumbo or Manta anyway (I have the "Fat boy").

I find the solution is extremely practical and functional. The modular nature of it means if a single component fails it can be replaced easily but should any single component of a all-in-one setup fails then that device is a brick.
Yeah, one of the things I like about the "many devices" approach is that you're not betting the farm on one device.

BTW, the Cradlepoint CTR350 also now supports router to router wifi networking, HSDPA devices and the WAN/LAN port auto detects what mode is required when hardwired to something.
Yeah, I noticed they have AT&T devices on their list now. If only they had a T-mobile compatible device on the list.

And, if only it had a small built-in jabber server to act as an SMS/MMS gateway from your PDA/Laptop/etc. But that's probably asking a bit much. That, or Skype should implement full bidirectional SMS so you can treat its IM service as a substitute for a cell phone SMS plan.

But if they did, I could use just the cell service on the router for 95% of my cellular/mobile needs, including Skype for a bunch of stuff ... and then drop my MetroPCS phone down to the unlimited voice only plan for $35/mo for just those cases where Skype voice reception isn't good enough for a given call.

I could have bought a Cradlepoint PHS300 which has an user replaceable LiON Poly battery but I wanted the ability to wire into my home network if DSL went down.
Yeah, I had thought about that too. I wish they had kept the ethernet port on the PHS. Though, honestly, I plan on moving all of my server (my home email server) oriented stuff to Google Apps anyway, at which point my home machines will be client only. At that point, having them only online when I'm home, and thus also use the PHS for their network access, would be just fine. Cheaper than having two ISP's as well. Oh, and, I can get work to pay for _one_ ISP starting next month ... if they were paying for whatever ISP I use for my PHS, then that would cover me all around.

The other question I have about the cradepoints (or the external battery you've got) is if there's a way to power/charge them via USB (I have a car charger that has a USB port on it, and might get one with 2 or 3 USB ports; then I have USB cables for charging my phone and my NIT ... being able to charge phone+NIT+router all at once would be nice).

And I never even mentioned connecting the EVDO modem to the USB port on the NIT's as an option...in fact the NIT's are PROBLEMATIC due to their current design and that wonderful but just PITA sometimes placed kickstand... I actually use it as a handle as much as I do a stand. I find it aids me in making sure I don't drop the device. I have hand probs that can make holding something difficult and I often will drop something for no apparent reason...at least it proves gravity still works...hehehehe...
I also use the kickstand as a "hand strap" on my N800 ... but I haven't really done that with my N810. It isn't as comfortable to use the keyboard when held that way, in my experience. I suppose it might work if I only put 2 or 3 fingers, from each hand, under the kickstand ... but having all fingers from my left hand under it makes it an awkward angle for two-thumb typing.