Best 3G router ?

B

Boo2

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 Jan 2010
Messages
8,603
Visit site
Hi,

I have decided against using a 3G modem because internet sharing doesn't seem to work so i was just wondering if anyone here has any recommendations for 3G routers ? Ethernet or Wifi, either is fine.

Thanks,

Boo2
 
Boo2 said:
Hi,

I have decided against using a 3G modem because internet sharing doesn't seem to work so i was just wondering if anyone here has any recommendations for 3G routers ? Ethernet or Wifi, either is fine.

Thanks,

Boo2
Click to expand...

The devil is in the detail, we use a turkcell VINN USB modem, its a Huawei E173 - this is important. The 3G router we use is a TP-LInk MR 3020 - this is important.

WHY

Well the router manufactures don't say anything negative about their devices - for example "just plug in the USB modem and surf the internet" is what they say, what they mean is "check our website to find out if your modem is compatible with our router then download and install new firmware then reconfigure the router"

The magic word is compatibility not all routers are compatible with all modems you have to check before you buy either.

Get the compatibility right and it works like a charm, we have 5 devices connected to one router sharing one internet connection.
 
We have an Alfa R36 router connected up to the boat electrics (it runs on 12v). We then connect either a wifi booster aerial to it to rebroadcast a wifi signal or we have a 3G modem we can connect to it.
Works like a charm.
 
Cardo said:
We have an Alfa R36 router connected up to the boat electrics (it runs on 12v). We then connect either a wifi booster aerial to it to rebroadcast a wifi signal or we have a 3G modem we can connect to it.
Works like a charm.
Click to expand...
+ another one. Also has ethernet port should you ever need hard wiring for something with grumpy wifi dongles.
 
Just thought I'd post what I ended up with : a TP-Link TL-MR3420 circa £32 from eBuyer. It connected completely seamlessly with my existing Huawei E220 3G dongle and picked up my 3 PayGo SIM without needing anything horrible like a password setting up or anything. So far everything I've tested is working and I've moved all my ethernet connections from the old ADSL router to the MR3420 and all works fine.

So far it seems like a great no-fuss solution. If anyone else follows this route it's worth checking they get a V2 version of this router as I believe the V1 may not be as comprehensive in terms of compatibility.

Boo2
 
Boo2 said:
Just thought I'd post what I ended up with : a TP-Link TL-MR3420 circa £32 from eBuyer. It connected completely seamlessly with my existing Huawei E220 3G dongle and picked up my 3 PayGo SIM without needing anything horrible like a password setting up or anything. So far everything I've tested is working and I've moved all my ethernet connections from the old ADSL router to the MR3420 and all works fine.

So far it seems like a great no-fuss solution. If anyone else follows this route it's worth checking they get a V2 version of this router as I believe the V1 may not be as comprehensive in terms of compatibility.

Boo2
Click to expand...

Following Nigel's link it does look a good solution when used in combination with a Ubiquiti Bullet for WiFi and a dongle for 3/4G. In that combination its a little more flexible, on paper anyway, than the Alfa R36 solution. Did notice, though, that the input voltage was given as 9v in the manual.
 
RobbieW said:
Following Nigel's link it does look a good solution when used in combination with a Ubiquiti Bullet for WiFi and a dongle for 3/4G. In that combination its a little more flexible, on paper anyway, than the Alfa R36 solution. Did notice, though, that the input voltage was given as 9v in the manual.
Click to expand...

If I remember correctly, the Alfa can also use the 3G as a backup if the primary WAN connection is via Ethernet, for example if using a Ubiquiti Bullet.
Unfortunately, doesn't work if using the usb wifi adapter as it only has the one USB port!
 
OK, thanks for that - it wasnt clear from the R36 documentation that the RJ45 port was a WAN connection. It read more like it was an outgoing LAN connection - perhaps it can do both :)
 
RobbieW said:
Following Nigel's link it does look a good solution when used in combination with a Ubiquiti Bullet for WiFi and a dongle for 3/4G. In that combination its a little more flexible, on paper anyway, than the Alfa R36 solution. Did notice, though, that the input voltage was given as 9v in the manual.
Click to expand...

I don't know which version of the manual you are looking at but the input voltage is not specified in any of the manuals I've downloaded ? In the data sheet in this page http://www.tp-link.com/en/support/download/?model=TL-MR3420&version=V2 the input is quoted as
External Power Supply 12VDC/1A
Click to expand...
so that would seem to confirm what is on the label on the device itself.

Boo2
 
The re-badged Huawei we got for €80 from Vodafone works perfectly in Greece and with a little bit of re-setting, works fine in connecting, via an O2 data card, to either our office or our home connection in the UK.

There is a very informative article on this topic in this month's CA magazine "Cruising"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top