The CLEAR Spot 4G (AKA the Infomark Biscuit) is an all-in-one unit creates a
mobile WiFi hotspot to provide 4G WiMAX internet access for up to 8 users
anywhere CLEAR has 4G coverage.
The CLEAR Spot 4G is very similar in features to the 3G/4G Sprint Overdrive or CLEAR Spot 4G+, except it can only be used on CLEAR's
4G network (whereas those other devices can also connect to Sprint's 3G network
if 4G coverage isn't available). Since it is for 4G use only, the CLEAR Spot 4G
is mainly targeted towards users live or work in CLEAR coverage areas and are
looking for an alternative to cable, DSL, or dial-up internet. For users who
only need 4G coverage and want to share the connection with multiple users, the
CLEAR Spot 4G is an excellent choice since CLEAR's 4G monthly service plan is
only $40/mo!
As mentioned above, the CLEAR Spot 4G is very similar to
other all-in-one mobile broadband hotspots in terms of essential functionality.
It features a built-in battery that lasts up to four hours and a wireless "G"
radio for WiFi that can provide up to 150' of WiFi range (depending on the
settings you've chosen and interference), and supports up to 8
wirelessly-connected users. Unlike other hotspots, the CLEAR Spot 4G has a nifty
feature that will allow you to compromise between WiFi range and battery life by
adjusting the broadcast power of the WiFi radio. There are three different WiFi
power levels: short, medium, and long. Users can set the WiFi power to a higher
setting to increase range, but this will reduce the battery life; setting the
WiFi range to "short" will save battery life but your devices will have to be
closer to the CLEAR Spot to connect. The CLEAR Spot 4G also supports both 64-bit
& 128-bit WEP security, as well as WPA & WPA2 for the best wireless
security to prevent unauthorized users from connecting to your personal WiFi
network.
If you want to connect the CLEAR Spot 4G directly to a computer
instead of using WiFi (for example, a desktop computer that doesn't have WiFi
capabilities), you can tether it directly to a Mac or Windows computer with the
included USB cable. Unlike the Verizon and Sprint MiFi, tethering the CLEAR Spot
4G to your computer via USB does NOT disable the WiFi - so you can continue to
connect your other devices to the hotspot via WiFi while it's tethered via USB
to one computer! Conveniently, no connection manager software is necessary in
order to tether the hotspot to your computer - it appears as a network adapter
with a local LAN IP.
As for the CLEAR Spot 4G's performance, many
potential users have wondered how it compares to dedicated 4G USB devices
available from CLEAR (such as the PXU1900). From our testing, we can confirm that the
CLEAR Spot 4G performed exactly the same as CLEAR's USB devices. However, we
have also found that the CLEAR mobile devices (including this hotspot) do not
perform quite as well as CLEAR's "Home Modems", simply because the Home Modems
have larger, stronger internal antennas built-in. Of course, the mobile devices
offer the benefit of portability, so there is a trade-off to be
considered.
For users who want to extend the WiFi range, need to connect more than 8
WiFi devices, or need to provide internet access to an ethernet-only device that
doesn't have WiFi (a VOIP phone, DVR, etc), the limitations of the CLEAR Spot 4G
can be circumvented by using the
Pepwave Surf Mini.
The Pepwave acts as a wireless bridge, picking up the WiFi signal from the CLEAR
Spot 4G and then repeating it, giving you a much greater wireless range and
allowing you to get around the 8-user limit. The Pepwave Surf Mini connects to
the CLEAR Spot via WiFi and counts as one of the 8 users; you can then connect
as many devices as you want to the Pepwave! In other words, if you wanted to
share the connection from the CLEAR Spot with 10 laptops, rather than having the
laptops connect directly to the CLEAR Spot's WiFi network, they would connect to
the Pepwave (which is rebroadcasting the signal
from the CLEAR Spot).
Since the laptops aren't connected to the CLEAR Spot itself, the CLEAR Spot
doesn't count them towards the 8-user limit! It also has an ethernet port,
allowing you to connect a device that can't connect via WiFi.
The bottom line on the CLEAR Spot 4G: If you are
looking for a mobile broadband device to use exclusively in areas with
4G coverage and want something more mobile and flexible
than CLEAR's home modems, the CLEAR Spot 4G is a great choice. It's affordable
(just $99.99 or you can lease it for $4.99/month if you opt for a 2-year
contract), and CLEAR's unlimited 4G service costs just $40/month.
4Ginfo.com
Wednesday, 21 July 2010 19:10