Novatel MiFi 2200 Mobile Wi-Fi Modem (Verizon Wireless)

I've been inside and out of this device and want to share. BTW, I absolutely love it.VZAccess:Use of the VZAccess software should be periodic, as I was using the hotspot function solely for about two weeks then one day of extensive use I charged it by with USB and continued to internet using VZAccess. That is where I found out the device updated cell sites using this software once a week. So use VZAccess every once in a while.Otherwise, functions are adjusted with 192.168.1.1, admin, in WiFi hotspot mode.These are available through web interface:Without password:-Battery level and Cell signal strength and type (1x or EVDO)-Continuously updating (without needing refresh) session data counter. It is not too accurate in the sense, example: watch youtube videos few minutes, 8 MB builds on the counter, then minutes later the cell tower may do something, and the counter goes back to 0. Not too often, but enough to not rely on it. Great to watch as you play with firewall settings to keep data to a minimum, example: just launching iTunes if you last left it in the Store tab, is just under a megabyte.With password (admin):-Change your wifi settings like channel, SSID name and visibility, password (shown as text, not ***), and WEP through WPA2.-Make the device open, secure, or create a temporary hotspot with new password to share the connection (might want to change the 192.168.1.1 admin password if they are pranksters)-View how many and what MAC addresses are connected, also MAC filter.-Time to standby: idle time 2 min - 60 min, or always on.-Best of all, a resettable total data counter that is very close to the Verizon wireless site data usage.Physical aspects and usage of the device.-It sits in my wallet after I cleaned out some cards business cards, so it is not an extra device I have to carry.-It gets very hot and I imagine the heat dissipation parameters are upset while it sits in my wallet, so I am aware and take precautions.-It must power up and operate (transmit) while wall charging.-The LEDs are very bright and disrupt a dark room with one flashing and one steady green; replaces flashlight apps on iDevices.-You will not leave this device on all the time. Standby mode requires hitting the button anyways. A WiFi request will not wake the device. It takes about 30 seconds for me to have connectivity either wayHope that helps with filling the gaps of information not provided by Verizon. Once again, this is the killer application to have internet most everywhere.

I bought this MiFi thinking that I would swap it for my Aircard that I've been using on Verizon for several years. I was attracted by the ability to have up to 5 devices share one connection.Overall the device will allow up to 5 devices to share the connection. And the speeds have been decent - averaging about 1.5 mb.The problem i that this device constantly disconnects from the Internet and you are forced to wait for it to re-connect. It's not something everyone would notice (you can watch it by going to the control panel at the IP address 192.168.1.1).There are also some really odd problems such as not being able to update the firmware from a Mac, not being able to initially turn on the device and have it work on AC power (I've always had to start it up unplugged and after it's connected attach it to the power cord).I think this is just a really cheap product that I would avoid. It's probably near end-of-life and there are much better (and faster) alternatives coming (see Sprint 4G Novatell).Before you buy - do a quick web search for issues around this model. I found many that I wish I'd known about BEFORE I made the purchase.

The Verizon Mifi (made by Novatel) is a combination of a great, hugely convenient product and some annoying quirks.However, first you need to set your expectations. When you use this, your PC, iPad, Smart-phone etc. are all sharing a "3G" link to the internet, which is basically a cellular line. The speed if this connection is whatever "3G" means in that particular place at that particular time - but if you expect Mega-bits per second, you will be disappointed - that usually only happens in Verizon ads.That said, this is EXTREMELY useful for business travelers like me. When you need to get or send an email, attachments and all, or check a web-site for some information or updates - you can be sure you WILL be able to do it. Even while in motion 9and yes, it does work while in high-speed motion, if you are in a good coverage area), and even when visiting a company that does not have any arrangements to give visitors internet access.Operation is dead simple - you turn it on, and connect your PC/iPad/Whatever to the WiFI network as usual. by default, the network requires a Password, and supports up to 5 simultaneous connections.The battery seems to last about 2-3 hours, but in most cases, you can power it up, synchronize your email, and power it back down, with each session lasting openly a few minutes - which will allow this to give you a day's worth of service.Now for the "annoying" part1. When you connect it to a charging source, it turns on, even if you don't want to. to beclear - you can't charge it without having it broadcast a WiFi network for the entire duration.Aside from this limiting where you can charge it (e.g. not on a plane) this is simplystupid - If i want to charge it, broadcasting a WiFi signal DISCHARGES the battery,making the charging time longer. I find it strange that the On/off Button does not workwhen charging. I am told this is by design, but I still consider this a bug.2. If you connect it to your PC to charge, it will go into an "I'm a cellular modem" mode,providing service to just the PC it is attached to, and not putting out the WiFi networkwhich is its main function. This is probably a conscious choice by the designers of thisproduct, and sort of makes sense - you may WANT to service only a single PC, and notserve as a WiFI Access point. However, in practice, you want to charge it when in use,and having to connect it to a separate AC outlet, and lugging yet one more power-adapter,where it SEEMS the device is charged via a USB port, of which you have several freein your PC is annoying. (Note some Internet searching will tell you how to change someinternal settings to prevent this). The product could benefit a lot from having one additional"mode" switch instead.3. It is quite finicky about what can charge it. If you want to use some universal AC-to-USB adapter,you will find that most of them do not work. if you want to try it, do lots of research before you buy.