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Topic: Cellular modem EVDO/Wi-Fi router bargain (Read 1 time) previous topic - next topic
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Cellular modem EVDO/Wi-Fi router bargain
Yahoo Message Number: 97397
Co-moderator Judie just pointed out that the 3GStore is currently offering Cradlepoint's CTR-350 EVDO router for $99 after a mail-in rebate. This is a $50.99 saving on one of the most favorably reviewed devices of its type. It's also one of the smallest routers of this type, and can be operated from 12V with an adapter cable.

The purpose of the CTR-350 is to allow you to wirelessly share an internet connection made via a USB cellular modem ("aircard"), such as Verizon's popular USB-720 and USB-727 models. The cell modem establishes an internet connection, and the CTR-350 then allows any nearby Wi-Fi-equipped computer to use that connection. If you have "his and hers" laptops and take turns using a single cell modem, this is a very useful.

A garden-variety $25 Linksys wireless router of the sort many of us use to share our satellite, DSL or cable modem internet connections can't do this--you need a specialized router like the CTR-350 that knows how to "talk" to the cell modem, and until quite recently these devices have been quite expensive. The $99.00 sale price on the CTR-350 is by far the lowest I've seen to date.

Here's the link:

http://3gstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=610>

or

http://tinyurl.com/2scp7d>

Be sure to check the compatibility chart before ordering, to make certain your particular cell modem/aircard is on the list.

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Cellular modem EVDO/Wi-Fi router bargain
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97409
Quote
Co-moderator Judie just pointed out that the 3GStore is currently offering Cradlepoint's CTR-350 EVDO router for $99 after a mail-in rebate. This is a $50.99 saving on one of the most favorably reviewed devices of its type. It's also one of the smallest routers of this type, and can be operated from 12V with an adapter cable.
I have two of their routers, one MBR1000 and the PHS-300 portable battery powered model (lives in my briefcase). Both work superbly well.
The MBR1000 provides Wifi and 4 wired ethernet ports. It runs on 12V directly. The CTR 350 and the newer CTR500 run on 5 volts thus require an adapter.  The MBR1000 also sports multiple USB ports and an Expresscard slot if you have that type of modem.

Dave, '06 MB, Indianapolis
Re: Cellular modem EVDO/Wi-Fi router bargain
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97411
Quote
I've been waiting a year this month for my $50 rebate from 3G store and have written it off. They are crooks and the rebate is not reliable.
After many complaints I finially just wrote it off as a lost cause.
Can't say 3Gstore are crooks or not. I never had any problem. I am still waiting on my rebate direct from Verizon. I suspect the carriers (and their contractors) itself are the ultimate source of the rebate. Verizon has a link on their site where you can track the rebate status.
 I've missed rebates from other carriers in the past too.  I consider most of the rebate offers a scam anyway. I consider mail-in rebates a thank you gift (if they appear) rather than anything to affect a product decision.

-Dave, '06 MB, Indianapolis
Re: Cellular modem EVDO/Wi-Fi router bargain
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97412
I've been waiting a year this month for my $50 rebate from 3G store and have written it off. They are crooks and the rebate is not reliable.
After many complaints I finially just wrote it off as a lost cause.


 I'm afraid I couldn't disagree with you more.  I've done business with 3GStore with great results on two different occasions, most recently purchasing a Verizon USB727 modem and Cradlepoint 1000 router...it came all set up and ready to use.  I even had a great experience talking with their technical people when I screwed up the security settings and they walked me through resolving the issue (these people are from the U.S.A., not India).
 As for the $50 rebate, which rebate are you talking about?  If it's a rebate for an air card/modem, those rebates come from the service provider (Verizon, Sprint, etc.), not 3GStore.  My USB727 modem cost $49.99 and I just received my $50 rebate from Verizon yesterday.

Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Linda Hylton
Re: Cellular modem EVDO/Wi-Fi router bargain
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97418
Michelle M Ress  wrote: If' I'm wrong about 3Gstore I apologize. My rebate was promised from 3GPlaza which I would guess changed their name to 3GStore after ripping a lot of people off and closing shop. Google 3GPlaza and you will see what I'm talking about.
--- It seems true that '3GPlaza' has many dissatisfied customers, but I've heard (and found through searching) *very* little about '3GStore' that wasn't positive.  Here's one site with reviews of *3GStore*:
 http://www.resellerratings.com/store/3gstore

JMO, but it doesn't seem likely that these two vendors are connected by anything other than similar-sounding names; it's certainly not unheard of for some person or entity to set up shop under a name very close to that of a reputable business in order to trade on the already-established goodwill and name 'recognition'.

As always, YMMV.

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Cellular modem EVDO/Wi-Fi router bargain
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97423
We've used the CTR-350 extensively this year, and it was one of the best improvements we ever made to our RVing experience.  The ability to both be on-line at the same time with our laptops and to not be dependent on campground WiFi existance, speed, or security (usually lack thereof) is fantastic.  We tether one of our cellphones which is Verizon broadband-connect capable with the optional feature activated, rather than using a faster USB EVDO modem.  This makes the most sense cost-wise for us (we do not need EVDO when we aren't travelling and don't mind the slower speeds).
 3Gstore is great to work with.  I would absolutely buy from them if we were
Re: Cellular modem EVDO/Wi-Fi router bargain
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97426
My rebate was promised from 3GPlaza which I would guess changed their name to 3GStore after ripping a lot of people off and closing shop.


 I strongly doubt that there is any connection at all between these two companies!  I don't have any proof, of course, but from the experience I've had with 3GStore personally, they're certainly not ripping people off.
 There are many, many people on both the IRV2.com forums and the Escapees forums who have done business with 3GStore and, so far at least, I've never heard anything bad about them.

Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Linda Hylton
Re: Cellular modem EVDO/Wi-Fi router bargain
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97432
Michelle,
 I had just the opposite experience with these folks, and have to believe there is some sort of miscommunication.
 I would recommend you call and speak directly with Alex, and see if he can't bring satisfaction.
 Those guys bent over backwards to help me with advice, some returned merchendise, and yes, I received a rebate from them as well, no problem.
 I hope you can get it resolved, because I have, and would like to continue to be able to highly recommend this company.

Steve and Carol Crisp Thistle Dew Too
Steven & Carol Crisp -- 2000 26.5' Blue Mid-Bath named Thistle Dew Too
Our RV Motto:  "No place to be ... and all day to get there"
2024 Adventure: The Great Eclipse Escapade!  HI(Air),NV,AZ,NM,Mason,TX(Totality!) ...
 
Re: Cellular modem EVDO/Wi-Fi router bargain
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97439
Quote
Linda,
 If' I'm wrong about 3Gstore I apologize. My rebate was promised from 3GPlaza which I would guess changed their name to 3GStore after ripping a lot of people off and closing shop. Google 3GPlaza and you will see what I'm talking about.
I can find nothing that indicates any relationship between 3Gplaza and 3Gstore at all.  I have never had to call them but everything I bought from them arrived the next day via standard ground shipping (they are in Chicago) and I have had no problem.

-Dave '06 MB, Indianapolis