this is to improve on the attempt that i made yesterday, to inform you of this" Super Modem,"(imo) as i said, i've tried them all. to start with, the USB720 looks very simular to the old PC and Express Cards. the big difference is you no longer need a PC or Express Card slot. you could install the USB720 into a USB port and it would work about the same as the Express Card. BUT, another improvement is the USB Extension Cable. it is Y shaped with 1 female and 2 male connection ends. the USB720 plugs into the female connection. plug the #1 male connector into a USB port, on the computer, and you could be ready to get online. but, if you plug the #2 connector into another USB port you will get a power boost that will help in weak signal areas. BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE! i'm in a very weak signal area, so i went ahead and bought the 10' antenna cable. ($20) and the necessary cable adaptor. ($10) so, forget DSL and WIFI. what i have is as good as it gets!
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Verizon Wireless USB720 Modem
- Thread starter HIGH TIME
- Start date
Sam Walker
New member
Hi Don, I want to second your :thup on the Verizon USB Cellular Modem. I have not gone for the Y adapter but I did go for the antenna extension. I found that if you use a regular USB extension cord to get the modem antenna away from the computer electronics and screen and the antenna extension, you can about triple the speeds that you get w/ the modem plugged directly into the side or back of the computer. :smiled
I am on the road a lot :cry and the modem would be the absolute last "luxury" I would abandon if I had to cut back. I am on it right now in my motorhome in Monterey, CA and am getting download speeds of between 350 adn 1500 kbps. :smilep
It works everywhere in the country that I have taken it except of course remote areas where nothing works and strangely enough the northwest corner of Arkansas near the world HQ for Wal-Mart in beautiful Bentonville. :crook Go figure. Anyway this thing is the best.
I am on the road a lot :cry and the modem would be the absolute last "luxury" I would abandon if I had to cut back. I am on it right now in my motorhome in Monterey, CA and am getting download speeds of between 350 adn 1500 kbps. :smilep
It works everywhere in the country that I have taken it except of course remote areas where nothing works and strangely enough the northwest corner of Arkansas near the world HQ for Wal-Mart in beautiful Bentonville. :crook Go figure. Anyway this thing is the best.
Sam Walker
New member
Don, the Y did not come w/ my setup. I will have to check it out. I will let you know.
Very intrigued to read your comments and experiences using the Verizon USB 720 modem.
Due to being on-call for work I am greatly concerned about gaining internet access so that I might be able to get away on our new boat in the often somewhat remote and extremely rural waters of the Puget Sound and Hood Canal this summer. I often need to logon in to the system (I do IBM Mainframe Operating System support) on weekends and such and do not want to have to remain in marinas or close by more urban areas.
Therefore, I would be greatly interested to hear if anybody had any experience gaining internet access w/ this equipment in the local westen Washington areas (San Juans, Hood Canal, Admiralty Inlet, southern Sound, etc.).
Also, for the previous gentlemen who commented on this thread - Sam Walker and High Time - would appreciate your comments on access in more remote areas.
For High Time; from your previous comments on gaining access from the lake on the Great Tennessee River while surrounded by mountains... this sounds like a fairly remote area. I assume there were no communities in the nearby vicinity.
Tanks in advance for your further comments on the subject and also thanks to Harvey on Sleepy-C for giving me a heads-up on this specific topic.
Tanks,
Dan
Due to being on-call for work I am greatly concerned about gaining internet access so that I might be able to get away on our new boat in the often somewhat remote and extremely rural waters of the Puget Sound and Hood Canal this summer. I often need to logon in to the system (I do IBM Mainframe Operating System support) on weekends and such and do not want to have to remain in marinas or close by more urban areas.
Therefore, I would be greatly interested to hear if anybody had any experience gaining internet access w/ this equipment in the local westen Washington areas (San Juans, Hood Canal, Admiralty Inlet, southern Sound, etc.).
Also, for the previous gentlemen who commented on this thread - Sam Walker and High Time - would appreciate your comments on access in more remote areas.
For High Time; from your previous comments on gaining access from the lake on the Great Tennessee River while surrounded by mountains... this sounds like a fairly remote area. I assume there were no communities in the nearby vicinity.
Tanks in advance for your further comments on the subject and also thanks to Harvey on Sleepy-C for giving me a heads-up on this specific topic.
Tanks,
Dan
Dan,
I use the Sprint broadband card and it accesses the internet thru the cell phone system. I am guessing the Verison is the same.
Sprint(and I am sure Verison) has coverage information on their website. Sprint's site shows coverage on a Google type map with different levels of speed.
I have used my Sprint broadband card in Friday Harbor. Usually if the phones work, so will the broadband card.
I use the Sprint broadband card and it accesses the internet thru the cell phone system. I am guessing the Verison is the same.
Sprint(and I am sure Verison) has coverage information on their website. Sprint's site shows coverage on a Google type map with different levels of speed.
I have used my Sprint broadband card in Friday Harbor. Usually if the phones work, so will the broadband card.
I just came home from a Verizon store, where I asked a rep about the USB720 wireless broadband modem. According to him, the Expresscard 34 unit that we have is faster than a USB connection, but only marginally. He said in tests they ran, there was no difference in speed with one or two USB connections on the USB720. I asked about the external antenna, and he said in most cases that would improve the signal.
So there is no question about the accuracy of this information, that was one Verizon rep's opinion. I only have experience with the Expresscard 34 V640 in our MacBook Pro, and have been pleased with the coverage and speed.
Regarding the western Washington coverage: there were a few remote places in the San Juans that we didn't have coverage (or, in the case of Prevost Harbor on Stuart Island, got coverage from a tower in Canada $$$). I would give the Verizon coverage in that area two thumbs up, especially considering the remote aspects.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
So there is no question about the accuracy of this information, that was one Verizon rep's opinion. I only have experience with the Expresscard 34 V640 in our MacBook Pro, and have been pleased with the coverage and speed.
Regarding the western Washington coverage: there were a few remote places in the San Juans that we didn't have coverage (or, in the case of Prevost Harbor on Stuart Island, got coverage from a tower in Canada $$$). I would give the Verizon coverage in that area two thumbs up, especially considering the remote aspects.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
commander bill
New member
High Tide, talk about a small world. I actually know where Spring City is located. My Ranger tug is in a slip across lake in Blue Springs Marina. My wife was borne in Rhea county. I will be spending most of my time near Watts Bar lake the next 2 years or so until I retire. I have very poor cell service & no internet so I would like to look at your setup if we could get together. Shoot me a PM
Sam Walker
New member
Hi DDenver, Larry was right on the coverage maps. However, most of the Verizon maps have such small scale and use so similar colors it is difficult to distinguish what type of service is where and how fast it is supposed to be. I think they like it that way.
Being a techno type, I am sure that you have one of the most recent cell phones. If you have Verizon or Sprint, you already have the real key to your coverage questions. It is your phone. The card uses the same cellular signal as your phone and directly correlates.
For Verizon, if your phone shows 1X for any areas that matches their National Access Platform. Usually up to 150 kbps down and up. If your phone shows EVDO, that matches their Broadband Access plan. I have seen as fast as 2000 kbps down and 700 up. Usually more like 600 to 1200 down and 400-600 up. Generally speaking, whether you are using National Access or Broadband, the better the signal the better the speed. You should do it. I totally dig it. Right now I am in a parking lot in Hollister, CA and have 1200 down and 500 up. I love this computer age. :smiled
Being a techno type, I am sure that you have one of the most recent cell phones. If you have Verizon or Sprint, you already have the real key to your coverage questions. It is your phone. The card uses the same cellular signal as your phone and directly correlates.
For Verizon, if your phone shows 1X for any areas that matches their National Access Platform. Usually up to 150 kbps down and up. If your phone shows EVDO, that matches their Broadband Access plan. I have seen as fast as 2000 kbps down and 700 up. Usually more like 600 to 1200 down and 400-600 up. Generally speaking, whether you are using National Access or Broadband, the better the signal the better the speed. You should do it. I totally dig it. Right now I am in a parking lot in Hollister, CA and have 1200 down and 500 up. I love this computer age. :smiled
Sam, if i'm not mistaken, Hollister is where the "Hells Angels " got there start.Be careful. haha, DonSam Walker":20we8ecq said:Hi DDenver, Larry was right on the coverage maps. However, most of the Verizon maps have such small scale and use so similar colors it is difficult to distinguish what type of service is where and how fast it is supposed to be. I think they like it that way.
Being a techno type, I am sure that you have one of the most recent cell phones. If you have Verizon or Sprint, you already have the real key to your coverage questions. It is your phone. The card uses the same cellular signal as your phone and directly correlates.
For Verizon, if your phone shows 1X for any areas that matches their National Access Platform. Usually up to 150 kbps down and up. If your phone shows EVDO, that matches their Broadband Access plan. I have seen as fast as 2000 kbps down and 700 up. Usually more like 600 to 1200 down and 400-600 up. Generally speaking, whether you are using National Access or Broadband, the better the signal the better the speed. You should do it. I totally dig it. Right now I am in a parking lot in Hollister, CA and have 1200 down and 500 up. I love this computer age. :smiled
Sam Walker
New member
It could be. It is a rather rough and tumble town. :cocktail
CatyMae n Steve
New member
Do you have a part number for the external antenna? I've looked and can't find one thru verizon.
Caty, no longer a nerd :teeth
Caty, no longer a nerd :teeth
Sam Walker
New member
Hi Caty, I do not have a part number with me. I left my antenna at my motorhome. I will check it tomorrow. I got mine by calling the Verizon folks at 611 from my cellular phone. They should have one available. :wink
i can't find a # for the antenna. but, make sure that you order the adaptor, which connects the antenna to the USB720. PCCAB720.CatyMae n Steve":2ohbnpl0 said:Do you have a part number for the external antenna? I've looked and can't find one thru verizon.
Caty, no longer a nerd :teeth
who are you talking to?Doryman":2f92aiak said:Please be sure to post the part numbers here!
Thanks,
Warren
CatyMae n Steve
New member
HIGH TIME":24zok57b said:i can't find a # for the antenna. but, make sure that you order the adaptor, which connects the antenna to the USB720. PCCAB720.CatyMae n Steve":24zok57b said:Do you have a part number for the external antenna? I've looked and can't find one thru verizon.
Caty, no longer a nerd :teeth
I have the cable with the 3 feeds...but didn't know there was an antenna...I have the UM150 and it came with the modem.
Thanks!
Caty, the UM150 is the modem. Verizon's website says that it comes with a high-performance RETRACTABLE antenna. i can't be of much help, as i've never seen one. can you find the retractable antenna? please PM me.CatyMae n Steve":33yzaegh said:HIGH TIME":33yzaegh said:i can't find a # for the antenna. but, make sure that you order the adaptor, which connects the antenna to the USB720. PCCAB720.CatyMae n Steve":33yzaegh said:Do you have a part number for the external antenna? I've looked and can't find one thru verizon.
Caty, no longer a nerd :teeth
I have the cable with the 3 feeds...but didn't know there was an antenna...I have the UM150 and it came with the modem.
Thanks!
This may not be relevant to this thread but I'll post it anyway in case it helps someone. We used Verizon internet access during our trip to Alaska last year. We had wonderful coverage in Alaska. Although there were many areas with no coverage, any time we were near a town we had coverage and we were very please with that. I don't believe we could have done any better except with satellite internet. While we didn't cruise the San Juans last year we have had good coverage when we have cruised there in the past.
With regard to modems, we chose not to use a modem, but rather to tether our phone to the laptop and use it as a modem. This worked great and provides more flexibility for us. As I understood it if we had chosen a modem we would not only have had to purchase the modem but then we would also have had to sign up for a full year of service. By tethering our phone, we can turn it on and off as it suits us with no penalty. Since we really only wanted the service for our trip to Alaska and possibly for some other sporadic vacations, this makes more sense for us. We only paid for the two months we were gone and we can turn it on again this summer.
A big frustration I had with Verizon, however, was the lack of good information I received from their customer service. Prior to purchasing our phones I indicated that I wanted a phone that I could tether and use as a modem. We bought Don a regular cell phone, but were told that I needed to get a blackberry, so I did and had nothing but trouble with it. It did tether fine, but it was much more complicated for me to use and $$$ more than Don's phone. I took it back and they moved me to a smart phone, this one did not tether properly and was still more $$ than Don's. Out of frustration, I went over the whole scenario to the technician who was helping me that day (I had gone through many) only to find out that all along the "regular" phone we had bought Don could be tethered and used as a modem. So, I returned the smart phone and got a phone like Don's and we're all happy now.
So if you need internet access all the time a modem might be the best idea, but if you only want to use it sometimes, you might want to look into a phone that can be tethered. Just wanted to throw out that option.
Dee
With regard to modems, we chose not to use a modem, but rather to tether our phone to the laptop and use it as a modem. This worked great and provides more flexibility for us. As I understood it if we had chosen a modem we would not only have had to purchase the modem but then we would also have had to sign up for a full year of service. By tethering our phone, we can turn it on and off as it suits us with no penalty. Since we really only wanted the service for our trip to Alaska and possibly for some other sporadic vacations, this makes more sense for us. We only paid for the two months we were gone and we can turn it on again this summer.
A big frustration I had with Verizon, however, was the lack of good information I received from their customer service. Prior to purchasing our phones I indicated that I wanted a phone that I could tether and use as a modem. We bought Don a regular cell phone, but were told that I needed to get a blackberry, so I did and had nothing but trouble with it. It did tether fine, but it was much more complicated for me to use and $$$ more than Don's phone. I took it back and they moved me to a smart phone, this one did not tether properly and was still more $$ than Don's. Out of frustration, I went over the whole scenario to the technician who was helping me that day (I had gone through many) only to find out that all along the "regular" phone we had bought Don could be tethered and used as a modem. So, I returned the smart phone and got a phone like Don's and we're all happy now.
So if you need internet access all the time a modem might be the best idea, but if you only want to use it sometimes, you might want to look into a phone that can be tethered. Just wanted to throw out that option.
Dee
CatyMae n Steve
New member
High Tide - PM sent....sorry if my wording confused you...yes, the UM150 is the modem...and it came with a cable with the split you spoke of. Yes, it (the modem) has a retractable antenna, but I'm sure we would get stronger signal with an external antenna.
Thanks,
Caty
Thanks,
Caty