Huawei 630 for R2000, good deal or not?

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PeterCH

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Hi guys,

Am using the Huawei 630 HDSPA/EDGE/GPRS modem here in Poland for
a sub of R280 pm (4GB traffic, free hotspots, no hardcap or shaping) and can buy the modem
for R2000 (and have it unlocked here by Era/BlueConnect). Is this a good price if I wanted to continue to use it in SA with one of our networks?
 
R2000 for a used or new Hauwei 630? I would say no-go. Rather buy the E220 USB One, New here in SA for +- R1999 - R2400 or PM me if you want to buy mine. Do note there is NO way that you are going to get 4GB of usage out of that thing here in SA for a mere R280/month!! :p
 
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Yotch said:
You can buy a new unlocked Option GT Max 3.6mbps (7.2mbps ready) in SA for R1440. I have personally bought from this seller before without any problem. He sells a lot of products on Bidorbuy.
Click to expand...

What's your reception like with this card considering the small pop out antennas? It also looks like it should site nice and flush with the notebook which should mean not having to take it out all the time.
 
Unfortunately I don't own one myself. Maybe somebody who owns an Option GT Max could comment on the reception. There is also a device that you can get from Poynting that allows you to connect an external antenna even if no physical connector is present - I'm not sure of the performance though.

Actually some Option cards have been sold for less than this on Bob. See below for example. You could contact the suppliers on Bob or via that e-mail address in the discussions to see if they can still obtain stock.

http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/jsp/item/Item.jsp?Trade_TradeId=3373029
http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/jsp/item/Item.jsp?Trade_TradeId=3465518

I think that this card does have an external aerial connector judging from the comments.

Here is an advert for new unlocked Sierra Wireless 875 HSDPA cards for R1300
http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/jsp/item/Item.jsp?Trade_TradeId=4686805
 
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Yotch said:
You can buy a new unlocked Option GT Max 3.6mbps (7.2mbps ready) in SA for R1440.
Click to expand...

I bought one of these cards last night. Have had limited opportunity to test it (thanks to Vodacom being down last night). Initial advice is if you are running Vista get the latest version of the connection manager
 
@morkhans: Please let us know about your experiences. How does it compare with the Huawei E620, E630 and E220 etc.?
 
Yotch said:
@morkhans: Please let us know about your experiences. How does it compare with the Huawei E620, E630 and E220 etc.?
Click to expand...

I have actually used all three the above, but mostly while testing for friends. So exposure is limited. I really wanted this card because it was almost flush with the notebook when inserted. So I don't have to take it out when bagging my notebook. What I have however discovered is that when the notebook comes out of hibernation the signal light starts flashing. The only way to kill it is to start the connection manager and close it. So while I don't have to take it out when moving around I do get annoyed by the flashy light (you just can't win!).

The flip out antenna does work.
flip in, 2-3 bars, -91dBm (no 3G icon)
flip out, 4 bars, -75dBm (3G icon appears)

I ran some Vodacom speed tests:
down: 1119 kbps
up: 264 kbps

down: 1145 kbps
up: 278 kbps

down: 1328 kbps
up: 286 kbps

The AT&T (Cingular is now owned by AT&T) software is easy to setup and use. There is a timer and usage indicator for the current session, but no summary (no tears on that one, its not like VMC is ever accurate). So all in all I am a happy camper, just waiting to find out about the firmware update.

Edit: There is an event viewer which will give you a selectable date range so you can track you usage history.
 
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@morkhans: Many thanks for the update. Have you noticed any improvements over other HSDPA devices as Option claims? See below.

"Option's unique Advanced Radio Technology (ART) internal architecture differentiates the GlobeTrotter GT MAX "7.2 Ready" from other HSDPA devices by introducing Receive Diversity and Receive Equalization into the product design, delivering important performance benefits to users and operators.

Receive Diversity exploits dual antenna and receive chains to improve signal reception and reduce the impact of spatial variations in signal strength. Receive Equalization, on the other hand, improves immunity to interference of the radio signal. In usage scenarios tested during GT MAX field trials, ART improved average throughput speeds up to 50% compared with non-ART devices giving greater connection stability and higher data throughput vastly improving the overall user experience. For operators, mobile receive diversity increases network capacity by up to a factor of two while reducing base station power requirements."

This is the link
http://news.thomasnet.com/companystory/499833
 
Yotch said:
@morkhans: Many thanks for the update. Have you noticed any improvements over other HSDPA devices as Option claims? See below.

"Option's unique Advanced Radio Technology (ART) internal architecture differentiates the GlobeTrotter GT MAX "7.2 Ready" from other HSDPA devices by introducing Receive Diversity and Receive Equalization into the product design, delivering important performance benefits to users and operators.

Receive Diversity exploits dual antenna and receive chains to improve signal reception and reduce the impact of spatial variations in signal strength. Receive Equalization, on the other hand, improves immunity to interference of the radio signal. In usage scenarios tested during GT MAX field trials, ART improved average throughput speeds up to 50% compared with non-ART devices giving greater connection stability and higher data throughput vastly improving the overall user experience. For operators, mobile receive diversity increases network capacity by up to a factor of two while reducing base station power requirements."

This is the link
http://news.thomasnet.com/companystory/499833
Click to expand...

I think the marketing department at Option spent way too much time with the adjective dictionary. :eek:

Oh and this card was not plug and play (as per the article). I had to install the software first before inserting the card. Possibly other model revisions will have that feature.

I suppose the only way to compare the card is to have it side by side with another and check signal strength and do some speed tests. Unfortunately while Vodacom struggles to fix its network it will be difficult to tell how well this baby could perform :(
 
PS. If anyone is after the Option GT Connect software you can get it here

Its only a 1MB download. I have yet to install it, but it does allow you to setup 3G only/preferred options which you can't do with the at&t software.
 
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