Cradlepoint and a teathered verizon phone

[Flcruiser2]

the documentation from cradlepoint for their PHS300 says that my LG phone is compatible.  Does anyone have a similar setup, 'cause I've got a couple of questions and would really appreciate some real world help.
Question one: currently to connect my phone to my laptop, I plug in the usb and open up my "Vzaccess Manager", highlite "mobile broadband" and click connect.  How does that work when, it looks like, you plug the phone directly into the Cradlepoint.  Does the Cradlepoint do it automatically, how would it "know" numbers, passwords, etc?
Question two: Is a shared connection inherently slower?  And if so would 2 laptops and/or a smart phone be too much my EVDO rev A phone?
Thanks much everybody!
BTW woot has a new one for sale today for $99

[Jeff Collingwood]

Rich,
You can't use VZManager with Cradlepoint.  Cradlepoint just hooks up automatically.  Passwords are handled like when you set up a router.  Once it is setup (I had the Cradlepoint person do mine), all I do is plug in my 727 air/modem into the Cradlepoint.  Of course if two people are using it at the same time, speeds will be slower.  If you are both doing the internet (say the forum), you won't notice it, but if you are both downloading updates, the speed will be cut in half.  The speed is a function of you tethered phone, not the Cradlepoint.
I saw that deal on Woot.  The I have the 500 but I am not sure I really needed it.
...Jeff....

the documentation from cradlepoint for their PHS300 says that my LG phone is compatible.  But has anyone have my same or similar setup, 'cause I've got a couple of questions and would really appreciate some real world help.
Question one: currently to connect my phone to my laptop, I plug in the usb and open up my "Vzaccess Manager", highlite "mobile broadband" and click connect.  How does that work when, it looks like, you plug the phone directly into the Cradlepoint.  Does the Cradlepoint do it automatically, how would it "know" numbers, passwords, etc?
Question two: Is a shared connection inherently slower?  And if so would 2 laptops and/or a smart phone be too much my EVDO rev A phone?
Thanks much everybody!
BTW woot has a new one for sale today for $99

[jwill]

My Cradlepoint was configured by 3GStore before they sent it to me.  I agree with what the others have said so far.  We both use our computers with the Cradlepoint without a problem.  The one thing I will add is that you should plug the cell device directly into your computer occasionally so you can update it's information through VZAccess.

Jim

[JimB]

We have (but no longer use) a Cradlepoint CTR350.  Used in combination with our previous wireless broadband card, it was very functional.  We slid the card into the Cradlepoint and had to enter the password once.  After that, it was all automatic (with our Macs and a PC netbook).  Not sure how that would work with a tethered phone, but it should be the same.

It is definitely slower than putting the card directly into the laptop.  And a bit slower yet with two computers using it.  Still faster than dialup and more reliable than most campground wifi.

We are currently using a Mifi card from Verizon and are VERY pleased with it.  It is faster than our previous Expresscard 34.  You can connect up to 5 devices on it.  Again, it is faster when you connect it direct to the laptop via the USB cable than when used in wifi mode... but only one device at a time.  You do have to pay the $60/month for the wireless broadband service... but, if you travel much at all, it is certainly worth it IMO.  We dropped our land lines and home DSL in favor of the wireless broadband and cell phones.

Hope that helps.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

[kkro]

I have the Cradlepoint router with a Samsung Omnia phone. The combination works well for internet access. On its own, the Omnia is another story. VZAccess Manager is only needed if you plan to use the phone directly tethered to your computer as the "air card." If you have no plans to use it that way, I'd uninstall VZAccess.

If you wish to use the phone as a modem tethered directly to the computer, I'd recommend exploring PdaNet at http://www.junefabrics.com/. If it will work with your phone, you can connect using your data service, but you don't incur the additional tethering charge from Verizon. It pretty much replaces VZAccess Manager. The license is for a specific phone, but you're allowed to have it on more than one computer. DW and I can take turns using it, but we can't surf together. I contacted June Fabrics about something that would work with the router, but they don't have a product for that.

[Jeff Collingwood]

Cradlepoint will not work if you use VZAcess Manger.  I only use VZAcess Manager when I am not using my Craddlepoint.
...Jeff....

[Newt]

Cradlepoint will not work if you use VZAcess Manger.  I only use VZAcess Manager when I am not using my Craddlepoint.
...Jeff....

VZAcess Manager will manage your WiFi, including Cradlepoint.

Newt

[Jeff Collingwood]

Not my Cradlepoint.....   I use Windows.....   If I callup VZAccess Manager I get a blank.  The guy who I bought my Craddlepoint from at a rally a year ago, installed it for me, and made a big point about VZAccess Manager would not work.   And so far he is right (at least for me).
...Jeff...

Cradlepoint will not work if you use VZAcess Manger.  I only use VZAcess Manager when I am not using my Craddlepoint.
...Jeff....

VZAcess Manager will manage your WiFi, including Cradlepoint.

Newt

[kkro]

Not my Cradlepoint.....   I use Windows.....   If I callup VZAccess Manager I get a blank.  The guy who I bought my Craddlepoint from at a rally a year ago, installed it for me, and made a big point about VZAccess Manager would not work.   And so far he is right (at least for me).
...Jeff...

Cradlepoint will not work if you use VZAcess Manger.  I only use VZAcess Manager when I am not using my Craddlepoint.
...Jeff....

VZAcess Manager will manage your WiFi, including Cradlepoint.

Newt

My experience is same as Jeff's. VZAccess Manager is not needed because the computer sees the Cradlepoint as just another wi-fi source, and connects to it.

[Jeff Collingwood]

Ken, that is exactly the way it works for me.  VZ manager can't see the modem because it isn't plugged into the computer.  The computer sees  the Cradlepoint as a hot spot and connects.  The Craddlepoint uses the modem as part of itself.
...Jeff.....

[Newt]

If it won't work, then what is this?

[kkro]

If it won't work, then what is this?

Newt, what version of VZ do you have? The newest one may do that, but I don't remember it on the older version that I originally got with my phone. Either way, it's redundant because your computer doesn't (or shouldn't) need it to find and connect to a wi-fi access point. It's really only needed if you use the phone as an air card connected directly to your computer.

[Jeff Collingwood]

Newt,
I have no idea.  This is what my VZ Manager looks like.
...Jeff....

[jwill]

Jeff,

The newest VZManager will handle WiFi so you should upgrade.  One advantage is that is you have Verizon data service, with the upgrade you now have access to the Verizaon WiFi hotspots.

Jim

Newt,
I have no idea.  This is what my VZ Manager looks like.
...Jeff....

[Jeff Collingwood]

When I go to Help, Check for Newer Versions, I get the reply that I have the current version.  I have 6.10.2
...Jeff....

Jeff,

The newest VZManager will handle WiFi so you should upgrade.  One advantage is that is you have Verizon data service, with the upgrade you now have access to the Verizaon WiFi hotspots.

Jim

Newt,
I have no idea.  This is what my VZ Manager looks like.
...Jeff....

[jwill]

I upgraded and I am currently using 7.2.1.2(240b) Consumer Release.  You have to be 7.2 or greater to use Verizon WiFi hotspots.  Try the link on this page.

Jim

When I go to Help, Check for Newer Versions, I get the reply that I have the current version.  I have 6.10.2
...Jeff....

Jeff,

The newest VZManager will handle WiFi so you should upgrade.  One advantage is that is you have Verizon data service, with the upgrade you now have access to the Verizaon WiFi hotspots.

Jim

Newt,
I have no idea.  This is what my VZ Manager looks like.
...Jeff....

[kkro]

I have VZ 7.1.2.4 and it shows me wi-fi access points. But why would I want to use VZAccess when Verizon charges me for tethering, and I can use PdaNet for free after a one-time charge?

[Jeff Collingwood]

Thank you for all the help.  I installed this latest version and it does work the way you guys were saying.
...Jeff....

I have VZ 7.1.2.4 and it shows me wi-fi access points. But why would I want to use VZAccess when Verizon charges me for tethering, and I can use PdaNet for free after a one-time charge?

[Newt]

I have VZ 7.1.2.4 and it shows me wi-fi access points. But why would I want to use VZAccess when Verizon charges me for tethering, and I can use PdaNet for free after a one-time charge?

It gives you free use of Verizon WiFi access point.

Newt

[SunSeeker]

I thought that all McDonald's Restaurants were planning to have free Verizon WiFi access points in January 2010.  Does anyone know if this has happened?

[Donr827]

I thought that all McDonald's Restaurants were planning to have free Verizon WiFi access points in January 2010.  Does anyone know if this has happened?

The several McDonalds in our area have a sign on the window advertising the free wifi. 
Don

[Jeff Collingwood]

Probably not all........ but most.  It has been announced by McD.
...Jeff....

I thought that all McDonald's Restaurants were planning to have free Verizon WiFi access points in January 2010.  Does anyone know if this has happened?

[SunSeeker]

I upgraded and I am currently using 7.2.1.2(240b) Consumer Release.  You have to be 7.2 or greater to use Verizon WiFi hotspots.  Try the link on this page.

Jim

When I go to Help, Check for Newer Versions, I get the reply that I have the current version.  I have 6.10.2
...Jeff....

Jeff,

The newest VZManager will handle WiFi so you should upgrade.  One advantage is that is you have Verizon data service, with the upgrade you now have access to the Verizaon WiFi hotspots.

Jim

Newt,
I have no idea.  This is what my VZ Manager looks like.
...Jeff....

Sad tale of woe:  I followed this link and downloaded the new version of verizon access manager and, . . . that was all she wrote.  My computer immediately crashed.  All that is left on the start menu is the new version of verizon access manager.  Anything on my desktop was erased!    While it is unlikely that verizon was the cause (most probably just had the unfortunate luck of being the last thing I did).  I shut down the machine, hoping that a reboot would make it happy.  Unfortunately it did not.  Nothing returned!   I am, as one might say, up a creek without a paddle. Dell had me reformat the harddrive.    I had done a computer backup with acronis true image about 3 weeks ago.  It appears likely that  I will be able to recover to that point (as soon as I figure out how to get that restore to work.) ---- So sad.... and of course I've been offline ever since last Tuesday.

Any acronis experts out there?

Sunseeker

[kkro]

Sad tale of woe:  I followed this link and downloaded the new version of verizon access manager and, . . . that was all she wrote.  My computer immediately crashed.  All that is left on the start menu is the new version of verizon access manager.  Anything on my desktop was erased!    While it is unlikely that verizon was the cause (most probably just had the unfortunate luck of being the last thing I did).  I shut down the machine, hoping that a reboot would make it happy.  Unfortunately it did not.  Nothing returned!   I am, as one might say, up a creek without a paddle. Dell had me reformat the harddrive.    I had done a computer backup with acronis true image about 3 weeks ago.  It appears likely that  I will be able to recover to that point (as soon as I figure out how to get that restore to work.) ---- So sad.... and of course I've been offline ever since last Tuesday.

Any acronis experts out there?

Sunseeker

Don't feel like the Lone Ranger, Sunseeker. My computer did pretty much the same thing a few weeks ago after a Microsoft update. It wouldn't even boot into safe mode. I was able to "repair" it using my Windows CD, but then I had to suffer through loading all the Service Packs again, as well as the latest version of IE. The good news was that I didn't lose anything on the desktop. I've never used acronis, so can't help you there. Good luck with the restoration.

[Jeff Collingwood]

I downloaded and installed that version of access manager without problem.  So it isn't the program.   It isn't a matter of if your laptop will crash, it is when.  You got unlucky.  Did you have enough courage to download and install it again?
...Jeff...