Kyocera KR1 EV-DO router reviewed

For a while, it looked like the lime-green Junxion Box had the instant access point market to itself. But it's got some competition from Kyocera and D-Link, which have come out with their own mobile routers. Like the Junxion Box, the D-Link DI-725 and Kyocera's KR1 let you roll your own WiFi hotspot via a PC EV-DO card. In fact, the DI-725 and KR1 look suspiciously alike; both were developed by D-Link, and the main difference appears to be that the DI-725 is being sold directly to consumers, while the KR1 is being sold through cellular carriers. Network Computing gave the KR1 a try, and found it to be an easy, reliable way to create a quick-and-dirty ad-hoc network. Setup proved to be simple and straightforward, though the reviewer found it difficult to gauge signal strength, as there's no external or software-based indicator. And while the EV-DO connection was fast enough for web browsing, the review cautioned against trying to use it for real-time applications like VoIP (of course, the same could be said for standalone EV-DO as well).

[Jimmy Chook @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Looks pretty nifty

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Cornwall website design

[Steve @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

So if you get Verizions EVDO broadband card and service for your laptop you could then have this thing in your house and use the same broadband service instead of DSL and or cable?

[Dave Zatz @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Steve: That's exactly what it's for. There is a slot in back to put your card into.

I just got my Sprint EVDO card, and as soon as this puppy hits the stores (supposedly within a few weeks for about $200) I'm dumping DSL. And why shouldn't I? My EVDO card is giving me twice the speed my DSL connection does. I haven't tried VOIP, but I'm willing to bet it would perform fine. I do use Vonage so I guess we'll find out...

[James @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Don't hold your breath on VOIP. The upload speed for EVDO sucks and nothing compared to its download speed. And there is the issue of latency in the connection.

However, that router is really cool:)

[Steve @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

That�s cool! So you could sign up for a dataplan with your carrier (Verisons� is expensive at $40/month for unlimited) and have internet on your phone/pda and for laptop and home use.

[Mike Grossman @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I believe the EVDO unlimited data plan is $79 a month without a verizon voice plan, and $59 with a verizon voice plan. I am currently paying $79 a month for unlimited EVDO and it is completely worth it. It says in the TOS that you are not supposed to download music, watch streaming video, have direct PC to PC connections, ect.. But, I cant see that lasting long. This router looks really cool, Especially if you have a computer without a PCMCIA card.

[U. Betchya @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Lots of lowdown on these routers here:

http://www.evdoforums.com/about308.html
http://www.evdoforums.com/about733.html

Touching on the FUN FUN FUN ToS KaR*p here:

http://www.evdoforums.com/about1156.html

[Steve @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

True the laptop broadband EVDO service is $59/month but the PDA (If you have a treo 650 or similar) plan is $39. I was thinking that once you have the data plan and EVDO account setup you would be able to just use the same for your router and laptop. Perhaps not though�. What would be better is just an EVDO modem that plugs into my WiFi router. Then I could drop DSL and have EVDO for all my devices (PDA/phone, Laptop, Desktop)

[Cort @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

A telephone call today to D-Link. I was told that the D-Link DI-725 Wireless 3G Mobile Router will not be for sale from them until Feb 2006.

[Reza Jal @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

The KR1 product was announced ages ago and there is still no indication of a firm shipping date. "Soon" is beginning to sound like "never". Giddy excitement has been replaced by the all too common sense of being fed yet another line by marketing teams.

My Kyocera KP650 is working reasonably well with my PC (with an added PCMCIA slot) with good 300-700kbps downloads and turtle speed 30kbps uploads. I get several drop outs around 1-3pm when the sun is shining staright into my office. Go figure. If I could have had DSL in my building, I would have moved to DSL already and not ther other way around.

On the other than it would be great to be able to have internet access without having to keep plugging the PC Card in and out to swap between the PC and the laptop. Surely the connecting pins have a limited life and so does my aching back.

Roll on the KR1 ... then again my brain tends to be too small to successfully set up routers too ... I want my mommy.