Cradlepoint announces 3G-ready CTR500 travel router

It's been a while since we've heard anything from the mobile-friendly folks at Cradlepoint, but it looks like they've hit all the right marks with their new 3G-ready CTR500 travel router, which takes all the features of the previous CTR-350 model and adds a few welcome additions. The biggest of those is an ExpressCard slot, which complements the existing USB port to accommodate whatever 3G modem or 3G-capable cellphone you might have. You'll also, of course, get a 10/100 Ethernet port, and full 802.11b/g compliance, along with support for an external 802.11 antenna (sold separately) if you need a bit more range. If that sounds like the upgrade you've been waiting for, you can get your order in now for $180, although the routers apparently won't start shipping until June 1st.

[Via Electronista]

[slarity @ May 15th 2008 2:44PM]

Cell phone via usb to use internet on a wifi device? Id like to know how this would work, only say that because Id love to use my iPhone's internet on my laptop on the go instead of being tempted to by an aircard.

[Idlemind @ May 15th 2008 2:45PM]

Good luck getting Jobsy to approve that....

leave it to the underground community

[jackcutts @ May 15th 2008 3:01PM]

WMWifiRouter.com. I don't work for them, but I'll be damned if it doesn't turn your phone into a wifi router capable of supporting multiple clients. It bridges the 3G and Wifi radios in your handset (provided you have both Wifi and 3G...or *cough* EDGE). Works like a dream on my Mogul.

Any guesses what the "WM" stands for? Windows Mobile, baby. Jobsy does NOT approve.

[slarity @ May 15th 2008 3:01PM]

True, I wouldnt care. Id hack it if it does what I want.

[blevay @ May 15th 2008 2:54PM]

Because your wireless data isn't wireless enough.

[W00ter @ May 15th 2008 3:17PM]

Ehh...

It's for people who want to dependably share their 3G connection via WiFi and maintain the hardware functions of a regular router. There are a ton of uses for this such as a remote job site, or group settings where there isn't easy access to a "free" wifi connection.

[blevay @ May 15th 2008 3:22PM]

I'm well aware. It's called a joke you know....

[Juice @ May 15th 2008 4:42PM]

Sharing your wireless data is no joke.

[TDG01 @ May 15th 2008 3:29PM]

eh....i think these devices will become more relevant when 4G arrives....I'm stingy with my bandwidth as it is......3G isn't fast enough for me, so I'm not really looking to share it....

Nice to see it out there though....it fills a need

[Louis24x7 @ May 15th 2008 3:38PM]

For that price, I would've liked to have a wireless N network support.
In the meantime, I'll stick with my Airport Express as a travel wireless router.

[john @ May 15th 2008 3:58PM]

What would be the point of having 802.11N on it, when the uplink isn't even as fast as 802.11B? 802.11N support in a WWANWifi gateway sounds like a major waste of money to me. Or do you REALLY need to have a FAST conversation with your router and no one else?

[Mike @ May 15th 2008 4:11PM]

@John:

The uplink and downlinks may be slow, but N would provide increased connection speeds between onsite clients. This could be crucial (or at the very least beneficial) depending on what you're you're using it for.

[john @ May 15th 2008 4:41PM]

That seems like something you'd worry about more for a remote location router, than a travel or a mobile router (which is what, I think, the Cradlepoint devices are more aimed toward).

For a remote location router, I'd got with the Option or the Kyocera devices that are in that category. I think those have N.

[conor @ May 29th 2008 2:58PM]

http://3gstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=35&products_id=765

Speed and Reliability
Complement your EVDO or HSDPA ExpressCard or USB Cellular Modem with the MBR1000 to provide local WLAN coverage that virtually eliminates dead spots. Now you can connect, stream video, download music, and make Internet phone calls at home, at work, or on the road. The Cradlepoint MBR1000 Mobile Broadband Router uses the latest available 802.11 ‘N’ technology to provide better WLAN speed and greater range than any other cellular router --while being backwards compatible with existing 802.11b/g computers and other clients.



Sharing on Your Terms
The MBR1000 also implements Cradlepoint’s firewall technology to insure that your wireless network is not compromised, and sharing is allowed only when you want. The added cradlepoint firewall provides that extra level of protection even when you haven’t fully implemented a encryption policy. And, if you choose to establish network access without encryption, you can set your own rules and even remotely login users.

Reach Out Further
The MBR1000 uses MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) radio technology to create a wireless LAN with 2 to 6 times the radius of traditional 802.11b/g networks. Unlike ordinary WLAN radio technology that can be compromised by other in-band wireless signals and reflections, the MBR1000 actually uses these reflections to reduce dead spots and improve performance. With Wireless-N, you’ll have a bigger WLAN footprint and stronger signal than ever before.

Business Ready—Secure and Simple
The MBR1000 ensures a secure connection through use of the latest 802.11 WiFi encryption. The MBR1000 supports WEP, WPA, and WPA2 standards to give your business the strongest possible encryption. In addition, the MBR1000 utilizes SPI and NAT to prevent potential attacks from across the Internet. For serious business applications, multi-client, simultaneous VPN pass-through is supported to give you nonstop access to your corporate network. The built-in Setup Wizard simplifies the configuration process by giving you good/better/best security options to give you both network security and device compatibility.

Great Backup Solution for your Network
The MBR1000 gives you the added flexibility to let you use a cellular data modem as an emergency backup Internet access method when DSL, Cable or office broadband goes down. Sleep a little easier knowing that you have a backup solution in place to insure your business is always connected.

Features

* Wi-Fi Compliant with IEEE 802.11n (draft) and IEEEE 802.11b/g Standards
* 2.412 to 2.484GHz frequency band operation
* Compliant with IEEE 802.3 & 3u standards
* Support OFDM and CCK modulation
* High-Speed up to 300Mbps Data Rate using IEEE 802.11n (draft) connection
* Supports Cable/DSL Modems with Dynamic IP, Static IP, PPPoE, PPTP, L2TP or BigPond Connection Types
* Supports USBModems with Dynamic and Static PPP
* Firewall features Network Address Translation (NAT), and Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) protects against Dos attacks
* Traffic Control with Virtual Server (max 64 configurable servers) and DMZ
* UPnP (Universal Plug & Play) and ALGs Support for Internet applications such as Email, FTP, Gaming, Remote Desktop, Net Meeting, Telnet, and more
* Provides Additional Security of Enable/Disable SSID, Internet Access Control (Services, URL and MAC Filtering)
* Supports IPSec, L2TP and PPTP VPN Pass-Through Sessions
* Supports WDS
* Flash Memory for Firmware Upgrade, Save/Restore Settings
* Easy Management via Web Browser (HTTP) and Remote Management
* Supports 64/128-bit WEP (11b/g), WPA/WPA2, and WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK
* Compliant with Windows 98SE/NT/2000/XP/VISTA, Linux and Mac OSX
* Support 4 x 10/100Mbps Auto-MDIX LAN Port and 1 x 10/100Mbps WAN Port (Internet)
* 3 External, non-removable antennas to support high speed performance and great coverage

Specifications
Model #: MBR1000 Mobile Broadband Router
Buttons / Switches:

* WiFi Radio - ON/OFF switch
* One reset button (recessed)

9 LEDs:

* Power
* WLAN Status
* LAN Status
* WiFi Status

Dimensions:
7”x 4.8”x 1.2” (180 x 122 x 30.25 mm)
Weight:
10.4 oz.
Certifications: FCC, WiFi Alliance
Operating Temp:
0 C to 50 C
Power:

Operates on 12VDC.
Ships with 110VAC adapter.
NO 12v/car adapter available yet.

[john @ May 15th 2008 3:55PM]

*drool* I've been waiting for them to release an express card version...

Now I just need to find an appropriate battery back for it...

[darcy @ May 16th 2008 12:12PM]

Excellent, I've been waiting for this to complement my 597E aircard

[Tom @ May 16th 2008 7:10PM]

sorry if this sounds stupid

but if i road trip this summer, can i bring my xbox and play on xbox live??

it seems possible in theory (...i think)

[MoreMobile @ Jun 25th 2008 4:04PM]

Yes, you can game with these quite well. Just be careful of the new 5GB limits put in place by Sprint & Verizon if you are a hard-core gamer...(unless you are a Sprint Biz customer, then still Unlimited)

To see a bunch of videos on the CradlePoint routers, go here: http://moremobileinternet.com/how-to-videos/