If you've been toying with the idea of buying a bulletproof shell for your
CradlePoint portable hotspot, we're guessing that Proxicast's Cell-PAK is an entirely better option. Said box, which is described as a rugged, self-powered 3G + WiFi wireless
hotspot in a box, was designed to provide "mission-critical wireless communications" in the jungle, on the battlefield or in your backyard. Aside from having its very own battery pack for completely untethered access, the device comes encased in an impact and water-resistant MIL-spec rated chassis, and we're told that it can accept "any 3G modem from any cellular carrier worldwide." We're talking over a dozen hours of wireless access from anywhere that you can retrieve signal, and there's even an external high-gain antenna to help with that. Now, if only that $1,295 price weren't so gigantic...
[Via
Coolest-Gadgets]
posted May 3rd 2009 7:57PM
Huh. You'd think that if you're in a position where you'd need a ruggedized portable 3G WiFi hotspot, either there won't be service, or you'll be too busy getting shot at to use that service (let alone take the time to set up your new ruggedized portable 3G WiFi hotspot).
Exactly my first thought.... I guess it would be useful for a mobile command and control center for urban warfare
Going on my "10 things to bring if stuck on an island" list.
Don't count on being able to use it.
If you're stuck on an island with 3G coverage, it would be to your advantage to call for help first, and then browse pr0n.
are you suggesting Hurley packed a proxicast cell-pak in the guitar case he brought back with him to the island?
Really neat, though yes, very expensive. Would be nice for a portable car hotspot that worked even when the car is off.
That looks JUST like a Pelican case
Add directional attenas to that 'would be nice' list.
I'm pretty sure it is a pelican case too.
Wow, apparently I can't spell tonight.
*antennas.
those antennaes probably won't survive in a firing zone can't call it mission critical or drop proof
This is totally crazy. Useful, yeah, but wickedly high priced. I guess none of us are gonna be getting one of these for Christmas...
You could put a runny poop in a Pelican case and it would be bad ass.
for when you need to update your facebook status while searching for lost hikers
"Just found 1 moar, TTLY COOL!!!
what
so this means if i had this i can go online with ipod touch anywhere anytime?
Child, your dreams are too small.
Wouldn't be too hard to put one of the many cheaper 3g routers in a pelican case. Throw in a motorcycle battery and it will run for a day or so.
Hmmm. So you are in the middle of nowhere, which I often am. With no signal, yup. Then you whip out this baby and shazam get wifi and cell coverage.... and yet to what? A local drive? Another device in it's range?
It isn't going to connect u to anything. How can it? Or does this come with a couple 100km of cable, perhaps a sat uplink.
Then again it probably suits those people who carry (and somehow charge) 10 batteries for their mobile and laptop so when they are routinely away from ANY power source for a week with no coverage they can um yeah talk to their other collegues who are also local to them and lugging around a back pack full of batteries without even a mode of transport to charge off.
Try bringing this thing to an airport. You'll have multiple federal feet up your ass faster than you can yell "It's a bomb!"
So a 3g-WifiAP Router + Battery Pack + Pelican Case = News on Engadget?
Yeah, exactly. Others have been doing this for ages.
I've got a 3G router in my car, its the same thing (I choose to have it
power-off when the car is switched off).
Its ideal for passengers to surf the web or use ipod.
I think ill just use my E71 with Joikuspot instead.
I want.
Oh, sorry, I thought this was one of those giveaways. (Hint)
I don't know why, but i've always wanted a peli case and something to put in it. Not sure this is it though - The only use I could have seen for it is military, but surely it would make just as much sense to build it into a toughbook (or whatever else) when on the road, or build it into a vehicle.
Check out more pictures of the Proxicast Cell-PAK (see bottom of this page):
http://www.proxicast.com/shopping/index.php?target=products&product_id=29870#9
The antennas swivel and fold down. They unscrew too so you can remove them for transport or hook up an external amp or some other type of antenna.
I guess its not so much about the Pelican case or even the battery but the LAN-Cell 2 3G router inside.
http://www.proxicast.com/products/lc2features.htm
This is clearly not a product for home users - many high-end router features for big companies or people really concerned about security. The company told me that they originally developed this thing for the military. Still, pretty cool that its all in one tight package.