A month or so ago I retired the Merlin EX720 broadband card that has been serving up wireless Internet service to my laptop for several years, and “upgraded” to Sprint’s new 4G offering, the Sierra Wireless Overdrive. Both operate on the existing Sprint network, but the new Overdrive also connects via the faster Clear/Sprint 4G network wherever service is available.
The Overdrive is about the size of a deck of cards. It has a removable and rechargeable battery, and can run for about 3 hours before the battery is exhausted. I’ve searched but haven’t yet found a source for extra batteries. I forgot to ask when I was at the Sprint store, but haven’t found any online listings.
While the older EX720 plugged into the express card slot on my MacBook Pro, the Overdrive is a standalone device that creates a mini wireless hotspot. You can authorize up to five devices to access it at one time. And as a standalone, it will work with my laptop, another computer, an iPhone, or my new iPad when it arrives at the end of the week.
I made a couple of wrong turns while trying to follow the instrutions for the original setup, but soon got that under control. Since then, the Overdrive has been behaving well.
It takes it a little time to start and establish a connection to an available network. I haven’t timed it, but it is at least a minute, probably a little more. It first searches for a 4G connection and, if that fails, then connects to Sprint’s 3G network.
The Sprint plan comes with unlimited 4G data use, while 3G data is limited to 5 GB per month before additional charges kick in.
During the nearly three years that I had the EX720, I never exceeded the 5GB cap, even when on trips where Meda and I shared the internet connection.
At its best, the Overdrive is fast. I’ve measured download speeds of about 7 Mbps, easily four times the best speeds I ever got with the EX720. That’s still slower than Roadrunner cable, but plenty fast.
At other times, though, the Sprint network seems to bog down. Occasionally, I feel like 4G is running at only 3G speeds. And the Overdrive is sensitive to placement. Moving it from one side of a room to the other can sometimes make a big difference in connecting to the 4G network, although I’m not sure why.
The built-in administrative software lets you choose between maximum wireless range and longer battery life, set a password, and set the number of allowed users (up to five).
It’s the same price ($60 per month) as the slower 3G Sprint connection, so there didn’t seem to be any downside to the upgrade.
Sprint’s coverage in Honolulu seems quite good, and maps show local coverage extends to Kailua and Kaneohe, even on to Kaaawa, but I’ve never managed to get a 4G connection out here, so I’ll only use it at home only in case of emergency. When power outages ground Roadrunner, I’ll hopefully be able to get online via Sprint.
And, as far as disclosure is concerned, Sprint unfortunately doesn’t provide any consideration for this kind of review.