ThinkPad X200 Tablet Save Extra 5%
- Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 27 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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9 out of 9 people found this review helpful
5.0 stars
"Does EXACTLY as advertised. See summary for notes."
Pros: Brings the coverage that is obtained from the outside, inside your home. The base exterior antenna is not unattractive, base unit is small and fits well in a home, functional lighting system assists setup and offers a view into activity.
Cons: 0 db gain on indoor antenna / 2500 sq feet coverage is highly over rated / coax should be longer in consideration of the average U.S. home size.
Summary: I reside in the northwest corner of Connecticut and have AT&T. I get a total of one to two bars outside of my home with zero coverage inside. Being certified in wireless mesh networking technology I am very knowledgable of an array of antennas, radio frequencies (RF), radio interference, db gain etc. I can say that this product does what it says it does and anyone who says otherwise is not completing the installation properly. Both antennas are omni-directional which makes sense, technologically speaking, as the typical consumer might not really know the true direction the cellular signal is coming from unless they know where the tower is. However, I'd like to see Wi-Ex offer an external directional antenna standard for this product while providing a database of cellular towers that are located in the vicinity of the address the system is to be installed at. A simple aerial mapping program can easily decipher the true direction to that location. Since that is not the case, the directions focus on what is provided and they are complete and accurate. Omni-directional antennas have the capability to receive/broadcast a signal from/to 360 degrees which works well for people who don't know the direction of their cell tower. Think of the antenna going through the hole of a donut and the donut being the signal it is receiving/broadcasting. The db gain is strong enough for the entire system to collect the RF from the nearest tower and transmit it into a building; presuming an external signal exists. Since the base antenna has no db gain, it relies on the base unit's very small amplifier to push the signal. Most U.S. homes (Census Bureau claims an average of 2150 square feet) will be too large for the interior signal to reach all corners of the dwelling. As long as the base unit is located at least 4 feet from the floor and is as close to "ear" level as possible the system supplies an adequate signal within a radius of 10 feet before calls begin to drop and the signal is lost.
Make a large copy of the lighting breakdown from the manual so you have a betetr understanding of what the system is doing. There are many combinations of the lights located on the base unit and they're important to follow. Keep the sheet handy and near the base unit for reference.
Using a cell phone as a signal meter is the best way for a consumer to find the best location for the outdoor antenna. However, keep in mind that the signal on the ground is not going to be the same as the signal on the roof of a home. Hanging out of a second story window is not advisable and is unsafe as is climbing a ladder to find the best signal. Keep in mind that because the antenna is omni-directional, and because it receives a signal from 360 degrees, and is prone to interference, the highest point on the roof where there is nothing blocking the antenna's range (remember the donut?) the better (best) the signal is going to be. If you have the capabilities, always mount it at this location, but again, do this only if you have someone qualified or if you, yourself, are qualified.
Lastly, you may need some additional accessories for this system to function adequately for you. A longer coax cable is typical, as is an indoor antenna with db gain. The external antenna is also advisable. A good solution is to have one person hold the cell phone near the base station while another person slowly rotates the directional antenna on the roof. When the meter on the cell phone shows the strongest signal, secure the antenna at that location. After a few hours of testing the off-the-shelf system, this is the way I went.
Another note, the coax is shielded so don't be afraid of being anywhere near power wires, outlets, other cable lines, radios etc. The signals should not interfere with the coax. But the base station is prone to interference, especially from outlets. make sure the base unit is at least 5 feet from any outlet. This avoids electromagnetic fields (EMF).
A good product. I'm happy with it. I think that it is probably a little beyond the average consumer considering understanding radio frequencies is practically an art. But the technical support is strong and they seem to work well with their customers, using lame man's terms. If you can't get the system to work, don't fret. Just call wi-ex. The system works, but patience might be a necessity.
Where to buy
Wi-Ex zBoost YX510-PCS-CEL cell phone signal extender:
$284.95 - $349.99
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$329.99 | Yes |
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$289.99 | Yes |
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$289.99 | Yes |
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$329.99 | Yes |
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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$308.49 | Yes |
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