Entered CNET Catalog: 05/11/2005
SKU: CNETNOVATELV620
Manufacturer: Novatel Wireless Inc.
Manufacturer description
The Merlin V620 Wireless PC Card Modem allows you to increase productivity and stay connected with secure, high-speed access to email, the Internet, and corporate networks via your laptop PC. Transmitting data at speeds up to 2.4 Mbps, the Merlin V620 has a dual band diversity antenna that enhances performance by maximizing data throughput. The Merlin V620 operates on the EV-DO and CDMA2000 1X 800 and 1900 MHz networks in Asia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and North America. Product summary
The good: Easy installation; fast speeds; secondary dial-up access.
The bad: Expensive service; limited availability.
The bottom line: The Novatel Wireless V620 PC Card is the fastest cellular modem we've seen so far.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 06/06/2005
Novatel Wireless and Verizon have teamed up to release the V620 Wireless PC Card, which supports Verizon's EV-DO (Evolution Data Optimized or Evolution Data Only, depending on whom you ask) network. The combination of the cellular modem card and an available EV-DO network can give you high-speed Internet access anywhere within an EV-DO coverage area. Verizon's 3G high-speed data network takes advantage of the carrier's growing EV-DO network and makes it possible to connect to the Internet on the train, in the car, or at the airport, but this kind of convenience doesn't come cheap. The card itself costs only a little more than a standard Wi-Fi card. Service, however, is a hefty $79.99 per month for unlimited access. Verizon also offers a limited plan that supplies access based on data usage at 20MB for just $39.99 per month.
The V620 card looks like a standard PC Card, though the portion that sticks out of the card slot is a bit thicker than normal, to accommodate the internal antenna. Unlike the Sierra Wireless AirCard 580, it lacks a folding external antenna.
Installing the Novatel Wireless V620 card was a simple task. We loaded the included CD, ran the installation wizard, and popped the card into our laptop's PC Card slot. Windows XP automatically recognized the card, and within five minutes we were off and running (the card also works with Windows 2000, 98 SE, and Me). A click on the VZAccess Manager icon gets you into this easy-to-use applet. Simply click Connect, and the software dials up the Verizon wireless network. The VZAccess Manager facilitates access to e-mail and other installed applications, such as Microsoft Office, and also tracks usage and supports text messaging.
Verizon's EV-DO service (called BroadbandAccess) is currently available in 32 major metropolitan regions in the country, and the carrier plans to roll out service throughout the year. You can check Verizon's EV-DO coverage areas to see if it's available where you live. Our informal tests at various locations in New York showed the V620 to be the fastest and most consistent mobile PC Card we've tested, beating out the already fast Sierra Wireless AirCard 580. For instance, inside Grand Central Station, we recorded a bandwidth of 1,400.1Kbps. On a moving northbound train, the bandwidth dropped to a still impressive 822.9Kbps. Not surprisingly, at our office in the canyons of Manhattan, the data rate fluctuated between a dismal, dial-up-like 62Kbps to a LAN-like 767.4Kbps. (The downside of cellular modems is that they are subject to the same signal issues as your cell phone.) If you live outside of the current EV-DO service area, you're not entirely out of luck. The V620 also supports data access via Verizon's CDMA-based NationalAccess service at speeds of 60 to 80Kbps, and Verizon's Quick 2 Net service will get you access in a pinch at 14.4Kbps using a capable wireless phone or a Mobile Office Kit offered from Verizon. If you don't live in an EV-DO area but you travel a lot and need constant connectivity, this card will let you take advantage of EV-DO networks when you encounter them.
In addition to a quick-setup brochure, thorough documentation comes on the installation CD. Verizon provides a 15-day satisfaction guarantee on the card and service; customers can return the equipment and cancel service during that time and receive a full refund. Novatel Wireless provides a one-year manufacturer's warranty on the card. Verizon's toll-free customer service line is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. PT, seven days a week. Verizon's Web site includes BroadbandAccess and NationalAccess FAQs, a glossary, and an equipment guide.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 User Rating: 1.5 stars
out of 8 user reviews
Horrible performanceby gjschlitz - June 15, 2007
Pros: Easy to set up
Cons: Dial-up level performance on average
Review: I really wanted this card to work...I had decent results with my cell phone service. But try as hard as I could, I couldn't get more than 100-150kbps performance out of this connection on average, and max of about 400. The marketing materials claim average of 400-600, but I never saw that. I did performance tests on various sites at different times of day, always within a primary coverage area in major city...no luck.
Cingular's offering wound up being FAR better performing. It was worth it to take the early cancelation fee and switch to cingular.
User Rating: 4.0 stars
out of 8 user reviews
Its a good options especially for people that don't stay at one place too oftenby snajper69 - April 18, 2006
Pros: i can access internet everywhere now
Cons: still expensive would love it if it would be 30 a month
Review: Well i got it i got tired of rooming around either at school home or my gf home i need to be online need to be able to access my info often so i went for it so far i didn't regret it we will see time will show....
User Rating: 4.0 stars
out of 8 user reviews
Smooth & easy!by mister_hudson - February 7, 2006
Pros: Faster than a speeding locomotive!
Cons: Ummmmm... expensive-ish service
Review: High speed access has never been so easy! Great device that is a perfect add-on for any laptop. If you are in a major city you'll get amazing speeds! (check Verizon's web site for current list of cities) I'm in Las Vegas & it is faster than cable modems in the area! Software was a breeze to setup and have I mentioned that it's FAST?! I have cut off all land line service & have replaced it with this service so that I can go ANYWHERE!
User Rating: 4.0 stars
out of 8 user reviews
so far, so good.by tmm03 - October 9, 2005
Pros: deal on the card, deal on the service
Cons: without the deal, expensive service
Review: So far, so good. Got a deal on the card ($99) and the service ($59/month versus the regular $80) when I went to my local Best Buy. Speed is just as fast as my at-home DSL (maybe even a little faster) and set up was a breeze.
I highly recommend this product for the business traveler or virtual office person. Truly enables you to work from anywhere.
User Rating: 3.5 stars
out of 8 user reviews
Super fast!by ejf2461 - October 8, 2005
Pros: Sleek and to antennas stick up
Cons: shuts off after no activity
Review: I am a verizon dealer in indianapolis and a full time police officer in which I spend 8 hours a day in my squad with my laptop between the seats. I have used every aircard verizon has made in the past two years. This card is the fastest. It is pretty reliable too. I have a dell c640 and run xp pro and have noticed that if you inactive for a period of 15 min or more than it disconnects, which isnt a biggie you just click connect again and within 5 seconds your logged on again. The other aircards arent as fast as this one but the aircard 5220 doesnt disconnect either. The reason the V620 is so fast is it has 2 antenna inside it kind of like rabbit ears on you old tv did. If speed is your game than this is your aircard.
User Rating: 1.5 stars
out of 8 user reviews
Poor Performanceby mjtgojaws - September 12, 2005
Pros: Doesn't get in the way with an antenna.
Cons: Poor software, poor reception and performance.
Review: I travel nonstop. My business requires me to travel at least 2 days a week. I saw EVDO technology and thought this would be the perfect solution which it is but just not with this card. I had the Novatel for 14 days and spent 6 days on the phone with Verizon tech support trying to get a good transfer rate speed. I switched to the KPC650 and didn't look back. Better performance and software.
User Rating: 4.5 stars
out of 8 user reviews
I am very pleased with the V620.by Ross99999 - June 9, 2005
Pros: Good coverage and very reliable.
Cons: Monthly cost ($80.00 for unlimited access)
Review: I used to have Direcway as ISP. No cable nor DSL available to me at my address. I take this V620 all over California and where there is Verizon Coverage I have Internet access. My signal sgtrength was hovering a constant 20% unjtil I got theexternal antenna from ARC Wireless. Now it averages 70%. Fantastic speed now.
I purchased a PCI card and now can use the V620 and External antenna on the desktop also. I am very pleased with this configuration. Much faster speed than with Direcway.
User Rating: 4.0 stars
out of 8 user reviews
great performanceby sagrawal77 - June 2, 2005
Pros: nice small, sleek design
Cons: verizon monthly fees is high
Review: prvides good signal strength and can surf web seamlessly, at least much better then dialup connection. performs good inside buildings too.
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Novatel Wireless V620 Wireless WAN Card (Verizon Wireless) specifications
- General
- Device Type Wireless cellular modem
- Enclosure Type Plug-in module
- Width 2.1 in
- Depth 0.2 in
- Height 4.8 in
- Weight 2.1 oz
- Modem
- Interface Type PC Card
- Connectivity Technology Wireless
- Max Transfer Rate 2.4 Mbps
- Cellular Enhancement Protocol CDMA 2000 , CDMA 2000 1X EV-DO
- Antenna Internal integrated
- Antenna Qty 1.0
- Networking
- Type None
- Expansion / Connectivity
- Expansion Slot(s) None
- Compatible Slots 1.0 x PC Card - Type II
- Miscellaneous
- Compliant Standards FCC Part 15 , WHQL
- Power
- Power Device None
- Battery - None
- Software / System Requirements
- OS Required Microsoft Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP
- Environmental Parameters
- Min Operating Temperature -4.0 °F
- Max Operating Temperature 140.0 °F
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