Seems like a good price for a 3G WiFi modem, with 1GB data. Handy to have if your home ADSL/cable goes down.
Has been popular before: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/167125
Can be unlocked (Ive done it on a work unit)
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=2045971
From memory it supports up to 5 devices out of the box, but with the unlocked firmware I think that goes up to 10 devices connected at once. I also think it can connect via USB to a PC, so not for WiFi devices only.
Ahh. OK, $10 is a great price. Is $15 still a good price?
Not especially, they've been $15 frequently. For the past 4 weeks they've been $10 at Coles and several other outlets.
yeah was also $10 a week ago in officeworks. but their stock has been depleted.
Not such a good deal. That requires an external power source.
Depends on the use case. I have plenty of power sources where ever I plan to use the modem, especially something like a power bank, car charger and travel adapter.
I have considered for myself that I will likely use it while I'm travelling so form factor in terms of space is more important. It just fits better in a case's side pocket leaving room for an extra USB stick for photos/videos.
For me the Big W deal is better.
Didn't know there was that much difference between different models. I bought two thus morning from bigw. Maybe I should only buy one and wait for other good deal for other better models.
this works like a Pocket Wifi???
it is a pocket wifi.
Any good deals on devices similar but 4G/LTE?
Just a silly question on this item - what is it used for? I have a 3G usb stick that I can attach to my notebook, but if I want to use it as a wifi for other devices, can I just plug the USB stick into this device or use the SIM card inside to attach here to use as wifi?
Any help is appreciated! Thanks
The 3G USB stick only provides Internet to the device the USB is plugged into via the USB connection. It has the SIM card contained in the 3G USB stick.
This WiFi modem similarly has the SIM card contained inside. However it has its own battery, when you turn it on it gives off a WiFi signal allowing multiple devices to connect via the WiFi (laptop, phone, tablet).
And lastly the USB + WiFi https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/177013 is like a cross between the two described above. You can get Internet via the USB and via WiFi but it has no battery so you must have it plugged into a computer's USB, power bank or a USB phone wall charger to give it power.
All 3 above work independently of each other with their own SIM slot.
Hi, Thanks so much for your description!
So that is to say that this deal is for the #2 option (wifi modem with battery)? It says that it can be unlocked and I wonder if it can be used for overseas networks or only in Aus?
Yes that's correct, #2 is this deal.
Once it's unlocked you can freely use another carrier's SIM local and overseas.
One thing that might limit use is the overseas network frequency used. A quick Google found me this map for your reference: http://www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html
From what I have read this take on unlocking by dlethanol would be the best bet:
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=2045971&p…
Any stock in SA?
Got the last one in a coles. Unlocked it and flashed generic ZTE. Works great.
this or the WIFI + USB?
Folks, I just picked this up for $14.25 on a 5% price beat from Officeworks in Sydney CBD. Showed them the Coles page from the OP and the officeworks page here - http://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/telstra-pre-p…
Thank you systmworks, very helpful.
Was $10 the week prior.