4g Modem/Router That Doesn't Run on Battery

yoquierotaco on 07/07/2022 - 15:04

I'm looking for a cheap and permanent modem router to use an optus SIM card. It would be nice not to be locked to Optus as I will probably change. I have an unlocked Netgear 4Gx but it's killing the battery on it and I want to keep it for travel use. So I had a look and it seems similar questions have been asked before.

  • https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/543820
    Seems the TP-link fit my requirements and there prices vary. But what bands am I looking for with Optus or do all of these work in Australia? I see it sold on Amazon.com.au by Amazon UK so not sure if the specifications work for Oz.
    Also, the suggestion to use GL-inet modem or TL-MR3020 paired with USB dongle is nice, but I don't have USB dongle at the moment. Seems like a cheap option if I can find it on FB marketplace.

  • https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/594342
    suggests Nighthawk, but I don't want one with a battery. It's also ridiculously expensive

  • https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/681329
    This is only from Feb 2022 and it seems to suggest Huawei B818, is this still a good one? Tried looking on FB Marketplace and there are so many, hard to know which one works. I imagine it would not need to be unlocked as I want to use Optus anyways.From this post it seems going to Whirlpool may be the best bet.

  • https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/679895
    seems to suggest the options listed already above as well as signing up for 24 month plan with optus (don't want to do this)

If people have experience with any or all of these different options, what's the best in terms of speed/reliability, and what option is the cheapest? Are there other options out there not listed?

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

  • outlander on 07/07/2022 - 15:18
    +1

    These ones will do you in a pinch https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/255467356780

    What you'll find though, is they are limited in speed and reception. Most cheap ones are cat4, which are limited to 150mbps (thats the max. Reality is far less)
    The Huawei B818 is cat19, which is why it's praised so much.

    One option thats half way is to get an old phone. The Galaxy s8 is cat16 for 4g, though I don't know if you can access all that speed through its usbc port… In any case, you can plug phones into routers like the Asus AC1900 and use them as a modem, allowing you to share the 4g connection across a whole network.
    If you get one with a broken screen (which is most of them) you can find them fairly cheap

    But the Huawei B818 for $150 is a great price, and its still a great modem. The only reason you'd upgrade is if you had a need for 5G speeds and lived in an area that was covered by 5G

  • ESEMCE on 07/07/2022 - 15:20
    +3

    Huawei B818 is still the best 4G modem and can be had quite cheap these days secondhand.

    • trustnoone on 07/07/2022 - 15:33

      Price wise yeah, been a while since I last checked, but saw a few on Facebook marketplace at around the $50 mark at some point.

    • AndyC1 on 07/07/2022 - 15:44
      +1

      There are a few different B818 models and the firmware has different bands enabled/disabled and functionality enabled/disabled for the company that ordered them.

      Saying that the Optus branded B818 is:
      1) not locked to optus. Mine worked with a Belong SIM and a VF sim
      2) Third party apps allow you to change configurations that the web interface does not allow you to change (seems to be an issue with ALL B818's)
      3) Optus have NFI how to support it. Got it for free as the Netgear AC800S would not get above 1kbit (yes K) speed and neither would the B818 until I locked out the faulty band due to a tower issue. I had one support tech ask what is a mobile band…..

      I also have seen a few B818's on gumtree for $50 occasionally.

      • ESEMCE on 08/07/2022 - 08:43
        +1

        The vast majority will be Optus units.
        And these are the ones to target.
        I too have seen them down to $50 recently

  • Kenb0 on 07/07/2022 - 15:22
    +2

    Might be a silly question, but have you considered just removing the battery from it when you’re not travelling with it? Power it via a cheap USB power adapter

    That’s what I do with my netgear aircard modem routers, I just remove the battery and plug it into the wall and it works fine. When I’m going to travel again, I’ll put the battery back in and travel with it

    • dasher86 on 07/07/2022 - 15:30

      this.
      I removed my battery with my AC800s for two years before upgrading to the B818.

      • AndyC1 on 07/07/2022 - 15:45

        I found the AC800S without the battery rebooted on heavy downloads and with the battery rebooted allot less. The B818 is way better for a stationary 4G than the AC800S.

        • dasher86 on 07/07/2022 - 15:46

          I had no issues.
          But B818 never looked back. sold the AC800s practically what i paid for it.

          • sicaboy on 07/07/2022 - 19:05

            @dasher86: B818 is the best I’ve ever used. Try Facebook marketplace, there are some.

    • yoquierotaco on 08/07/2022 - 10:39

      fair question. I use another SIM card for travelling so also wanted to have 2, one permanently at home and the other for travelling.

  • JIMB0 on 07/07/2022 - 17:53
    +1

    Telstra smart modem gen 2. Can be had for around $20 from Fb marketplace. I believe they are locked to telstra though. Not sure if Optus had a version, but I did see a similar one at the Vodafone store.

    • yoquierotaco on 08/07/2022 - 10:41

      I have tried to unlock gen 1, didn't work. my gen 2 is not the technicolor so I couldn't unlock it

  • Gunther on 07/07/2022 - 18:37
    +1

    TP-Link TL-MR6400 300Mbps Wireless N 4G LTE. Its a special Australian version that does all the bands for Optus, Telstra & Vodafone.

    $149 Officeworks.

  • sicaboy on 07/07/2022 - 19:04
    +1

    Huawei (Optus) B818-263 is the best of the best. It has CAT-19 which gives you the speed beating 5G

  • ShannonN on 08/07/2022 - 00:12
    +2

    I have a brand new zte optus modem I got recently when I renewed my 4g bb I already have the B818 which is much better you pay postage and you can have it

    Modem image etc

  • yoquierotaco on 08/07/2022 - 10:35

    thanks everyone for their suggestions! will take a look at all of these options again :)

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join