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Vodafone Pocket Wi-Fi Pro Pre-Paid Mobile Broadbrand $39.50 at Dick Smith (Save $39.50)

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Vodafone Pocket Wi-Fi Pro Pre-Paid Mobile Broadbrand $39.50 at Dick Smith (Save $39.50)
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unity1 on 11/10/2012 - 09:57 dicksmith.com.au (1433 clicks)
Last edited 13/10/2012 - 23:39

This is the new and improved pocket wifi device from Vodafone. Can be unlocked at www.unlockguru.com for $8

Key Features
•3G: 850⁄900/2100 (HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps)
•Network: Vodafone
•Connect up to 5 WiFi- enabled devices simultaneously
•HSPA+ support - up to 21Mbps
•Completely wireless- built in high capacity battery
•Access WiFi Password directly on the screen
•Simple QuickStart Web UI

Comes with 3GB data with 30 day expiry

EDIT: Credit to Legion for pointing out this site on eBay http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/UNLOCK-CODE-Huawei-R201-R205-E583… that is offering the unlock code for approx $3 AUS and they have a very quick response time too.

Mobile Vodafone

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Dick Smith / Kogan
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closed Comments

  • ESEMCE on 11/10/2012 - 10:01

    I unlocked mine for free on the vodafone website.
    I had to submit a request, but a few days later I was able to unlock.

    • unity1 on 11/10/2012 - 10:02
      +1

      Yeah, some people get lucky this way but it does not always work for everyone.

      • ESEMCE on 11/10/2012 - 10:08

        I'm not sure if it's luck, or just being bothered to submit a request to unlock.
        Some people have been able to unlock without a request, I'd consider that luck.

        • unity1 on 11/10/2012 - 10:11
          +1

          Well there is a charge to unlock this device. It is not meant to be free. It you manage to get it unlocked for free then it's simply and purely luck.

        • unity1 on 11/10/2012 - 11:02

          Purchased 2 of these from DS. The Vodafone website is asking for $75 to unlock. No free unlock here. As I said before its purely luck If you manage to get a free unlock on the Vodafone website.

        • ESEMCE on 11/10/2012 - 11:21

          Fair enough.
          Admittedly, I waited a few months before attempting to unlock.

        • unity1 on 11/10/2012 - 11:28

          True. It may eventually work if you wait long enough. Are you referring to the wifi 2 device? Since that's been replaced now maybe all the wifi 2 devices are free to unlock.

        • b-radicool on 11/10/2012 - 18:54

          I highly doubt its down to "luck".

          Most likely VF will give you a free unlock after you have spent a defined, minimum number of months connected to their network (ie allowing them to make SOME money off you).

        • Geewhizz on 12/10/2012 - 10:55

          They still want an unlocking fee for our wifi 1 that must be pushing 3 years old.

        • oscargem on 12/10/2012 - 16:01

          I also unlocked myne for free. If vodafone doesn't work there is a couple of websites that will let you do it for free.
          Vodafone is the best start though.

        • unity1 on 12/10/2012 - 17:25
          +1

          Care to share this free site ship others here can benefit too.

        • oscargem on 06/11/2012 - 16:11

          I think I went old school and did it hard coding, but this works aswell:
          http://www.sheeptech.com/how-to-unlock-huawei-usb-modem-for-…
          (i think for usb only)

          But if you contact huawei they will do it for free

  • kelzad on 11/10/2012 - 10:04
    +2

    Display Size: 4.7" super LCD display!!

    • Steptoe on 11/10/2012 - 10:07

      Cool Specs. HD resolution too.

      • mellosweep on 11/10/2012 - 10:12
        +3

        cool! can it play .mkv? ;)

    • [Deactivated] on 11/10/2012 - 10:15
      +2

      For people who own one - think of this as like carrying around an extra Galaxy SIII. Almost.

      • IVI on 11/10/2012 - 11:31

        'doubt it… check the size Spec's

    • cameldownunder on 11/10/2012 - 10:24
      +1

      Multitouch capacitive?

      • [Deactivated] on 11/10/2012 - 11:13
        +3

        It is my understanding that camels take on a huge amount of water when they drink and in-between don't particularly mind being fondled by their lonely desert dwelling cameleers. So yes, I suspect that you are both multi-touch, and capacitive.

        • cameldownunder on 11/10/2012 - 12:07
          +1

          I take on huge amount of beer :-)

        • [Deactivated] on 11/10/2012 - 19:50

          I'm glad I've been unable to check my email until now, or I would have spent the rest of the day imagining you doing the cameleer fondling and not the other way around. Almost as disturbing as being strangely reminded of this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvyt0PwMX_g Now - enough about you, and 1990's novelty tracks - and more about this crazy giant wi-fi hotspot. It's clearly an innovative new product…

    • IVI on 11/10/2012 - 10:46

      ps verylik Sounds like an error - on DSE's part - that just got copied into OzB's article by the OP.

      Or… maybe it's a phone that had serious design or manufacturing faults, & somebody managed to salvage enough of the design or assembled mess to make it do a passable job as a WiFi access point…?

      Does someone who has one please confirm this or its opposite, ie, that it has suich a screen…

      and then tell us what possible uses such a large screen might have in a WiFi AP???

      :-/

      PS Very likely an error in units: Maybe it's really 4.7 cm ( = 50 mm )…?

      Consider this spec:

      • Product Dimension Information 97 x 50 x 15 mm
  • IVI on 11/10/2012 - 10:51

    Any DATA come with this puppy?

    If so, how long does buyer have to use it up, after activation?

    TIA

    • unity1 on 11/10/2012 - 11:05

      Doesn't say on the box but I think it is 3GB over 30 days. I plan to get mine unlocked then use the $10 Telstra sims for data.

      • jv on 11/10/2012 - 11:06

        do they unlock these for free?

        • unity1 on 11/10/2012 - 11:11

          Sometimes. Sometimes the Vodafone website gives the unlock code for free. If not it's $75 to unlock, or $8 from the link I posted above.

        • jv on 11/10/2012 - 11:20

          thanks, if it was a 4G Telstra one, I'd probably get it…

          i need something for when i'm down the mornington peninsula and vodafone and virgin/optus are both dodgy down there…

        • ShortyX on 11/10/2012 - 13:12

          thanks, if it was a 4G Telstra one, I'd probably get it…

          i need something for when i'm down the mornington peninsula…

          So you can open OzBargain in 0.5 seconds on 4G instead of 0.7 seconds on 3G?

        • cornbeef on 11/10/2012 - 15:36

          dodgy down there like a cameleer?

    • jv on 11/10/2012 - 11:05

      vodafone website says 3GB welcome data valid for 30 days, but I guess you need to confirm with Dick…

    • easternculture on 11/10/2012 - 11:44
      +1

      Vodafone data is useless , network is still slow unless your in a city centre location

      • udyz on 11/10/2012 - 13:13

        true! went to Airlie beach for a week with 10GB of vodafone data! came back with 8.5GBs….

        • jv on 11/10/2012 - 14:37
          +2

          wow… what happened? how did you lose 1.5GBs ???

        • zigpy_siva on 11/10/2012 - 15:11

          i normally lose 150 to 200 mb of data each day for online radio…

          Note: i am doing that in Lyca 2G connection now (but used to do that in RedBull mobile which uses VF)

  • grog on 11/10/2012 - 11:20
    +3

    The $99 retail version has 6 gb over 94 days.

    The $79 retail version [this one] has 3 gb over 30 days.

  • stig on 11/10/2012 - 11:34
    +1

    So, I have no idea about dongles and pocket wifi and such, so I'm going to ask a very stupid question.

    Is this for putting the sim card from say, a/n Telstra/Optus 3G dongle into, and having access to wifi? Nice wording, huh? Sorry guys :S Basically, it's a router, but rather than plugging it into a modem, you stick the sim card in it?

    Stepdad wants to buy my little brother a tablet for Christmas, but only has the USB internet thing (terminology pro) to plug into his laptop and he'll be buying a wifi only tablet. So would this be a good solution?

    My apologies for sounding like a tool! Clearly not my area of expertise.

    • wildstone on 11/10/2012 - 11:58

      Basically 'yes' to all of your questions. It is a device for your other WiFi only gadgets to connect to the internet.

      • jv on 11/10/2012 - 12:05
        +1

        Stepdad wants to buy my little brother a tablet for Christmas, but only has the USB internet thing (terminology pro) to plug into his laptop and he'll be buying a wifi only tablet. So would this be a good solution?

        with this, he can ditch the usb key, and share up to 5 connections on this thing…

        it comes locked to the vodafone network though…

        • dreadpiratedan on 11/10/2012 - 12:31

          Couple it with an Optus $2 dollar a day pre-paid mobile sim and you have unlimited mobile broadband for max $60 a month :D

        • stig on 11/10/2012 - 15:04

          Don't worry, I know how wifi works, I just wanted to double-check that I was correct about using the same sim cards :)

          Hopefully we can get it unlocked for free through them, if not, $8 sounds fine (link OP posted)

    • [Deactivated] on 11/10/2012 - 14:53

      "So would this be a good solution?"

      Depends …

      I'd generally try to avoid giving Vodaphone on special occasions or to loved ones
      If Christmas is not such a big deal or the tears in your little brother's eyes - you should be fine

      • stig on 11/10/2012 - 15:05

        It's only Vodafone branded hardware, they won't actually be using Vodafone's service… so hopefully it won't be too bad. Hopefully.

    • [Deactivated] on 11/10/2012 - 18:27

      Yes to your question.

      One important point to note is that this device is LOCKED to Vodafone. If you want to use sim card from Telstra/Optus or any other mobile service provider, you must UNLOCK the pocket wifi.

      I understand that you need to pay a fee at Vodafone's website when unlocking. Like $75.

      Or pay $8 as per the link posted by the original poster.

  • grog on 11/10/2012 - 11:43
    +1

    Stig:: It must be unlocked first…

    Yep you got it, i have an optus prepaid broadband sim in mine, working goodo.

    All you have to do it correctly set up the APN [access point name] etc that the sim card network requires [get this info from the telco].

    good stuff

    • stig on 11/10/2012 - 12:04

      Awesome, thanks for the confirmation grog and wildstone :) And yeah, I read that up top that it needs to be unlocked, not a problem.

      I'll let the old man know about this, seems to be a good deal.

  • joeydee on 11/10/2012 - 12:04

    will this support 4G when vodafone enables it?

    • jv on 11/10/2012 - 12:05
      +1

      no, different hardware is required.

  • GaelicAU on 11/10/2012 - 12:09

    Am I correct in assuming the difference is Pocket Wifi 2 does 7.2mpbs and this is 21mbps?

    Secondly, if so, will the 21mbps (or somewhere in that range) be available with a standard Optus 3G SIM?

    • dreadpiratedan on 11/10/2012 - 12:35

      It will get absolutely no-where near 21mbps ever. EVER.

      It's a theoretical maximum. 6 - 10 mbps is around the best you can expect with around the 6 mark being the more consistent. I have no doubt that it would perform better than a 7.2mpbs device, though.

      It'd be like cruising around town in a Ferrari as opposed to a Ford Laser. You more only drive at 60 but you certainly have a lot more responsiveness and when the time comes to floor it you have heaps more power to tap into.

      • GaelicAU on 15/10/2012 - 11:43

        Yep, confirmed. Just tested on a Telstra SIM ($30 for $10 - thnx OZB).

        On the train and got this…
        http://www.speedtest.net/result/2242254977.png

        Pretty happy really considering my home Naked DSL isn't much faster.

        BTW - Unlocked the device for AUD $3.20 from eBay. Good deal all around.

        • Lukian on 15/10/2012 - 23:58

          Which seller/item?

        • unity1 on 16/10/2012 - 00:20

          look under the main heading. it has the link to the ebay seller

  • knaff on 11/10/2012 - 12:38
    +1

    Any idea what the wifi specs on this are ?

    The Pockwtwifi 2 was 72Mbps, so a crippled 802.11n, hope this is 150 or 300 to make file transfer a bit quicker.

    • CatmanAU on 12/10/2012 - 13:09

      It's the same as the PW2

  • [Deactivated] on 11/10/2012 - 13:46

    I bought one last time around and never received it…

  • [Deactivated] on 11/10/2012 - 13:48

    <duplicate comment>

  • cvas on 11/10/2012 - 14:00

    OK this might be a really stupid random question but Im gonna ask it anyway.
    I notice this device has the slot for a micro SD card… If you were to plug in a micro SD card, could, say, an ipad use that as external wireless storage? Or is that just being a bit too hopeful?

  • zigpy_siva on 11/10/2012 - 16:01

    is this online only?
    or we can buy it in shop?

    • cvas on 11/10/2012 - 17:46

      I purchased one in store a couple of hours ago… Check the store stock before you go though to make sure your not wasting your time

  • [Deactivated] on 11/10/2012 - 18:22

    Bought one at the shop a few hours ago. Good price. Gonna unlock it soon and when travelling overseas, will be good to use the country's local data SIM card. Yay no more inconveniences looking for internet cafes, MacDonald's free wifi, or hotels' wifi.

    Just a note: Dick Smith shop assistant advised that it is their shop policy to verify identity of customer if he/she is buying any item that requires a mobile SIM card. Similar to Asian countries where identification is required.

    • b-radicool on 11/10/2012 - 18:49

      so where's the cheapest place to unlock a brand new one of these? I picked one up this morning.

      Are there any places cheaper than $8?

      Yes I am a cheapskate.

      • unity1 on 11/10/2012 - 19:25

        Maybe, but this guy says you will get your unlock code within 12 hours. I got mine in about 90 minutes.

      • CatmanAU on 12/10/2012 - 13:19
        +1

        There is an eBay seller who does it for 3 bucks, but on vacation right now. Back tomorrow. He will relist it then. Sent him a message this morning.

    • [Deactivated] on 12/10/2012 - 15:21
      +1

      Got it unlocked for $8. Money well spent instead of $75 from Vodafone's site!!!

      Got the unlock code within 1 hour. Also got simple instructions on how to unlock plus setting up the new APN. Piece of cake. Tested on another network and worked great! Woo hoo!

  • aboutconfig on 11/10/2012 - 21:39

    This does support the Telstra NextG 850 after unlock right?
    Next G is ok for me, no need to burn the 4G

    • unity1 on 11/10/2012 - 22:47

      Yes. Got the following result using my Telstra SIM in this device http://www.speedtest.net/iphone/347599686.png

      • aboutconfig on 12/10/2012 - 00:19

        How long could the battery last?

        • unity1 on 12/10/2012 - 00:58

          No idea I have not done any battery tests. Going by the previous model you will be looking around 4 hours

        • aboutconfig on 12/10/2012 - 14:48

          4 hours? well, that is a bit short, the day hasn't even started yet

    • Geewhizz on 12/10/2012 - 10:51

      This does support the Telstra NextG 850 after unlock right?

      Yes, even the original voda pocket wifi will work on it. That's all we've been using (until now - thanks OP) for over a year since hubby took the wifi 2 that was less than a week old to Melbourne on a work trip and managed to leave it in the hotel room.

  • CatmanAU on 12/10/2012 - 13:16

    Bought 2 today for friends, 1 will cost to unlock, other I could request code from VF site.

    Seems to be IMEI number related.

    One I got a little while ago I got free code for.

    8601230104XXXXX (Got free code after a week)

    From Dick Smith today:

    8601230104XXXXX (Option to ask for free code with VF)
    8601230117XXXXX (Wants payment)

    • comeon on 15/10/2012 - 00:40

      got one IMEI is 8601230104XXXXX,but IMEI was not found on the system. seems bad luck.

      • CatmanAU on 16/10/2012 - 15:37
        +1

        That's what you want, then give them the option to check and a mobile number and they will SMS after a week telling you unlock code is now available from their site for free. Done this 4 times now all up with Vodafail.

        • comeon on 17/10/2012 - 12:36

          thanks for your reply. waiting…

        • CatmanAU on 17/10/2012 - 17:07

          Got mine today from request on Saturday. Seems to me they only send out SMS's on Wednesdays. Even though 3 bucks is cheap, free is better. ;)

        • comeon on 18/10/2012 - 10:38

          got it. u are right.

    • Lukian on 16/10/2012 - 00:00

      8601230124XXXXX (Wants payment) [From DSE Online stock]

  • wilburt on 12/10/2012 - 14:37

    Do Voda give you a public or private IP address?

    • aboutconfig on 12/10/2012 - 14:47

      That would be a private address I guess, what, you want to host your website on your phone?

      • wilburt on 12/10/2012 - 15:25

        Nah, just running a small HTTP server, so need the ability to open ports, etc.

  • aboutconfig on 12/10/2012 - 14:49

    Any one could recommend a faster/4G MIFI device? Suits the Telstra 4G band, and have battery time like 6 hours or more?

      • aboutconfig on 12/10/2012 - 17:43

        Thanks, it's still a bit short on the battery.

        Also I think for $200 or more you could get a LTE Android phone instead of a phone without screen with identical or longer battery time in AP tethering mode, isn't it?

  • ppt on 12/10/2012 - 16:22

    is the battery removable?

    • unity1 on 12/10/2012 - 17:23

      Yes. Need to remove battery to insert SIM

  • [Deactivated] on 12/10/2012 - 22:39

    Pocket wifi 2 had an ebay seller link for $3.

    • unity1 on 13/10/2012 - 14:01

      Thanks, I'll give that a try. Did it work for yours?

      For those that try this site the model number for this unit is R205

      • Legion on 13/10/2012 - 23:35
        +1

        Works perfectly. Succesfully used an optus sim in it after unlocking it. Quick response from the seller as well.

    • unity1 on 13/10/2012 - 23:34
      +1

      Thanks, worked great

    • Lukian on 16/10/2012 - 00:06

      $3.08! Too expensive :P

      (Purchased, awaiting unlock code)

      • unity1 on 16/10/2012 - 00:37
        +1

        wow, just sent mine and received the code within 10 mins

        • Lukian on 16/10/2012 - 01:44

          yeah 15 mins for mine :)

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