Comments on: Hands On With a Sleek Universal Cell Phone Signal Booster

By: jkljkl01

jkljkl01 — Tue, 25 May 2010 12:58:06 +0000

Note that your mag mount antenna is only half of the antenna. It relies on the metal body of the car for the other half (ground plane). If you are going to use it in the house you want to mount it onto a metal surface, such as a filing cabinet. A steel cookie sheet also works well.

By: Kevin C. Tofel

Kevin C. Tofel — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 04:09:48 +0000

Mathematically, you're absolutely correct. In trying to keep the explanation simple, I ignored the negative sign and focused solely on the numeric value.

By: Will

Will — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 03:22:33 +0000

The lower the number the better. Without the device you got -87 and with the device you got -65. I've been out of school a long time, but isn't -87 lower than -65? Assuming the device works, then at least part of what you said has to be backwards.

By: Kevin C. Tofel

Kevin C. Tofel — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 01:30:08 +0000

+1, Daniel. ;) I wisely married a woman with a fashion degree. I may not look good, but at least my clothes do.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 01:10:01 +0000

Completly off topic, but I really like your shirt Kevin.

By: Oliver

Oliver — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:23:56 +0000

Sleek? I am too lazy to look at the previous model, but I wouldn't call this thing "sleek".

By: HSK

HSK — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:14:08 +0000

ATT has one in selected markets right now. I wish they would get it rolled out quicker as I am waiting on one. All the major carriers have these now (well, at least they will when ATT rolls out nationally) and I personally think they are good solutions. I would prefer this solution over a repeater/signal booster.

By: Jalapeno

Jalapeno — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:08:14 +0000

smart a** :)

By: Jalapeno

Jalapeno — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:07:34 +0000

Kevin, I think at home you are better off installing a Femtocell, my provider, Sprint gave me one for free when I complained about my signal. Granted, this is not a "universal" solution.

By: jethro_static

jethro_static — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:49:10 +0000

-65 is higher than -87.

By: Kevin C. Tofel

Kevin C. Tofel — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:43:30 +0000

This solution won't likely help in the scenario you described. It's not creating a "bubble" of increased signal coverage like a femtocell in your home would. While I haven't tested that use case, I would imagine that any benefit would quickly degrade as the phone got further from the cradle & internal amplifier.

By: Hans

Hans — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:41:38 +0000

I meant, does the phone have to be in the cradle.

Regards,

Hans

By: Hans

Hans — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:40:20 +0000

Does the phone have to in the cradle? What I really want is something that will boost the signal to my phone while its in my pocket.

Regards,

Hans

By: HG

HG — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:12:02 +0000

Great review Kevin! I think if only they could start the price at $79.99. But then again if you really need it, it's a way to improve your signal.

By: HSK

HSK — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:52:07 +0000

Kevin – think you could get them to send you the desktop kit to test? http://www.wilsonelectronics.com/801247.php This one is about $300 and is available at Best Buy. I am thinking about one because it is still about 1/2 the cost of their more industrial grade versions.