Novatel ExpressCard to PCMCIA adapter in the house
The HP 2710p and the MacBook Pro both have ExpressCard slots instead of PC Card slots so I updated my EV-DO modem to the v740 from Verizon. That little modem card works wonderfully in both of those devices and I have been very happy with that upgrade except that it won’t work in the Fujitsu P1610 which has a PC Card slot. This week I ordered a Novatel XCA-3 adapter which lets you use ExpressCard devices in a PC Card slot and it arrived yesterday. I haven’t had a lot of time to play with it in the Fuji due to my problems with the Vista SP1 install but I have been able to try it enough to report that it does work fine as advertised.
The Novatel adapter requires no drivers and the system recognizes the ExpressCard just as if it was a native ExpressCard slot so I’m happy to report that it works just fine. At least it does while the Fuji is not crashing due to Vista SP1. It seems to be just as fast speed-wise as systems that use the modem without the adapter so I recommend it for anyone needing an adapter like this. It was only $69 so it’s well worth it to me as I can now enjoy EV-DO speeds on all devices in my possession which is the intent. I bought this Novatel adapter from 3gstore and I’m not linking to them nor recommending you buy yours from them because I was surprised and annoyed to find it shipped without any Novatel packaging, rather the adapter was in bubble-wrap with no original packaging. My initial concern was that it was used since it definitely had been opened before as I don’t believe that Novatel ships anything without packaging nor documentation like this. I examined the adapter carefully to make sure it looked new and it did but still, shipping opened electronic devices is not cool. Having no documentation means I have no idea what the Novatel warranty is on this device and I have to go to their support web site for any information, and that should have shipped in the box. Shame on you 3gstore for shipping this device opened. Otherwise I’m happy with the adapter and you’ll find some pictures (albeit blurry) after the jump that demonstrate how much farther the adapter makes the modem stick out of the slot.
UPDATE: 3gstore has offered this explanation for the way this adapter ships:
Guess what, Novatel ships the ExpressCard adapters EXACTLY as youreceived them. When we buy them 100 at a time, they come individuallywrapped in bubble wrap – exacty as you got it. We pull them out of alarge shipping box and put them in a bin and then ship them directly -they are not used or opened. On our next shipment, I will take apicture so you can see how they come to us – so you will be bettereducated and perhaps take your gripe up with Novatel – who ships themEXACTLY the way you got it.
v740 in the HP natively
v740 in the Novatel adapter sticking out of the P1610 (very dark, sorry)
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JK, 3GStore buys the adapters in bulk and we receive them just as you did: wrapped in bubble wrap, with no “original packaging”. I’m sure that isn’t the first time you’ve received an accessory item like that.
FYI, for those folks considering a purchase of an expresscard with service from Sprint or Verizon… http://3gstore.com discounts the price of the adapter when bought as a package.
Guess what, Novatel ships the ExpressCard adapters EXACTLY as you received them. When we buy them 100 at a time, they come individually wrapped in bubble wrap – exacty as you got it. We pull them out of a large shipping box and put them in a bin and then ship them directly – they are not used or opened. On our next shipment, I will take a picture so you can see how they come to us – so you will be better educated and perhaps take your gripe up with Novatel – who ships them EXACTLY the way you got it.
Something else I felt might benefit your readers.
There are 3 versions of the novatel adapter floating around now.
The older two versions cause the expresscards to stick out even more.
Here is a picture of the older version next to latest version:
http://3gstore.com/images/adapters_sbs2.jpg
and here is a composite/overlay image showing an expresscard sticking out of a MacBook Pro. The ghosted image shows how far the expresscard would stick out using older adapter:
http://3gstore.com/images/adapters_overlay2.jpg
FYI, http://3gstore.com only sells the newer version.
Thanks for clarifying that.
Something about that second reply from 3gstore just hit me wrong. Then it dawned on me: the customer is always right — even when they’re wrong. I know it’s difficult, Michael, but you need to smile and sweetly point out the errors of their ways (and since this is an influential blog, maybe even offer a little sump’n-sump’n extra to smooth things over), not stick your tongue out and point at someone else.
If I’ve mis-read Michael’s reply, I apologize. But, that’s how it came across to me: “Don’t blame us, stupid customer, blame them”.
Bypass 3gstore anyway, go with Millenicom. They offer the same EVDO service as Sprint, for $10 less per month, and NO CONTRACT.
https://www.millenicom.com/members/signup.php?clienttype=7&package=16
3gstore has a real attitude – they think they are better than everybody and HEAVILY sensor their own forums so people will buy their products…