SubscribeFranklin CDU-680 Review by EVDOinfo.com
EVDOinfo.com has just reviewed the Franklin CDU-680 EVDO USB modem. They recently announced its availability and have been testing the unit since then.
One welcome addition is the 64MB flash drive. No longer do you have to carry around an install CD whenever you want to connect your USB modem to a new device. It comes preloaded with drivers for Windows, OSX, and Linux.
The signal strength is on par with similar devices such as the Sierra Wireless 595U and Novatel U720. Currently, the Top Global MB6800 router is compatible with this device.
Good news for Mac owners. You can now activate the device from your Mac and it’s the first USB modem to give GPS functionality to Macs.
It’s also the first to have Linux support which is fantastic.
Specs:
- EVDO Rev-A Device
- Approximately 1/3 of the size of previous USB Modems
- Built-in 64mb flash drive
- Built-in GPS
- Antenna Port for external antennas and amplifiers
- Windows XP/Vista, Mac OS X, Linux Connection Managers already loaded on installed flash drive (no need to carry a CD with you). Also Getting Started PDF Pre-Loaded on flash drive.
- Full Mac OS X Connection Manager including GPS Support
- Swivel USB Connector
- USB only Requires a Max of 500ma - Y Adapter Cable is not typically needed, however one is included for additional power and better positioning of CDU-680
USING: SPRINT EVDO EV A data card service
I have a Sprint/Linksys CDMA router which only supports the old PCMCIA adapter. I have applications requiring the 4 ports on the router, so I use the Sierra AirCard 595. The system meets my requirements for one application.
However, all of my notebook computers only support PC EXPRESS.
It would be helpful if I could find away to use the Franklin CDU-680 usb modem with one of my notebook computers when I dont want to use the Linksys router (for portability and single channel use)
I would like to have a choice of connection device so I can have more versatile functionality. I don’t want to have to lug around the large Linksys router (using the 595 PC aircard) with my notebook just to get internet connectivity.
I only want to use one data service. I don’t think I should have to have TWO Sprint accounts when I am the only person using it
When provisioning and activating the Franklin CDU-680 USB modem, is it possible to use the same information for activation so I don’t need two Sprint accounts? Of course there would be a conflict if I had both devices on at the same time. But I know people switch the SIM chips between cell phones to get a better choice of functionality.
If there is a SIM chip in the Franklin, can I just temporarily swap the SIM chip from the AIRCARD 595 to the Franklin 680?
Is there another way to solve this problem without paying another $60/month to Sprint? How about a USB to PCMCIA adapter that supports the Aircard 595 with EVDO REV A support?
What do you recommend?
CW
There are no SIM cards in CDMA devices from Sprint & Verizon. SIM cards used in AT&T and T-Mobile devices. That’s the appeal of GSM devices. Your account is tied to the SIM card so you can swap it out to other devices for added flexibility.
If you’d like to point your account to another device such as the CDU-680, you’d have to call Sprint customer support and ask for a ESN switch. AFAIK, each device has an ESN number. So you’re telling Sprint to use that device for your data plan now. Thing is, you won’t be able to use your PC Card anymore.
I’m not sure what to recommend. I mean, I’m assuming all your devices have a USB port so a USB may be the way to go. You can grab the Top Global MB6800 router to share the connection like you did before.
But since you have devices with an ExpressCard slot, then maybe a EVDO Rev A ExpressCard modem would be better since you can stick an ExpressCard device into a PC Card slot with an adaptor. There’s also a ExpressCard->USB adapter as well but requires 2 USB ports for power requirements.