Novatel 4510L MiFi 4G Hotspot Release Thread

**t6821hn** · 04-19-2011, 03:07 PM

I received the 4510L this morning and have had about 3 hours testing the unit. Previously I was using the Pantech UML290 and Samsung Presto LC11. The latter was returned due to frequent stalls while surfing or using data connections.

The 4510L's build quality is solid which is in line with the LC11. The former is much larger than its predecessor, the MiFi 2200. I'm assuming that the battery will last under 4 hrs from a full charge. Unlike the LC11, an extended battery for the 4510L is not available for purchase. A third party vendor is working on an extended battery.

Set up of the device is easy and straight forward. Since my sim card was already activated I merely inserted the card and was online within 1 minute. The activation process will take a little longer for those who are purchasing from scratch. Device configuration, like the LC11, is done via the web. One can configure the device however you like via this portal.

The 4510L seems to get better RF than the UML290 or LC11. On the front display of the 4510L I see 3 bars of service with the battery charging. The 3 bars correspond to -78db. The db reading can be found under Advanced, Diagnostics, Modem Status.

As with the LC11 firmware updates are completed via USB connection to the device. I haven't had the opportunity to actually update a firmware but I'm sure I can figure the process out when the time arrives.

As for performance, I'm getting similar speeds as compared to the UML290. I think my area has gotten more saturated since my speeds have gone down by the day. Still fast but not quite as fast as before. Location is Orange County for reference. One key importance is the reliable signal from the Novatel 4510L, which is something I couldn't say about the Samsung LC11.

That's it for now. I'll report back should any problems arise. Thanks.

**addaliner** · 04-19-2011, 03:48 PM

Sounds good. I have the original Mifi and I'm looking at upgrading soon. Please update us on the battery performance.

**mloboy** · 04-19-2011, 04:21 PM

Thanks for the update. Please keep us posted.

**moosc** · 04-19-2011, 04:44 PM

some questions do the statues icons actually work? will it show.how much.battery u have left? will it show signal strength? is the top piece faux looking wood like Sprint? is it a big decal? maybe a small YouTube video showing everything

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**t6821hn** · 04-19-2011, 04:54 PM

Yes, the status icons do function. There are 4 display states. On top is the Network Signal Strength, which displays an antenna with 0-4 bars. I see 3 bars at my location.

Below the antenna is the Roaming Indicator. In my case the indicator is not present since I'm not roaming.

Battery Status sits below Roaming. There are 0-4 bars. When the battery is very low, the battery outline blinks on and off every 2 seconds. I have not seen this yet but would assume I'll see it tonight.

At the bottom is the Number of Wi-Fi Users Connected. This indicator is shown in dots. In my case, I see one dot since I'm the only one connected at the present time.

Sorry, I'm not much of a YouTube poster so I'll leave it to my word description for now. Hope this helps.

**horatio8** · 04-19-2011, 05:00 PM

Is there any indication of whether you're on 3G or 4G LTE? Thanks for your review

**t6821hn** · 04-19-2011, 05:53 PM

Unfortunately, the 4510L doesn't have a 3G or 4G LTE indicator. The Samsung LC11 has the indicator, however.

**Kenal0** · 04-19-2011, 07:11 PM

How is the boot up time?

Kenal0

**t6821hn** · 04-19-2011, 07:19 PM

It took me less than a minute from turn on to latching on to a signal.

**CharlesH** · 04-19-2011, 08:18 PM

Question 1: Is there an external antenna connection (for the cellular, not the WiFi)? The description on the VZW Web site says that it has one.

Question 2: I notice that the specs say that it is compatible with 1xEV-DO (3G). What about 1xRTT? Just recently, I was data roaming on a network that did not offer EV, and my current 3G data card was happy to fall back to 1x. (Golden State Cellular, in Yosemite National Park, to be specific).

Question 3: How does charging work? The spec on the VZW web site says that its USB connector is for firmware updates only. Or are they referring to the fact that you cannot use it as a USB modem?

**t6821hn** · 04-19-2011, 08:45 PM

Answer 1: The 4510L has a port for an external antenna.
Answer 2: I see an option to choose 1xRTT only so I assume it is backwards compatible.
Answer 3: Charging is done via a wall charger or supplied USB cable. However, if the USB cable is used then your connection is disabled. Unlike the Samsung where the data connection remains on while getting charged, the Novatel gets charged but no connection is available. Short answer the 4510L cannot be used as a connected modem.

**mloboy** · 04-19-2011, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by t6821hn

Unfortunately, the 4510L doesn't have a 3G or 4G LTE indicator. The Samsung LC11 has the indicator, however.

I believe the unit indicates 4G by lighting up green and 3G by lighting up violet.

**t6821hn** · 04-19-2011, 09:20 PM

Originally Posted by mloboy

I believe the unit indicates 4G by lighting up green and 3G by lighting up violet.

This is correct. I took the question as whether the Novatel has an indicator on the display panel. Sorry for the confusion.

**mloboy** · 04-19-2011, 09:49 PM

Totally understand. How is it holding up for you? Are you having any of the lag that you were seeing
With the Samsung?

I have decided to try it out.

**t6821hn** · 04-19-2011, 11:12 PM

It has been good so far. Battery life from full charge to off was 4hr 40min. Not bad really for LTE. I got similar results with the MiFi2200.

I did experience 2 disconnects. I haven't figured out why the modem disconnected. Perhaps the location had a weak signal. Don't know for sure. So far my connection at work and home have been really steady.

I haven't experienced the lag/stall that was present on the Samsung. The only thing I need now is to wait for the extended battery so the device can last 14 hours.