Novatel MiFi 2200 Mobile Wi-Fi Modem (Verizon Wireless)

I used this MIFi for more than 2 years. After my contract ended, I kept using it, for 2 reasons. First, it worked really well, in that it always connected quickly to the Verizon network, as well as to my connected devices, such as laptop. This was true all over the Washington, DC area, where I live, as well as throughout the country when I traveled. Second, some newer models had really bad reviews (Amazon reviews really are handy). Yes, some of the newer devices were faster, at 4G, but why would that matter if the device didn't work all the time, when you needed it? So, I held on tight to this model, the 2200.Fast forward to a couple months ago when I gave the newest Verizon MiFi, the Novatel MiFi 4620L Jetpack 4G Mobile Hotspot (Verizon Wireless), a try. This MiFi was definitely worth waiting for. It worked as well as the MiFi 2200, and at 4G was faster.One thing to be aware of (this may not apply to new subscribers): the plan I had with Verizon 2200 was a 3G plan. With the 4620L, Verizon no longer offers this plan, and I had to upgrade to a 4G plan that was $15 more a month, with a higher data allowance. I'm not using more data, on average, each month, so I am effectively paying $15 more a month with this device. But, the data upload and download is faster, so I don't mind too much.In sum, if you want the latest and faster Verizon MiFi, check out the 4620L, which is also offered here on Amazon.Either way, you can't go wrong.

I received this item and the battery cover would not close and would not stay in place. Per the receipt that came with the item, all I had to do was contact them via email and state problem and request return. Received an email back stating they were in receipt of my email and would get back to me. They never did. I contacted Amazon and filed a claim. They could not make them accept the return. On the receipt it says returns within 30 days. I emailed them the next day of my receipt of the item. Waste of my money. Now I have a mobile wifi that won't work as battery cover won't stay on. They should have NEVER sold this in it's condition. Refurbished???? Try doesn't work. I can't even resell to get some of my money back. I am really upset with seller and Amazon!!! Unfortunately can't give no stars!!

The Verizon Mifi (made by Novatel) is a combination of a great, hugely convenient product and some annoying quirks.However, first you need to set your expectations. When you use this, your PC, iPad, Smart-phone etc. are all sharing a "3G" link to the internet, which is basically a cellular line. The speed if this connection is whatever "3G" means in that particular place at that particular time - but if you expect Mega-bits per second, you will be disappointed - that usually only happens in Verizon ads.That said, this is EXTREMELY useful for business travelers like me. When you need to get or send an email, attachments and all, or check a web-site for some information or updates - you can be sure you WILL be able to do it. Even while in motion 9and yes, it does work while in high-speed motion, if you are in a good coverage area), and even when visiting a company that does not have any arrangements to give visitors internet access.Operation is dead simple - you turn it on, and connect your PC/iPad/Whatever to the WiFI network as usual. by default, the network requires a Password, and supports up to 5 simultaneous connections.The battery seems to last about 2-3 hours, but in most cases, you can power it up, synchronize your email, and power it back down, with each session lasting openly a few minutes - which will allow this to give you a day's worth of service.Now for the "annoying" part1. When you connect it to a charging source, it turns on, even if you don't want to. to be clear - you can't charge it without having it broadcast a WiFi network for the entire duration. Aside from this limiting where you can charge it (e.g. not on a plane) this is simply stupid - If i want to charge it, broadcasting a WiFi signal DISCHARGES the battery, making the charging time longer. I find it strange that the On/off Button does not work when charging. I am told this is by design, but I still consider this a bug.2. If you connect it to your PC to charge, it will go into an "I'm a cellular modem" mode, providing service to just the PC it is attached to, and not putting out the WiFi network which is its main function. This is probably a conscious choice by the designers of this product, and sort of makes sense - you may WANT to service only a single PC, and not serve as a WiFI Access point. However, in practice, you want to charge it when in use, and having to connect it to a separate AC outlet, and lugging yet one more power-adapter, where it SEEMS the device is charged via a USB port, of which you have several free in your PC is annoying. (Note some Internet searching will tell you how to change some internal settings to prevent this). The product could benefit a lot from having one additional "mode" switch instead.3. It is quite finicky about what can charge it. If you want to use some universal AC-to-USB adapter, you will find that most of them do not work. if you want to try it, do lots of research before you buy.

The idea for this product is absolutely wonderful. Real life use is another story. First of all I only got the product to get "3G" data speeds. But as most people don't know, 3G isn't much faster than EDGE. That's my first letdown. The battery life is only 4 hours. I mean, come on! 4 measly hours? Seriously? 2nd strike! Lastly, the straw that broke the camel's back....The monthyly cost. $39.99 for only 250 mb of data. Really??? Or even better,a $59.99 plan. How about an Unlimited $30.00 plan? Anyway, mine went back after only 2 days. Try at your own risk.

I ordered the Mifi to replace our USB 3G dongle so that more than 1 of us could surf the net while traveling (and use skype from our iphones). Set-up (calling verizon customer support to swap the "phone #" from the dongle to the Mifi) was a breeze (and free). Personalizing the connection (router name/pword) also standard and easily done. Surfing on this is slower than broadband as expected - it's just weird being on "wifi" but yet truly at 3G speeds.The problem with the Mifi are twofold: (1) no supporting documentation to indicate what a solid green light vs blinking green light mean, and (2) no instructions on how to power the darn thing off.This is a problem since i've tried to power it off several times and each times it shuts down, it seems to power up again for no good reason. And, since I don't know what the lights mean, I have no idea if it in fact is down or not.If anyone can link me or tell me the answer to the above, I'll give this thing 5/5.