- USB modem offering connectivity for your PC to Sprint’s 3G Mobile Broadband network
- GPS capable for turn-by-turn directions via Sprint Navigation
- Employs CDMA wireless technology authentication and identification system for top-notch security
- Compatible with external antenna for improved signal strength (sold separately)
- Weighs 0.7 ounces and measures 2.44 x 1.18 x 0.39 inches (HxWxD)
Amazon.com Product Description
About the size of a pack of gum, the Compass 597 USB modem by Sierra Wireless operates on the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network to provide customers convenient high-speed access to e-mail and online applications from their desktops or laptops, keeping them connected and productive. It features automatic installation of Sprint SmartView software and one-touch activation on the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network for both Mac and PC users, making it quick and easy to get up and running. In addition to e-mail and Internet access, the Compass 597 offers GPS support, enabling the use of location search and common navigational software tools on a notebook computer via Sprint SmartView.
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The Compass 597 modem is optimized for Sprint’s Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revolution A (Rev. A) network, which provides average download speeds of 600 kilobits per second (kbps) to 1.4 megabits and average upload speeds of 350 to 500 kbps. When connecting within a Rev. A coverage area, the Compass 597 can download a 1 MB e-mail attachment in about 8 seconds and upload the same-sized file in less than 13 seconds.
Mobile users can access:
- E-mail with large attachments
- Corporate Intranet and Internet
- Digital imaging
- Location-based applications
- Video/audio streaming
- Rich messaging
- Bandwidth intensive applications for sales and customer service
Other features include:
- Sprint’s SmartView automatic installation software, available for both Mac and PC users, installs directly from the modem on first insertion.
- Employs CDMA wireless technology authentication and identification system for top-notch security.
- Simple Activation with just “one” more click after software installation.
- OS compatibility: Windows Vista/XP/2000; Macintosh OS X 10.3.9 or higher
- Easy installation with the software CD provided in the box.
- To improve signal strength, you can attach an external antenna, which is sold separately
Note: Users must activate this device on a Sprint account before inserting the device.
The modem, with Sprint wireless service, seemed like a good product, until I started to see extra charges appearing on my bill for “excess data” and “roaming”. One month $10, the next month $300, and finally, over $1500 for a single month! Each month I was unable to find out what I was being billed for: Sprint representatives only said, “sorry, just wait for your next bill.” So, you have been warned: the modem may be effective, up to a point, but the service is a disaster.
Rating: 1 / 5
This product is so simple and works so well that anyone can use it. All you have to do is activate your subscription from Sprint, Then plug in the unit via a USB port. It has the driver software already on board and will automatically install with just a few clicks on your part, and if I remember correctly, it does require a re-boot.
You’ll have a little black and yellow icon on your desktop. Double click it, click connect, and in a few seconds, your PC is connected to the internet anywhere you can get a signal for your Sprint cell phone– and that’s a lot of places. You get 5 GB of transfer per month, so don’t be using this for a lot of large downloads such as full-length movies. The speed is better than dial-up, but still slower than my DSL connection. The speed compared to public places where you can get free or pay wireless varies, but most of the time it’s about the same.
This would have been better if the design had been retractable, instead of a cap so easily lost. The other thing about this is that I use with with a Dell Mini9. While it works great on the Mini, the unit is wider than an average thumb drive, and it blocked the USB port next to it, rendering it useless. Dell Mini9 users will want to plug this in on the single right-hand USB port, and plug their external mouse into the left if you need that extra USB port for something else. It can also get pretty warm, so I’m not sure how this will affect your laptop battery life. I almost never run on the battery so I can’t really say anything about that.
We don’t have wireless in our house and I use this in the rooms where we don’t have a wired connection, or when hubby & I are in the same room and want to go online at the same time. I like being able to toss this in my purse with my Mini and be able to go on the internet anywhere, including places where they charge you for access, or where they just don’t have it. This is also good if you need internet access while out traveling to see clients who don’t have a connection you can use, or when your home internet is not working for whatever reason. Sprint service is great and I really don’t have any complaints other than the cap and how this can block another USB port. Overall I’m very satisfied with it and recommend the product and the service to anyone who needs something similar.
Rating: 4 / 5