Wilson Electronics 801242 MobilePro Cell Phone Signal Booster for Car and Home / Office w/4″ Magnet Mount Antenna – For Multiple Users
July 1st, 2010 at 23:12
- Amplifies Signals to and from the Cell Site.
- Microprocessor-Controlled Circuitry Ensures Reliable Operation within Regulatory Standards
- Amplifier Features built-in Antenna and Mini Magnet external antenna
- Installs in minutes- no tools required
- Portable – can easily be moved from Vehicle to Building.
Product Description
Featuring two times the power of a normal cell phone, the SignalBoost Mobile Pro Dual Band 800/1900 MHz Cellular Amplifier is designed to significantly enhance cellular signal for multiple cell phones or cellular-based data cards (except iDEN/Nextel) simultaneously. The Mobile Pro can be used to boost cellular signal (both voice and data) in any vehicle, at home, at the office, or even in a hotel room or at the airport for every U.S. cellular provider (except iDEN/Nextel). This state-of-the-art cellular amplifier may be powered using a cigarette lighter adapter, an AC wall adapter, or even straight from the USB port on a laptop. The Mobile Pro Amplifier Kit includes a Mini-Magnet mount antenna, the Dual Band Mobile Pro Cellular Amplifier, a USB Power cable, 5v DC power supply, 5v AC/DC power supply, window bracket, and a convenient carrying case to hold all of the components while you are on the go. Call our fully staffed Tech Department for questions or h… More >>
Tags: 801242, Antenna, Booster, Cell, Electronics, Home, Magnet, MobilePro, Mount, Multiple, Office, Phone, Signal, Users, Wilson
July 2nd, 2010 at 12:33 am
When I ordered this device I really thought it was going to be some small device that conveniently fit in my home or car and was easily portable. I was a bit surprised when the package showed up and it was a lot bigger than I originally envisioned.
There are a few parts to this device. The basic package includes the wireless Mobile Pro amplifier, the USB power cable and the cigarette lighter power supply with USB connection and is really only intended for use in a car.
The amplifier itself is a little box roughly the size of an average mobile phone. By its name you can see that it’s used to amplify the signal. It’s recommended that you mount this rather large device on your dashboard, but the instructions do give you the option of attaching it to the back of your headrest if you need to boost your signal even more. Anything that’s labeled a cell phone booster that is designed to sit directly behind my head… I’m leery of. Also, I found it amusing that this was a wireless amplifier, yet it came with a wire to run from the “wireless amplifier” to the cigarette lighter plug. I guess they had to power it someway, but the term wireless is a bit misleading.
In addition to the basic package I also got the in-home accessory kit with AC power supply and window bracket, along with a mini magnet mount antenna. It’s unclear if they sell this all together or not, but the instructions clearly indicate that these are a separate purchase item.
The first thing I did was take this all apart and use it in the living room. I was a little surprised when I was setting this up to read that the antenna and the amplifier had to be at least 8 feet away from each other to prevent oscillation (whatever that means). Luckily the antenna came with an 8 foot cable to connect to the wireless amplifier. So I have the antenna on the window and 8 feet away I have the power amplifier on a table, and a few feet further I have the thing plugged into the wall. My wife takes one look and says simply “no”, so I know this can’t stay mounted like it is.
But did it work? Yes – I was getting five bars across the phone on two different cellular networks. I considered this a complete success and made a few test calls. to make sure it worked. The only disappointing part came when I finally took down the system and realized that I was pretty much getting five bars of signal without the antenna. To be fair – I did get the signal coming and going without the antenna, so I would definitely say that this was an improvement.
Taking this in the car was a similar story.
I went on a trip and took this with me. Mine came with a portable bag that I could put all the pieces in and carry with me. It was actually rather large in my suitcase, so I wasn’t impressed with its portability. When I did get to my destination, my brother picked me up in his hard top convertible. Since he had the top down, I began to see that this wasn’t going to work. Eventually I got a rental SUV so I had another chance to test it out. Again, the antenna has to be 8 feet away from the amplifier, so the SUV had plenty of room for me to run wires to the back of the car and then out the window up to the roof. I even placed it on the center of the roof as the instructions suggest – although the cord hanging off looked silly and was clearly a temporary solution. Since it was a rental I didn’t want to permanently affix the amplifier so I sat it upright on the seat next to me. To be fair here, they do have other optional mount-solutions available where you can take it on the road more easily.
Did it work in the car? Again, I got five bars (only testing one network this time though). It was fairly consistent and overall I was happy with the function, if not the form. Would I have gotten 5 bars anyway? I’m not sure, but I never dropped a call when I was out of the car… So I’m not sure how much this was the amplifier working, or me really wanting the amplifier to work.
So – final result? It seemed to do just what it was advertised to do. Did I get the occasional hesitation when talking? Maybe once or twice, but overall I thought I could hear pretty clearly, and I always had a strong signal strength. I could give it five stars on the functional part alone.
But the form factor killed me. Long wires, multiple pieces, suction cups.. It was a bit bummed that I had to set up my own base station antenna to get it functional. In the SUV it was fine, but the convertible was a non-starter. Smaller cars I also imagine that you’d have trouble getting the 8 feet or separation.
The instructions were clear enough, and mine came with a little video clip to show me how to hook it up, so I wouldn’t say it was hard, but it was just time consuming. I’d give it three stars for design (and I think I’m being generous. I would have definitely kicked it up a star or even two if there was an option to slap a battery in it and just use the amplifier piece by itself, but the competition for my cigarette lighter plug outlet is too great.
Other parting shots:
-Okay, I guess the bag to carry it wasn’t that big, but it was too big to fit in my carryon backpack, so it has to go in the suitcase.
-I ended up putting it back in the house behind the curtain to hide it – so far the wife hasn’t thrown it out the window.
-The AC adapter is 110-220 so it works overseas. that is assuming that where you’re going is one of the only two bands that the device supports.
-Two weeks after I got it – I still hate the design.
Rating: 4 / 5
July 2nd, 2010 at 1:56 am
I travel for business quite a bit and conduct much of my work on my cell phone. I have run into “dead spots” (areas where cell phone signals are weak) fairly often. I also use a wireless internet card for my computer since some hotels charge up to $20 a day for their wireless. I seem to have the most problems when I am on the coast and have room near the ocean (no towers on the water). I have also run into problems in cars but I have recently decided not to use my phone while driving. I was hoping that this product would help me and I am happy to say that it does.
Last week I was staying at a hotel that had a really poor cell phone signal. I hooked up the booster and immediately received a stronger signal (1 more bar than before). I then hooked up the antenna and BAM! full strength on my 3G phone. I turned on the computer and my 3G wireless card was up and running as well. This will make my life easier. One complaint is that you have to be very close to the booster box itself (I tend to pace when I talk on the phone and now I have to sit still). Other than that I think that it is great.
Rating: 5 / 5
July 2nd, 2010 at 2:18 am
Upon getting my booster, I took my laptop, aircard, and booster on a little road trip to a spot that I knew had little to no reception. Once arriving on site, I kicked on the laptop, threw in the aircard and had no signal. Then I turned on the booster and “BOOM!!!” I almost instantly had full 3G signal and was cruising the internet. This thing is great and I will never leave home without it in my laptop bag.
Rating: 5 / 5
July 2nd, 2010 at 3:25 am
The set up couldn’t be more simple. The antenna grips very well to any window. Then connect the antenna to the module and just plug it in.
If you get poor quality reception, you’ll notice a significant improvement in call quality. If you use Verizon or other high quality servers, you won’t notice as much difference in clarity.
I am very satisfied and highly recommend it to anyone needing a signal boost for improved sound and clarity.
Rating: 5 / 5
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:06 am
I have the 801213 in my truck (I’m a trucker), and it works great, so I thought I would try this unit as a portable solution. Works great. Not as powerful as the larger amp, but increased reception where I needed it to. Now I have a solution for poor signal where ever I am (especially when I’m not at work in the truck). Great product,
Rating: 5 / 5