Sierra Wireless Overdrive 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot
- Enjoy wireless broadband connectivity via both Sprint’s 3G Mobile Broadband network and its 4G WiMAX network
- Connect up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices simultaneously–including laptops, gaming devices, cameras and
- MicroSD slot for use with cards up to 16 GB in size; can be tethered via USB extension cable
- Up to 3 hours of use, up to 36 hours (1.5 days) of standby time
- What’s in the Box: hotspot modem, battery, back cover for modem, AC charger, USB to USB micro cable, quick start guide
Amazon.com Product Description
Connect up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices simultaneously–including laptops, gaming devices, cameras and even smartphones from other carriers–through a single connection using the Sierra Wireless Overdrive 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot from Sprint. Offering the next generation of ultra-fast WiMAX 4G wireless connectivity, the Overdrive delivers the best of both worlds with its compatibility with Sprint’s current 3G network. Compact, portable, and easy to carry, the Overdrive also supports memory cards up to 16 GB of shared storage via its microSD slot and has built-in Wi-Fi GPS capability.
Enjoy both 3G/4G wireless broadband connectivity with this mobile hotspot serving up to 5 devices simultaneously. The dual-mode Overdrive 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot can be used on both the Sprint 4G network and Sprint’s dependable 3G Mobile Broadband Network. This flexibility allows enjoy to enjoy 4G performance in any Sprint 4G market or to use Sprint’s … More >>
Sierra Wireless Overdrive 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot
There is new Firmware available on the Sierra Wireless website that resolves many of the issues reported in these reviews. Go to [...] to download the latest. Instructions are on that page on how to download and install the new firmware.
I had similar issues to the ones reported here (couldn’t connect to 4G), just updated the FW and voila I connected and now have no issues.
Rating: 5 / 5
Just bought an OverDrive (from Sprint) yesterday in Seattle WA, one of the (supposed) 4G areas. Unit says it connects to 4G, I can connect to the device but it will not allow web browsing -says “server not found”. WiFi and all other configs seems fine and work, broswing etc, AS LONG AS IT’S NOT 4G.
Spent 3 sessions with Sprint technical support, but was obvious they did not know anything and insisted it was was web browser configuration problem. Finally went to repair at Sprint Store in Seattle. I was told that there is a “known problem” with the OverDrive product line that it does not work on 4G and no solution estimate is available. And there is no mechanism to let customers know when a solution is available.
I am disturbed that I was sold a product that was KNOWN NOT to work, that there is no estimate for a fix and there is no where that I can get status on whether the problem is resolved.
BEWARE! The OverDrive 3G/4G mobile hotspot does NOT work in Seattle -they would not give me details whether it’s all areas. They claim it is not a network problem but the OverDrive Device. Sprint will not give me a refund and I must pay the $200 early termination fee if I stop the dataplan service. BUYER BEWARE!
Rating: 1 / 5
I adore this product. I live in Austin (good 4g coverage) and spend weekends on a boat in Houston (good 3g coverage). Before buying this product I could not get reliable internet on the boat. Now I have extremely reliable, high-speed, internet in Austin and a much slower, but serviceable, connection on the boat (and the drive between). I have been using this for about a month and have had no issues with the hardware or the software. Config was a breeze and I have always had a connection.
That said, there are a few things to be aware of. The 4g on this device is from Clear. They are a Texas company, so have much better coverage in Texas than elsewhere. If you do not live in a location with good 4g coverage, this device is close to useless. The 3g connection is not really fast enough for high-quality streaming video in my experience. Pandora and Skype (voice) work well on the 3g network, but Skype video and Netflix Watch Now do not really work. With the 5 gig 3g data cap, they would be too expensive anyway. On the 4g network everything works fine and the connection seems as fast as the cable modem I replaced with this device. The cost is about $20 a month more than the cable modem was.
Rating: 5 / 5
I purchased one after checking whether my office and home locations were located inside Sprint’s 4G coverage map (which they were). I get no 4G signal (according to this device) at either location, but do get 4G elsewhere.
It gets a good 3G signal, but the 3G usage is limited by Sprint to 5 gig per month, which is really not very much when you’ve got utilities that backup to the cloud, download videos, etc.
I suspect I will return it with the 30 days allowed and pay the piper for a months use testing it.
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Update: I ended up returning it because of ZERO 4G coverage at my typical locations EVEN THOUGH the Sprint 4G coverage map says I am well within the 4G area.
MAKE SURE that you return it well inside the “30 day” time period. Despite being a 10 year, multi-phone Sprint customer, they tried to pull the trick “well, it is actually 31 days… blah blah” when it actually was indeed 30 days that I had it. Save yourself a hassle and get it back in 25 days so they can’t try these shenanigans. And take the opportunity to point out that their 4G map is inaccurate if indeed it is for you.
Rating: 2 / 5
This was a really cool idea and I was excited to not battle with Comcast and AT&T anymore. The WiFi network it created seemed to be very good.
HOWEVER, even though I am in the 4G area on Sprint’s map, I got a 20% signal at first and 3G the rest of the time. Even when I moved it outside, no 4G. When the 4G worked, streaming video was choppy and delayed; through 3G, I couldn’t view streaming video.
In the past, cell phone companies would always use the excuse that your signal was weak because you were in a building and the system wasn’t designed for that. The Sprint Overdrive concept seems to contradict that as most are inclined to use internet indoors.
Otherwise, if you have a strong Sprint signal, this device is easy to set up and use and a great value IF you have a strong 4G signal.
Rating: 2 / 5