The Netgear AirCard 785s is a small mobile LTE hotspot router, which could be used on holiday or traveling. With the Aircard 785s, smartphones and tablets as well as laptops can easily connect to the Internet. Up to 15 wireless-enabled devices can be powered via the AC785S LTE router to the Internet. We have subjected the Aircard 785s on the road to a test. The device is simultaneously dual-band and WLAN n-capable .Per LTE Cat. 4, the speeds of up to 150 Mbit/s are supported in the downstream.
Netgear Aircard 785s comes with the dimensions 109.9 x 68.9 x 14.6 millimeters and weighing 127 grams, and is therefore compact and lightweight. The processing of the mobile hotspot is impeccable, we found no sharp edges. In addition, the design is appealing: Because on the front is a triangular design element installed, behind which the rectangular display hides. While Netgear sets the front and back of the AirCard 785s in the color of black, the plastic frame is kept in metal optics. The back cover is removable, so as the battery of 2000 mAh capacity, which covers the SIM card slot. Inserting the SIM card was smooth, but the removal is not easy due to the design. We also spend more power than expected when removing the battery. On the lower side a respective antenna connectors are left and right integrated. In the middle of antenna connectors, the Micro-USB port is located.
Installation and Setup
After the SIM card plugged into Aircard 785s, we first had to connect the device to a power source, so that we could start the mobile hotspot, because the AC785S came with an empty battery. Then the user has to select the language via the display. The menu navigation is not via touch screen, but with two buttons that are located on the upper side of the frame (facing the display). While the left button works for the confirmation of entry, as the on and off button is the right button to navigate to the next item. Note: If you inserted a different micro-SIM card into the device, the mobile hotspot from Netgear must be restarted.
So runs the Aircard 785s: First of all, WiFi in the smartphone or laptop must be enabled and are searching for the Netgear hotspot on the device. This shows then NTGRFAC6. The network generated is then selected and Security Key must be entered, which is displayed on the display of the Netgear 785s, also named password of the LTE router. The device worked without problems in our test and is likely to be implemented quickly for everyone. Further settings and configuration of the router can be done via the website http://netgear.aircard. Here, the user must first enter the password, and then change it by dashboard (under the “Private”), where user can overview a complete of the connected devices, the monthly usage, the wireless information and the current wireless session.
Overall user interface for the various settings in the 785 Aircard router is designed very clear and easy to understand. The design is simple and not too cluttered. In the menu, “WLAN” can be edited under “Connect” the main and secondary wireless network. The master and guest WLAN can be configured under “Options”. Here the encryption, the 2.4-GHz or 5-GHz frequency band and the number of allowable WLAN devices are adjustable. Users will have the ability to assign a certain number of devices the master and guest Wi-Fi. The final point is the Mac filter mode: Here appliances a blacklist or whitelist or no list can be assigned.
Under the general “settings”, the user can define, for example, the screen brightness, the screen circuit hotspot LED, hibernation and the language for the 785S LTE router. In addition to the instrument settings to place the item “software and resetting”: Here you can restore the settings and retrieve software updates. The menu item “Network” provides additional settings for network mode, APN, the SIM card security and more status details. The last point is “router”, where the user is able, UPnP on or off, set up a port forwarding or port filtering.
If you want to configure the Aircard 785 by phone or tablet, you need install a suitable app from the respective iOS or Android Store, alternatively via the website www.netgear.com/AirCardApps. The Aircard app offers a quick way to change the settings and has a good menu structure.
Display and status indicator
Over the 4.5-centimeter screen of Netgear AC785S, the user can see the status information for 4G/3G network, the wireless connection, the battery life and can set up basic wireless configurations and set an alarm and notification function. However, user may not expect too much from the screen resolution. On the LCD screen, at the top of the display, it indicates signal strength, 4G, data transfer and the wireless network. Among the current battery status, it also indicates the number of users connected to the mobile hotspot AC785S and the status of the consumed data volume.
Right above the display, the LED status is visible. Through a slow flash of blue light, that is signaled. When data is being transferred, then the blue light will flash twice. A slow, yellow light signals, it means the user that the internet is still not connected to any network.
First experiences in operation
In operation, the Netgear AirCard 785s looks good and comes on a single charge for about 6 hours and 30 minutes in our test. And the Aircard 785 can keep continuous operation of a battery life of up to 8 hours. The posting the individual devices via the LTE router worked fine and fast. The assignment of the number of connected devices has been well implemented by the netgear 785s in our test. According to the Netgear official specs, it could support up to 15 wireelss devices, we tested only 10 users. Nevertheless, it is still a useful companion in the mobile LTE router. Especially on holiday or at a meeting in the park with a few friends, the Aircard 785 has proven to be extremely helpful in our testing.
Conclusion:
The small mobile LTE router Netgear AirCard 785s has a nice design and is easy to configure via a web browser or via app for iOS, Android and Amazon devices. However, the display cannot be operated by finger touch. In addition, a battery with more capacity would be desirable, especially for users who travel a lot, are on vacation at the beach or professionally have multiple wireless devices in his luggage. Anyhow, it’s good pocket WiFi router for 4G networks.
Actually, here now there are newer models available with touch screen such as Netgear Aircard 790s and Aircard 810s with larger battery. They have better specifications and performance. If you want the latest models, welcome to check here: http://www.4gltemall.com/4g-wireless-router/netgear-4g-lte-router.html