Tag: AT&T unite explore manual

Netgear Aircard 800s VS Aircard 815S

Netgear 4G Aircard provides a series of 4G Mobile WiFi Hotspots for worldwide network providers and more and more new LTE advanced Pro hotspots will be available as time goes. Netgear AC815 was introduced to the product range for US network provider AT&T and gets a new name AT&T Unite Explore. It’s available around two years earlier than the latest Netgear AC800, which was introduced to the Australian market for the network provider Optus and got a new name Optus 4G WiFi modem 800s. Somebody may ask: what’s the difference between Netgear AC815S and AC800S? Which one is better between AT&T Unite Explore and Optus AC800S? In this article, you may find the answer.

Netgear AC800S VS AC815S Appearance and Interfaces

Someone may be unfamiliar with the Netgear AC815s, but if you get it in hand, you will be attracted by its special design. As the world’s first rugged 4G mobile hotspot, the AT&T Unite Explore 815s is the best mobile router for outdoor use. Of course, it’s also good to use for indoor use. Like the predecessor Aircard 810s, the touchscreen is in the middle of the front body with the ATT logo on the left side, and home & back buttons are at the right side of the screen. The Optus AC800S also has the similar feature, on the front, the home button and back button are on the right side. The Optus logo is at the corner.

 

Like other Netgear LTE Hotspots, the AT&T Unite Explore(815s) and Optus 4G WiFi modem(800s) both have two connectors for external LTE antenna, which is in TS-9 type and at the same position of the body. Between the two connectors, they both have the standard USB 3.0 interface. The back cover and battery of the two Netgear hotspots could be removed and the SIM card slot is below the battery. They both use Micro SIM card size, but no slot of Micro SD card for data sharing.

AT&T Unite Explore VS Optus 4G WiFi Modem Specifications

From the appearance, we can’t see the real difference between the two routers, except the special rugged design of Aircard 815S. To know more, we have to check the AT&T Unite Explore Specs and Optus AC800S Specs. In the table below, we list the specs and features for reference:

 

Model Netgear Aircard 815s Netgear Aircard 800S
Product type LTE Mobile Hotspot LTE Mobile Hotspot
Category LTE Cat.9 LTE Cat.9
Chipset Qualcomm MDM9240 Qualcomm MDM9240
Data rates DL 450Mbps/UL 100Mbps DL 450Mbps/UL 50Mbps
Supported 4G LTE frequency bands B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B7, B12, B17, B29, B30 B1, B3, B7, B28, B40
WLAN 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band 2.4GHz & 5GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band 2.4GHz & 5GHz
Max support users 15 users 15 users
MIMO 2 x 2 MIMO 2 x 2 MIMO
Connector for external antenna Two, TS-9 jacks Two, TS-9 jacks
Buy Antenna AT&T Unite Explore Antenna Aircard 800s External Antenna
App management Netgear Aircard APP Netgear Aircard APP
SIM type Micro SIM Micro SIM
Battery 4340 mAh 2930 mAh
Dimensions 113.5 x 71 x 20 mm 110 x 68 x 16.1 mm
Ethernet Port No No
Datasheet download Netgear AC815S Datasheet Netgear AC800S Datasheet
User Manual AT&T Unite Explore Manual Optus 4G modem 800S Manual
Other features 3 band CA 3 band CA
Reviews AT&T unite explore review Netgear Aircard 800s review
Price 349.00USD 199.00USD

 

Summary

From the specs table, we can see the AT&T Unite Explore 815S and Optus 4G WiFi modem 800s are both LTE Cat.9 mobile hotspot which could support peak download speed to 450Mbps. With same Qualcomm chipset, they could both support maximum WiFi-enabled devices up to 15 users. The main difference is that they are presented for different network providers, so the supported LTE frequency bands are different. The unlocked Aircard 815s is mainly for American areas while the unlocked Aircard 800s is mainly for Australia, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. And the rugged Aircard 815s has a more powerful battery, much larger than Aircard 800s. So if you would buy the Netgear AC815s or AC800S, firstly, you would check whether the device is compatible with your provider’s network; if they are OK for your SIM card, then you need check which one you prefer. For outdoor use, the Aircard 815 seems better, but if you care about the price, the Netgear AC800S would be also good to consider.

Netgear Aircard 815s (AT&T Unite Explore) Review

If you are a hiker or usually go to the outdoor field for activities, you must get to know AT&T Unite Explore, also named as Netgear Aircard 815s. Even though many mobile smartphones have the hotspot function, after reading this article, you will know the features, specs, network, signal advantages, battery, touch screen, the chipset of the Netgear AC815s and how you should take one for your family or group when wireless internet is necessary.

 

Rugged design for outdoor use

Netgear AC815S modem is the world’s first LTE mobile hotspot with rugged design covered in rubber bumpers, which makes it dustproof, shock and water-resistant. Like its predecessor Aircard 810s, Aircard 815s modem has a simplified 2.4inch touch screen, where users can quickly check the most important is that user can do simple settings through the touch screen like operating a smartphone. The USB 3.0 connector of Netgear Aircard 815s can make it work like a 4G USB modem when connecting with a PC. What’s more, there are two connectors for 4G external antenna, which is also important when the device is using in a rural area or even in the forest.

Large Battery can charge other devices

Another highlight feature is the large battery – Netgear had assigned a removable battery of 4340mAh, which could keep working for around 22 hours and standby time up to 576 hours. If you think this is not enough, you can keep a spare battery for exchange and charging. In this way, the Netgear AC815 could keep working all day long and you don’t need worry of power-off. In addition, aircard 815s could charge other devices based on “Jump Boost” function called by Netgear, i.e it can work like a mobile power bank, which is also very useful for other electronics.

LTE Category 9 Modem

Like the Netgear Aircard 800s, Netgear 815S also supports LTE advanced network on LTE Cat.9 with the latest Qualcomm X12 modem, which could support 3 x carrier aggregation technology with peak download speed to 450mbps. As a WiFi hotspot, Aircard 815s could support maximum 15 WiFi-enabled devices simultaneously. This quantity is enough for most cases in a group or family. The Netgear AC815S hotspot supports LTE bands 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/17/29/30 and HSPA 850/1900/2100MHz, which makes it could work well in most countries of the world.

 

802.11ac with dual band and Multiple SSID & Guest WiFi

Like the brother model Aircard 810s, Netgear AC815S would increase network performance and reduce interference with 802.11ac and Dual-Band 2.4 GHz/5 GHz WiFi. What’s more, it could support multiple SSID and guest WiFi function, which is usually available for high-level LTE mobile hotspots. In addition, the WPN (WiFi Protected Setup) feature is available.

 

Below are the features and characteristics for Netgear AC815S for reference:

 

Features and Specs of AT&T Unite Explore
Manufacturer and type Netgear AC815S
Chipset Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ X12 LTE Modem (MDM9240)
LTE category LTE Cat.9
Download rate up to 450 Mbit/s
Upload rate up to 50 Mbit/s
Supported LTE bands B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B7, B12, B17, B29, and B30
Downwards compatible with GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, DC-HSPA+
Support 3G Bands 850/900/1900/2100MHz
Support for LTE-Advanced Yes
MIMO Support Yes, 2×2 MIMO
SIM Type Micro-SIM (3FF)
Connection for external antenna Yes, two TS-9 connectors(Buy Aircard 815S Antenna)
Network | LAN & WLAN
LAN Ports No
WLAN Standards 802.11 b/g/n/ac (dual-band 2.4 and 5 GHz)
5 GHz WLAN Support Yes
Multiple SSID/Guest WiFi Support Yes
Encryption WPS/WPA/WPA2
WLAN Hotspot Function Support maximum up to 15 users
Telephone
With integrated telephone system no
Connector for ISDN telephones no
Connection for analog telephones no
DECT no
integrator answering machine no
Others
IPv6 Dual Stack No
Battery Capacity 4340 mAh, Up to 22 hours of continuous usage
Battery Removable Yes
Battery Standby time 576 hours (typical)
Dimension 113.5 mm x 71 mm x 20 mm
Weight 178.5 g (with battery)
USB USB 3.0 compliant
Memory Card Expansion No
Release 2016
Price 349.00USD for unlocked Netgear AC815S
available at »AT&T and https://www.4gltemall.com/
File Download
Quick start guide » Download Netgear Aircard 815s specs(PDF)
Detailed manual » Download AT&T Unite Explore manual(PDF)

 

 

Conclusion

Netgear Aircard 815s is a rugged mobile 4G router based on Qualcomm X12 chipset and supports of LTE advanced network to get fast speed connection on WLAN 802.11ac dual bands. The supported frequency bands make it travel freely over the world. And large battery could keep itself working for a long time and charge other terminals. The dual connectors for the external antenna are also very useful features when a device is working at weak signal areas. All the features make aircard 815s a perfect gadget for outdoor use. Of course, as a top mobile LTE router, the Netgear AC815s price is not cheap now comparing with earlier LTE mobile hotspots. However, considering the special design, powerful function, the Aircard 815s is worth the price.