Huawei CarFi Archives – 4G LTE Mall

Huawei E8377 CarFi VS ZTE VFi MF905

More and more people show great dependence to WiFi, even when they are on the go, especially in a car. The manufacturers in China has notice the demand and provided solution for this. We had introduced Huawei CarFi E8377 many times in the past year. You may get familiar with it. And another Chinese vendor ZTE also provide the similar product ZTE VFi MF905 for the network demand in a car. Here come the questions: What’s the difference between Huawei E8377 and ZTE MF905? Which one is better? In this article, you will find the answer for this.

Appearance

ZTE VFi MF905 comes later than Huawei E8377, but the two mobile WiFi hotspots look alike in shape and color. They are both in black color and used for cigarette cradle in a car. There is a USB port in the body, and of course there is a slot for SIM card in the two hotspots. But the SIM card slot in Huawei E8377 is covered by a small cap. The SIM card slot in MF905 is just above the USB port. On the top side, the logo and LED indicators are shown. The power button is at the center of the top.

Technical Specifications

They are both with LTE Category 4 technology, so they can achieve peak download speed to 150mbps and upload speed to 50mbps. The transmission date rates are very good for daily surfing. But whether the surfing speed could be stable when a car is in high speed driving, it still needs time to test.

As a follower, ZTE MF905 could support up to 8 wireless users to access internet while Huawei E8377 supports only 10 users. But in most cases, they are enough to use in a car. There is no official saying about the WiFi coverage distance, but we suppose there is no any problem for the WiFi to cover a whole car.

Control

If user want to do some setup in the CarFi, they can connect the tablets, smartphones or PCs with WiFi and log in the web interface to setup. But here now, Huawei and ZTE also provide a new option for users. User can download the apps to setup the two CarFi. For Huawei E8377 CarFi, you may use “Huawei Mobile WiFi” app. And for ZTE MF905, the app name ZTE Link could be used for settings.

Frankly speaking, the two Car WiFi hotspots are very similar. We cannot tell which one is better from the specifications and features. Only the real test would tell which would have more stable and better performance. We will take a test next time in real driving situation to see this result.

If you had read some review before, there is also other solution for the Car WiFi. The model number is Huawei E8372 and Alcatel W800. They are in the shape of USB dongle, not like the E8377 and MF905. But with the cigarette plug, it would be also OK to use in a car. If you want to know more details of them, welcome to check on www.4gltemall.com .

Huawei Hilink CarFi E8377 LTE Hotspot for a Car

We all know Huawei mobile WiFi hotspot are dominating the mobile world for wireless networking. Now, Huawei introduced a mobile hotspot HiLink Carfì (E8377) for the car, which is operated directly by the cigarette lighter. The small adapter supports LTE Category 4 and enables downloads at up to 150 Mbit/s and uploads of up to 50 Mbit/s through only a valid SIM card. Up to ten devices can connect to the HiLink Carfì and get access to the Internet. The network, which builds from the adapter, can protect what should provide the necessary security in the wireless network via WEP, WPA or WPA2.

The HiLink Carfì for the car draws its power from the cigarette lighter. Alternatively, it has a 1900 mAh built-in battery. The device consumes less than 20 watts, according to Huawei and should therefore be energy efficient and hardly pollute the car battery. In addition, the HiLink Carfì has a USB port, allowing it in to charge other devices such as smartphones or tablets while driving. An integrated protective function should ensure the regulation of the temperature of the adapter and so prevent overheating.

The Huawei E8377 CarFi can be operated on ‘Mobile WiFi’ app, available for both Android and iOS. The configuration can be done via this application. The stick has dimensions of 59 x 49 x 88 millimeters and weighs less than 50 grams. According to the manufacturer, the adapter material for the car is made by such as carbon fiber or wood.

At Mobile World Congress, which takes place in Barcelona from 2nd to 5th March 2015, Huawei had presented the HiLink Carfì to public. It’s a big demand for the cars to get access to internet and with other devices. Huawei had seen this demand and the Huawei CarFi is created. Huawei has set the retail price on the HiLink Carfì. For the operation of the adapter, a micro-SIM card with data plan booked is necessary, which is not included with the Hilink CarFi.

Besides HiLink Carfì, we expect at the MWC in Barcelona even more new devices from Huawei. Here now, the Huawei Hilink CarFi and other terminals are available at www.4gltemall.com. Huawei had also presents many USB WiFi dongles(called Wingle) to the markets, such as Huawei E8372 and E8278, they can be used through USB ports or with mobile power bank. But if the car charger with USB adapter, they can also connect to a car and keep working. But comparing the Huawei Wingle, Huawei E8377 Hilink CarFi is more suitable to work directly with a car. It’s a perfect solution for wireless network in a car for traveling or outdoor activities.

Huawei CarFi E8377 Bring Internet in a Car

Permanent access to the internet in the car is sometimes useful. Of course, if you ride alone, and you are using only a smartphone, then just turn off the mobile data and no any trouble. Sometimes, however, it is not enough to have only mobile data from smartphone.

A good example is a longer trip with your family or a business trip with colleagues. Then plain hotspot on your smartphone may not be enough. Firstly, because it does not always provide the appropriate connection speed to several people at the same time, and secondly because the burden on smartphone.

Therefore it comes the new gadget Huawei CarFi – small WiFi router, which need to put the SIM card and connect to the cigarette lighter socket in the car. The Huawei CarFi connects to the fast 4G LTE mobile network and Internet broadcasts up to 10 people at once. It is therefore suitable both for use in typical passenger cars and busses. Users can connect a couple of laptops, tablets, and even (if necessary) smartphones wirelessly.

Huawei CarFi (E8377) is a small router, consisting of a plug into the car’s 12 V and an upper part, enlarged section in which there is a push button switch, antenna connector and of course a slot for a SIM card.

On the leg there is a sticker with the Network ID and the default password. User should take a picture to save, because the sticker is easy to damage. In addition, there are two stickers with the name and password, which are glued. Under the cap at the top part, with the slot, there is a small connector for an optional external antenna. It is optional but can be useful at a time when we are trying to connect to faster cellular network in an area of weak coverage.

At the top of the side, a USB output port is built-in. It could be connect to an ordinary USB cable and charge the smartphone. In practice, Huawei CarFi is not only a router, but also a car charger.

Configuration and operation

The setup process is very simple. After inserting the SIM card and placing the router in the slot 12 V, user only need to hold down the button on the top and the Huawei CarFi turns on. Now your smartphone searches the network created by the WiFi router and connects to it after stating the default password.

Theoretically we can keep longer use Internet connectivity from now, but definitely recommend installing the program Huawei HiLink on your smartphone. Download it free from Google Play (Android) and the App Store (iOS). The WiFi name and password can be changed in the future in the HiLink application settings.

The main task of the application on the smartphone is not only changing the settings. Other management could also be done when connected to the Huawei CarFi, and user can control the consumption of a data packet.

When we checked the data rate in the big city, we can gain typically 30-35 Mb/s. Even if we divide the speed on several devices, it will still be able to use the Internet easily, such as check email, use Google calendar, work on documents in the cloud and send & receive small files. The connection was stable. There I had not met with cases of disconnecting one of the CarFi E8377.

Summary

Huawei CarFi was doing a positive test. First of all, it was very easy to install and use (management from a smartphone). Secondly, you can connect up to 10 different devices at the same time to use them from the Internet. Thirdly, featured router is not a big financial expenditure, and may prove to be very useful during a business trip (work in a car) or a long trip with friends and family. If you drive often in the car with a few people and your car does not have its own WiFi router, the Huawei CarFi is recommendable.

Final assessment:

* fast 4G LTE Mobile Communications

* WiFi hotspot, the ability to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously

* stable operation

* built-in USB port for charging smartphones

* very simple setup and operation

* operation via smartphone (application HiLink)

* the ability to connect an additional antenna

Buying Huawei CarFi router is most cost-effective when the car will be benefited for a few people (some devices) at the same time. Therefore, a good idea is to buy a large package of data plan on the mobile phone number. With an average, load should be at least 10 GB per month, and at a higher 25 GB or more. The cost of purchasing the router is not very big. You can buy the Huawei CarFi E8377 from www.4gltemall.com at good price now.

Huawei CarFi E8377 Hotspot Test

A Wi-Fi hotspot in the car – this feature is so far available only for a few cars of the upper middle class and upper class. Huawei changed the cigarette lighter connector for new Carfì hotspot for 12V. Users can reach up to 150 MBit/s via LTE through the Huawei Carfì Hotspot, of course, the CarFi can also a fallback to 3G and 2G. But the Carfì wireless router is really as good as the expensive installation solutions from car producer? In this test, we find out the answer.

Appearance and Technology

Huawei Carfì Hotspot is conducted under the Model Number Huawei E8377 and comes in a nice package for buyers. The scope of supply is tight, next to the hotspot itself there is a Quick Start Guide, a brochure with safety instructions and an indication of the Huawei HiLink app included. The Huawei Carfì Hotspot is kept in a matt black plastic and the front is equipped with a carbon look, which is likely to look smart in almost any car. On the front there is also the power button, which simultaneously serves as an indicator of the reception strength by the underlying LED. A yellow LED indicates poor UMTS / LTE receiver while a green LED indicates good reception.

Of course, you need a SIM card with the appropriate data plan for the operation of Huawei Carfì. The card must be in micro-SIM format and is inserted under the side cover in the Carfì hotspot. Under the cover you will find also a reset button and a connector for an external antenna. There is a integrated rechargeable battery; so user can operate Huawei router Carfì in the car and can take the CarFi in a meeting or outdoors.

The maximum speed in the LTE network is 150 Mbit/s over LTE Cat4. According to Huawei, the Huawei CarFi supports frequency bands by 800/900/1800/2100/2600 MHz. If no LTE times are available, you can also use 3G (up to 42.2 Mbit/s) and 2G. In the test of the handover between the different network technologies, Huawei CarFi can work smoothly while driving. The reception is in both LTE and UMTS, but no better than most smartphones. Those who expect a good reception will be disappointed by Huawei Carfì or possibly should directly connect an external antenna. If you want the antenna for Huawei CarFi, click here: http://www.4gltemall.com/external-antenna-for-huawei-4g-lte-usb-modem.html

The wireless module operates on the 802.11 b/g/n, ie on the frequency band around 2.4 GHz. The area around 5 GHz is not supported. The signal is strong enough to cover larger cars.

Control via App
Once you have the Huawei Carfì Hotspot connect it to a cigarette lighter connector, it must be turned on manually before use each time. Before first use you should write down or take a picture of the WLAN key, because as soon as the device is plugged in, it’s different for to read the key. Also, one should previously load the Huawei HiLink app to Android or iOS device, because that is for the establishment and the operation.

Connection parameters like APN or access numbers can’t not be stored. The Huawei Carfì can automatically recognized the SIM card from Vodafone and Orange in the test and the data stored accordingly. Only the PIN code must be entered, if enabled. The Huawei HiLink app allows various settings, for example, you can configure the name and password of the WLAN network. A wireless guest network with a separate name and password can be set up, ideal for guests in the car or for taxi drivers.

Connection information such as data consumption, connected wireless devices and the online time are displayed graphically in the app. The firmware of Huawei Carfì can easily be updated online. A major disadvantage of Huawei HiLink app: the test with Android smartphones, the program fell on extremely high energy consumption. Here Huawei should urgently provide an update for Remedy.
In the test, we can find Huawei Carfì has two major disadvantages: firstly, the device must be turned on every time manually, if you want to use it, a start on some cars are not possible, at least for a VW Golf VI, a Ford Galaxy and a Renault Scenic. Second, only the internal antenna is used in the hot spot, whereas fixed-mounted solutions always use the external antenna, thus naturally have much better reception conditions.
Nevertheless, the Huawei Carfì Hotspot is recommended as a retrofit solution definitely, because all the promised features are well met. Of course, you could also have a mobile wireless router with battery, the Carfì Hotspot is significantly more convenient.

Huawei Hilink CarFi E8377 4G WiFi Hotspot

We had introduced the Huawei E8278 USB WiFi dongle last year, which could work as a mobile WiFi hotspot but looks like a USB Dongle. However, it seems E8278 is not a perfect solution for users because many cars don’t have a USB port for Huawei E8178. The good news is that Huawei reveals a new model Huawei E8377, also named Huawei CarFi.

Many people want access Internet in the car, but integrated hotspot solutions are usually reserved for luxury-class models. Huawei has recognized this problem and is now launching the new mobile LTE router HiLink Carfì for the 12V cigarette lighter connector on the market. The small CarFi could support up to 10 devices wirelessly via Wi-Fi and up to 150 Mbit/s high-speed could be achieved when surfing internet via LTE. With dimensions of 59 x 49 millimeters, the Huawei HiLink Carfì Hotspot is compact and easy to take without occupying much space in car.
Once you have inserted the micro-SIM card and plugged Huawei HiLink Carfì into the cigarette lighter port, the hotspot can power on for operation. The management of Huawei Hilink CarFi could be done from web interface in the browser or on the Huawei HiLink app. Then the CarFi could work like other Huawei mobile hotspots such as Huawei E5377.

The maximum speed in the LTE network is around 150 Mbit/s for downlink and 50 Mbit/s for uplink with the category 4. The frequency ranges around 800/900/1800/2100/2600 MHz are supported. If the Internet connection outside the LTE network coverage is lost, the HiLink Carfì can also use the older wireless technologies UMTS and GSM. In the UMTS network, the downlink speed with up to 42.2 Mbit/s is possible in the frequency ranges 900/2100 MHz.
The Huawei HiLink Carfì router has an automatic shut-off function. If the device is not used for 2 hours, it turns off automatically and must be restarted by pressing the power button on the front. The time to shut-off could be personalized in the web interface. If you want to use the router without power supply in the car, you can use the built-in battery. According to Huawei official saying, the capacity of the capacity is 1900 mAh. The built wireless antenna in many cars cannot be used with Huawei HiLink Carfì. On the other hand, The hotspot solutions from Audi, BMW, Mercedes and so. on use the external antenna for the car and therefore have significantly improved reception properties.