MiFi6620L vs ac791L

[wyliec2]

I just got a MiFi6620L and wondered if it supported dual-band 2.4 & 5 Ghz simultaneously.  The manual implies that it can do this - the options listed are: Dual Band (2.4Ghz/5Ghz), 2.4 Ghz only and 5 Ghz only.  I do not see these options; the manual also references guest network which I haven't seen in the actual device menu.  Page 60 of MiFi6620L manual:

I downloaded the manual for the ac791L Jetpack and it seems to support either dual-band or separate private and guest networks.

My original plan was to get the 791L but the store didn't have them and suggested the 6620L was the 'latest and greatest'....now I'm wondering if I should exchange the 6620L for the ac791L.....

Thanks in advance for any insights regarding these two devices!!

[7e18n1]

> Page 60 of MiFi6620L manual:

This is a known issue, the manual shows Dual Band, but the device does not have a Dual Band setting.

> now I'm wondering if I should exchange the 6620L for the ac791L.....

You have up to 14 days to return the 6620L for refund less restocking fee.

> - usage is primarily for home desktops and tablets.

A Jetpack isn't the best device for primary at home use. Verizon has two more appropriate devices: Verizon Wireless LTE Internet and Home Phone and Verizon Wireless LTE Internet (Installed). The 3GStore has third party M2M solutions from Pepwave and Craddlepoint you might like.

[wyliec2]

Thank you for the clarification!

Is there confirmation that the ac791L does provide simultaneous dual-band connectivity and/or a guest network capability???

[7e18n1]

You're welcome! I don't recall any discussion about the AC791L and simultaneous dual band. You can search the forum for ac791l, 791L and 791, and likely find all of the discussions about it since it came out.

[wyliec2]

The ac791L manual has several pages discussion WiFi setup options including simultaneous dual band and separate guest network capability.  Aside from that I haven't been able to find much information on the 791L.

Aside from battery life issues from being plugged in most of the time, what are the issues/concerns with using a Jetpack as primary home device??

[John_Getzke]

> Aside from battery life issues from being plugged in most of the time, what are the issues/concerns with using a Jetpack as primary home device??

Concerns would be:

1. Jetpacks are personal hotspot devices and have a poor WiFi coverage area compared to normal home routers.

2. Jetpacks are not designed to be operated 24x7 and often require reboots to remain connected

3. Jetpacks have a limited number of connections and functionality compared to normal home routers

4. Jetpacks do not have Ethernet cable connections which are ideal for permanent home connections

5. Jetpacks are mobile devices, if someone takes the Jetpack on the road the entire home network goes down for anyone else in the home

6. Jetpacks do not come with Public IPs, something often required for remote access to home devices such as security systems, gaming systems or other services

[wyliec2]

I have notified my Verizon Wireless store that I will return the MiFi6620L for an AC791L.  They are sourcing the AC791L from another store as they don't have them in stock.

Thanks for your reply regarding Jetpack home use.  My use is atypical in that I have DSL wired internet and a complex router and home network with 25+ devices. The problem is the DSL service becomes unusable during peak evening hours ( .25 Mbps throughput ).

I added wireless adapters to our (wife and I) PCs and we connect to the Jetpack in the evenings and weekends.  As a wireless connection I can set it as a Metered Connection so that Windows updates, etc. go over the really slooowwwwww wired connection and we can work on the internet with reasonable speed - we get 9 - 15 Mbps on the Jetpack which is like magic for us.  Having our connection be wireless is actually an advantage for our usage.

At the end of the day I turn off the Jetpack and any evening/early morning hour activity goes over the DSL line.

I did look at the Wireless + Home Phone option potentially to replace the entire ISP function - it also has limitations and is somewhat problematic to use with an external router with 2.4 and 5 Ghz private and guest networks and a large number of devices.  The monthly data use would have been extreme.

Our current method of DSL + Jetpack is somewhat of a PITA - but the cost is reasonable, we get very fast (for us) internet in the evenings on the Jetpack when DSL is unusable.  The traffic that is not time sensitive continues over the DSL connection.

In our neighborhood there is no other option at present or for the foreseeable future.

[wyliec2]

Wanted to follow-up after having the AC791L for 10 days - everything is working just as I'd hoped.

Our interactive internet use runs over the Jetpack and we get excellent performance.  Windows and iPhone updates run over the DSL at whatever speed is available.

Our primary PCs have wired and wireless network connections - by manually setting the metric for each adapter I prioritize internet traffic over the wireless-Jetpack connection and by using the Windows Metered Service I prevent OS updates from using Verizon data capacity.

I'm glad I returned the MiFi6620 - the AC791L just seems more stable and I like having the guest wireless network option.

[7e18n1]

Thanks for the feedback!

[John_Getzke]

>I'm glad I returned the MiFi6620 - the AC791L just seems more stable and I like having the guest wireless network option.

Great feedback, thanks for sharing : )