MiFi 4510L Shortcomings

[cobmsdn]

We're a City IT department, testing the new 4510L MiFi unit for use in our Fire Department.  We've been using the 2200 MiFi units for some time with great success.  As you can imagine, when the LTE/4G MiFi was released, we were very excited.  However, now that we've had time to actually test one of the new MiFi's, we're anything but excited about the quality of the new device.

Here are the three show-stopper issues that we've uncovered.  Without resolution, we cannot recommend that our Fire Department upgrade their 2200 MiFi units:

1. The MiFi unit will intermittently drop its WiFi connection. Another post recommends switching to 802.11g, but this has had no effect.
2. The E-Ink display is confusing for our users when the unit is powered off.  When power is off, the display shows the last status of the device.  When the device is powered down, the display should be clear of all information.
3. Holding down the power button for 5 or more seconds should power the unit off.  This doesn't seem to be the case.  Only removing the battery can one power the unit off.

Please provide an update as to the availability or timeline for a firmware upgrade for the 4510L MiFi unit.

Thank you.

[nremtp3070]

I just received my 4510 and it drops the wifi connection about every 5 or 10 minutes like several others on here. When it does the only way to get the signal to come back on is to remove the battery because the device appears to be "locked up" and the power button won't turn the device off.

Dwayne

[deloswilbur]

This device is absolute crap at this time.  Compared to the previous Novatel MIFI 2200 it's night and day difference.  This device is totally flaky, anytime you want to use it there is 10+ minutes of fighting with it to just get any connection, all bets are off on if it's a 3G or 4G connection, it won't hold one or the other reliably.  I so wish I could go back to the USB modems which at least just dropped connection and didn't involve a massive battle to get it back.  Unfortunately I am stuck with the MIFI now due to the totally irresponsible nature of customer support and fact though I appear to have now been forced to do an upgrade and renew my contract, I had to send in my old modem so I don't have it anymore.  I am so keeping an eye out for any notice of class action lawsuit as Verizon needs to feel a little of the pain we are....

[AnthonyTa_VZW]

Hello Dwayne!

Having to constantly remove your MiFi battery and constantly losing connections would be a nuisance.  I use the same device, but haven't experienced problems with mine, so I'm sure I can get this working properly for you.  Have you tried deleting and recreating the Wi-Fi connection on your computer?  If that doesn't resolve the issue, I would perform a hard reset of the MiFi 4510L.  The instructions for the hard reset on the MiFi 4510L are included in this link.

Let me know how this works for you!

[oosillyoo]

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AnthonyTa_VZW wrote:

Hello Dwayne!

Having to constantly remove your MiFi battery and constantly losing connections would be a nuisance.  I use the same device, but haven't experienced problems with mine, so I'm sure I can get this working properly for you.  Have you tried deleting and recreating the Wi-Fi connection on your computer?  If that doesn't resolve the issue, I would perform a hard reset of the MiFi 4510L.  The instructions for the hard reset on the MiFi 4510L are included in this link.

Let me know how this works for you!

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Anthony,

After reading your post I see you have no problems with your MiFI, is that true? If so, I would love to get a chance to use your MiFi and see it work without a problem. I will personally cover my own travel to see this "perfect" working MiFi.

[deloswilbur]

It may be like the one's they have set up in the stores.  I was waiting in store this weekend and saw a display with two ipad's and a MIFI sitting between them.  I was thinking "wow, maybe they do work well", then I looked at the display and realized there was no  devices attached to the MIFI and they were just making it look that way but using the store wifi to connect....

[rherman]

My 4510L has been working great.  I have been in Jacksonville, FL and am currently in Philadelphia, PA and in both cities I am consistently getting speeds of 18Mb/5Mb.  That's very impressive.  I had trouble with the 4510L until I configured it to use wireless g only.  Wireless N was causing a lot of problems for me.  I can't say enough good about Verizon's 4G network and the 4510l.

[oosillyoo]

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rherman wrote:

My 4510L has been working great.  I have been in Jacksonville, FL and am currently in Philadelphia, PA and in both cities I am consistently getting speeds of 18Mb/5Mb.  That's very impressive.  I had trouble with the 4510L until I configured it to use wireless g only.  Wireless N was causing a lot of problems for me.  I can't say enough good about Verizon's 4G network and the 4510l.

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rherman,

Do you use your device mostly stationary or mobile? And are you able to start in a 4G area, roam to 3G, then roam back to 4G without having to reboot? Also, are you using this for short period of times or over long periods of time?

[rherman]

My usage is mostly stationary in hotels and offices and I have not had much transition from 3G to 4G.  I am either starting it up in 3G or 4G and staying in that coverage.  Possibly that is why I am having good luck.

[oosillyoo]

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rherman wrote:

My usage is mostly stationary in hotels and offices and I have not had much transition from 3G to 4G.  I am either starting it up in 3G or 4G and staying in that coverage.  Possibly that is why I am having good luck.

---

My biggest problem with the Novatel MiFi has been roaming issues. I live on the edge of the 4G network so I roam often, even when stationary.

[rherman]

On the 4G network I am getting a private 10.x IP and on the 3G network I am getting a public IP.  Moving back and forth with different IP and NAT arrangements would certainly be a problem.

[oosillyoo]

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rherman wrote:

On the 4G network I am getting a private 10.x IP and on the 3G network I am getting a public IP.  Moving back and forth with different IP and NAT arrangements would certainly be a problem.

---

When you get a public IP address on the 3G network are you in a true 3G only area or on the fringe of a 3G/4G network? I was told the 4G devices will get private addresses on the 3G network no matter where they connect. Seems I need to do some driving today.

[rherman]

I use the 3G network mostly in Maine which is about 120 miles from the closest 4G network and I have been getting a public IP there.  I was getting private IPs on the 3G network until they had the major outage and then I started getting public IPs again ever since.

[oosillyoo]

In Buffalo, NY, where they only have 3G service, I get a private IP address on my Samsung hotspot. I wonder if Buffalo is getting ready to upgrade to 4G and the service just hasn't bee turned on yet.

[lfirwin]

I just upgraded from the 2200 to the 4510L yesterday because the 2200 would go dormant when switching from EVDO to 1xRTT, and basically kick me off the internet.  I use my MiFi constantly for work (no other high speed alternatives where I live), and it was a total pain in the butt.  Mind you, I travelled all the way across country with the 2200 about 6 months ago, and it worked fine when switching between 1xRTT and EVDO.  I worked while my wife drove.

I don't have 4G yet in my neck of the woods, but Verizon is coming this way (bought out Alltel).  I'm still experiencing drops in my internet connections, but just did a hard reset on the device and we'll see if that fixes anything. 

If the reset works, maybe that's what my 2200 needed....  Oh well.  Should have checked here sooner.

Question - does this device not work with the Verizon Access Manager?

[azr8rsfan]

I'm about at my wit's end with Verizon supported cra p.  I purchased this hw in anticipation of XOOM capability, and no XOOM 4g capability to date.

So I attempt to use 3g with the XOOM and it only works when it's unplugged.  WHY IS THAT?  Of course the battery life barely tops an hour, so no worries THERE.

Where's the 4g capability for the XOOM ... big red?

Where's the quality 3g hw I can use with the XOOM in the interim...big red? 

You're charging me up the wazzoo for stuff that doesn't work consistently.

And now the leakage about data throttling.  PRECIOUS.

[#17]

Well I definitely understand your frustration with the issues you are having with this device. We don't have exact dates on the 4G upgrade for the Xoom, but you can view information and sign up for alerts here. I have not heard of this issue with 3G not working when the device is unplugged. I have had a Xoom myself since shortly after it was released and never use it while on the charger, and still get 10 hours battery life. Do you have cell phones with 3G in the same area? Are they able to connect to 3G consistently? It sounds like there may be an issue with your specific device, as these issues are not common. I would recommend checking what programs you have running by going to Settings>Applications>Running Services and periodically closing running applications. Did this issue start after installing a new application, if so, I would recommend uninstalling the application. 

You can also try booting the device into safe mode which disables any 3rd party applications. First turn off the device. Then press and hold both volume keys. While holding the volume keys, press the power button for about 5 seconds. When Powering on BP appears at the top left, release the keys. Test your 3G connectivity and battery life. If you are having issues in safe mode, factory reset the device. If it is working fine in safe mode, that means you are having an issue with a 3rd party application. 

[jaguarjml]

This device is terrible....Awful performance.  Having the exact same problems that everyone else is listing on this post.

Maybe Verizon will get an update out?????????????????

[jaguarjml]

Furthermore, I have tried every single solution possible found on Google and other forums to help alleviate some of the problems the 4510L has....none of them work.

The device is junk.  Very unhappy verizon customer right now.

[jwasilko]

I'm having similar problems with my 4510L. I 'upgraded' from a 3G usb modem, and I've had so many connection problems I'm at my wit's end. This is obviously not a product that's ready for prime time.

I look forward to hearing how Verizon's going to fix this--either with a firmware update or a recall.

[BettyBoopW]

I hope I can help someone. My 4510L was pitiful. Most of the time I can not even browse. I was connected. I called Tech Support so many times it isn't even funny. Anyway after talking to Lord only knows how many different people I fixed it myself. One place I went said to update to 2.23.  OK did that. Talked to half a dozen more people. When I plug in USB, can't find the device. Talk to 2-3 more. Last 2 was foreigners. I could not make them understand my problem. By this time I am  {word filter avoidance}. Call Novatel one more time. He says if my driver is not updated I won't be able to connect USB.  Ok, try there remedies. No luck. I decided to see if I could download drivers manually. That worked. Then I downloaded my update, plugged in USB. KaBam, it worked. So I updated my device.  Been working great since then.

[kentiler]

I was able to run on the Novatel for up to 7 hours without having to reset the device.  I ran my test application on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of this week.  I had been having to reset the connection roughly every 30 minutes since May, and someone between 11/15/2011 and 11/28/2011 the issue seems to be resolved - at least in this area.

I've requested information from Verizon as to if something may have changed to fix the problem, but they have not responded to me yet.

My Modem FirmWare is Version 2.16.07 and I use the device exclusely via WiFi - I have not tried it as a USB modem.  The firmware was upgraded around August, I believe, but that didn't resolve anything.  Nothing on my configuration has changed but it suddenly started working as expected.  I hope it keeps working!

--Kent