Gl.net Spitz V2 4G LTE Wireless Router Review: Country Roads

If in case you have quick web within the US, it is most likely since you reside in the fitting a part of a significant metropolis. The remainder of us get, effectively … this WIRED headline from 2007 sums is up properly: “Rural America Will By no means Get Quick Web.” Out right here, we get the scraps. Lately, with 3G largely shut down, that is both nothing or, if you happen to’re fortunate, like me, 4G service.

Rural 4G service is basically your telephone plan, besides you need to use it for all the pieces. It is at all times metered (Google Fi gives 50 gigabytes a month “limitless,” which is what I have been utilizing recently.) It is often gradual, relative to one thing just like the cable or fiber web out there elsewhere.

One factor I’ve discovered can actually squeeze a bit extra out of those shoddy connections is an effective 4G modem. I’ve examined half a dozen now and am engaged on a information, however Gl.inet’s Spitz 4G LTE router is one the very best. At underneath $200, it is comparatively reasonably priced.

Alone With a Cellphone

In rural South Carolina, lots of my neighbors simply get by with their telephones, both as their main computing machine or by utilizing it as a scorching spot. The phone-as-hot-spot works, and for some it might work effectively sufficient, however in my case my telephone would not get a lot reception indoors. I’ve come to depend on 4G routers, which often have bigger antennas and get higher reception.

Gl.inet’s Spitz 4G router seems to be like many different routers in our information, albeit smaller. It is not till you open it up and discover the SIM card slot that you just’d even comprehend it was a 4G router. There’s additionally a spot for a microSD card (as much as 128 gigabytes) so you need to use it as a media server if you happen to like. The slot matches a micro SIM.

I examined the Spitz utilizing a wide range of SIM playing cards from completely different carriers and MVNOs (which you will want, if you happen to’re critical about having connectivity out right here within the sticks). I initially examined utilizing a T-Cellular SIM and an AT&T SIM, but additionally obtained it to work with a Google Fi nano SIM by fastidiously aligning it within the slot. I do not suggest this long run, however it works when you’re ready on your SIM card adapter equipment ($4) to reach, which you’ll need to make use of a Google Fi or different nano-size SIM chip. Gl.inet has a information to establishing Google Fi on the Spitz.

The included LTE antennas handle to select up sign that my telephone cannot, however it might be good to have some MIMO ports to attach an exterior MIMO antenna. In any other case, although, the {hardware} is easy and small. There are 5 LEDs on the highest exhibiting energy standing, WAN connection, 2.4-Ghz, and 5-Ghz exercise and LTE connection standing. On the again is an influence provide port, in addition to a LAN and WAN sockets for wired networking.

Full Management

As soon as you have obtained your SIM card inserted, you hook up with the Wi-Fi community and level your internet browser to the Spitz admin web page. This can be a massive a part of what makes the Spitz very highly effective. Behind the scenes, Spitz makes use of the open supply OpenWRT modem firmware, which lets you use some instruments and entry options usually discovered solely on far more costly routers, like network-wide VPN entry, ad-blocking, parental controls, time-based controls, and far more.

Gl.inet makes use of a customized pores and skin, so if you happen to’re acquainted with OpenWRT, what you get with the Spitz can be barely completely different. All of the options are there—and you’ll set up something further you need—however issues is perhaps in barely completely different locations than you are used to.