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

If you are a hiker or usually go to 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, 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 nhe 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 rural area or even in 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 case 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 spec(PDF)
Detailed manual	» Download Netgear AC815s 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 long time and charge other terminals. The dual connectors for external antenna are also very useful features when 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.