» Wilson Electronics 801241 MobilePro Cell Phone Signal Booster for Car and Home / Office w/12” Magnet Mount Antenna – For Multiple Users
By Wilson
Buy new : $279.95
Customer Rating :
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Features:
- Booster Kit provides a signal 12 times as strong as your cell phone, improving reception and data rates
- Designed for portability and mobility; great for use in your office, car, hotel, airport, or home
- Plug & Play Kit--easy installation; everything you need is in the box!
- Compatible with all US and Canadian cellular providers (except iDen/Nextel/MIKE)
- Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 1-year manufacturer's warranty
Editor Reviews:
- Product Description
Wilson's SignalBoost Mobile Professional improves cell phone and data card performance on the road, in airports, hotels and office buildings. The Mobile Professional is available in four plug-and-play kits to meet specific user needs. - Amazon.com Product Description
If you experience dropped calls and poor cell phone signal quality in your car, home, or office, then the Wilson MobilePro Cell Phone Signal Booster Kit is the solution. Increasing your cell phone's power by more than 12 times, the Wilson MobilePro significantly improves the performance of your cellular and data devices by increasing the power output of your cell phone signal where you are experiencing a weak signal. Designed for portability and mobility, the MobilePro includes several power adapters, and is easily moved from your vehicle to your home, hotel, airport, or office, creating an improved cellular signal.
MobilePro Cell Phone Signal Booster Kit
At a Glance:- Increases cell phone signal by more than 12 times, improving reception and data rates.
- Designed for portability and mobility; great for use in your office, car, hotel, airport, or home.
- Plug & Play Kit--easy installation; everything you need is in the box.
- Compatible with all US and Canadian cellular providers, excluding iDEN, Nextel, and MIKE.
Setting up the MobilePro takes just minutes. View larger.
It's All About Power
Everything you need for better reception is included in the box. View larger.
The primary cause of dropped calls is low signal output power from the cell phone to the cell tower, which limits the phone's ability to communicate with the tower. A typical cell phone provides merely one-fifth of a watt of output power. To address this problem, the amplifier and the included magnet mount antenna work together to increase the phone's output power by more than 12 times over using just the phone alone.Enjoy Premium Reception and Fewer Dropped Calls
Living or working in an area with limited cell phone coverage, which is caused by natural and man-made obstructions or by living out of range from a cell phone tower, you know how frustrating weak reception can be. By increasing the power output of your cell phone signal, the Wilson MobilePro helps eliminate most of the signal loss caused by these obstructions. It's important to note that the strongest signal is obtained when the MobilePro is within two feet of your cell phone, laptop, or data card. If you sit at a distance greater than two feet, simply set your phone next to the MobilePro booster and use a Bluetooth headset.The MobilePro comes with several power options, including a vehicle cigarette lighter adapter, a USB power cable, and a standard five-volt AC/DC adapter. The variety of power options ensures that you'll have a boosted signal whether you're driving in your car, traveling with your laptop, or working at your desk. Included with the booster kit is a convenient carrying case that fits neatly inside a briefcase, handbag, or suitcase.
Once installed, the MobilePro can simultaneously support multiple cell phones and data cards. You'll experience fewer dropped calls, clearer call quality, and improved data rates--even with 3G technologies.
Installing the MobilePro
Installation is quick and easy; everything you need for installation in a building or car is included in the kit.In a Building
To install, simply attach the suction-cup window bracket to the inside of the window and place the magnet mount antenna on the bracket. Connect the magnet mount antenna to the amplifier. Power the amplifier by using the included USB power cord and plugging it into a computer's USB port, or by using the standard AC adapter. Place the MobilePro within 12 inches of your phone, laptop, or data card to receive an improved signal.In a Car
To install, simply attach the magnet mount antenna to the roof of your vehicle. Connect the cable of the magnet mount antenna to the amplifier. Mount the amplifier to the dash or other area using the supplied mounting hardware. Power the amplifier using the cigarette lighter adapter, or by plugging the USB cord into your laptop computer. Now you're ready to enjoy a stronger cell phone signal typically within two feet of the amplifier.Compatible with Most Cell Phone Models and Providers
The Wilson MobilePro is compatible with all US and Canadian cellular providers, excluding iDEN, Nextel, and MIKE. The kit supports CDMA, TDMA, GSM, and AMPS cell phone technologies, as well as data protocols such as GPRS, 1xRTT, HSDPA, EVDO, and EDGE.Specifications
- Frequency: 824-894 MHz / 1850-1990 MHz
- Gain: 40dB / 42dB
- Max Output Power: 500 mw
- Max RF (downlink): +8dBm
- Noise Figure: 3.5dB nominal
- Flatness: ±4dB
- Isolation: > 90dB
- Power Requirements: 5V - 8V
- Connectors: SMA Female
- Dimensions: 2 x 4.75 x 1 inches
- Weight: 3 oz
MobilePro unit, 12-inch magnet-mount antenna, USB power cable, cigarette-lighter power adapter, five-volt AC/DC adapter, two convenient mounting options, and carrying case.
Reduce the incidence of dropped calls and bad reception in your car, home, and office.
Customer Reviews:
- Does this amplifier go to eleven? (3.5 stars)
I tested the Wilson Mobile Pro in an area that is the perfect market for cell phone signal boosters. My town is hilly, has lots of tall buildings, and there are large numbers of wireless users. Consequently, cell signal coverage here is very spotty and can vary greatly within the space of just a few yards.
What it can do:
*Extend a cell signal from a relatively strong area to a weaker area. For example, if an exterior facing room has stable cell coverage, the Mobile Pro can be used to allow cell phone use in a nearby room with weak coverage.
*Increase the likelihood of a stable cell signal while traveling in a vehicle. I did not test this use.
What it can't do:
*Create cell phone coverage where there is none.
*Blanket a large area with a strong cell signal.
Does it really work?
*Yes, as long as one has realistic expectations. As long as users stay close to the amplifier (say, within 3 or 4 feet) and the antenna has access to a stable signal, the Mobile Pro performs well. On the other hand, the unit will not give a cell phone cordless phone functionality, with the ability to wander around an entire office or house, nor will it generate a "5-bar" quality signal from a weak source signal.
Other observations:
*The amplifier casing is made of brittle plastic. It probably won't survive a long drop onto a hard surface without cracking or chipping.
*The accessories, especially the antenna and window bracket, are sturdy and well made.
*Clearly written instructions and support contact info are included.
Bottom line: I found the Mobile Pro to be useful for extending cell signals in a room with decent coverage in one area and unstable coverage in another area. Don't expect any miracles, though, like creating a robust signal in a dead zone or clearing out network congestion. I like the ability to run the amplifier from three different power sources: AC, USB, and vehicle cigarette lighter. My only quibble is that the amplifier case seems a bit flimsy, especially for travel use. 3.5 stars.
(And no, this amplifier does not go to eleven. In fact, there aren't any knobs on it at all.) - Neutral
This product was very easy to set up. The instructions were pretty simple and the function is clear. However, I tried this in two locations and found no change at all to either my cellular or my wii fi. Having said that, I'm still not convinced that this product doesn't do the job it claims to do. I just wonder about the locations I tried this in: a house in the country and an apartment in the city (this apartment has clear dead zones). My feeling is that this really does what it claims to if you are in the optimal environment for it. I will try it again in yet another location later but wanted to make this observation for people who are considering this purchase. It couldn't hurt to try it if you have issues with your current set up. I just wasn't lucky enough to get any benefit from it but it doesn't mean it won't work for you.
- This works, but you must follow instructions
Summary
The MobilePro, like all cell phone "signal boosters" must be understood for what it is and isn't in order to keep expectations in line with reality. This is best accomplished by reading the instructions completely and also by reading this review as well as a post I made about a fixed point booster set up a few years ago (Wireless Extenders YX-500 PCS zBoost Cell Phone Signal Booster up to 2500 Square Feet of Coverage for Home or Office (1900 MHz Phones)). The title of that review was "Good if you follow ALL directions (and mine as well)". Taken within that context, the MobilePro does what it's supposed to do, which is help bring weak or locally blocked cell signals from a few feet away to your cell phone. Perhaps the proper name for a device like this is "signal relay" because that is what it really does. It "relays" cell phone radio signals back and forth around obstacles like the walls of home and the metal body of your car.
Pros
* It works - if you have three bars at the window of your car or office, but only two bars inside near your cell phone, you can use the MP to bring the stronger signal to your phone.
* Compact - The whole unit packs nicely into a supplied case and has both wall and car power as well as all cables and the antenna.
* Easy to set up - no menus or settings to deal with. No switches. Just plug it all in.
* Clear use instructions
* Well made and has good accessories for mounting the antenna on windows and magnetic metal. The booster unit itself can sit on your desk or be clipped to an A/C vent in your car.
Cons
* The advertising is a bit optimistic about the results. This does not create signal where there is none. As detailed in the referenced review, you are really transporting the best local signal to your phone from a few feet away. That is, if you have only one bar of signal in your area, even if you go outside and stand on a roof, you are NOT going to suddenly get a legitimate four bars using this device. Even if you hook it up and get more bars than the best local signal, it's not real because your cell phone meter will be influenced by the strength of the signal between the booster and the cell phone. I believe Wilson has designed the MP to minimize this effect, but it is still there. So, you're thinking you perhaps have three bars, when in fact you only have one "real" bar of reception.
My Experience
I used the MP in two environments. The first was in my home office. I was getting marginally acceptable reception while sitting at my desk and usually would stand near the window with my mobile (Blackberry Tour from Verizon) when an important call was in process. I then installed the MP on the inside of the window I used to stand by and then ran the long antenna cord down to my desk near my flat panel monitor. This distance is about six feet, which is in the range of the user manual recommendation. That is, the MP won't function correctly if you place the antenna too close to the MP electronics. This took all of sixty seconds or so. The MP electronics takes power from a mini-USB cord, so as long as you can supply full USB load from your PC, you can power the unit from either your PC or from the supplied AC source. After installation, including removing my phone from my nerdy belt holster and putting it right next to the MP, I was able to get the full signal available at the window on my handset all the time. Now, you might say, "Hey, did you have to put your head down next to the phone on your desk?" No, I have a bluetooth headset that I use with this setup so I don't have to move the phone. Since the range of the MP to your phone is rather limited (a couple feet), you really want to have a wireless headset since even a corded headset will be too restricting.
The result was very good. I am very happy having this thing on my desk keeping my connection good at all times. On average, it successfully brings the window signal strength to the handset, which means a full three or four bars instead of one or two bars. Now, this isn't too absolute of a measurement since "bars" aren't really a unit of measure, but in practical terms it means my calls no longer break up at all, my BB downloads emails faster and all is well.
The second use is in the car. I had a long "work" call that I knew I would have to carry out while traveling to a family event. Part of the route would take us through marginal signal areas on Route 152 East, which is also known as Pacheco Pass to you who are local to the SF Bay Area. I have driven this route many times, so I knew where I would normally lose a call. The antenna was attached to the right rear window of our '06 Prius while I clipped the module to the passenger front vent on the dashboard. I had someone else drive while I conversed from the passenger seat with my BT headset. Of course, this meant that I had to be careful of the antenna cord while entering or exiting the car since it was strung across the door. I think I could do better if I took some time with it, but the test was to just get it in there and get going, so there it lay. In any case, the MP once again made a marginal connection an OK connection. It turned unserviceable into serviceable. Those places where I would normally lose the signal ended up not being a problem. This is different than saying "perfect" as clarity was reduced for a little bit. However, it all worked all the way on an hour long call, so I would say "success" again. All that said, I don't know if it would usually be worth the trouble. i guess it depends on where you are going and how urgent it is for you to talk right that moment.
In areas of good signal strength (e.g. consistent 3 bars or better) the MP doesn't really seem to make a difference, but then this is what I would have expected. I didn't have any sub-marginal areas of "nearly zero" bars to check out, so I can't comment. I don't think I will take the time to go find one and test it out, either.
Conclusion
If you have the need to route cell phone signals around small local obstacles as described above, this is a great deal for you. Remember, it is NOT like bigger home boosters that make it possible for you to roam around your house with your phone. You have to leave the phone next to the MP and you have to have some signal available at the antenna location. It's not magic, but it is a good portable cell relay of sorts. Just make sure you have some signal to work with, and it will work for you, too. - Perfect for spotty coverage areas
As an iPhone owner in the south San Francisco Bay area, I'm unfortunately too well aware of AT&T's coverage issues. There are three tough spots on my daily commute where my calls get consistently dropped, and I barely get any signal at my house. I was curious to find out if the Wilson MobilePro would be able to help. The short answer: it does the job, as long as you install it properly.
The Wilson MobilePro is designed to improve coverage in your car or in your home (compatible with major carriers, but check compatibility before you purchase).
The package contains everything you need to set it up at either location: a magnetic antenna for outside of your vehicle, a suction cup antenna mount for home use, an adhesive mount to attach the device inside your vehicle, a USB/mini USB cord, a cigarette lighter/USB power adapter (for in car use) and a 110/USB power adapter (for home use). It also comes with a convenient zippered pouch that holds all the items.
Installing the device in the car is extremely easy, although you will need to plan ahead if you want to run the cables tidily. You probably want to purchase a multiple cigarette lighter adapter to avoid hogging up one of the few available connectors; I'm using a multiple USB power adapter instead.
You need to locate the box as close to your phone as possible (a foot or less works best) and the antenna as far away from the box as possible. If the separation between antenna and box is insufficient, the single light on the box glows orange instead of green. It reverts to green once the problem is corrected.
The antenna attaches easily to the roof of your car with a strong magnet; you run the cable into the car and connect it to the box. The very simple instructions are easy to follow and most people should be able to install it in under 10 minutes.
In the couple of weeks I've had to test the device I have noticed a marked improvement over the quality of calls and a dramatic reduction in dropped calls. Obviously, it can't create signal where there is none, but if there is the slightest signal you will be able to use it.
There are very few areas where I think this product can be improved. One is the dual home/car use; although both uses are supported, the mounts and antennas are not designed to make switching an easy, daily task, but apparently to save the manufacturer a SKU. It would be nice if it shipped with two antennas, two power cords, and two docking stations, one for home and one for the car.
Another limitation is the length of the cords supplied. Although they're sufficient for most sedans, owners of large vehicles may need to purchase a longer power cord -- or find an antenna with a longer cord.
The Wilson MobilePro is a well designed, easy to install kit that works well. If you live in a weak signal area and get dropped calls often, it's well worth a try. It can also be quite useful to boost signal at a desk (but be aware that its range is extremely limited).
Great product, highly recommended. - Not impressed ... and overpriced
I've always been skeptical of cell phone boosting devices (short of picocells that use your Internet connection and are officially sold by the wireless carriers.) But given the mediocre AT&T (yes, I'm an iPhone 3G user) reception in the heart of Silicon Valley I thought this device might help. A co-worker told me good things about the Wilson Electronics brand and this device is made and supported in the USA!
First of all, I'm not a fan of using mobile phones in cars for the distraction reason -- and adding more lighter plugs and cords is a messy affair. So my goal of this review is to explain how the device works in my apartment sticking the antenna to the window. First of all, per the instructions, you do need to keep the actual device (which you'll keep near the phone) AT LEAST 8 feet/2.5 meters from the included antenna or there will be no effective coverage change (and the device will light yellow instead of green.) After doing that, I placed a couple of calls with my iPhone (and still had a dropped AT&T call, though that probably isn't the direct fault of the device) and the 2 out of 5 signal strength bars didn't go up a bit. I wasn't looking for the device to improve 3G or EDGE coverage as I'm using WiFi at home for that anyway.
As other reviewers have said, your phone needs to be within 6in to 12in (15cm to 30cm) from the device to amplify the signal. Yes, I tried that and no change. That's not real great for using a "mobile" phone if you truly need to be stationary. Then half the time when standing right next to it the light turns yellow which makes the device useless for boosting the signal. Maybe I'm better off using the Wilson Electronics 801247 Desktop Cell Phone Signal Booster for Home or Office - For Multiple Users for that purpose, but as I haven't tried that, can't comment on whether it really helps or not.
The device, however, is well built. All the necessary accessories are included, and, handily, the device is powered over the USB standard so you can use whatever existing cords and adapters you may already own. Perhaps in some conditions with other carriers, phones, or a different location you'll get better reception, and in that case, it might be worth the high asking price. I'll have to try it out the next time I visit family in rural Marin County (north of San Francisco) where cell phone signals are very sparse to begin with to see if this device improves extremely poor conditions. I really wanted the product to work and the device is well documented, but I can't extend a positive review beyond two stars (and perhaps that's too generous.)
