Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Purpose for me writing this:
I am taking the time to relay my own personal experiences because of the ridiculous amount of hype and seemingly fact-deficient information about cell phone amplifiers and repeaters that I found while researching them on the Web, prior to buying the Wilson 801213 kit. As an example, one apparently exclusive dealer for another amplifier company appears to chase posters around the Web from blog to blog, every time someone asks a question comparing these type of devices, with what I perceived as "used-car salesmanesque" pushiness in response to their questions. He touts the product he represents as being superior in every way, without providing any third party testing/clarification to back it up, which is something I didn't see on the Wilson dealer sites. There seems to be a lot of that sort of thing with some of the other amplifier manufacturers too but I don't know if that really means anything in the end. In fairness, I shouldn't judge the product by the pushiness of its vendors. But hey, I'm only human...and slightly paranoid about getting ripped-off by a huckster too.
Another drawback I found in trying to objectively select the "best" amplifier is that you also can't walk into brick and mortar retailers who sell these devices and take a look at them in person, because they are almost exclusively sold online or by mail order.
One last thing, I did not buy this particular kit from Amazon (even though I love Amazon), so I can't comment on any of the vendors who sell the Wilson amplifiers on here. So, keep in mind that my comments are just my unscientific, yet unbiased opinions of the product itself (and worth what you paid for them - nothing).
Where my Wilson 801213 is mounted:
I bought the 801213 for use in a 2008 Dodge 4 door pickup. I elected to permanently mount mine (I hid the wires), with the cradle (which has the inside "repeater" antenna built into it) just in front of one of the driver's side air vents, facing slightly upward. The exterior magnetic-mount antenna is placed on top of a metal headache rack (for you city folks that is a louvered metal protector for the back window of a pickup) and not on the roof. The manufacturer suggests a roof installation for the large ground plane it provides, but my setup works just fine. I'm no two-way radio installer so let's hope I have it right. If I walk out tomorrow to a fully fire engulfed, flaming pickup truck, we'll know it didn't work.
If you plan on leaving the unit plugged in, you will probably want to put the power plug in your cigarette lighter receptacle that turns off when you turn the key off, otherwise it may drain your battery. It has a toggle switch on the plug with a little LED power indicator light, which is nice, but if you are perpetually zoned-out like me, you'll forget about it if it doesn't turn itself off.
My phone/data card:
Verizon Blackberry Storm and Sprint PCS Sierra Wireless 595u on a Fujitsu laptop.
Evaluation of the unit itself:
I live in the Fort Worth, Texas area and really don't have to use this device much in town because I usually have a good enough signal. However, my use of this device is primarily when I leave the city limits and head to the country (mostly in West Texas- from Fort Worth to Lubbock) along Texas State Highway 114 which is one long, notoriously dead area. Usually, just one flip of the cigarette plug switch and my phone goes from no/weak service and "zero bars" to at least 4 and usually 5 bars of usable cell service (but it does vary widely sometimes) and I'm able to talk continuously through areas that I never had been able to before.
I recently drove through 260 miles of open (long areas with clear, multi-mile line of sight topography) rural highway, and kept turning the unit off and on to compare the normal (non-amplified Blackberry) signal I had inside my truck, with the amplified signal and external antenna. The difference was phenomenal. I was getting close to -80db (which is what I get in town) most of the way where signal reception normally varies from the high -90s to -115 db (crappy). Although I'm not sure if the signal bar/ db readout is just the phone reading the signal strength of the repeater signal inside the vehicle or what, the end result was the same because I had constantly strong cell coverage (data, text, voice).
With this unit, I can talk continuously on the phone through some of the smallest dots on the map, that normally have weak or no usable signals. The usual dead areas in West Texas (partial counties at times) all but go away with the unit turned on. That alone proved to me that this thing works.
The unit works best (as far as signal amplification goes) when you actually have your phone mounted on the cradle itself and are using Bluetooth or some kind of external earpiece to talk. If you get your phone too far away from the cradle (like more than ~ a foot), at least in my experience, the "repeater" signal gets much weaker but still works. Several of Wilson dealer Websites also mention that the repeater unit (like this one) is best suited for urban use and direct connect units are best for weaker signaled, rural areas, which I would imagine is true. Unfortunately, I don't have the option of having a cell phone with an external antenna, which you have to have for the higher powered direct-connect amplifiers (like the 811201) to connect to. I can see where the direct-connects would work better in the sticks, but this wireless one works great for me anyway.
The cradle is independently adjustable on both sides to get around all of the side mounted buttons and jacks your phone has, which is another nice feature. If you are going to use it with more than one phone/data card, you'll probably have to remove your phone from the cradle to let the "repeater" signal emanate to the other in use phones/cards, but that's just my anecdotal observation.
As for using a data card, I keep my laptop resting on the center console of my front seat with the data card facing the cradle, about 18 inches away. I notice a big difference in the data card signal (down to ~ -47 db in town), and a big difference in signal when in rural areas too, but, admittedly, I need to do more research with the data card. I've only used it a few times with the amp but it does seem to help significantly. My problem is that much of the rural area I was using it in was roaming (no fault of the amp) so I cut it off.
Pros:
Signal amplification makes a tremendous difference in areas with spotty coverage and is well worth the money if you need to be able to use your phone.
Unit is easy to install, especially if you just want to hook it up for trips out of town.
Cons:
The cradle and the wiring (antenna) are not exactly heavy industrial grade, so if you are going to beat the daylights out of your interior (oil field, ranching, construction), keep that in mind.
A bit pricey and that price varies widely from site to site.
Don't expect the interior repeater unit to magically detect and rebroadcast signals from any significant distance away from the cradle, because you need to be within a few feet of it. I'm sure there are variables such as location of the interior antenna/cradle that make a difference.
Summary:
This unit works really well and if you work, live or drive in an area with pathetic or marginal cell coverage, and need greatly improved coverage, these things are wonderful. I love mine.
I hope this helps somebody!
Click Here to see more reviews about: Wilson Electronics 801213 Cell Phone Signal Booster Kit for Vehicle w, Hands Free Cradle - for Multiple Users
Increase your cell phone's signal by up to 25 times with the Wilson Cell Phone Signal Booster Kit. Designed for use in your car, truck, RV, or boat, the booster kit significantly improves your cell phone's performance and signal strength. You'll experience fewer dropped calls, faster data rates, and clearer reception. In fact, the booster is powerful enough to allow multiple phones and data devices to be used simultaneously. Also, this kit includes a convenient phone cradle with a built-in antenna.
Installation of the booster, antenna, and car cradle is a breeze. View larger.Enjoy Premium Reception and Fewer Dropped CallsUsing state-of-the-art technology, the Wilson Booster Kit strengthens your cell phone reception and guarantees premium coverage, even when you're traveling in remote areas with a weak signal.
The booster kit comes with everything you need for installation, including a high-gain 12-inch magnet-mount antenna that attaches easily to the roof of your vehicle. The antenna is connected via cable to the amplifier, which is housed in a compact metal case that fits neatly under your passenger seat.
It's All About PowerThe 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 provides up to an impressive three watts of output power. In addition to the power increase from the amplifier, the included magnet mount antenna will increase the phone's output power another 10 times. Used in combination, your phone will get up to 25 times more power over using the phone alone.
Innovative Cell Phone Cradle with Built-In AntennaAlso included with the kit is a convenient car cradle that lets you dock your cell phone while driving, allowing you to keep both hands on the wheel. The cradle provides a wireless connection between your cell phone and the amplifier, even when your cell phone is removed from the cradle.
For added convenience, the cradle comes with an adhesive dash mount bracket as well as an adjustable swivel bracket, so you can find the installation that works best for you and your car.
Once installed, the booster kit will amplify the wireless signals of multiple cell phones and data cards within the vehicle, allowing passengers to enjoy excellent reception and data connection simultaneously. You'll experience fewer dropped calls, clearer call quality, and improved data rates--even with 3G technologies. Most importantly, your cell phone's range will increase dramatically, allowing you to make calls from remote areas.
Compatible with Most Cell Phone Models and ProvidersThe Wilson Booster Kit is compatible with all US and Canadian cellular providers, excluding iDEN / Nextel / MIKE. This kit also supports CDMA, TDMA, GSM and AMPS cell phone technologies, as well as data protocols such as GPRS, 1xRTT, HSDPA, EVDO and EDGE.
The Wilson Booster Kit includes a 30-day money-back guarantee and is backed by a one-year manufacturer's warranty.
Specifications
Frequency: 824-894 MHz / 1850-1990 MHz
Gain: 40dB / 45dB
Max Output Power: 3 watts
Max RF (downlink): +10dBm
Noise Figure: 3.5dB nominal
Flatness: ±3dB / ±4dB
Isolation: > 90dB
Power Requirements: 6V, 3 A max
Connectors: FME-Male 50 ohms
Dimensions: 4.5 x 3.5 x 1.25 (inches)
Weight: 1.5 lbs
What's in the BoxAmplifier, outside magnet-mount antenna, cell phone cradle with built-in antenna, cradle mounting brackets, cigarette lighter DC power supply, earbud, and installation guide.
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