Customer Reviews

Cell Ranger STIX 12V Cell Phone Booster

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Pros
-cheap at $20 vs $120+ others cost
-easy to install in a car

Cons
-can not beat a $200 3+ watt booster (works over 1000 ft and supports 2-3 cells at the same time)
-limited effect range (see test below)
-only can use with one cell at a time
-positioning the antenna can be a pain. (seams to work better the higher you go)

Conclusion
-for a in car system this is fine, but if you want to increase your reception at home go for a 3 watt repeater, they cost $200-400 depending on how many cells you want to be able to use at the same time but have a much better range. (1000-2000 sq ft vs 5-8 ft)


This thing is good for increasing your reception in the car, after installing the unit these are my test
Before test getting 0-1 bars in car/out of car.

In Car
3" to 1' -5 Bars -front driver seat
1' to 2' -4-5 Bars -front driver seat
2' to 3' -4-5 Bars -front passenger seat
3' to 4' -3-4 bars -rear driver seat
4' to 5' -3-4 bars -rear passenger seat
5' to 6' -2-3 bars -rear passenger seat/outside
6' to 7' -1-2 bars out side
7' to 8' -0-1 bar no increase

In Office / bed room
reception before 1 bar by window 0 bars by desk.
installed high on window, I was not able to get the power station to my desk due to cord lenght, but as it was 4 feet away i was able to get 3 bars at my desk that i was not able to get before

test
3" to 1' -5 Bars -office
1' to 2' -5 Bars -office
2' to 3' -4-5 Bars -office
3' to 4' -4 bars -office
4' to 5' -3-4 bars -office (where my desk is)
5' to 6' -3-4 bars -office (by my door)
6' to 7' -3 bars -office out side my office
7' to 8' -2 bars -out side my office door
8' + -0 bars again,

I really don't like to give bad reviews, so when I say that this product does not work well, keep in mind it did not work well on the equipment I tested it on. I live in a rural area where I typically get 1 bar for my wireless 3G service. So, sometimes internet downloads are slow (packet retries?). DSL is not yet an option.
What I had in mind was to use the CellRanger to boost the signal going to my laptop. I have a Toshiba Satellite M115 laptop with Sierra Wireless USBConnect 881 on an AT&T 3G Network.
When I got the CellRanger, the label on the package stated: "IMPORTANT For proper function, your Cellular device should be 12 inches or more from the CellRanger unit." Keeping 12 inches or more, I tried for 6 days in my yard, car, & house to get more bars with no success.
When I began an email dialog with CellRanger support, they stated that " CellRanger should be no further then say 5"-6" from your USB-881 you might need a 15" USB extension cable to position the devices." I tried this but when you got too close, the USB-881 kicked offline & had to be unplugged, then re-inserted before it would work again, so more bars means nothing if you can't stay online.
I relayed the above info to CellRanger support & no solution was supplied, just a comment about wireless being like medication, it doesn't work for everyone. Needless to say, I sent the CellRanger back.
In a nutshell: Unless you enjoy aggravation, keep the CellRanger away from your laptop.
The good news is that I found a much cheaper solution with 100x less aggravation (i.e. you simply plug it in and it works): Wilson Electronics model 301103 Magnet Mount 5dB Gain Cellular Antenna & model 359924 Adapter Cable for Sierra Wireless 595U Air Card. I've tried it in my house & car & it works great!
Wilson also sells an inline amp & marine antenna if (like myself) you wanna' use Google Earth on your laptop (on your pontoon, not bass boat!) while on the water.

I went through a few new android cell phones until I found one I really like (Samsung Captivate/Fascinate/Vibrant), except for one big issue --- it doesn't have as good of a signal as other phones. The only place it is a big problem for me is in my office. I always had Sony Ericssons in the past and didn't have a problem, even though most other people did with their Motorolas, Nokias, etc. My office-mate may get a signal here and there but it always cuts out pretty quickly. I used to have no issue until I switched from Sony Ericsson to Samsung (unfortunately, I didn't like the Sony Ericsson Xperia).

I wanted to get the Cell Ranger USB powered signal booster, but it was priced way higher than this one. I bought the in-vehicle booster and also got a dc/ac converter so I could use it in my office. I have found that I have to be right by the base/power part --- I mean within a foot. I have it hanging from an overhead cabinet on my wall. It rests in the air about a foot or so above my desk and I leave my phone under it. I get 2-4 bars this way when I wasn't getting any signal at all before.

Because of the need to be so close to the base, I would think that you would definitely need a bluetooth to use the phone in the car so that you could keep the phone right next to the power supply/base. I definitely recommend this signal booster as long as you understand the limitations and they would work for you, because it DOES increase the signal significantly.

I do alot of work on the road from my truck and signal is hit and miss so i ordered this as a "great if it works and lesson learned if it does not can't beat the price". well it does work for my Verizon Samsung. I had no bars at a job site got in my truck and went to three called out and heard every word no break-up. BUT my fuel guy had no bars either and when I tried his AT&T phone it went to four bars but would not call out at all. So back home I tried my wife's AT&T (no signal at home either) and same deal i could call but with three bars hers would not. So good luck. Wanted to update this i liked it enough i just got two more for guys i work with.

Got this to boost the signal when I am my WV property. I normally have 1 to 2 bars and can not actually get a call out. This product does boost the signal so I can get 3 bars sometimes, but still can't call out. It does help get a signal to call out in other areas, but not where I really wanted it. I am going to have to get a stronger booster.

The booster works great. I was in an area that is usually very spotty for me but with the booster I had full bars. One note of caution - it seems to use a lot of battery power from the vehicle. I left it plugged in and didn't drive my vehicle for several days and it drained the batteries. I now unplug it each night, but as far as doing what it says - it's great.

This product does work...but for ONE phone only...not for multiple users, and also purchase the dc to ac converter for in home use.

Unit does not work there telephone # does not work and the email service has yet responded to any of my emails. This unit has not worked from day one does not help reception at all.

Do not buy this item if you have any thought you might need to return it. I bought the wrong one (for a car instead of for a house). when I tried to return it, I discovered it had to be done according to seller and not Amazon. You have to REQUEST a return label by email, which I did, and never received a response. Plus, if you OPEN the product package (which will happen almost every time), you don't get a full refund. Even more, there is an immediate 20% restocking charge, and it goes down hill from there. Now I am stuck with a $100 product for which I have no use.

Definitely improves service in rural area of MI. Sharp reduction in calls dropped and increased reception for clear conversations. Will buy a second for spouse's car.