Overview of the 4G modem MR100-2

    Today I want to bring to your attention a small review of the 4G pocket-sized router MR100-2 from Megaphone. The main purpose of this device is to work offline in a 4G network with the distribution of Internet traffic over Wi-Fi, and at the same time the router can serve up to 10 mobile devices. Immediately make a reservation that the router is locked to work exclusively on the Megafon network and cannot be used to work with SIM cards of other operators.



    Declared specifications:


    Battery: built-in, Li-Ion, 2100 mAh
    Battery life: 5 hours Charging
    time: 2 hours
    Dimensions: 97x66x13 mm
    Weight: 99 g.
    Wi-Fi Standards: IEEE 802.11b / g / n
    Maximum Wi-Fi Data Rate: 150 Mbps
    2G Standards: GSM 1800 / GSM 1900 / GSM 850 / GSM 900
    3G Standards: UMTS 2100 / UMTS 900
    4G Standards ( LTE): LTE 2600 / LTE 800
    GPRS: Yes
    EDGE: Yes
    HSPA +: Yes
    HSDPA: 42.2 Mbps
    HSUPA: 5.76 Mbps

    Equipment


    The router comes in a small box in which there is a blister with the device itself, instructions and a SIM card in microSIM format. On the Megafon website, it is agreed that the configuration may change, so it is possible that you will get a router without a SIM card.

    Appearance and design features


    MR100-2 comes in two colors - white and dark gray, the plastic body is smooth and pleasant to the touch. If you have already been interested in pocket 4G routers, then the appearance of the MR100-2 should be familiar to you: this is an almost complete copy of Yota Many. However, this is not surprising, since both of them are developed by Yota Devices itself, and the Yota network belongs to Megaphone. The main external difference is the shape of the LED indicator, which in the MR100-2 is made in the form of the inscription "4G" and is highlighted in bright green light. In the settings you can choose one of three modes of backlight operation: constantly off, constantly on, turned on only during data exchange (this mode is turned on by default).


    The router is equipped with a hinged full-sized USB connector; to open it, just pull on the specially provided ledge. The hinge is tight enough, the connector does not hang.



    A hinged slot conceals a SIM card slot. I must say that I encountered some nuance when installing it. I inserted the SIM card into the slot and pushed it all the way until its end caught up with the cutout in the case. The slot turned out to be spring-loaded and the card advanced 2-3 mm back. Having decided that it was necessary, I turned on the router. However, he said that a SIM card was not installed. The illustrations in the instructions and the wording “the end part of the SIM card should be visible under the edge of the case” also convinced me that I did everything right. It turned out that when installing the SIM card, you need to drown it deep into the case so that the latch works and the card locks. And you can’t do it with your finger, only if your nails are not long enough.
    By the way, pulling out a SIM card is also not very convenient: when you click on it, it is released from the latch and creeps out by the same 2-3 millimeters under the action of a spring, but pulling it further with your finger is not always possible due to friction inside the slot and slippery of the SIM itself -cards. We have to cling to it with something sharp.


    When the USB connector is closed, the microUSB slot is accessible on its reverse side, so you can connect the modem using the appropriate cable if for some reason the connection is directly difficult or undesirable. Charging the router is possible both through the USB-connector, and through the microUSB port.


    A notable feature of this router is the use of a display not on liquid crystals, but on electronic ink. Formally, this serves to save battery power. I’m not sure how significant the savings are, but the solution, frankly, is not hackneyed.
    When the router is turned off, the display shows the battery level. When turned on, the designation of the operating mode (2G / 3G / 4G) and the reception level in the traditional “cellular” form are also added.



    The only external governing body of the router is the slider switch. When moving it to the left position, hybrid access is turned on, which implies the ability to simultaneously connect users via Wi-Fi with or without a password. In total, up to 10 simultaneous connections are possible, the limits for both types of connections change in the settings. Moving the slider to the right position includes an exclusively passwordless access mode. In the central position, the router is turned off.


    Pay attention to the red dot, which is visible when moving the slider to the left, is the router reboot button.


    In general, the design of the slider is not very successful: it extends beyond the body of the router and switches very easily. Accordingly, in a bag or pocket, accidental inclusion is more than possible, as a result of which, at the right time, you may find yourself without communication with a discharged device.

    Settings


    The first time you turn on the router, it becomes visible as an access point called "Megaphone", a password is not required. After connecting, you need to type any address in the browser, after which you will be taken to the control panel of the router. Subsequently, you can always enter it at status.megafon.ru . The current mode of operation (2G / 3G / 4G), the received and sent traffic and the battery level are displayed in the header of the page. Settings are divided into three tabs (all hidden lists with additional settings are expanded):
    Status. Here, information about the current operating mode, the speed of reception and return, session time, IP address and account balance are collected.


    SettingsHere you can set your name to the router, enable password access, change the connection limits by password and without it, and also set the network selection mode.


    Messages This section is used to view service messages and manage available services using USSD requests.


    By default, another tab with settings is not visible in the panel; it appears only when you go to status.megafon.ru/advanced :


    Speed ​​and stability


    In automatic mode, the router connects to the network quite quickly, within about 10 seconds after turning on. During testing in different regions of Moscow and in Khimki, the reception speed in 3G averaged 480 kbit / s, in 4G the reception was up to 23 Mbit / s, the return was up to 1.5 Mbit / s.
    In some areas of the city, it was necessary to force the router to switch to 4G mode, since with a low signal level in automatic mode it connected to 3G. In such situations, joining the network took up to 5 minutes.
    Subjectively, the page loading speed with confident 4G reception does not differ from the speed with cable connection. Of course, when downloading large files, such as movies, the difference becomes apparent.

    Duration of work


    It took 1 hour 55 minutes to fully charge the battery. Being constantly turned on in 4G mode and with periodic surfing on the Internet (for a total of about 4-5 hours), the router lasted 13 hours 10 minutes.

    Conclusion


    In general, the MR100-2 made a very favorable impression. Among the positive aspects, it is worth noting the capacious battery, good 4G network speed, the ability to choose between automatic and forced mode selection, a stylish design, compact size. Of the shortcomings, perhaps the most noticeable is the possibility of involuntarily transferring the slider switch to the operating mode and discharging the battery. And the ability to instantly switch to open access point mode makes the MR100-2 a good choice for use by the whole family or in the company of friends.

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