Kyocera KPC650 Broadband Verizon National Access PC Card Review
RV Product Overview
I have been so frustrated attempting to connect to the internet while on the road.......until now!! Now with the Kyocera KPC650 and Verizon Wireless all that has changed. I have found that with the Kyocera KPC650 and Verizon Wireless I can get online from virtually anywhere in the U.S. from inside our motorhome.
Intermittent WiFi connections at RV parks are now a thing of the past as are ultra-slow dial-up connections. This Verizon PC card is very easy to use and is the best MAC compatible PC card available. There are other PC cards, however most only support Windows format. So, for MAC users this is the best answer to solve your internet connectivity needs.
The Problem
For the past several years, connecting to the internet while on the road has been a significant challange. Many RV parks now have WiFi, but sometimes it doesn't get to all sites, especially in the larger parks. Additionally, WiFi has gottten expensive....sometimes up to $10 per day.
Some parks offer dial-up on specially adapted public telephones that feature an external telephone line connection, but many do not have such public telephones. Also those that do, sometimes there is no place to put you computer on without balancing it on a platform that's too small or setting it on the ground; both of which are inconvenient. Finally, putting a satellite dish on the roof of our coach specifically for the internet didn't seem to be a practical solution either due to the initial cost of about $5000 plus the monthly subscription fee.
The Solution
The best, most practical and most reliable solution that I've found, that is MAC compatible, to be able to connect to the internet while on the road is the Kyocera KPC650 Broadband Access/National Access PC Card. It features typical download speeds of 400 to 700 kbps and bursts up to 2 Mbps, providing users with a wireless data experience similar to using high-speed wired connections. The easy-to-use, dual-band KPC650 card can be installed in minutes and enables Verizon Wireless BroadbandAccess customers to quickly connect to the Internet over the company's 3G high-speed network. The KPC650 from Verizon Wireless includes an adjustable antenna to ensure maximum signal strength so Verizon Wireless customers can always take advantage of the very fastest speeds available on their optimized 3G network.
Simply put, "I love it!"
Installation and Operation
The installation is relatively easy and the directions that are included are an easy to follow step-by-step program that requires no special technical skills. First you must install a CD and follow the prompts as instructed. It will guide you through the process of installing a program called VZAccess Manager which, when installed, appears as desktop icon that tells the user signal strength and allows for connection to the internet. Good Technical Support is available should you need help.
Subscription to Verizon Wireless is required to be able to use the Kyocera KPC650. This costs $79.99 per month if you do not have Verizon Wireless cell phone service. The cost is $59.99 if you do have Verizon Wireless.
System Requirements:
- Microsoft Windows Me, 2000 or XP
- Apple Powerbooks / Mac OS 10.3.X
- 1 standard Type II PC Card Slot
- CD ROM Drive
- 32 MB Memory minimum
- 14 MB Free Hard Disk Space
To view and purchase the Kyocera KPC650, simply click on the link below:
search.vzw.com
To view and purchase Verizon Broadband access, simply click on the link below:
www.verizonwireless.com
Back To: RV Parts & Accessories Reviews
| 
