Netgear Zing 771S tri band LTE mobile hotspot discussion

[jasonsteele]

Just an update for those trying to tether their Zing Hotspot to a Pepwave SURF SOHO.

 

The only firmware version I have gotten this device to work with is the one I mentioned before: v6.1.2 build 1550

 

 

 

 

I downloaded v6.1.2 build 1550 from the 3gstore.com support page, I'll try to revert back tonight. Thanks for the info!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 6 using Tapatalk

[KnarfOH]

I downloaded v6.1.2 build 1550 from the 3gstore.com support page, I'll try to revert back tonight. Thanks for the info!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 6 using Tapatalk

Coincidental, but I was talking to 3gstore.com (online chat) just a little while ago.  I was looking for an antenna and perhaps a router that "officially" was supported for tethering with the Sprint Zing.

 

SOHO had already told me they don't support their router for tethering with the ZING because it is not on the approved list.  Funny thing is, when I bought the SOHO SURF directly from PEPWAVE they made no promises but said they had other customers claim to have it working as a tethered device. They also said if I was not happy, I could return it.

 

I got the SOHO SURF to tether with my ZING by accident (I guess) and found the only firmware that works! (once again by accident).  Versions before v6.1.2 build 1550 and after do not work.  Not that I tested them all - but I have tested several including the one they released in the last few days. v6.2.1 and I have gone back to v6.1.2 build 1550

 

3gstore told me they instruct their buyers to connect by WAN to the PEPWAVE SOHO SURF routers they sell and not attempt to tether since it won't work.  I always laugh when someone tells me something won't work and here I am using my tethered SOHO SURF and ZING hotspot to communicate with them over their real-time chat system.  LOL

 

Anyway, I love their store - but it is funny when someone tells you something won't work but you know for a fact it will.

 

I have WAN turned off through control panel.

 

 

 

 

Edited July 1, 2015 by KnarfOH

[jasonsteele]

Anyway, I love their store - but it is funny when someone tells you something won't work but you know for a fact it will.

 

I have WAN turned off through control panel.

 

 

 

 

Yeah, I didn't get much help from them. They told me to use WiFi as WAN, it created so much interference that it was unusable. Pepwave even remoted into the SOHO via my old Clear Hub Express connection, after three hours they gave up. Maybe this downgrade in firmware will finally let me be able to use the damn thing.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 6 using Tapatalk

[KnarfOH]

Yeah, I didn't get much help from them. They told me to use WiFi as WAN, it created so much interference that it was unusable. Pepwave even remoted into the SOHO via my old Clear Hub Express connection, after three hours they gave up. Maybe this downgrade in firmware will finally let me be able to use the damn thing.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 6 using Tapatalk

 

The proof is in the pudding.  Using firmware v6.1.2 build 1550

 

Edited July 2, 2015 by KnarfOH

[dedub]

the problem with the zing and tethering is that the zing needs external drivers to enumerate as a modem.

 

My clearspot (wimax) will tether just fine to my asus router via usb, however it doesn't use any external drivers and shows up as a modem.

 

The zing is recognized by the asus, however it won't tether or pull an ip.

 

When you plug the zing into a pc, it has to load special zing drivers, either from the device itself or downloaded from the internet.

[KnarfOH]

When you plug the zing into a pc, it has to load special zing drivers, either from the device itself or downloaded from the internet.

 

When I first plugged my ZING into my PC Desktop, it took a little longer to be recognized, etc.  I assumed it was either downloading drivers or installing drivers that were pre-loaded on the device itself.  After that, it immediately recognizes when I plug it into a USB port.  I really only need to do that when I want to open up the ZING HOTSPOT MANAGER and change some settings.  About 90% of the time, I have my ZING tethered to my SOHO SURF and the rest of time I am using the ZING as a stand alone hotspot.

Edited July 2, 2015 by KnarfOH

[dedub]

yeah. something about that older version of your surf firmware can recognize the zing modem without the drivers, but apparently that newer firmware won't recognize the zing modem.

 

once you've installed the zing drivers on your pc, the drivers stay installed/inactive unless manually removed, so after the first time driver install, the zing will be recognized quickly.

[techfranz]

What's the best antenna these days. The Dock is a bit Pricey, but maybe it's worth it?

 

http://www.netgear.com/service-providers/products/mobile/mobile-hotspots/77xs-cradle.aspx

 

http://shop.sprint.com/mysprint/shop/accessory/ao_details.jsp?accSKU=75500295&accCatId=acc9002cat#!/

[KnarfOH]

What's the best antenna these days. The Dock is a bit Pricey, but maybe it's worth it?

 

http://www.netgear.com/service-providers/products/mobile/mobile-hotspots/77xs-cradle.aspx

 

http://shop.sprint.com/mysprint/shop/accessory/ao_details.jsp?accSKU=75500295&accCatId=acc9002cat#!/

I purchased the dock (reported on this in another post).  To be honest, it was worthless.  Either I had a defective docking station or it just plain had no advantage.  I purchased directly from SPRINT when I first bought my Zing Hotspot.  Fortunately, they gave me a trial period to use and test the docking station and when it didn't work, they gave me the option to return to them by UPS or I could visit a local company owned store.  I chose the later and got a full refund.

 

The only issue I had was they could not find my account for some reason.  Thought I took everything I needed to help them locate my purchase information, but they COULD NOT find it!    Returned home - took every bit of information about my account I could find and that worked.  For example - they asked me my Sprint phone number.  Even though I don't have a Sprint phone - they do assign you a phone number.  I never thought to take that with me on my first trip.  Second visit went without a hitch and I got a full refund.

 

I was one of those customers who originally was a CLEARWIRE WIMAX customer and I had purchased an directional antenna to help with that signal.  I ended up buying the pigtail connector so I could connect my old WIMAX antenna to my Zing Hotspot and it worked like a charm.  Problem solved.  Tripled my up and down speeds immediately!

 

Some of my previous posts about my experiences can be found CLICK HERE

Edited November 9, 2015 by KnarfOH

[calimansi]

Anyone else other than KnarfOH able to usb tether between the zing and the surf soho?

 

Any hints?  I have my firmware as 6.1.2, build 1550, but it still will not connect.

 

Please help.

 

Thanks.

[KnarfOH]

Anyone else other than KnarfOH able to usb tether between the zing and the surf soho?

 

Any hints?  I have my firmware as 6.1.2, build 1550

Yes, it worked for me right up to several weeks ago when I cancelled my Sprint plan because Time Warner Cable just installed fiber optics in my neighborhood.  Prior to that, my only choices were Satellite, Clearwire and Sprint.  I found only that version of the FIRMWARE would work and it is the same as the one you identified - PLUS (AND THIS IS A BIG PLUS) you have to be patient, the tethering actually takes some time.  Watching the lights, it appears the devices may even be rebooting several times.  So if you are only giving it 3 or 4 minutes, THAT IS NOT ENOUGH TIME!

 

If the power is disconnected (on purpose or power outage) you may need to give it 8 to 10 minutes to work again

 

SOHO support says they do not support tethering to the ZING HOTSPOT, but I used it that way for over 18 months and it was great!

 

Let me know if you get it to work!  OR buy my Soho and my ZING.... LOL

[KnarfOH]

Anyone else other than KnarfOH able to usb tether between the zing and the surf soho?

 

Any hints?  I have my firmware as 6.1.2, build 1550, but it still will not connect.

 

Please help.

 

Thanks.

With the USB tethered, you should be able to see USB as one of your choices on this screenshot.

 

Login to PEPWAVE MANAGER, default LOGIN and PASSWORD are both "admin" unless you changed those settings.

 

Under Dashboard, have you dragged the USB setting to the top of "WAN Connection Status" where it shows CONNECTED and dragged the other DEVICES down to disabled?

 

You can't just plug the ZING in to the USB port on the SOHO router.  You must also make sure it has been connected by following these instructions.

 

Let me know!

 

P.S. While you are doing that.. you might as well drag any UNUSED connections down to the disabled status.

 

Edited December 11, 2015 by KnarfOH

[KnarfOH]

I loved my Sprint Zing. Now Time Warner has come into my area (Canal Winchester) and I switched. No longer need the ZING or the PEPWAVE SOHO SURF. If anyone is interested in either ot both, let me know by private message.

[zonfar]

I purchased the dock (reported on this in another post).  To be honest, it was worthless.  Either I had a defective docking station or it just plain had no advantage.  I purchased directly from SPRINT when I first bought my Zing Hotspot.  Fortunately, they gave me a trial period to use and test the docking station and when it didn't work, they gave me the option to return to them by UPS or I could visit a local company owned store.  I chose the later and got a full refund.

 

The only issue I had was they could not find my account for some reason.  Thought I took everything I needed to help them locate my purchase information, but they COULD NOT find it!    Returned home - took every bit of information about my account I could find and that worked.  For example - they asked me my Sprint phone number.  Even though I don't have a Sprint phone - they do assign you a phone number.  I never thought to take that with me on my first trip.  Second visit went without a hitch and I got a full refund.

 

I was one of those customers who originally was a CLEARWIRE WIMAX customer and I had purchased an directional antenna to help with that signal.  I ended up buying the pigtail connector so I could connect my old WIMAX antenna to my Zing Hotspot and it worked like a charm.  Problem solved.  Tripled my up and down speeds immediately!

 

Some of my previous posts about my experiences can be found CLICK HERE

Do you know exactly what antenna you used? I just ordered this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZAIQDCQ and it doesn't seem to affect my signal at all. I have 1 bar with and without this antenna, and still get a pretty decent connection. Usually 10+mbps but if I can get an antenna that will make it even faster, that would be amazing!! I just dont want to waste anymore time/money on antenna's that dont work, because I assume they aren't running the correct frequencies or something.

[bill875]

Do you know exactly what antenna you used? I just ordered this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZAIQDCQ and it doesn't seem to affect my signal at all. I have 1 bar with and without this antenna, and still get a pretty decent connection. Usually 10+mbps but if I can get an antenna that will make it even faster, that would be amazing!! I just dont want to waste anymore time/money on antenna's that dont work, because I assume they aren't running the correct frequencies or something.

I ordered this: http://3gstore.com/product/5423_surecall-magnetic-mount-antenna.html and they state the following: "The Zing/AC771S has two antenna ports - either port can be used (there is no difference in performance between the two ports)"

 

However it did NOT help my signal at all, despite the 5dB claim.  This makes me wonder why I have seen other sites sell a Y antenna cable that connects both ports.  Would it not make sense to populate both ports?  I'm sure the old dock that Sprint sells has both ports connected, so I believe this to be wrong.

[ovation1]

Thanks to the reviews from users of the zing hotspot, I found one on ebay with dock included 60 bucks shipped to my door , took it to my local sprint store and got it activated with no contract

[ovation1]

With the Zing docked
 

 

Zing undocked

 

 

[MarshieZ]

So I'm torn... I inherited a Zing with a dock and don't really know what to do with it.

 

Should I keep it for possible future use or should I try to sell it? I've always liked the Zing but I don't really need one...

[scubajwd]

Marshie..I use mine occasionally with Ting but honestly with the ability now to legally

tether off your smartphone when needed I see very little use for these dedicated

hotspots anymore; if Ting would increase their data bucket sizes I might use the Zing

more often..just my $.02

[MarshieZ]

Marshie..I use mine occasionally with Ting but honestly with the ability now to legally

tether off your smartphone when needed I see very little use for these dedicated

hotspots anymore; if Ting would increase their data bucket sizes I might use the Zing

more often..just my $.02

 

I didn't even think about Ting... but with my Karma hotspot it's actually cheaper with Karma. However, I know I could get better speeds other than that, idk.

[KnarfOH]

I loved my Sprint Zing. Now Time Warner has come into my area (Canal Winchester) and I switched. No longer need the ZING or the PEPWAVE SOHO SURF. If anyone is interested in either ot both, let me know by private message.

Sold both a long time ago. Actually got pretty close to what I paid for both. I owned for 18 months. Sorry I forgot to post this earlier. Also, I have not been visiting this forum since I sold the two items and canceled my Sprint account. I have now responded to all of you who asked if I still had them for sale. Sorry again

[KnarfOH]

Do you know exactly what antenna you used? I just ordered this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZAIQDCQ and it doesn't seem to affect my signal at all. I have 1 bar with and without this antenna, and still get a pretty decent connection. Usually 10+mbps but if I can get an antenna that will make it even faster, that would be amazing!! I just dont want to waste anymore time/money on antenna's that dont work, because I assume they aren't running the correct frequencies or something.

I posted pictures of my external antenna before in this forum.  Here is a link - CLICK HERE

 

If you want to see how it all comes together, click on this link:   CLICK HERE

 

The difference between signals: Internal vs External antenna

 

 

Since I have not been a SPRINT customer (the service and my experience with SPRINT was great!) since fall of 2015 I have not been here to see new posts.  Sorry I missed your question.  However someone did send me a personal message today and I received an EMAIL notification that a message was waiting for me so that is why, after all this time, I logged back in and saw your question posted publicly.

 

This antenna was designed specifically for Clearwire WiMax service.  Since SPRINT actually uses 3 bands (I believe that is the reason they wanted Clearwire so badly - to get their bandwidth) I do not know how efficient this antenna is with the other bands but I know I was getting good results  CLICK HERE

 

If anyone has questions of me - please send me a PVT MSG.  I just don't visit very often anymore and a private message results in an EMAIL notification being sent to me that someone is trying to reach out.  THANKS!

 

If you live in the Columbus area and are interested in this antenna - send me a private message.  Would be glad to work with you.  I still have the pigtail that makes this work with the Hotspot too!  Now that it is SPRING, hopefully I will be taking the antenna down soon with warmer weather.

Edited April 9, 2016 by KnarfOH

[KnarfOH]

I ordered this: http://3gstore.com/product/5423_surecall-magnetic-mount-antenna.html and they state the following: "The Zing/AC771S has two antenna ports - either port can be used (there is no difference in performance between the two ports)"

 

However it did NOT help my signal at all, despite the 5dB claim.  This makes me wonder why I have seen other sites sell a Y antenna cable that connects both ports.  Would it not make sense to populate both ports?  I'm sure the old dock that Sprint sells has both ports connected, so I believe this to be wrong.

See my response to another member above.

[scubajwd]

Hey Knarf...glad to see you around again; i's a bit odd that after sitting idle

for almost two years that I just the other day fired my Surf SOHO back up using

my Note5 as a hotspot in my house (instead of the Zing); I get B41 CA in the house at

a certain spot where the signal is really good (about 90 rsrp); so I just wanted

to see how well the SOHO worked as a router incase my isp goes down; so

I've held onto my Zing & Surf; both items ,as you've stated many times, are very high

quality and useful at times..hope all is well for you; seems like the midwest got

clobberred pretty good this winter

[jazzycabby]

I currently have several of the Zing's on unlimited plans and I was wondering if there was anyone testing the usb tethering option (turning the zing's wireless off) on the ASUS routers or any router running the Advanced Tomato DDWRT firmware?  If so what are the implementations?
 

I was debating on doing it with a zing or the current standard USB modem... Prefer the hotspot as it's easy to take when needing it as a mobile hotspot...

 

Awesome that sprint still has unlimited hotspots / modems for us corporate accounts (mine currently are 45ish with the taxes and fees)

 

I have a USB modem already attached to one of the usb ports of my primary mobile asus router in my taxi (rt-ac68p) that's the 551L verizon (also on a grandfathered unlimited plan at just under 70 a month with taxes/fees) but certain areas in our city have poor verizon coverage, where sprint actually has great 4g speed.. So my thought is to load balance between those two wireless networks..