Franklin Wireless U680 Sprint Aircard Review

Franklin U680 Sprint Aircard

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What's Good:
The U680 Sprint Aircard comes with 64MB of built-in memory. Just enough to store some crucial documents on this Sprint aircard. It's also got built-in GPS for location-based services. Sprint's GPS has helped me out when I got stranded once before.

What's Bad:
It's kind of big. Manufacturers seem to like making USB aircards a bit on the large side. Bizarre. Just bizarre.

Price:
No longer available

Provider:

Reviewed on: 09/28/08

Bottom-Line:

If you don't mind how large it is, it'll get the job done. The location based services (no extra cost) is a plus. It's not a bad buy. Honestly though, you could probably do better. Sprint's got better cards out there.

Contents
1. Details
2. Image Gallery
3. Manufacturer's Description
4. Manual
5. Product Specifications

1. Details

If you showed up to a board meeting with the U680 Sprint aircard, it'd look like a humungous flash drive. No joke. Well, it actually could become a joke if you play it off well. It'd definitely serve as a great icebreaker.

It is a USB aircard which means it'll play nice with most computers. Some nice features Sprint through in are built-in GPS and 64 MB of flash storage. It would have been nice to see expandable storage as 64 MB is miniscule these days.

It is an EVDO Rev. A card. That means speeds up to 3.1 Mbps where available.

The usual warnings about USB aircards apply. Be careful in moving vehicles or craft to protect the USB connection. If that goes then it's lights out.

The value is said to be $249 but you can grab this Sprint Aircard for free while it lasts.

2. Image Gallery

3. Manufacturer's Description

The Franklin Wireless U680 USB Data Card for Sprint lets you connect your PC, Mac or Linux machine to the Internet nationwide on the Sprint PCS network. The high-speed EVDO Rev A network delivers data downloads of up to 3.1 Mbps and upload speeds of 1.8 Mbps. And, the Franklin Wireless U680 offers an additional bonus - built in flash memory for up to 64 MB of portable storage accessible via USB. Finally, this broadband card includes built-in GPS for location-based services right on your laptop.

4. Manual
From the Manufacturer

Download Manual in PDF

5. Technical Details
From the Manufacturer

Dimensions - 2.8 in x 1.0 in x 0.5 in
Weight - 1.5 oz
Data Download Speed - EV-DO rev A (Up to 3.1 Mbps Down/1.8 Mbps Up), EV-DO rev 0 (2.4 Mbps Down/153 Kbps Up), 1xRTT
Compatible Carrier - Sprint PCS
Network Compatibility - CDMA 800, 1900
3G Data Speeds - Yes
Built-In Memory - Yes, 65 MB Of Internal Storage For Use As USB Drive

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