Wilson Sleek 4G-V

Dropped calls and weak signals are two of the most infuriating problems that can plague cell phone users. A poor wireless connection can render even the fastest, slickest smartphone useless. You can continue waving your phone in the air in vain, or you can pick up a signal amplifier, like the Wilson Sleek 4G-V ($129.99 list) . The V stands for Verizon, but there is also an AT&T variant called the 4G-A. It's a bit pricey, but the results are tough to argue with?the Wilson Sleek 4G-V delivers on its promise of improved call signal strength and gains in data speeds for both 3G and 4G LTE connections.

Design and Setup
Primarily intended for use in cars, the Wilson Sleek 4G-V cradle ships with an adhesive mount for your dashboard and a magnetic antenna that attaches to your car roof. The main cradle has a padded leather back, with prongs on the bottom and two adjustable arms on the sides. Wilson includes three pairs of cradle arms in various sizes to accommodate a variety of phones. The 4G-V isn't just for phones either; it works with other wireless devices on Verizon, like mobile hotspots and tablets.?Along the side and bottom are two mini USB ports, either of which can be used to power the Sleek 4G-V, and there's a threaded plug for attaching the antenna. ?

Setup was straightforward, but running the antenna's cable from the roof of your car to the cradle inside may be tricky for some. The recommended procedure involves temporarily detaching part of the rubber trim on the inside of your car door and then threading the antenna cable through and reattaching the trim. The cable is also a bit unsightly unless you tuck it away strategically. Wilson also sells a Home/Office Accessory Kit ($34.95 list) if you need a signal boost in a stationary location (pictured at right). The kit includes a desk mount that easily attaches to the Sleek 4G-V cradle. You have to keep the phone in the cradle for it to work, so a Bluetooth headset is necessary for voice calls, but that makes sense for its intended use in cars.

Performance
When your phone is docked, the Sleek 4G-V amplifies the signal from the phone, and boosts signal reception from the nearest cell towers. The Verizon version runs on the 700MHz spectrum, for Verizon's 4G LTE, as well as the 800 and 1900MHz spectrums for 3G and 2G. Wilson claims the 4G-V has more than 20 times the power of your cell phone's antenna alone. I tested it in our office in New York, where poor cell phone service is a constant problem, and was pleasantly surprised to see just how well the Sleek 4G-V worked. Using a Motorola Droid Razr M on Verizon's 4G LTE network, I saw significant gains in reception. To gauge signal strength, I went into the Android settings and found reception, represented in dBm, under the About Phone menu. With the 4G-V off, the Razr M averaged around -110dBm. Once I switched the 4G-V on, that number jumped to around -83dBM (closer to zero is better). Sometimes the gains made the difference between having 4G LTE service and not having it. The 4G-V also significantly increased 3G service, with similar gains in reception.??

Wilson also claims increased data speeds using the 4G-V, which might simply be by virtue of stronger and clearer reception. Nonetheless, during testing, the Razr M averaged around 3.5Mbps downloads with the 4G-V off. Once turned on, that number hovered closer to 4-4.5Mbps. It's wasn't quite as impressive as the overall boost in reception, and you should keep in mind that the 4G-V is not actually making your phone or network faster, it's simply boosting reception.

AT&T also uses the 1900MHz spectrum, which the 4G-V boosts, for parts of its 3G network. The 4G-V was able to boost the 3G signal of my AT&T iPhone 4 in the same way it did the Verizon Razr M. It even increased 3G download speeds on my iPhone, which averaged less than 1Mbps downloads with the 4G-V off and more than 2Mbps downloads with the 4G-V on. This will not work on all AT&T phones, or its 4G LTE network, however.

Conclusions
The Wilson Sleek 4G-V delivers on its promise of significantly increased cell phone reception, and even moderate gains in data speed. Reaping the benefits of a strong LTE connection, however, requires using data, and that's harder to do with your phone stuck in the cradle. Hands-free calling, and an application like music streaming in your car would definitely benefit from the 4G-V, but you probably shouldn't be using your phone's data connection to surf the Web in your car.?In my tests, the results were impressive, and I'd recommend the Sleek 4G-V for anyone who frequently struggles to find a solid signal. It would make a great companion for frequent business travelers who depend on their smartphones, and the Home/Office Kit would make a solid choice for people who struggle to find reception in their own homes.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/2LkRTzSgph0/0,2817,2409698,00.asp

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