4G Connect – Pro Model
“4G Connect Pro is a 4G (LTE) internet access solution for use afloat. The Pro model uses two external antennas for optimum speed and range and also incorporates a full function wifi router.”
KEY FEATURES
4G Connect is a 4G (LTE) internet access solution to get internet for your boat. It utilises the latest MIMO technology with dual antennas for fast, long range access and incorporates a full function WiFi router so multiple devices can connect wirelessly. There is also a wired LAN port and WAN port – for connection to high power WiFi devices or satellite modems.
The Pro model ships with two external hi gain antennas for exceptional long range performance and is the recommended solution for use afloat.
4G Connect has an easy to use interface and is unlocked so users are free to fit a data SIM card from any mobile provider they choose. However, during our testing, we have found that the lower frequencies used by the Vodafone network coupled with a competitive European data roaming allowance, offer the best maritime solution for European cruising yachtsman.
Operation is simple – turn on, connect to the password protected WiFi hotspot that 4G Connect creates and your device is online for internet for your boat. Digital Yacht’s booster WiFi antenna can also be connected to the WAN port for a choice between hotspot WiFi and 4G connectivity. iKommunicate can also connect to the LAN port providing boat NMEA data on the WiFi network for use with navigation apps.
FEATURES
- Hi performance 4G/LTE modem for exceptional speed and range with fall back to 2G/3G
- SIM unlocked for any network provider
- Supplied with 2 x high performance external 48cm antennas for optimum speed and range
- 23 ft (7m) low loss LMR 200 cable kit included
- Supplied with deck base for antennas (as shown)
- LTE Class 3 modem offers long range and up to 70Mbps speeds
- Wifi interface for tablets and phones
- Ethernet LAN port for connection to iKommunicate navigation interface – allows boat NMEA 0183/2000 data to be available on the wifi network – ideal for smartphone and tablet navigation
- Ethernet WAN port can connect to satellite or WL510 high power wifi system for combination LTE/WiFi hotspot solution
- 12V DC operation with <5W power consumption
- Optional 1” base adaptor available for antennas
- Optional 10m & 20m LMR400 assemblies
SPECIFICATIONS
Power
Operating Temp Physical |
•9-30v DC (<5W)
•-40 to +75 C •Main unit: 180 x125 x 55mm (ex antennas) •Weight 670g •Protection IPX4 |
4G/LTE
Technology 2G/3G Fallback |
•4G(LTE) CAT 4 up to 70Mbps
•Class 3 Modem with up to 25dBm output •Support for B1/B3/B5/B7/B8/B20 LTE FDD bands •Support for B38/B40/B41 TDD bands •Dual MIMO antennas •850/900/2100 MHz Max 42Mbps (HSPA+ download) •UMTS 384kbps •900/1800 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE (Class 12 device) |
Interfaces | •1 x LAN 10/100 Ethernet Port
•1 x WAN 10/100 Ethernet Port •WiFi 802.11b/g/n with 64/128 bit WEP/WPA/WPA2 encryption |
Weight | 3900 g |
---|---|
Dimensions | 255 × 110 × 680 mm |
4GConnect Quick Start V2.00 Eng Pdf 1.10 MB
Latest 4G Connect User Manual (English) for all 4GConnects and 4GConnect Pros with firmware V07.01.02 or higher (new web interface)
Feature | 4G Connect Pro | 4G Xtream |
4G Modem Specification | MIMO technology Cat 4 Modem. Single Core Atheros 400MHz Processor 64MB RAM. Up to 150 MB/s |
MIMO technology Cat 6 Modem Quad Core ARM Cortex A7 717 MHz Processor 256 MB RAM. Up to 300 MB/s |
4G Antennas | Dual external wide band high gain MIMO supplied with 7m cables and mounting bases. (10 & 20m options available) | Dual external wide band high gain MIMO supplied with 7m cables and mounting bases. (10 & 20m options available) |
Internal WiFi | Single band 2.4GHz 802.11b/g/n Maximum 50 connections Single antenna |
Dual band 2.4 & 5GHz 802.11 b/g/n/ac Maximum 150 connections Dual antennas |
SIM Slots | 1 | 2 |
GPS | NO | YES |
BlueTooth LE | NO | YES |
NMEA interfacing | Optional with LANLink N2K external interface or iKommunicate | Built in certified NMEA 2000 interface for NMEA 2000 data distribution over wifi |
4G Xtream, 5G Xtream and 4G Connect Pro ship with dual external antennas. They should be mounted at least 50 cm apart for optimum performance. While height is advantageous, consideration should also be given to cable runs. The standard cables (LMR200) are 7m in length and should not be extended.
Typical mounting locations would be the 1st set of spreaders on a sailboat, radar arch or stern pole/solar panel platform.
Optional 10 and 20m assemblies are available and these use LMR400 specialist coax for minimum losses.
Every data SIM network provider has different Access Point Name (APN) settings that allow the 4GConnect to register and connect to the mobile data network. These settings can usually be found online (Google “APN settings for Vodaphone”) or requested from the network provider.
To enter the APN settings, login to the 4GConnect web interface and click on the Network>Mobile menu options.
It is very important that you “lock down” your wireless network, with your own network name (SSID) and wireless
password. This ensures that only people that you give the network information to can connect and stops other less trust worthy individuals from connecting to your network and using your internet connection.
To change the default wireless network name and password of your 4GConnect, login to the web interface and click on the Network>Wireless menu options. It is very simple to change the WiFi network name & password.
The 4G Connect has only one SIM slot.
The 4G Connect has a CAT 4 modem so it offers fast connectivity at up to 150 MBs (network dependent). It does not support carrier aggregation.
The 4G Connect/4G Littoral does not have any NMEA interface. However, by adding a LANLink you can connect the Ethernet interface and stream all the NMEA 0183 and/or NMEA 2000 data across the 4G Connect/4G Littoral’s WiFi network.
4GConnect comes in three models: Euro, USA or ROW
Product | Regions | Details |
4G Connect Europe Version | Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Korea, Thailand, India | 4G (LTE-FDD): B1, B3, B5, B7, B8, B20 4G (LTE-TDD): B38, B40, B413G: B1, B5, B8 |
4G Connect US Version | North America (AT&T, Bell, T-Mobile) | 4G (LTE-FDD): B2, B4, B12 3G: B2, B4, B5 |
4G Connect ROW Version | ROW, South America, Australia (supports 4GX), New Zealand, Taiwan | 4G (LTE-FDD): B1, B22, B3, B4, B5, B7, B8, B28 4G (LTE-TDD): B403G: B1, B2, B5, B8 |
We have been asked by many boaters “What’s the best solution for boat video monitoring?” There are lots of dedicated (and expensive) marine solutions which could connect to the 4G Connect or 4G Xtream network but there’s also the simple and popular Arlo home based system which can be used. Arlo started life as part of Netgear but became a stand alone listed company back in 2018. Their products can be bought from Amazon, Best Buy etc.
The system comprises small, waterproof, battery powered cameras that connect to an Arlo hub via wifi. It means you don’t have to run wires around the boat or even find 12V power and you can position the camera in different locations as you need to. Multiple cameras are also supported.
Other IP cameras can also be connected to the 4G Connect and 4G Xtream.
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What is in the box?
How to insert a SIM card?