The Clear Stick Atlas ($49 direct) looks, feels, and works usually like any other USB cellular modem. But distinct other modems, a Atlas provides we with an total volume of data. That’s right: For usually $49.99 per month, or $34.99 with capped speeds, a Atlas gets we total 4G WiMAX data. That means we can even use it as your primary home connection—if we usually need to get one device online during a time, that is. Though Clear doesn’t offer speeds as quick as 4G LTE on ATT or Verizon, conjunction of those carriers offer total data. That creates a Atlas an glorious collect for users looking to get online both during home and on-the-go. It’s a Editors’ Choice for USB modems on Clear.

Pricing and Physical Features
Clear’s biggest advantage over many incomparable use providers like ATT, T-Mobile, and Verizon is that it is a usually conduit to offer truly total data. There are dual skeleton accessible for a Atlas. The reduction costly one costs $34.99 per month, and gets we total WiMAX data, with download speeds capped during 1.5Mbps and uploads during .5Mbps
(which effectively means 3G-like speeds, despite usually where there is 4G coverage). The $49.99 devise also gets we total data, yet there’s no tip on download speeds, while uploads are singular to 1Mbps. Keep in mind that this modem is 4G-only, so be certain to check a map of Clear’s 4G coverage area to see if use is accessible where we live and where we devise to travel.

The usually allied devise to Clear’s comes from Virgin, that offers total information for $50 per month with a Ovation MC760 USB modem ($79.99) or MiFi 2200 hotspot ($129.99). But that cost is for slower 3G data, with speeds capped during 2.5Mbps opposite a board. ATT and Verizon might offer blazing quick 4G LTE, yet those skeleton start during $50 per month, and usually get we 5GB of data, that we can simply run by in a day spent streaming video. On tip of that, a skeleton from Clear are contract-free, so we can start and stop your use during any time.

Manufactured by Ubee Interactive, a Clear Stick Atlas looks like your standard USB mobile modem. It measures 3.25 by 1.2 by .65 inches and weighs usually 1.1 ounces, so it’s super light and portable. The modem is done mostly of glossy gray plastic, with black, grated cosmetic along a edges. When plugged into a USB port, a modem is able of 180 degrees of straight motion. While that doesn’t have an outcome on reception, it’s useful if you’re looking to get usually a right fit.

Easy-to-read standing lights during a tip of a device prove vigilance strength and tie status. There are also outmost receiver ports on a corner of a modem if you’re looking to boost reception.

Setup and Performance
Unlike many other USB modems adult until now, a Clear Stick Atlas doesn’t need any program in sequence to settle and conduct your Internet connection. Just block a Atlas into a giveaway USB pier and bond to a Internet. The modem uses your computer’s built-in networking protocols in sequence to settle a connection, that worked glorious on both my iMac, as good as a laptop regulating Windows 7.

I tested a Atlas opposite a 3G/4G Plug-in-Connect USB on Sprint (Free, 4 stars), given they both use a same WiMAX network. On a transparent open day, we trafficked between 11 opposite locations via New York City, contrast a modems in WiMAX mode in any location. we eliminated files over FTP, downloaded Web pages regulating curl, and ran a speed tester at speedtest.net.

Reception was normal on both devices, and while a Plug-in-Connect pulled in faster download speeds, a Atlas managed to reason a own. On speedtest.net, that simulates Internet streaming, a Atlas averaged 7.1Mbps down, while a Plug-in-Connect clocked in during an normal of 9.7Mbps. But normal upload speeds were accurately a same for both devices, during 1.3Mbps adult (which is faster than Clear’s quoted 1Mbps).

Sure, those upload speeds are delayed in comparison to a 4G LTE speeds we’ve seen on ATT and Verizon, yet a Atlas is still quick adequate to energy all a email, browsing, downloading, and streaming video you’ll need. FTP and Web tests were close, yet a Plug-in-Connect came out forward scarcely 70% of a time. Still, a whole indicate of a Atlas is total data—the really plain download speeds are some-more of a bonus.

Conclusions
The Clear Stick Atlas is a good choice if you’re a complicated information user looking for a tie we can lift with we on-to-go. The Clear Spot Apollo ($99.99, 4 stars) allows we to bond adult to 8 devices, yet you’re during a forgiveness of a hotspot’s battery life. WiMAX is no surrogate for LTE, yet a multiple of plain download speeds and total information make a Clear Stick Atlas an glorious value, and an Editors’ Choice.

More Cellular Modem Reviews:
•   Clear Stick Atlas
•   Sprint 3G/4G Plug-in-Connect USB
•   Verizon Jetpack 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot MiFi 4620L
•   NetZero 4G HotSpot
•   TruConnect MiFi
•  more