Wi-Ex Personal and Pocket- Smaller, Lighter Cell Boosters
We’ve taken a look at Wi-Ex’s larger model before, and another cell signal booster as well. But the larger model was a bit too difficult to install for smaller offices or all-but-the-largest apartments, and so we’ve been testing out the Pocket and Personal models in hope of finding a cell phone booster suitable for city-dwellers.
Both models use a similar base, color scheme, and both will help boost your phone’s battery life and reception. We tested both units using iPhone 3Gs on both EDGE and 3G networks, and in areas with nearly no signal, as well as some tests where stronger signals were available.
The main differences between the units is the boost range- the Pocket model does not in fact fit into your pocket, but instead creates a very small boosted zone within a cradle. Your phone sits in the cradle, and is much less likely to miss a call in areas with low signal strength, but the zBoost zPocket won’t help far beyond that. Data and voice aren’t boosted once you take your phone or PDA out of the cradle- at least, not unless you stay very, very close. Thus, this model has a pretty limited utility, great for a single person who is missing calls consistently. At $120 though, we might recommend the more powerful version.
The zBoost zPersonal (seriously) has a wider range- about 4-6 feet from the antenna, with a sharp drop-off beyond that point. Both data and voice transmissions were stronger and clearer, with our phone showing a jump from 1 bar to 3 bars at a three and four foot distance, and up to 4 bars within 2 feet of the antenna. Unlike the larger version, this one is a piece of cake to install- simply use suction cups to attach the base unit to a window with some signal, plug in the unit to power, and run the thin cable and attached antenna to your workspace/desired boosting area. We left one phone around 10 feet away from the antenna, kept one phone much closer, and tried many calls. One downside that we faced- when not on a call, signal won’t be totally consistent, and especially at the edge of the boosting range can result in more dropped and missed calls than before the unit was installed. Overall though, we’re happy with the Wi-Ex Pocket, it simply requires some adjustments in placement of antennas and behavior (to make sure you keep your phones within ‘the zone’). $170, available online and in some stores, and the best cell phone signal booster that we’ve tried for smaller spaces.
