Privacy By Design For Everyone

Insights: Networking hardware test results with the Calyx Sprout (BYOD) SIM cards

Since the launch of the new Calyx Sprout BYOD membership, we tested four popular devices requested by our members and community partners, especially the RV Mobile Internet Resource Center. In this article, we would like to share some insights from our test in the hope it will inform your decision in choosing the best devices for your unique cases.

To compare the real-world performance of the tested wireless access points that work with our BYOD SIMs, our team performed regular speed tests simultaneously in different locations and repeated the test several times across a span of days. Each speed test collected data using multiple distinct speed testing tools provided by OONI and the Measurement Lab (M-Lab), including the DASH Streaming Test that emulated a video streaming experience and NDT Speed Test that measured network speed and performance. We gave each tested device a score on user experience based on the following criteria:

  • Easy to navigate: Is the navigation intuitive? How clear is the information architecture?
  • Easy initial configuration: How deep is the learning curve to get onboard with the device for everyday users?
  • Clarity: Is the visual design straightforward? Are there unnecessarily confusing or distracting commands and buttons?
  • Visual consistency: Does the user interface use uniform colors, fonts, and styles?
  • Functional consistency: Do similar actions yield similar results across the user interface?

Highlights and snapshot of our tests

Our tests demonstrated that all four devices work seamlessly with our BYOD SIMs. Specifically:

  • All the devices we tested returned good performance
  • Among tested devices, GL.iNET GL-X3000 Spitz AX (Spitz) was the best and most powerful in terms of user experience and speed performance
  • From our limited location sampling, performance is consistent across devices

Please note, the above charts demonstrated the then-current data during our test. Subsequent results are subject to any change in the operations by T-Mobile, the upstream provider of the Calyx Internet Membership program. Besides, the area, terrain, network traffic, and weather of each specific device can also play a contributing factor. We cannot guarantee that our members will see the same results and speeds as we have seen in these initial tests. We share these results not to demonstrate that there is one best wireless access point for our BYOD SIMs, but instead to demonstrate that these SIMs will work with a wide variety of wireless access points – many more than we’ve been able to test so far. The best hardware setup for you is highly dependent on your specific use case, location, and other individual factors.

As always, we recommend that you use a reliable VPN and privacy-respecting browsers and tools—such as Tor Browser and DuckDuckGo search engine—to maximize the protection of your online privacy. With that in mind, we plan to do additional rounds of testing to evaluate the advanced features of these hotspots, including the native VPN support and other privacy-focused features. Stay tuned for our future test results.

A detailed breakdown of our conclusion by devices

GL.iNET GL-X3000 Spitz AX

User interface: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑

Features and specs

  • Network bands supported:
    • 5G (NSA & SA) Sub 6Ghz: N1/ 2 /3 /5 /7 /8 /12 /13 /14 /18 /20 /25 /26 /28 /29 /30 /38 /40 /41 /48 /66 /70 /71 /75 /76 /77 /78 /79
      4G/LTE: LTE B1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5/ 7/ 8/ 12/ 13/ 14/ 17/ 18/ 19/ 20/ 25/ 26/ 28/ 29/ 30/ 32/ 66/ 71
  • Max theoretical speed: 2 Gbps down / 316 Mbps up (Cat 20)
  • Wi-Fi technology: Wi-Fi 6, a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz and 5GHZ)
  • Dimensions: 5.9” x 2.91” x 0.74” (8.6 oz)
  • Ports:
    • 2 ethernet ports (1 x 2.5G WAN, 1 x 1G LAN)
    • 1 USB-C port
  • VPN support: Yes (supports OpenVPN and WireGuard)
  • Advanced features:
    • Battery bank: ability to charge external devices via USB-C port
    • 6 x optional antennas (4 for 4G LTE/5G NR, 2 for Wi-Fi) included

Bonus

  • External antenna ports and external antennas are included
  • Package includes a nice assortment of plugs and adapters for different outlets plus free ethernet cable and drywall anchors for mounting the device to a wall

 

GL.iNET GL-XE300 Puli

User interface: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑

Features and specs

  • Network bands supported:
    • 4G/LTE: B1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5/ 7/ 8/ 12/ 13/ 14/ 17/ 18/ 19/ 20/ 25/ 26/ 28/ 29/ 30/ 32/ 66/ 71
  • Max theoretical speed: 300 Mbps down / max Mbps up not given (Cat 4/ Cat 6)
  • Wi-Fi technology: Wi-Fi 6, b/g/n (2.4GHz)
  • Dimensions: 4.73” x 2.91” x 1.10”/ 7.9 oz (with battery)
  • Ports:
    • 1 x WAN port, 1 x LAN port
    • 1 USB-C port (charging)
  • VPN support: Yes (supports OpenVPN, WireGuard, and customized DNS server)

Bonus

  • Can run from battery alone once charged
  • Package includes nice assortment of plugs and adapters for different outlets, plus free ethernet cable

 

Peplink MAX BR1 Mini 5G

User interface: ⭑⭑⭑

Features and specs

  • Network bands supported:
    • 5G (NSA & SA) Sub 6Ghz: n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n13, n14, n18, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79
      4G/LTE: B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B7, B8, B12, B13, B14, B17, B18, B19, B20, B25, B26, B28, B29, B30, B32, B34, B38, B39, B40, B41, B42, B46, B48, B66, B71
  • Max theoretical speed (Cellular): 3.4 Gbps down / 900 Mbps up (Cat 20)
  • Dimensions: 5.0” x 4.2” x 1.4” / 0.95 lbs
  • Ports:
    • 1 x WAN port (2 with Virtual WAN included in PrimeCare)
    • 2 x LAN ports (3 with assignable WAN to LAN)
  • VPN support: Yes (supports OpenVPN, WireGuard, and Peplink Speedfusion)

Bonus

  • Durable metal construction
  • External antenna ports and external antennas are included

 

Mikrotik Chateau

User interface: ⭑⭑⭑

Features and specs

  • Network bands supported:
    • Sub-6GHZ 5G: n1/ n3/ n5/ n7/ n8/ n20/ n28/ n38/ n40/ n41/ n77/ n78/ n79
      4G/LTE: B1/ B3/ B5/ B7/ B8/ B18/ B19/ B20/ B26/ B28/ B32/ B34/ B38/ B39/ B40/ B41/ B42/ B43
  • Max theoretical speed (Cellular): 800 Mbps down / 200 Mbps up (CAT 20)
  • Wi-Fi technology: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz and 5GHZ)
  • Dimensions: 5.9” x 2.91” x 0.74” (8.6 oz)
  • Ports:
    • 5 ethernet ports
    • 1 USB-A port
  • Advanced Features:
    • Battery bank: ability to charge external devices via USB-C port.