Clear Spot 4G - Apollo

• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 19 reviews
• My rating: 0 stars

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• 9 stars

  CLEAR SPOT 4G Apollo KICKS BUTT DAY 1

  by Mark W on August 17, 2011

  Pros: Unbelievable download speeds, at least near Baltimore, MD
  Easy, fast setup
  "Unlimited Data" We shall see if this is true

  Cons: No wireless N
  Bulky, but still easy to carry in pocket

  Summary: Out of the box, the Apollo took about five minutes for me to setup and get online. Inside my apartment near Baltimore I tested the bandwidth using Speakeasy. I averaged ...

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  Summary: Out of the box, the Apollo took about five minutes for me to setup and get online. Inside my apartment near Baltimore I tested the bandwidth using Speakeasy. I averaged a respectable 5-6MB down, and about 400KBS up. However, after stepping outside on my balcony, the speeds jumped to 19.25MB down and 1.45MB up. Streaming was very stable from Netflix and HBOGo. I can definitely see how some people would want to use this device as their primary internet connection. However, I'm happy with Verizon FIOS, minus the recurring billing issues, so FIOS will remain my primary source for the internet. I know their have been some who complained that Clear throttled them after exceeding 20GB per month, but really, for a mobile router, 45 dollars per month for 20GB is a steal. My normal mobile browsing usually is under 5GB per month so I'm happy right now. I have a trip coming up to Chicago and multiple business trips around the country in the near future so I will be looking forward to seeing what kind of bandwidth I get in multiple locations. Browsing is a snap and contrary to what I was told by a Clear salesperson, you can get online without using wifi if the device is connected to your computer. There are similar devices on market, but the difference with the Clear Spot is the unlimited data plan for $45. Yes, Verizon's LTE network is faster, but I really doubt if most users will notice the difference. Did I mention the unlimited data plan? I definitely give the Apollo the nod for now. Battery life is another plus. The router's admin page is also intuitive and very easy to navigate even for beginners. Security is tops with AES 256 encryption available. I will provide an update later, but for now, this router rocks.
  
  MARKWI
  
  Updated on Aug 18, 2011

  Day 2, battery life is pretty amazing. I left the Clear Spot Apollo on from 8 to 4 today with multiple users for most of the day. Battery was pretty much dead by 4, but not bad for being on all day.

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  5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 3 stars

  Worked for a limited time. Terrible customer service!

  by Goldbuddha on January 27, 2012

  Pros: The device was easy to setup up and worked right out of the box.

  Cons: Display stopped working after 3 months. Worked with tech support for several weeks trying to get it to run, finally talked to account services who wanted to charge me for a new device. Had to talk to supervisor to get refurbished model and pay S&H.

  Summary: While the service price is good $45/month for unlimited 4g (although I think they throttle), the device only works for a short period of time. I have seen comments ...

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  Summary: While the service price is good $45/month for unlimited 4g (although I think they throttle), the device only works for a short period of time. I have seen comments from other users with similar problems. The customer service is incredibly sketchy. The representative tried to tell me that since the device could still connect to the internet, the device wasn't broken and that I would have to pay for a new one if I wanted a working screen. I spent almost 30 minutes explaining that a nonworking screen still counted as a malfunction and that it was covered by the 1-year warranty. Finally talk to his supervisor (after holding for another 30 minutes) to get a refurbished one for "free" (still charged $10 for S&H). I'm glad I'm only paying month-to-month because I would be scared to sign a contract with this company.

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  3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 1 stars

  Waste of time trying to get a connection. Misleading AD

  by sapbwkannan on September 15, 2011

  Pros: Website has so much of info on the advantage of 4g . Need to actually work on it to validate what they are saying

  Cons: They do not have any information on their website on the cost. You have to end up talking to their sales exec on the phone who gives you this boring lecture rather than giving you info on the pricing or the cost.
  They ask for "YOUR PERSONAL DETAILS" to

  Summary: 1. They look like a good competitor to Verizon (based on reviews).
  2. They sales methodology is so horrible and bad.
  3. They have no option on their website to ...

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  Summary: 1. They look like a good competitor to Verizon (based on reviews).
  2. They sales methodology is so horrible and bad.
  3. They have no option on their website to give the cost of the MIFI Gadget , its only the price that made to LURE web visitor to call them
  4. Once you call them , you are subjected to go through hell before getting any information from the person who ever comes on the line.
  5. I was on the line for close to 10 mts and didnt get any quote!!!
  6. He took my phone number address zip code .
  7. Still i didnt get a quote
  8. I got suspicious when he asked if my home was rented or own
  9. Then he wanted to know of the current service provider---Which is not required ....this guys sounded like a nosy / inquisitive / curious or fishing for information on finding out which service provider i am using.
  10. I didnt like this because i was already on the phone for so long and he was not interested in giving me a quote.
  11. He wanted my SSN to give me a price quote and cost of the MIFI Gadget !!!
  
  Something's not right here and certainly shouldnt ask for SSN to give a price quote or for the cost of the mifi gadget.
  
  Hope Clear Spot has some good explanation for this and could publish on their website why they are asking for SSN to give a price quote and how the personal information is being handled.

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  2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 3 stars

  29 days tech support trying 4 speeds 3 to 5 Mbps - Naw

  by qquirks on February 3, 2012

  Pros: Easy to use device and router interface page. Occasionally
  reached speeds above 3Mbps and up to 6Mbps. Mostly average
  between 1 Mbps to 2 Mbps up and below 0.50 Nbps down

  Cons: About 1/2 mi fr tower. Never got above 3 bars. Spent hours tech support. Same routine: power down&refresh connection Clear end or netsh commands winsock reset & to flush dns. Finally Day 29 Clear tech support says never going to work

  Summary: Big boo to Clearwire tech support for not being honest and giving opinion in my home location never going to get good enough singal to support speed or giving me ...

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  Summary: Big boo to Clearwire tech support for not being honest and giving opinion in my home location never going to get good enough singal to support speed or giving me time to contact Cox cable and/or Verizon before my 30 day Clear trial runs out. Days with speeds below 0.75 Mbps down. Not exactly what one wants to spend 50 a month and 100 on a router for. Since there is a router log, must be a better way to diagnose problems. If it does not work for you
  week one, return APOLLO to Clear and look for service elsewhere!
  
  Many nice people at Clear tech support, though if you go heavy on the no problems and and thank you's. Just wish they could make Apollo high speed. Would have settled for the 3 to 5 Mbps range because of unlimited data. But no can do.

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  1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 1 stars

  CLEAR won't take my money! Short this stock!

  by mjlaker on January 9, 2012

  Pros: small
  battery life

  Cons: Clear customer service, policies, and general ineptitude.

  Summary: I tried to buy an Apollo Clear Spot from Clear's 800#. They won't just sell it, you have to buy a monthly plan, even though they sell short ...

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  Summary: I tried to buy an Apollo Clear Spot from Clear's 800#. They won't just sell it, you have to buy a monthly plan, even though they sell short term plans. I wanted it so I could work on vacation and as needed in the future.
  I finally found one in stock at a Best Buy. I bought it and booted it up while on vacation.
  
  I saw the weekly plan for $25 and added to cart. Upon checkout, the browser just spun.
  <Strike 1> (time wasted: 20 minutes)
  
  I used the chat function. the dude told me to clear cookies, cache, reboot etc. Still didn't work
  Told me to call the 800 sales number to sign up for the weekly plan.
  <Strike 2> (time wasted: 45 minutes including hold time)
  
  Sales guy on the phone basically called me a liar telling me Clear doesn't offer short term plans and I had to sign up for a monthly plan.
  <Strike 3> (time wasted: 45 minutes including hold time)
  
  So I asked to speak with his Supervisor who informed me the sales guys aren't trained (or even aware) of short term services. She took my details and told me she would manually set me up and would call me back in 20 minutes. She never did (time wasted: 30 minutes including hold time)
  <Strike 4>
  
  Getting worried that I wouldn't have internet for work on Monday, I called again on Sunday afternoon, again basically again accused of being a liar and that Clear doesn't sell short term plans. Again I ask to speak to a Supervisor. She assures me she will set me up, and she collects my details.
  Then drops the bomb. Since she is doing this manually, my modem won't be active for 48-72 hours!!!
  Sometime midweek of my vacation!!! ***?
  
  If these sales guys can't even take my money, I can't imagine how horrible Tech Support is.
  The Apollo is going on eBay for some other sucker. Short this stock, It is known that Clear is short on revenues, now I know why. Total idiots.

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  1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 1 stars

  THE WORST internet service I have ever had!

  by Ash7630 on September 8, 2012

  Pros: I do not remember any positive points about Clear.

  Cons: Selling the internet service although they knew the tower has some issue in my area
  Sending refurbished device
  A lot of disconnections and very slow internet
  Poor customer service & support

  Summary: I got my internet service about 2.5 months ago. They sent me a refurbished device and I had a lot of disconnections since the beginning. I though it might ...

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  Summary: I got my internet service about 2.5 months ago. They sent me a refurbished device and I had a lot of disconnections since the beginning. I though it might get fixed but it got even worse. I called them today to cancel the service and the guy said there is some issue with the tower in my area!!!! I don't know why they sell when they know there is something wrong.
  
  The agent also said I have to wait until the end of this billing period and they cannot reimburse me for the remaining of the month! and also he said I have to keep the device and I cannot return it and get my money back for the device!! TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE...Just stay away from it!

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• 2 stars

  Could get better service from a tinfoil hat.

  by mobiusedge on June 18, 2012

  Pros: I can't think of any.,

  Cons: Unreal. No device and still getting charged!!

  Summary: So they must set these things to work great for a month and then die after that. Had it for under six months, it could almost never handle streaming video (...

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  Summary: So they must set these things to work great for a month and then die after that. Had it for under six months, it could almost never handle streaming video (even with five bars) and then the unit died. Tech told me to bring it in to kiosk to get a replacement for free. The poor kiosk manager spent an hour and 45 minutes arguing with tech as they do not just hand out free replacements. $35 later I've no device and am STILL getting charged. Three week wait for a replacement?? Are they kidding? And they apparently "can't" stop charging me because it is automated?? HORRIBLE company, horrible device, horrible service. I see a class action suit in their future.

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• 1 stars

  Avoid Clear. They are thieves!

  by jhardin76 on May 9, 2012

  Pros: Easy set up.
  That's about it.

  Cons: Slow connection speed.
  Horrible customer service.
  They will overcharge and take money out of your account.

  Summary: This is the worst ISP I have ever had the displeasure of dealing with.

  Summary: This is the worst ISP I have ever had the displeasure of dealing with.

• 9 stars

  And I said let there be internet!

  by fucpotassiumthegovernment on May 3, 2012

  Pros: Great speeds! In my apartment I get about 5mb/s up and 1mb/s down but this is doubled (or more) if I sit on my balcony. The LCD is very useful so I don't have to rely on deciphering flashing lights, the battery life is pretty good (6-7 hours).

  Cons: The battery compartment was flippin ridiculously difficult to get into! I felt like the Hulk would've had a hard time, might've just been my unit, but I thought I was gonna break it! Other than that it's all good

  Summary: This little unit is pretty cool, fits in my hand and has super fast speeds. The setup is simple (besides the dang battery compartment). All in all I would highly ...

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  Summary: This little unit is pretty cool, fits in my hand and has super fast speeds. The setup is simple (besides the dang battery compartment). All in all I would highly suggest this to someone who wants fast internet at a good price without a contract. Try not to listen to the people who are saying this thing is bulky, I don't know what spoiled them but it is definitely NOT bulky. Just make sure you're in a good coverage area first so you don't have to whine about clear's service when it's your own fault for not checking an (independently compiled) coverage map. My service rep I ordered it from was very nice and informative too, and he had ZERO accent. I got the 50 dollar plan and playing online games is nice and fast. Again, I love this thing.

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• 2 stars

  Avoid Clear if you dl more than 10Gb/month.

  by gdegen on March 15, 2012

  Pros: Could be a good service if run by another company.

  Cons: THROTTLED, canceled for using too much "unlimited"? I've used internet since before there was a world wide web, never have I had this poor of service!

  Summary: If you only read e-mail, it might be good. At approx.10 GB d/l a month you will join the ranks of thousands of users posting all over the ...

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  Summary: If you only read e-mail, it might be good. At approx.10 GB d/l a month you will join the ranks of thousands of users posting all over the web that their account is throttled.
  
  First they claim it is automatically done at the tower during times of peak congestion. I'm a heavy user and could deal with this, if it were true. When it happens near 24/7 you start wondering how busy a tower really is at 3 AM. With ping times of 60ms I really can't believe it is due to congestion.
  
  Their customer service is all off-shore and English training must not be in the protocol. They will have you cycle power endlessly and reposition modem etc. for any problem you call them with. They have one script and there is no deviation from it.
  
  If you try to get answers on their FB page; most people complain of not receiving private messages promised to them by the hosts. I you resort to complaining they eventually delete your posts and your access to post.
  
  If you are a heavy user, they will cancel your account for using too much "unlimited".
  
  They won't put a number to what is considered over-usage of "unlimited" service, nor at what point throttling kicks in. This makes it impossible to avoid.
  
  This was all part of my recent experiences with Clear. To be fair they did give me good service when I first started with them 2 years ago. When they upgraded my area to 4G a little over a year ago, it all went downhill.
  
  If you don't watch much YouTube or stream Netflix to your TV regularly and want something mobile for e-mail and web-surfing (non-steaming)it might be for you. Most complainers state the service starts out good for a month or two before throttling kicks in. Beware the 15 day trial unless you ask up front about equipment restocking fees.

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