Having used the ZTE MU5001 for a year or so, we were interested to see how well the new ZTE MU5120 would work - and we're not disappointed. Amazon link: amzn.to/3pZrP1A
I also did compare the mu5001 and 5120 last week. I had exactly the same experience. The mu5001 and 5120 do not really differ in terms of signal reception/bandwidth/speed. The antennas on mu5001 are only useful /noticeable in extreme situations. Main difference in the hardware: mu5001 has RJ45 and TS9 antenna ports which the mu5120 doesn´t have. Battery with 4500 mAh ist exchangable on the mu5001 while the 10.000mAh on the mu5120 is not exchangable. Some differences in favor of the mu5120: - Snapdragon x62 enables carrier aggregation (x55 in mu5001 is not capable to do this). How often this happens yet (must be enabled by your provider) I don´t know, but it makes it better prepared for the future. In theory however the x55 can have higher down - and upload speeds than the x62. In theory only because usually nobody will have a mobile contract allowing more than 1GB/s download speed. - The x62 has better power management on top (uses less energy). This will give very good battery times ( should be easily double of mu5001) - mu5120 can act as powerbank which mu5001 cannot (which I find usefull when hiking using a GPS app on smartphone) - it offers optional automatic switch between 2.4ghz and 5.0ghz WLAN ( with mu5001 user needs to decide when dialing in which network to use) The mu5120 can still be set to offer both frequences 2.4ghz and 5.0 ghz just like the mu5001. What I think could be improved on mu5120: - power charging when used as powerbank (1.5A is a joke on such a 10.000 mAh battery - should be 3.0A - needs to be turned on to be enable usage as powerbank - second USB-C port would be good in case RJ45 Adapter is used the mu5120 cannot be charged at the same time In general I would like to see a comparison between mu5120 and Netgear Nighthawk M6 ;-)
It's good for your hiking activity due to the power bank feature but I find this mu5120 disappointing as a mobile modem. My ZTE 4G has its battery now on 70% max and I'm wondering if - having a 5120 - I would have to get a new one because of that. I don't feel it better prepared for the future. While the 5001 is now more expensive than the 5120... equipment with the x70 is yet far more expensive than any of these two.
A great review. I got the MU5001 for caravan as it has external aerials but the one you just reviewed look good although be worth seeing how it does in your motorhome with blinds etc down.
It's been confusing. I've mostly had it mounted on the front mini-bulkhead twixt cab and hab, on the near side, at roughly head level (when sat). As I said in the overview, on some pitches and days, it's been faster than the MU5001, and on others, the MU5001's been faster. - I've even run them on a speed test to two separate iPhones (using the app on both - one iPhone 13 pro, and one the 13 Pro Plus, so pretty much the same - at the same time and had different results, none of which have been predictable. I'd have expected the MU5001 to beat the 5120 every time, but that hasn't always been the case. Should note that these tests were always done in 5G locations - in 4G max locations, there's barely a fag paper between them. Colour me confused!
Hey! Thanks a lot for your review. Is there any to use the USB-C -> Ethernet adapter while also charging the MU5120? Or just connecting the MU5120 to a computer using USB-C directly work well enough? Thanks!!
Interesting question - and not something I'd thought of... So, I connected up onto my Mac Pro, and, lo and behold, it works just fine - the Mac sees the MU5120 as a wired network over USB, gets its IP address and everything, and it continues to charge - so, yes, a direct connect will work just fine.
very nice review thanks a lot I have one question can I put it on in the house for good in the electric or the battery is going to be dead.. after while
We've run ours constantly on and connected to a PD USB C source for well over two weeks with no problems - but, given we use it mainly in the motorhome, and it gets switched off when we're at home, I can't say for certain what long term constantly powering it up will do... it should be OK, but only time will tell.
@@VandromedasTravels I'm afraid to take a risk if you a half year Electric charger I think the Batteries swelled Or explode I really wanted to buy it. It's a shame they don't say that a permanent electrical connection to the house is also possible
I'm trying to decide which 5G router to get, MU5120 or MC888. I would mostly use it indoors for work and entertainment, but having the option to use it outdoors sometimes while on the move would be great. Do you think MC888 would be more stable/faster than MU5120 indoors? If not, I will definitely go for the MU5120.
Hi Dave, have been thinking and looking at putting WiFi in the Motorhome, spent a few days at a festival with next to no network coverage from any provider, I assume you need coverage in order for it to work as it’s a cellular network it finds? For us it would mainly be Netflix, RU-vid and social media. Very interesting video👍🏻
Yes - always subject to coverage, and there is absolute certainty that, in certain spots, there'll be none. Only way I can see past that is to go for one of the Starlink packages, but, as yet, I can't justify that, given that EE has served us very well to the ZTE kit, and when that's been dead, Vodafone's been alive and kicking. That said, 5G does seem to be rolling out at quite the pace - I've been pleasantly surprised by how much we've found on sites and just around the place... heartening!
@@VandromedasTravels thanks for the reply, keep looking at little aerials and the puck options for reception. Will keep researching and see how we do. Cheers Paul
I have this but I have Starlink as a backup as some places I go in Scotland have - mobile signal. Sorry but this unit as a 10000mah battery - 1000 would last about 2 hours.
Hi Dave Great review but I have some concerns about this device I purchased via Amazon less than four weeks ago the device gets minimal usage every few days at most, if I power off the device the internal battery is still discharging for example if the power is off at 90% and I boot the device 48 hours later the battery level would be 30 / 40% I have tried contacting the manufacturer but unfortunately the troubleshooting advised was not helpful in the slightest. I intend to keep the device but I suspect my device may be defective I have tried researching but can't find any information related to my issue, does your device operate the same way the internal battery constantly discharging?
We keep ours hooked up to power 24/7 when we're away, so it's hard to say, really - and I always power it all up a day or two before we depart - that's if I've remembered to power it down (which I often do forget). Sorry - I know that's not of much help, but we've not had a minute's bother with it...
I'd thought about it, but, if you're thinking like the Ring networked cameras, they're not close enough to real time, and won't keep a solid signal without refreshing. However, a local IP camera might well do the job - but, again, I'd probably stick a Gopro to the back of the van and monitor it on an iPhone or Tablet. And with the new GoPro 12, I see monitoring while recording is back, so best of both worlds.
Can you both use the 4g and 5g here in this device while on... Or if you put it in 5g there will be no connection for 4g for your older device that has no 5g .. if you understand may question sir..
My 2p. This is a great and fast 5g MiFi. But the issue is have this device doesn’t work while roaming. It just wont connect to any network ( roaming enabled, apn, etc) If I try the sim in my phone that works perfectly, but not in the MU5120
Hey Dave, I got the same model. But for some reason in network information under the tab of 5g there’s no information like it’s not using the 5g Although i see the connection up as 5g The reason why it’s weird because I using the same sim that in my phone i tested the speed on both devices in the same location. On the Phone it was 200Mbps but on the ZTE it was 20 Mbps some time it goes up to 60Mbps The ZTE definitely not using 5G. Can you check on your device in network information if you using 5g? Thank you 🙏
@@VandromedasTravels when I set it only for 5G NSA or 5G SA I don’t get any internet. Something off with this device found some people with the same problem. It’s says that it connected to 5G but in reality it’s not 🤷♂️
@@VandromedasTravels it’s data only. I can use it in my phone for internet etc. just wondering if you can see your 5g data in network information. Thanks for the replies)
Anybody who owns a MU5120: Are you able to choose manually your network provider? When I recently was roaming I had the choice of 3 providers on my smartphone using the same SIM card and contract. And I had the choice to select them manually or automatically. I could not find this option on the MU51200 settings. Neither on the device nor on the ZTE app nor using the web interface. Can anybody confirm or correct me? Thanks
Nope - it’s performed flawlessly, for days at a time, with no freezes, no hiccups, other than, obviously, when we’ve been mobile and lost EE signal briefly moving between sites. We hadn’t turned it off at all, and it’s just kept going, connected to a standard USB A socket fed from the 12v lighting rail on our van.
Thanks for your reply, we are 5g/4g/3g modem and router supplier from China, and export Huawei/zte/TCL etc various brand devices, we want to cooperate with wholesale dealers and do business...@@VandromedasTravels
