Verizon Data Plan and X51v

DrummerCT · 04-03-06, 07:27 PM

I recently upgraded to a new Verizon phone, the LG VX8100, for which I have their fairly new High Speed Data Plan using their "EVDO" network. What this means is that I can use a cable from the "Mobile Office" kit that's specifically for my phone model, and tether the cell phone to my notebook. One end of the cable connects to a USB port on the computer, the other to the phone. Thus, I can use the cell phone as a high-speed modem. It works quite well for this purpose. Up until quite recently, Verizon had disabled the modem feature on most of its product line.

Now, even though I have a 4.2lb notebook which is fairly light as such things go, I'd prefer to have just the Axim and cell phone with me on certain trips. I am aware that others have achieved a bluetooth to bluetooth *dialup* connection between [whatever] phone and Axim. My question is: Does anyone know how to achieve a high-speed (full EVDO) connection between the Verizon-networked LG phone and the Axim, either BT-to-BT (preferred) or by cable? I did, by the way, hear a rumor from a Verizon sales person, that Verizion would soon be offering this capability directly, as a $15/month add-on.

CaptKen · 04-04-06, 12:16 PM

You can do it now. The LG 8100 and LG9800 can be used that way. Just set up a bluetooth connection from Axim to phone. it should dial #777, your user name is your phone number @ vzw3g.com and the password is vzw. works great, I get 550 KB/s most of the time. :) On the phone, in tools, set bluetooth connection to PC instead of USB. Sometimes it does it by itself, other times you have to reset that setting after it has been connected by the USB to laptop. Great coverage, too.

Don't Panic! · 04-04-06, 12:27 PM

I can testify for the other coast. I use a different Verizon phone and My Ax is an X50v but boy that Verizon EVDO is speedy over Bluetooth.

DrummerCT · 04-04-06, 10:35 PM

CaptKen: would you mind providing the actual steps involved on both the Axim and the phone? I think my phone is probably quite similar in menus as yours.

Here's what I did so far: Maybe you or others could edit, improve?

(1) On the phone, I went into Settings & Tools and under PC Connection, and under PC Connection, selected Bluetooth;

(2) Then, went back into Settings & Tools, and selected Bluetooth Menu option (the last one on the list list, then Paired Devices, Options, Search New, and was able to pair up with Found Devices

(3) so, to this point the two gadgets are connected meaning that the phone found the PDA and shows "Port Enabled" under "Info"

(4) Next turning my attention to the Axim, I went into Settings --> Connections --> My ISP --> Add a new modem connection, and entered a name for the connection (I used my phone's model number, but it could be any handy name), selected "Bluetooth" as Modem, selected by phone as the Bluetooth device on the next menu, entered #777 as the number to dial, provided a user name of my cell # @vzw3g.com, and used password "vzw" (which the PDA seemed to, on its own, add other stuff to the password because it is now 16 asterisks in length! (???); I left Domain blank. I also didn't enter anything under the Advanced menu, although it looks to me like maybe this should be adjusted? especially the Baud rate?

On the Axim, if I go to Settings, My ISP and tap/hold the cell phone's name, I menu pops up which includes an option to Connect (and this is where things break down). A couple of times the PDA and phone connect, and the phone's screen shows that it has dialed in to the Verizon network. However, I can't seem to get the connection to persist... sometimes the phone's screen says "dormant" after about 10 seconds of being connected.

I've been unable to get the PDA's web browser to connect. (it does work when I've used it in a Wi-Fi hotspot, so I know the browser works with a different connection scenario)

And what is the easiest way to "dial" without going through Settings, My ISP etc?

Thanks!

CaptKen · 04-05-06, 12:47 PM

under the proxy settings for edit existing connections, choose "this connection connects to internet" under start/settings/connections - tap the connections icon then click the advanced option, then the select networks, and choose new, naming it Verizon. set your new modem connection up with #777 as the nuimber, your#@vzw3g.com and password of vzw. after that is set up, go back to start/settings/connections advanced/select networks and then choose Verizon for network to connect to the internet. It will then use that network (Verizon) as default to connect. For WiFi, use start/settings/connections/Dell WAN/ and turn on and that will over ride the dial up (broadband verizon). It doesn't sopund like your phone needs set up different, but to get into phone to allow bluetooth. it is menu/0/000000/ (that is hidden and no one tells you about that) and then choose allow bluetooth connection DUN, but I don't think that needs done in your case.

DrummerCT · 04-05-06, 11:40 PM

Interesting... seems to work this time, following your guidance above. Then made sure I'd pressed the "wireless" enable button on the side of the Axim (twice in 5 seconds). Thanks! I went to 2wire.com, and used their "Speed Meter" and my Axim's connection was clocked at 2.04 Mbps. I then went to http://infospeed.verizon.net/ and clocked in at 500KBits. Does this seem "normal?"

Follow-up question: Does your cell phone's screen say "Dormant" in between transmissions to the web? My phone's screen also shows (on occasion) two other screens: (1) that shows "Time" (the word "Time" flashes) and this screens shows for just a few seconds and seems like it disconnects until another web request is made and (2) another screen that shows "1X-EVDO DATA with total time online plus indicators for RX and TX. Is this what's happening on your Axim(s)?

Overall, this is very cool. The best of both worlds! The LG VX8100 as phone (which in a pinch can also check email and do some [limited] web browsing on its own, and being able to use the Axim with the phone's broadband data service. I like that I can also tether the phone to a notebook computer (so far: requires cable). Now I'm wondering if I can Bluetooth between the phone and the notebook (e.g., dispense with the cable; I have a Kensington Bluetooth 2.0 USB adapter just waiting to be tried out)!

CaptKen · 04-06-06, 04:02 AM

yes it will go dormant if no activity, then access again by itself if an activity takes place. Another neat thing is that you can get an incoming call while the Axim is on the internet through the phone

DrummerCT · 04-06-06, 05:35 PM

Today, I had a few minutes for experimenting... I confirmed that I was also able to use my ThinkOutside Bluetooth mouse and infrared keyboard to work along with the Bluetooth Verizon EVDO connection. I also have the connectivity kit for Axim to external monitor... a subsequent experiment will be to see all of the above working together (I imagine it will).

Anyone else have experience with the Verizon EVDO to Axim Bluetooth connectivity they'd like to comment on?

DrummerCT · 04-08-06, 03:39 PM

With further usage, I find that sometimes the Bluetooth connection (Axim--Phone) doesn't fully "connect." By this I mean that I can start up the Axim's browser, and it will stay on "connecting" without actually making it online. Sometimes I can get things working by rebooting one device or the other. So, for now, I'd say I can get things to work, but not consistently. Any other suggestions?

CaptKen · 04-08-06, 08:41 PM

every now and then, particularly after using a USB cable to a laptop with the phone, it (the phone) isn't happy with bluetooth. You can make it OK again by going to tools on the phone menu/tools/pc connection and picking bluetooth. Or turn off phone and back on again.. The phone likes to do one or the other (USB or Bluetooth) and most of the time will do either, but sometimes needs to be encouraged.

DrummerCT · 04-09-06, 08:43 AM

Thanks. But... the inconsistency happens even though I've not used my phone with the notebook at all. In fact, since trying the phone--Axim Bluetooth link I've not used the phone--notebook computer even once. So, any other thoughts? Other "clues" I notice are that the phone--Axim do seem Bluetooth-connected to some degree (i.e., I will get the RX & TX screen, but no data going back/forth to the netword). My sense is that the phone--Axim are linked, but something's going on where the entire transaction of getting data to/from the EVDO network isn't fully happening.

CaptKen · 04-10-06, 12:01 AM

Can't be sure about your instance. That happens to me sometimes when on the ocean or at islands if signal is weak, and at times like checking email, I'll bring up outlook, hit send and receive, it will connect, send and receive and then be dormant until I pass another request. It still shows on Axim as connected, but if no transmission or reception is actually taking place, the phone face shows dormant. As soon as I either request a web page or send an Email, the TX and RX lights up again. So I guess it is connected but not really, maybe in some kind of standby mode. BTW, it does the same thing when tethered to Laptop.

DrummerCT · 04-10-06, 06:44 PM

Sounds quite similar to my experience (except the ocean/islands part!).

coolbre304 · 04-13-06, 04:24 PM

I use bluetooth on my phone, but alas, only 1xRTT. V710 for me. I can live though.

mandersonle · 04-13-06, 04:33 PM

I also have a V710 and have still been unable to connect via bluetooth to my Axim. I have connected the phone via bluetooth to my laptop. There was a thread a while back regarding importing regestry entries but that still didn't resolve my connectivity issues. What did you have to do to make your V710 talk with your X51v?