Cell Phone Booster Blog

We now have the Wi-Ex zBoost zPersonal YX300 in stock. At just $169, the zBoost YX300 is the cheapest indoor repeater coverage solution currently available. We expect the zBoost zP to introduce repeater products to a larger proportion of the consumer market. The kit is designed for first time users and is extremely easy to install, but the low price and simple design are reflected in the system’s small 6 foot coverage radius.

We have been testing the YX300 in real world situations since we received a test unit from Wi-Ex, and have had very positive results. The performance of the kit depends quite strongly on the signal strength at the window where the unit is installed. With reasonably strong signal at the window, we found that the unit provides significantly improved call coverage and can eliminate dropped calls and voice quality issues. However, we found that it is very important to maintain separation between the window unit and the indoor antenna - the unit oscillates easily and has to be reset each time this happens.

Overall, we recommend the zBoost zP YX300 for users with reception problems and a limited budget, but users who need a larger coverage area should consider installing a larger zBoost YX-510 kit.

A wired version of the zP, called the zBoost zP YX100, is due within the next few months. This will be a wired direct-connect amplifier that will complete Wi-Ex’s low-cost zP repeater line.

For more information and complete specifications visit our zBoost zP YX300 product page.

About a month ago we wrote about Wi-Ex’s announcement of two new repeaters: the zBoost zP Personal and the zBoost zP Wireless. At the time, Wi-Ex didn’t release any tech specs, which left us to wonder how effective a sub-$100 repeater could really be.

Courtesy of Wi-Ex we are now able to reveal that the zBoost zP repeater will have +31 dB gain in the wired “zP Personal” version and +43 dB total system gain in the “zP Wireless” version (measured @ 800 MHz). The difference between the two is down to the gain of the internal antenna that is included as part of the zP Wireless version.

Now, it’s always very unreliable to compare system gains for repeaters from different manufacturers, so to put it in perspective within Wi-Ex’s existing product range, the YX-200 Wireless Vehicle Repeater has a total system gain quoted as +50 dB. This is a difference in system gain of +7 dB between the two wireless repeaters, but taking into account the difference in price tag of around $130, this shows the zP repeater in a reasonably favorable light. However, there is a limit to how much you can learn from a product’s specifications and a more telling test will be when we put this repeater into practice in a real world situation. We will be doing this soon, hopefully before the zP’s scheduled release, which is rumored to be around mid-June.

Regardless, the zboost zP was never about raw amplifier performance and perhaps the most important specs to be released are the price: $99 for the wired version and $169 for the wireless version, and the weight: 10 Oz, or slightly more than half a pound. These figures represent significant reductions when compared with any other repeater available on the market. With dimensions of 4 x 5 x 1.3 inches, the zP is a truly portable repeater system. To have crammed a dual band repeater (i.e. a repeater compatible with all cellular networks other than Nextel) into such as small package is a remarkable achievement. The real question is whether Wi-Ex have managed to achieve this portability without sacrificing performance. On this, the jury is still out.

The full technical specifications are now available on our zP product page: Wi-Ex zBoost zP Repeater

A couple of weeks ago I discussed the zBoost ZPersonal from Wi-Ex. To refresh your memories, it’s the new portable cell phone repeater. Designed to be set up quickly, consumers will be able to move the zPersonal from home to office. Another distinguishing feature is its price. Retailing at $99, it will be the most affordable repeater on the market.

As I said before, we at RepeaterStore are really excited about the new zP. Customers are already asking about availability and we predict it will be one of our most popular models. That’s one reason we were pleased to hear that it was recently honored at the CTIA Wireless Expo 2007.

The zBoost zPersonal was 3rd place winner of the CTIA Emerging Technologies (E-Tech) Award. There’s no doubt that as a cell phone repeater, it is groundbreaking on several levels. Aside from its expected price, it’s also the most portable cell signal amplifier on the market.

We also think that this award is great for the cellular repeater industry in general. It’s great that repeaters are being recognised as groundbreaking technology.

We’re looking into getting a zP here before they’re available to purchase. Hopefully soon we’ll be able to devote a blog post to its power output, coverage area, and more.

RepeaterStore is proud to announce that it will be carrying the zBoost zPersonal cell phone repeater. Launched yesterday by Wi-Ex, the zBoost zPersonal will be compatible with both the 800MHz and 1900MHz frequency bands.

We are very excited about this latest development from WiEx. The zPersonal is unique on several levels.

The vision behind the product is to enable customers to quickly create transferable cell zones. The unit is designed to be portable, and to set up in minutes, meaning that customers on the go (between home and office, for example) will be able to take their cell phone repeater with them with ease. It will be available in wired and wireless versions.

But perhaps the most striking aspect of the zBoost zPersonal is its price. It will retail at $99, making it the most affordable cell phone repeater on the market by some distance.

After the success of the zBoost YX500/YX510 range in the consumer oriented cellular repeater market, we hope the zP may too have mass market appeal. It will be available from our website from June.