A couple of years ago we checked out the Skyroam Solis. This was a feature-rich mobile internet hotspot device; essentially it lets you piggyback on any available mobile signal, wherever you are in the world. Well, for a recent trip around Asia we knew we'd need strong, stable and reliable internet for work (Netflix, YouTube, Cat videos etc.) so we turned to Skyroam once again. They stepped up with their latest gadget, the Solis X.
Do check out the original Skyroam Solis review as not all that much has change in turns of ease of use. Its an orange puck-like device without a screen that you turn on, configure via an app, and then hook up any WiFi enabled thing you need to work. The Solis X looks much the same from a distance, but get close up and you'll see that not only is it slightly smaller and lighter, with a tapered shape, but there are is also a camera on it. What?
Yes, there is a weird little camera in this mifi device - not something we've seen before. This new and striking feature allows you to use it, through the updated app, to take photos and record video. This allows you to take remote photos, either of yourself or the room in which the Solis X is sitting, and also live stream. Video calls over the likes of Hangouts can now be hands free. Sexy.
But the addition of a camera isn't the only pull to this new Skyroam Solis. You can connect to the internet in more than 130 countries across the globe. It's always worth checking, depending on where you're going, but after three weeks use in Asia, through China, Japan, and Vietnam, there was never an issue. In most cases we had 4G equivalent speeds, but even when it was slower, we were still able to send messages and browse the net.
The Skyroam Solis X boasts a whopping 4700 mAh battery, and yes you can use it as a power bank. The main charging port is USB-C, so most modern phone users won't require a separate cable to charge and to and from the Solis X. Good travel logic, that.
Once on and connected to a decent signal, the Solis X allows up to ten devices to securely use the internet. We never used it for more than two while out in the wild, but back at Test Pit Towers we manged to hook up six phones and laptops before we noticed an obvious drop in speeds and ease of use. For couples and families travelling with it, no worries. However, if you're in a group and are all relying on being connected at once and enjoying super fast speeds, do bear that in mind. It is, in essence, just like a home broadband router: the more devices connected, the more the competition for bandwidth.
But Christ, did it come in handy. We discovered that we really do need mifi devices like this while travelling, and we've previously enjoyed this one and this one when making travel review videos. Roaming charges are a total joke, especially for high usage people. The Skyroam Solis X is therefore invaluable, and unlike the others we've tested, this comes with added bonuses that you'll actually use.
Sure the camera sounds like a bit of a headline-grabbing novelty, but the use as a power bank, and the integration with IFTTT and the tracking features native to the very good app, put it on top. Also, the device itself feels hard as nails, and the lack of screen reduces the obvious points of ingress for moisture and dust. It just feels durable and rugged. We had no worries with this thing banging around in the bottom of a bag as we used it while travelling. Fragile devices make us all anxious, after all.
But... all that glorious and magical WiFi doesn't come for free. Although Skyroam offer the option to rent their devices, buying one will set you back a not inconsiderable £179.99. Then, once you have the mifi, you'll need some data. Skyroam offer fairly flexible packages, with a monthly pass of unlimited connection for £79, a £7 per month for just a single gigabyte (with additional GBs costing £7 each), or the far more usable unlimited day passes, also for £7 each.
To be fair, £7 a day unlimited isn't bad at all, especially for a shorter break with high internet usage. The point is, it will be far cheaper, and far more predictable, then roaming with your mobile carrier.
With improvements made to what was already a great gadget, regular travellers and business types should definitely consider the Skyroam Solis X.
Visit www.skyroam.com