購買緣起 | Reason of buying
一直以來，隨身攜帶的 Nokia N810 「網板電腦（Internet Tablet）」以及間中攜帶的華碩 Eee PC 901 都得靠 Wifi 才能上網。雖然我也可以以藍牙形式接駁手機使用 3.5G 網絡，但我的手機上網計劃每月只有 50 MB 是免費的，手機無限上網計劃又異常昂貴。本來各網絡商每月二百元左右的「手指」無限上網計劃是很吸引的，但「手指」只可用於 PC 架構上，我的 Nokia N810 卻無福消受。
I carry my Nokia N810 Internet Tablet with me all the time and bring my Eee PC 901 with me occasionally. Both devices support Wifi for Internet connection only. Although it is still possible for me to connect them to my mobile phone's 3.5G network via Bluetooth, the mobile phone network plan that I'm currently using only offers 50MB of data transfer per month, and unlimited Internet usage plans for mobile phones are unreasonably expensive here in Hong Kong. Yes, we can still easily enjoy unlimited Internet usage with a 3.5G HSPA USB modem at the price of around HK$200 per month; but this is for PCs only, and it is nearly impossible for me to get USB modems working on my Nokia N810.
早前網上行推出了「Pocket Wifi」服務，一部細小的華為 E583X 就可讓用家同一時間把 3.5G 網絡連線同時分享給最多 5 部 Wifi 裝置；可是該計劃月費達到每月 $328（這還是網上行客戶價，非網上行客戶要 $488），而且眾所周知的是電盈 3G 網絡的質素和網絡覆蓋都不甚理想，他們提供的 華為 E583X 又有「鎖卡」，所以本來「心大心細」的我，最後也不予考慮。
Around a month ago Netvigator launched its "Pocket Wifi" plan that offers unlimited Internet usage at an expensive price of HK$328 (for Netvigator users only; for non-Netvigator users, it's HK$488 per month). The plan includes a free Huawei E583X device that allows simultaneous Wifi connections launched by up to 5 devices to share a common 3.5G connection. However, considering that PCCW's 3G network quality and coverage aren't that good, and the fact that their Huawei E583X is in fact SIM locked, their "Pocket Wifi" plan is therefore removed from my list of considerations.
近月外國 Novatel 推出的 Mifi 也引來不少媒體的報導和網友們的注意，不過它賣超過二千元的價格，卻又令我「望機輕嘆」。
Recently, Novatel's Mifi has caught a lot attention from many media and Internet users. But with the price tag over HK$2000, I wouldn't consider it either.
直至前陣子上網看見 HKEPC 介紹了 Zalip 支援 3.5G 的無線 Draft N 路由器，發現它支援以鋰離子電池供電，而且還支援市面不少 3.5G 「手指」，最重要的是它只賣七百多元！它的功能甚至比華為 E583X 和 Novatel Mifi 有過之而無不及呢！
Last month I read a review from HKEPC that introduced me the Zalip Draft N router which supports using 3.5G USB modem as WAN connection. What's so amazing is that this router can actually be powered up by a Lithium-ion battery that is compatible to Fujifilm cameras' and is easily obtainable. This extremely portable router supports majority of 3.5G USB modems, and more importantly, it is selling at the price of just HK$770. What's more, Zalip's router offers greater flexibility and features over the solutions offered by Huawei and Novatel.
就是這樣，我便去旺電三樓某店用 $770 把它買回家。我又把先前從網上行得來的華為 E180 「手指」解鎖，並去數碼通申請一個每月 $188 (+$12) 的 7.2Mbps 無限上網計畫（只出 SIM 卡，兩年約），現在我便可以享受隨處無限上網、與朋友聚會時一同分享上網的樂趣了！
So that's how I bought mine from Mongkok Computer Centre at HK$770. To get started, I unlocked my Netvigator's Huawei E180 USB modem and joined the Smartone-Vodafone 7.2Mbps unlimited usage plan at HK$188(+$12) per month (SIM card only, 2-year contract). Now I can get online with both my N810 and my Eee PC anywhere in Hong Kong, and enjoy the moments when I can share my connection with friends during gatherings!
外型簡介 | Product Appearance
跟機有火牛、鋰電、網絡線、USB 延長線、說明書及安裝程式光碟及一個黑色便攜袋。重量 | Weight
Included with the router is a power adapter, Lithium-ion battery, LAN cable, USB extension cable, a CD-ROM that contains the user manual and drivers, and a black carrying bag.
隨機附送 3.7V * 1700mAh 鋰電池，官方說最長可用 5 小時，但實際則用到 3-4 小時。電池上面寫著 「Replace」，應該是代用電的貨色。
翻查 NP-120 的來歷，原來它是富士相機的鋰電呢！多買一粒應該不難…
The Lithium-ion battery included is a 3.7V * 1700mAh one. Zalip claims that it can sustain up to 5 hours; speaking in real life terms, it turns out to be 3-4 hours. The word "Replace" is printed on the stock battery, indicating that this battery is in fact produced by third-party manufacturer.
原來 PowerSmart 也有推出這款代用電，而且是 1800mAh，比附送的還要高 100mAh，灣仔 298 賣 $100，多買一塊便應該可以全日任玩了。
And yes, I've got another battery in Wanchai 298 Computer Centre at the price of HK$100 --- this one is produced by PowerSmart, and it has even larger capacity: 1800mAh! That's 100mAh more than the stock one.
機身旁除了有 USB 接口接駁「手指」，還有 Reset 掣讓你在忘記密碼或搞亂設定時重設路由器的設定。WPS 按鈕是方便與支援 WPS 的 Wifi 裝置連接路由器，一般比較少用。
At the right hand side of the router, we can find an USB slot, a Reset button and a WPS button. You may use the Reset button if you have forgotten the router's password or you've messed up the router settings. The WPS button supports easy connection with WPS-supported Wifi devices, but it is rarely used.
後面的 Ethernet 接口有兩個用途。如果沒有插「手指」，這個接口會成為「WAN」接口，可用來接駁家用的 ADSL 或有線數據機作一般家用無線路由器的用途；若插了「手指」，這個接口會成為普通的「LAN」接口，可以連接電腦作普通上網之用。這一面還有開關掣和電源插位。
There are two ways to use the Ethernet slot. When an USB modem is NOT inserted, this slot becomes a "WAN" slot where you can connect it with a Cable / ADSL modem and use the device as a typical home wireless router. When an USB modem is inserted, this slot becomes a typical "LAN" slot where you can connect it with computers using LAN cable to get online.
路由器設有四顆 LED 指示燈，分別代表電池、Wifi、Ethernet 和 USB 的狀態。
There are four LED indicators on the router, showing the battery, Wifi, Ethernet and USB statuses respectively.
影片介紹 | Video Introduction
相信網友們也很擔心這款路由器的重量。好，是時候又再請出我的「日本城」電子磅了！路由器的功能 | Router Features
I know many of you are concerned about the router's weight. Oh well, let's invite my electronic weight bought from Japan Home Centre again!
幸好，機身十分輕巧，不連電池只重 98 克。
Fortunately, the router is pretty light-weight. It weights only 98 grams without battery.
連跟機電池重 136 克。
It weights 136 grams with battery.
也就是說跟機電池重 38 克。
By doing some simple maths, that means the stock battery weights 38 grams.
PowerSmart 代用電則重 44 克。
The PowerSmart battery weights 6 grams more.
連跟機電池、並插上華為 E180 「手指」後重 158 克。
The router weights 158 grams with the stock battery and with my Huawei E180 USB modem inserted.
我的整套裝備：路由器、跟機電池、代用電池、華為 E180 「手指」、跟機的便攜袋…總共也不過 211 克。
I bring all these stuffs everyday: the Zalip router, the stock battery, the PowerSmart battery, the Huawei E180 USB modem, and the stock carrying bag... they all weight 211 grams in total.
你可以幻想 Zalip 這款路由器是家用 Draft N 路由器 + 充電池，基本上一般家用路由器有的 WEP/WPA/WPA2 網絡保安制式、Port Forwarding、DMZ、Static Route、QoS、MAC 地址控制、限時上網、網域及網址過濾、防攻擊措施、遇事電郵通知等功能都一一配備。詳看以下的影片介紹：
You may imagine the Zalip router as a home Draft N router + rechargeable battery. Basically you can find all the features you can expect from a typical home-use router on the Zalip router: WEP/WPA/WPA2 security, Port Forwarding, DMZ, Static Route, QoS, MAC address control, timer control, domain and URL filtering, anti-attack, e-mail notifications etc. Watch the video below for more:
與直插「手指」的表現比較 | Using router vs. using USB modem directly
把「手指」直插電腦，與把它插到 Zalip 路由器後再以 Wifi 連接路由器，兩者在上下載的表現會如何？原來互有勝負，而且跟操作系統也有莫大的關係！來看看我做的幾個簡單的 SpeedTest.net 以及串流影片播放測試，就會略知一二！
Here we compare the upload and download speed at SpeedTest.net and test out the video streaming performance among these scenarios: 1) using the router 2) connect the USB modem to the computer directly. Watch the videos for more.
兩機分享連線看串流影片 及 兩機互傳檔案的表現 | Video streaming on both devices and file transfer tests in between two devices
以上的測試都是以 Eee PC 一台電腦來進行的。如果我們利用 Zalip 路由器來分享連線，一同觀看在線串流影片，表現又會如何？兩部機之間的內聯網檔案傳送，表現又會如何？看過以下影片就會知道！
The above tests were tested using Eee PC only. So what would the video streaming performance look like if we share the 3.5G connection with two devices? How fast is the speed when we transfer files from one device to another via the router's Intranet connection? Watch the video for more:
總結 | Conclusion
Zalip LOHASmart CDM530AM 3.5G 路由器內置可換式鋰電池的嶄新設計，令一眾擁有只支援 Wifi 制式裝置（如「網本」電腦、手機等）的用家，也能享受 3.5G HSPA 網絡隨處上網的便利。藉著其分享連線的功能，我們可以透過這款路由器，讓聚會中的朋友們一同上網。當日後支援更高速度（如 10.2Mbps）的「手指」推出後，我們可直接把「手指」插到路由器的 USB 接口便可使用，這一彈性比華為 E583X 和 Novatel Mifi 都要強。此外，經常出外公幹的朋友可帶備這款路由器，能把酒店房間的 LAN 連線以無線方式分享給你隨身的 Wifi 裝置使用，實在非常方便。
Zalip LOHASmart CDM530AM 3.5G router is in no doubt an innovative product because of its replaceable battery power option. With the Zalip router, users who own Wifi-only devices can now enjoy the mobility advantage that 3.5G HSPA network connections offer. With the Zalip router, we can share one 3.5G connection with friends in a gathering very easily. With the Zalip router, we can easily replace the USB modem when newer models with faster speeds (e.g. 10.2Mbps) are out in the market, and this approach is in fact more flexible than what Huawei E583X and Novatel Mifi are to offer. People who often go for business trips can also bring along their Zalip router and plug in the Ethernet cable in the hotel room, sharing the wired Internet connection wirelessly.
Zalip LOHASmart CDM530AM 3.5G 路由器 除了顏色「青 B B」以及其 USB 插口位置較不方便這兩個主要缺點外，總的來說已算是一件十分實用、實惠和富創意的產品。難怪它能於早前的台灣 Computex 電腦展獲得了最佳產品的殊榮。如果你本身已有 3.5G「手指」，又有一些只支援 Wifi 的裝置想隨身應用，或者你真的可以「諗諗佢」！
Albeit its awkward greenish colour and its rather-inconvenient USB slot position, Zalip LOHASmart CDM530AM 3.5G router is a highly-portable, cheap-in-price and innovative product, and the Computex Best Choice Award that CDM530AM had received somehow speaks for itself. If you have a 3.5G USB modem on hand, and you would like to use your Wifi-only devices anywhere, you should really give this great product a serious thought!
