I first learned about them when tasked by the local transit authority to put wifi internet access on the buses they use on the 1.5 hour trips to PIA. They seem to hold up well under some pretty grueling conditions. The weakest part of them seems to be the power connector.
I also like it around my place because my cell phones don't reach at ground level (sometimes I'll get one bar long enough for a text or email to come through). Having the Cradlepoint connected to the USB modem with the external antenna routed to a place good signal is received gets me internet to the farm. I may not have actual cell service, but I use email more than text, and I have a landline, so it works for me...
I use the wireless access point in the Cradlepoint within the main house, have one of the LAN ports connected to a Trendnet powerline adapter, and have 4 other Trendnet powerline adapters in other locations. On each of those powerline adapters are Ethernet switches of various sizes, with various network devices, computers, cameras, printers, and whatever else is needed connected to the switches. Also connected to the switches are several wifi access points, some of which are set to separate channels and operate on the same SSID as the Cradlepoint (making one large wireless network that covers an area greater than any one access point could cover). Other access points are dedicated to linking with a wifi Ethernet adapter to provide service for some of my more distant cameras.
I am in the process of setting one up to work solely from solar power, Wireless Ethernet adapter, Power over Ethernet adapter, and the IP camera. I'm busy with other projects, I left off in calculating my nighttime battery capacity needs.
