WHY CHOOSE US? - MaxxFi by Blackwave

WHY CHOOSE US?
Real answers to your questions concerning all MaxxFi Products are
included in this document. For further information or assistance, please
contact us via www.maxxfi.com or our toll free number: 888.299.2033.
NETWORK SOLUTION OPTION 1: USB MODEMS
These devices provide plug and play access to 3G/4G/LTE wireless connectivity. Sold as part of a mobile data contract, they are widely available from all network carriers.
PROS:
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Plug and Play: Instant connectivity, just plug the USB modem into your device and you are good to go.
Low Cost: Simply choose a pre-packaged data plan to suit your needs.
Short Lead-time: Order online and get connectivity-in-a-box, or go into a store and get your device instantly.
Portable: The USB modem transfers between devices easily.
CONS:
• Consumer Grade: As consumer grade products, USB modems are not built to deliver 24/7 connectivity
• Temperature Restricted: USB modems are not ruggedized, so these devices fail in extreme temperatures.
• Vibration Damage: USB modems are not built for vehicular use, so they break constantly due to vibration.
• Environmental Damage: These devices are prone to environmental damage because they are not dust or splash
resistant to outside elements.
• Single Host Connectivity: USB Modems only connect one device at a time and have limited
configuration options.
• Requires Host Computing Device: A USB modem cannot provide stand-alone connectivity and
has to be connected to another computing device to work.
• Small Size: Tiny USB modems have little space for antennas, leading to a poor and unreliable signal at best.
• Security: Consumer-grade USB modems only have basic security features. USB modems are usually unsuitable
for handling sensitive data that needs to be IT and PCI policy compliant. They are also vulnerable to breaches.
CONCLUSION
While a USB modem is a fast and affordable option for providing in-vehicle connectivity, it does not provide a
reliable cellular connection and is not designed to work inside harsh environments where a more rugged solution is
necessary.
For the best experience, MIMO antennas should be mounted with the proper amount of separation. The lack of
external antennas on a USB modem means that performance will never be optimal, resulting in a poor signal.
Security and connectivity issues are the largest concern with USB modems, especially for applications that require
secure connectivity to manage their data transactions such as using a credit card to pay for something online.
NETWORK SOLUTION OPTION 2: MIFI
MiFi devices (personal WiFi hotspots) are primarily consumer products which enable the user to create their own
personal wireless WiFi hotspot. These devices typically allow users to connect up to five devices to the Internet at the
same time over a 3G/4G/LTE connection.
PROS:
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Plug and Play: Connects your device to the Internet at the press of a button
Low Cost: Simply choose a pre-packaged data plan to suit your needs.
No Host Computing Device Required: MiFi devices can provide stand-alone connectivity.
Short Lead-time: Order online and get connectivity-in-a-box, or go into a store and get a MiFi device instantly.
Small and Portable: MiFi devices fit easily in a pocket or briefcase, making them easy to use on the go.
WiFi Connection: Connect multiple devices to the Internet at the same time.
CONS:
• Consumer Grade: As a consumer-grade product, these devices are not as reliable as other connectivity solutions.
• Temperature Restricted: Personal hotspots cannot perform under extreme temperatures, often melting in heat or
dying in the cold.
• Vibration Damage: MiFis break consistently due to vibrations from vehicle movement.
• Environmental Damage: These devices are not dust or splash resistant, so they are prone to
environmental damage.
• Poor Signal Strength: MiFis have limited connection options for antennas, so they suffer from
poor signal strength.
• Limited Connectivity: MiFis only allow you to connect up to five devices, making them unsuitable for most RV/
Boat users who require more than 5 devices to be connected.
• Limited WiFi Features: MiFis only provide basic WiFi and do not support advanced features.
• Security: These devices only have basic security features and do not offer the enterprise-grade security. They are
vulnerable to breaches.
CONCLUSION
While a MiFi can provide a fast and affordable option for creating an in-vehicle network, and it allows you to
connect multiple devices, client device support is limited. Personal hotspots are also unreliable and they are not
designed for an in-vehicle environment. The inability to deliver security compliance to the vehicle network also
makes MiFi devices unsuitable for usage where security is important.
NETWORK SOLUTION OPTION 3:
MaxxFi Systems
MaxxFi systems provide a secure, reliable, and super-fast connectivity over a choice of cellular networks, enabling
extended features and capabilities. They offer enterprise-grade mobile connectivity anywhere, anytime.
PROS:
• Plug and Play: Fast speed to deployment with Maxx Concierge configuration and support.
• Multi WAN Support: MaxxFi systems support Ethernet, WiFi as WAN, Satellite networks, etc.
• Ruggedized Options: The routers in every MaxxFi system are protected from vibration, dust, splash, and
extreme temperatures.
• WiFi Connections: Wireless routers allow multiple devices to connect, some allowing up to 128 connections at
one time.
• Simple Integration: The compact size and capabilities of MaxxFi advanced routers allow easy integration with
other in-vehicle technologies.
• Antenna Connection: MaxxFi wireless routers connect to an external MIMO antenna, which can be positioned
to optimize coverage.
• Warranties & Support: As enterprise-grade products, MaxxFi systems come with Maxx Concierge warranties and
support. Your hardware warranty will never expire as long as you have Maxx Concierge.
• Extended Power Options: MaxxFi system components allow direct installation into a vehicle’s electrical system.
• Stand-Alone Connectivity: MaxxFi systems do not need to be connected to a host-computing device to provide
connectivity.
• Secure Connectivity: MaxxFi offers enterprise-grade security with advanced security, VPN, and stateful firewalls
to protect sensitive data. They are also designed for PCI compliant network activities such as securely using credit cards to make transactions online.
• Multi-Carrier Support: Multi-carrier support prevent you from being “locked in” to a particular carrier which
provides “future proofing” should you decide to change carriers down the road.
• Lower Cost of Ownership: MaxxFi will remotely support and “flash” your router for updates, data plan changes
and if you decide to change carriers. Other devices would be useless to you in the event you decide to switch
carriers and you would need to purchase new devices from the new carrier. MaxxFi has systems designed to work
with multiple SIM cards, so you can purchase two 20gb plans instead of one 40gb plan with your carrier and see
a savings of $40+ per month without any of the headaches associated with swapping out SIM cards or having
expensive hardware for each carrier.
CONCLUSION
MaxxFi systems provide the most reliable and secure solution for connectivity with enhanced capabilities that go far
beyond consumer-grade options.
Although they are the most costly initial hardware investment, MaxxFi systems deliver the greatest return as a
long-term solution. Our systems offer increased functionality that delivers on your existing needs, while still
offering a viable connectivity solution for future expansion. While other options may have a smaller initial cost,
they are more expensive in the long term because of the need for constant hardware replacements, adjustments,
and in-person troubleshooting. Overall, MaxxFi systems offer a complete, secure, reliable, and
always available connectivity solution with every piece of hardware we offer.
SELECTING THE RIGHT SOLUTION
Within the router market, there are products designed for a variety of applications, so you must understand the
features you are looking for in a connectivity solution.
For example, a non-ruggedized router intended for application within retail environments may perform excellently
within a retail store, but it would not be suitable for the rigors of the vehicle installation.
WHEN SELECTING A ROUTER FOR YOUR IN-VEHICLE NETWORK YOU
SHOULD LOOK FOR THE FOLLOWING:
• Certified 3G/4G/LTE enterprise-grade internal modem
• Dual-band, dual concurrent WiFi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac)
• Ruggedized for vibration, shock, dust, splash, and humidity (look for products with the certifications
to support this)
• Built-in transient and reverse polarity voltage protection
• 9-36 DC voltage input range
• Integrated temperature sensor
• Operating temperature withstanding -30C° to 70°C (−22 °F to +158 °F) and storage temperature
withstanding −40 °C to 85 °C (−40 °F to +185 °F) with a temperature sensor that triggers alerts
and automatic shutoff
• Active GPS support
• Remote managed configuration, maintenance, and firmware upgrades so you always have the latest
security features and upgrades.
• Mounting integrated into the hardware for optimal placement and shock resistance.
• Ignition sensing
• Software-defined radio that supports multiple carriers (Gobi)
The above set of features will ensure that you select a device that is perfectly built and designed
for in-vehicle networking. MaxxFi systems are purposely designed and refined for RV and Boat
convenience.
INTRODUCING MAXX CONCIERGE
All these features are confusing aren’t they?
You’d have to be an engineer to understand and use all of MaxxFi’s capabilities yourself. That’s where Maxx
Concierge comes into play.  You just send an email to support@maxxfi.com and one of our on call engineers will
configure whatever needs to be done for you. With the built in failsafes that we designed, and the services we flash
onto the MaxxFi systems, we will be notified of any unit that goes offline or encounters an error and start working
the issue before you even contact us. If you happen to pull into an RV park that isn’t already loaded in the router,
just send an email with the login information.  We don’t even need the ssid because we can see all the access points
around you and log you in remotely. Change carriers or data plans? Just an email and we flash update everything
remotely for you. 
WE CAN MANAGE EVERYTHING REMOTELY.
We manage everything remotely and there’s a real good reason we must do it this way. Most people don’t
understand how to properly set their routers up for the advanced features like outside networks, carrier flashing,
multiple SIM cards, data spillover, load balancing, quality of service settings etc.  All the important parameters are
locked out and the routers will only use the configurations that MaxxFi sends them.  This is important because if
anyone enters ANY parameter incorrectly, it will cause issues and the last thing we want is negative feedback
popping up from people not being able to use features or routers that won’t connect. Every aspect of the MaxxFi
System is controllable and we don’t want simple mistakes to happen such as reducing the WiFi power output
because someone didn’t know what a setting would do. 
24/7 CONCIERGE SERVICE
We have a Maxx Concierge engineer available 24/7 to handle requests and troubleshoot issues should they
arise.  Any questions or requests you have are easily handled this way.  We use the latest technology in our systems.
In order to provide a high level of customer satisfaction, it’s imperative that we stand behind our systems with service
and support.  We don’t expect you to know how to operate anything, we just want you to enjoy using the features of
your MaxxFi System and not worry about any technical aspect of it.
If your MaxxFi system should just completely die for any reason, we will ship a new one to you wherever you are
as long as you have a Maxx Concierge subscription.  This warranty will continue for as long as you have Maxx
Concierge services. Simply unscrew the cables from the old one and screw them into the new one.  Of course, we
want the old router back.  Your MaxxFi System gives us alerts and reports as to its health.  If the router should lock
up for any reason, it will reboot itself and send us a message saying it had to reboot, and why, so we can resolve the
issue. We automatically update all of our systems remotely as firmware and carrier needs dictate, behind the scenes
and over the air.
INTEGRATION & AUTOMATION
We’re working towards getting all the RV parks loaded into the MaxxFi Systems so that they will automatically
connect to the outside WiFi upon your arrival without the need for you to do anything. When you pull into the
RV park, your MaxxFi System will already be connected to the outside WiFi and off your data plan before you even
park your rig. If the park isn’t in our list yet, you can simply email the login info to us and we’ll connect your
MaxxFi System to it.  You don’t even have to tell us the name of the WiFi. We’ll find it for you.
NOT A TECHNICAL PERSON? NO PROBLEM.
Simply send an email to support@MaxxFi.com requesting whatever it is you’d like to do and consider it done.
You’ll get a prompt response once your task has been completed by an engineer.
Maxx Concierge is included for the first year with any MaxxFi System purchase, and $79 per year after.
By paying for the Maxx Concierge, you’ll get all of the concierge benefits plus an extended warranty should
something happen to the MaxxFi system. As long as you subscribe to MaxxFi Concierge, you will have a
warranty on your MaxxFi System. This extended warranty only applies to the MaxxFi approved router, not the
associated antennas or cables.
Examples of features that Maxx Concierge offers:
“I just parked at our RV park. Please connect us to their WiFi. They gave us username/password to use for
login.”
“I just bought a plan with a different carrier. Please switch my MaxxFi over to use T-Mobile.”
“I changed my data plan on X carrier to include XXgb of data, please make sure I don’t exceed that amount.”
AUTOMATION WITH MAXXFI
MaxxFi Systems do so much more than just provide internet. 
They also open up doors for automation with the built in BlackWave functionality.  Devices such as your thermostat, door locks, lights, cameras, etc. are able to interact with you via an app on your smart phone/tablet etc. 
We have an adapter that’s part of the MaxxFi System that integrates into your vehicle’s computer. If you drive toward
your boat, home, office or RV, the car will notice and have the environment set to your comfort when you get there.
Certain lights turned on, thermostat set where you want it, unlock doors without needing keys, etc. When you drive
away from your RV or home the system can lock everything up, turn off the lights and set the thermostat. If you
have one of the available cameras on the outside of your coach or boat, you can at anytime view a live stream from
it. If you’re away from the RV/boat doing something and someone enters the view of the camera, it will notify you
and record the person the camera sees.
All the automation is custom for each application. Contact us today for more information on automation!