so confused, need help - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Workinrvers · RV-Dreams Family Member

so confused, need help

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Verizon iPhones as hotspots give you the same coverage as a MiFi (or other hotspot). You can turn it on and off by the month, $20 extra each month per phone for up to 2GB of usage. If you can stay under 2GB than just turn on the hotspot on one phone, it will support up to 5 wifi devices (computers, iPads, Kindles, etc.) at once. I can't remember if they charge $20 per extra GB or $10, but the first trip you should try it.

-- Edited by bjoyce on Wednesday 1st of February 2012 08:08:51 PM

granny · RV-Dreams Family Member

I am trying to figure out what our best option is for internet and just keep getting more confused.

We are currently in an Rv park which is our home base and we have ATT Uverse for tv and internet. That is fine while we are here, but we are leaving next week for a 3 week trip around the state of Florida to state parks and rv parks. We will be traveling like this from time to time and coming back to the home base.

I need to have internet for my parttime job which is done online and my husband needs it too.

We are thinking about using our iphones with Verizon as hotspots or should we get a Mobile hotspot, mify. Which one would give us the best coverage? I know that we can turn on the hotspots on our phone only when we need it so when we are back at our homebase we would not need it.

We are tryin to do this as economically as possible but I definetely need internet for work. Basically I just need to access the internet and my email each day. No big downloading.

What do you experts suggest?

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

Since you have an iPhone, you can download our app in the App Store called 'Coverage?' for a $1.99. (Or you can just check Verizon's coverage maps online if you prefer.)

We created it specifically to help us mobile bandwidth junkies - as we too need to stay online in our travels to get our work done. We took all of the coverage maps from the 4 major nationwide carriers, standardized them to overlay Google maps and allow you to browse where you're most likely to get coverage on what carrier. It even works offline, when you don't have coverage, so you know which direction you need to head to get connected.

With the app, you can see where your current carrier has you covered, and if you need to supplement with another carrier - which one might work best for your planned routing.

Please note however - coverage maps and an actual useable connection are two entirely different things.

That said, using your iPhone as a hotspot is awesome way to go if Verizon has you covered for your planned routing. No extra equipment to buy, and the flexibility to turn the feature on and off as needed. We use the iPhone hotspot feature regularly in our travels (as a back-up.. ours iPhones are on AT&T, and our data air card on Verizon via Millenicom) - and we love it. So easy, and affordable.

For more information about keeping connected while RVing in the USA, here's our full post exploring the options: Connectivity

Best wishes,

- Cherie

BruceandTrisha · RV-Dreams Family Member

We had to switch to Verizon because it was the only one whose coverage reached to the river where we were camped. We started out with their MiFi product for $59.95/month but were frustrated from the 5G/month limit - we, too, use the internet for our home business. The overage charges were driving us crazy. Then, we discovered Millenicom and switched to their $59/month service for 20G/month. We've never gone over that amount! No more overage charges!

We had to buy a small router because we both work on our laptops at the same time. If you have only one computer, the router is not necessary. The really great thing about the $59/month charge is that it's all you pay - there are no additional taxes and user fees added as on your cell phone bills. Plus, they provide the service through Verizon, so we didn't have to switch phone companies.

We are greatly pleased with Millenicom. check them out at http://www.millenicom.com/
I understand that if you have AT&T phones, you can get unlimited usage.

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have Iphones and typically will use those for to setup internet access wherever we are. Lately though we have been in many RV parks with WiFi, some free some pay for use. So far we have been very satisfied with the speeds and service.

By reading through the replies so far, you can see the best plan is to have several options so you can choose what works best where. Howard & Linda are prime examples...they have satellite internet syste, tethering and use WiFi depending on what works best where they are.

granny · RV-Dreams Family Member

Wow thanks for all the advice. I think for this first trip we will use one of the iphones as a hotspot and see how it works. Our pc just bit the dust tonight so we will need to replace it, looks like we will just have the Mac with us anyway! It is always something!

Delaine and Lindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have used several different internet devices. We also used Hughes Net on a Tri-pod and we have ATT&T wireless Air USB plug.. However for the last two years we have use either the ATT&T system (3G) or we use WiFi in most places we travel now.. WiFi is kinda hit and miss. However its a vast improvement in the last few years.. Some places we have to pay and have no problems with that. However if you do a lot of downloading they will slow you system down. And depending on what size park your in will effect the system.... However you have many choices and most will say their the best..... If I had known what I know now I would have spent the big bucks ($6,000 = or -) and went with a roof mounted internet system... Good luck with your choice. Happy Trails....

P.S. We only use RV parks, no boon docking or wally docking. Just because the RV park says they have WiFi doesn't always mean it works at all sites.....

3Gstore_Matt · RV-Dreams Family Member

granny wrote:
Wow thanks for all the advice. I think for this first trip we will use one of the iphones as a hotspot and see how it works. Our pc just bit the dust tonight so we will need to replace it, looks like we will just have the Mac with us anyway! It is always something!

If you find yourself in a low coverage area we do offer a variety of booster solutions to help you draw in a better signal. If you'll only be using it on occassion using the hotspot on your phone is a great alternative compared to getting a 2/yr contract with a modem.

The nice thing about going to a dedicated modem (maybe down the road) is that you can create a larger WiFi network and begin to network and share between multiple computers.

Howard · Host

It IS incredibly confusing and getting more confusing all the time. We do an hour seminar on this topic and that's not nearly enough. Of course, we can't go any longer 'cause everyone's eyes glaze over. smile

In Florida, you should be fine with bjoyce's suggestion. And that would be impoved by some boosting equipment.

Technomadia's post on Connectivity is very good. Like them, we have all the options covered: satellite, cellular with boosting equipment, and Wi-Fi (when it is available and works).

Waggin Tails · RV-Dreams Family Member

Granny,
Please take a look at Jack Mayer's website (communication section). While some may find the info a bit overwhelming or intimidating, reading through it a few times will allow you to pick out the things that are important to you. It has helped me nail down a direction to improve my internet connection. Link is below.

http://www.jackdanmayer.com/communication.htm