Technomania or ??

[gypsychic]

OK ditched the cable & cable internet to save money. Obviously cell data use would go up. No problem, I'll use free WiFi a little, it'll balance out. Stuck in bed sick for foreseeable future so could just get cable back BUT if I put money toward options that would work both current circumstances and when I'm in the van that might be money better spent.

So poke around cell forum for threads to find out info. Realize I don't know a lot as I'm used to using cable internet at home, or work/school internet before I got sick. No need to know about all these mobile variations. Plus technologies changed some in the last few years. Heard a lot of good things about Technomania so head over to their site for info.

Ummm, now I realize they gave an informal tech talk at the last RTR so I imagine they follow this forum at least a little. I think they've done a great job at carving out a money stream to sell their professional opinions. I understand that I either need to pay for things with my time or my money. If I have little time to invest then pay someone else, if little money to invest then I need to pony up the cash.

All that being a given... their site is frustrating me to no end. I don't know what I don't know but is $57 really worth it to find out unbiased test results in the field of cell boosters. I doubt I'll use the site for a year. Only want to understand my options now. I don't *need* to stay online for work. I can live without the internet but stuck with a semi active brain in bed means lots of free time in spurts.

Is there any other place that has some reliable, non technical jargon filled information similar to what they put out? Looking specifically for info so I can understand cell boosters, WiFi repeaters, etc. Most info is not really geared for living in a van. I can look at coverage areas and price vs data packages myself.

Yeah, gotta love the irony of a 20 min video about data options when I have little data at the moment I guess I'm not their target market.

I'm not trying to sound to negative toward them, just frustrated (@ myself) that I'm having this much trouble sourcing information that I can understand.

Anybody use the $57/year package more than initial research? Find it valuable enough to renew? (That's an important question)

Thanks

 

[akrvbob]

I wouldn't pay the $57. They are great but they are geared toward RVs so much of what they have to say won't apply to us.

If you will be boondocking, no one is as as good as Verizon, get a data plan with them. You can get 5 gigs with MIFI device for about $80. You can get your cell phone from them also or just keep what you have now.

A very, very good amplifier is the Wilson Sleek. Fortunately, installing the Sleek is very simple. You plug in the power cord, put the magnetic antenna on the roof and plug it in and it's working. It comes with different size arms to hold different size of devices and you adjust the arms to fit your phone or Jetpack. And that's it, it's working and doing a very good job. You'll usually get 2 extra bars with it on.

To make it work even better you can upgrade to a Wilson directional antenna. Getting the directional antenna to work is more complicated. You have to buy the antenna, a cable which is unique, an adapter for the cable and another adapter to the Sleek. I had to write Wilson's customer service to get it right, their website is not helpful. It was worth it to me, because it picks up another 2 bars over the Sleeks antenna, so that;s 4 bars I gained with the combo.

Apparently 4g is stronger than all other signals because where we are you either get a weak 4g, or nothing at all. I had a friend come in with the Sleek and he got nothing, he never could connect. Another friend with a Sleek and a truckers antenna could get 1 or 2 bars of 4g but it would drop and come and go. I started with the just the Sleek and that was my experience also--intermittent 1 or 2 bars of 4g.
When I switched to the Directional antenna, it jumped to a rock solid 4 bars 100% of the time. I'm astounded by it's quality.
The tower is 20 miles away!!!!

So the simple answer to your question is:

1) Get a data plan with Verizon that fits your budget.
2) Buy a Wilson Sleek http://www.amazon.com/Wilson-Electronics-Sleek-Kit-Packaging/dp/B00I9I67Z2/
3) Optionally, for the best reception get a directional antenna. But most of the times I don't need it so don't bother unless the internet is critical to you and you are often very remote.
Bob

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

If you want something a little less expensive than their year's subscription, but a little more involved than Bob's (admittedly excellent) advice, buy their ebook, the Mobile Internet Handbook, for $9.99.  You can get it as a pdf directly from them, or, if you have a kindle or kindle app, buy it from Amazon and use Bob's search feature.

I have it, and it's excellent.  But I'm a bit of a tech geek, and can't just take simple advice like Bob's, I have to understand the why's. 

Regards
John

 

[corky52]

I highly recommend Verizon, but with the right cell phone you only need one device for both phone and data.  I have a Samsung Galaxy S5 and it does both phone and net at the same time, saves some money and it's not hard to use.


Bob's Sleek is a VERY good idea as is the directional antenna.



Corky

 

[gypsychic]

John,

I like to understand the why's also. Not because I'm such a tech geek but so I can make as an informed decision as I can. I also like hearing from people with their experiences but if that experience doesn't come with why/how the product is used then it's hard to translate their experience to my use. Knowing a users parameters is very helpful. After reading this forum and Bob's blog I can infer some and assume some even if he doesn't say it outright.

Good advice on the handbook. I've waffled on buying it several times. Maybe I just should.

Corky,

I think I've decided to go Verizon on a jetpack and continue my ATT-Cricket prepaid for phone. That way I have options and redundancy.

Thanks for your experience.

Cheers

 

[LeeRevell]

I highly recommend Verizon, but with the right cell phone you only need one device for both phone and data.  I have a Samsung Galaxy S5 and it does both phone and net at the same time, saves some money and it's not hard to use.


Bob's Sleek is a VERY good idea as is the directional antenna.



Corky

Mine is the SIII, and it still has much more to it than I will ever use (or know how to use!).  As long as it works, I won't 'upgrade'.  But Verizon's data pricing comes high, if you want to use more than a couple Gigs a month.   Plenty for my forum and e-mail use, but forget videos!  
I have experimented with using it as a Wifi hub for my Laptop, but again, the data gets used up FAST!

 

[compassrose]

I use a pay-as-you-go cellphone. I have a $23/mo netzero hotspot (pay-as-you-go 1 GB) which is not enough. I only have it for when the park wifi goes out. Like when the wind blows real hard or there's rain. Or when the wind blows real hard AND there's rain. You need to figure out how much data you really use. I seem to have a tracker on my lap top that tells me how much data I have used on the free wifi. "Estimated Usage 12.96 GB since 25 days ago" Now that's an eye opener. I am still looking for an alternative. For cable, I think the pay-as-you-go DISH program offered thru www.dishformyrv.com and I've talked to my neighbour here in the RV park about it. He happens to be a DISH installer. After much looking, this is what will work for me. I suggest that you get a very accurate idea as to how much GB's you will need per month. Once you get that you can start looking at data plans. You need to be able to easily add extra GB's.