Most reliable 4G set up
Just seeing if anyone has a 4G set up that works well? I've been researching and I am looking at getting a Netgear M1 and a Poynting atenna (I will stick it to the side when onsite). I understand I can use my phone to tether, but I've tried this and my phone gets hot and uses a lot of battery; and the speed doesnt seem to be as fast as the reported speeds with the aerial and mifi set up.
I am hoping to be able to use my laptop for video calls, emails etc.
Any recomendations will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
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Over the years I have tried various options albeit mainly to enhance a WiFi signal rather than 3/4G. Never found any of them particularly easy to use, unless I have a low threshold of getting things to work!!! Since I have had a reasonable Smart Phone I have tended to use that as a source of WiFi and most of the time it seems to work well. I suppose the phone does get a bit warm but I have never felt it got to the point where it was likely to cause problems. I often charge mine whilst in use. I don't stream but just use the connection for web browsing and email. Increasinging I am actually using the phone for banking etc.
David
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We, back when camping was allowed, used our old Samsung S5s as wifi hotspots for tablet or laptop Skype video calls without the phone overheating.
Here the duration was nearer 30 minutes, not streaming a full-length movie in real time, maybe our ask was less than the OP's?
It works very well given in our case a healthy Three signal. If that signal was iffy then we left the phone say in the awning or where we could get a stronger signal, but was within wifi range.
Getting signals, in many areas or even getting a 4G one is IMO more the issue than the ability of the kit. Clearly a better gain is a good move, but there has to be, even then, a viable signal where you are.
So the requested "reliability" is not something you can rely on.
The Netgear M1 is going to require its unique SIM or a heck of a lot of hassle moving it from device to device.
For years I did use open access wifi with a high gain USB adaptor coupled with a tuned yagi aerial, but with the coming of better mobile based data, that has ended doing that.
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I have exactly the set up you describe - a Netgear MR1100 (M1) with an EE sim (100Gb/month for £20) and a Poynting antenna.
It works perfectly! Highly highly recommended. The M1 is a super piece of kit. I rarely use the Poynting antenna because the (4) internal MIMO antennas are so good. The throughput is superb. We used extensively in Scotland last year (Bunree, Brora, Dunnet Bay, Marogowan) plus Coniston in the Lakes and plenty of other locations too.
If you’re serious about your wifi, this is what you need. Well worth the investment in my opinion.
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I had considered a 4G set-up but I'm not convinced and it is an extra expense.
We use my wife's phone for important stuff when away, eg phone, text, bank and basic internet. She has 10Gb data etc for £10 month with O2.
If we plan to visit a site for any period I will only generally go where free internet is available. Many CL's in UK offer this and it's more the norm on Continental sites. I use a wifi booster to access this facility through tablet and phone. With a clear range of several 100m this works well for us and keeps costs down.
Colin
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It always amazes me that, whilst a good 4G signal in parts of the UK are difficult, a remote village in Africa seems to have no problem, as demonstrated in Simon Reeves's programme on TV last evening.
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I have a 4g Huawei with 3 mobile hub in my home and get between 30/75 mbps download. BT just sent me a 4g hub to use as my telephone line with broadband went down and this 4g EE unit only gets about 15mbps, so it all depends on what network and where you are that controls your connection and speed.
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We use a Netgear M2 and an EE sim card. My wife is still working and can connect to her office network whilst we are away in the MH. We also use it for connecting a Firestick TV. We haven't had any issues with signal, speed or connectivity to date, so a good setup depending on your needs.
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I use an EE Mini Wifi which works well for usual internet use but also for streaming TV. I took out a 2 year contract for 30mB of data for £18pm just before this blasted virus appeared - so it's not been used that much but when we have used it, the signal has been perfect.
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Thanks everyone, really helpful
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I use a small 'MiFi' mobile internet device supplied by 3, unlike some phones, it is designed for 'always on' use, so doesn't get warm if left plugged in. As I've been a customer or many years, I've wangled onto a deal that gives me 20Gb for £8p/m and it comes with 'go binge' so data to watch Netflix and some other streaming sites doesn't come off my allowance. The performance is very good with a 'bar' or more signal showing.
I found going into their local store I could get deals that weren't available online. One year the staff found it was cheaper for me to take out a second cheap contract for 12 months that meant I got the 'main one' with huge discount, saving me nett about 7 a month and that's the deal i've stayed on since, even after cancelling the second cheap contract.
While it has very occasionally struggled for a signal at some remote sites (I think 2 sites in 5 years of touring), I've found it to be very reliable. It can be placed anywhere in the van, even shoved up within our skylight to get the best reception and connects up to 10 WiFi devices. The WiFi works perfectly well in the van and surrounding 5 metres.
Our phones are on diferent networks, so unless we're super remote, a usuable signal is available on at least one of them.
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I looked into this last year but I guess it all depends on what the mobile coverage is like in the places you frequent and what your needs are.
I ended up buying TP-LINK M7200 4G LTE MiFi and Internet with Legs SIM card from 3 which has 24 Gb preloaded and is valid for up to 24 months.
This unit is very small and easily fits in your pocket, so can be used in car or anywhere you go, if exiting mobile phone signal is dodgy. I attached a piece of Velcro to the unit which then attaches to Velcro strip up beside the MH rooflight, so maximising the signal without going through metal walls etc.
Works very well even in remote highland areas where mobile signal is typically weak and 3g is the norm. More than adequate for email and general browsing, without frying your tethered phone battery !
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