WiFi boosters - Kuma v. Solway?

brissle
brissle Forum Participant Posts: 46
edited January 2022 in Parts & Accessories #1

I can see earlier discussions on this subject, but technology moves on at a pace.

We are shortly taking our van down to Portugal for a couple of months and often struggle to find a pitch with good WiFi on the site where we stay.  After some research I've decided to invest in a WiFi booster and have short-listed 3 models - 2 from Kuma and one from Solwise.  (The Kuma WiFi Hotspot booster and the Kuma My-WiFi or the Solwise Patriot 3000).

I would be very grateful if any members with experience of any of  these boosters could give advice / comments / opinions.

In particular I am interested in how easy it is to fix the aerial unit to the outside of the van and how easy it is to connect a laptop and phone once set-up.

Many thanks

Comments

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 14,062
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    edited January 2022 #2

    I have a Solway product which I no longer use as we have migrated to using our 4G phones as a WiFi point. It was easy enough to fix to the side of the van via two sucker cups. It seemed to work OK although I found the set up a bit complicated, I usually get my IT specialist son to sort these things for me but he doesn't come on holiday with uslaughing

    I appreciate that 4G might not be always available but we have found it a lot easier since starting to use it.

    David

  • NutsyH
    NutsyH Club Member Posts: 535
    edited January 2022 #3

    David

    Me too in the past, but 4g streaming might turn out very expensive now we've left the EU. I know Virgin and O2 are still saying no roaming charges, but other networks (EE for instance) are starting to charge.

  • brissle
    brissle Forum Participant Posts: 46
    edited January 2022 #4

    Thanks for those thoughts.

    The site where we stay in Portugal has rather iffy mobile signal, so I prefer to use the site WiFi if possible.

    I realise that the booster doesn't inclease the speed of WiFi - just an improvement to signal strength, but if we can achieve that I'd be happt - we don't use WiFi for streaming or anything like that - just emails and maybe an occasional Skype or WhatsApp video if the signal is good enough.

    On the demo video, the Kuma looks easier to set up and I'd be very interested in views from anyone using one currently.

    Thanks 

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited January 2022 #5

    I have a Solway unit from a few years back which I no longer use. It was easy to fix to the outside of the caravan using the suckers and I ran the cable through the kitchen window to the router unit plugged into a nearby socket. At that time the software was a bit clunky but I did get it working. I never convinced myself that it was worthwhile. A bad signal is a bad signal whatever booster you have and I often found it better to take my iPad or phone to wherever the signal was strongest. Good luck!

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,851
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    edited January 2022 #6

    I ‘m with your last sentence, HG.

    Before Covid we would be somewhere in India or on one of the Thai islands and the answer was always take the tablet and go and look for the signal rather than persuading the signal to come to us. In Europe we just went to a bar.

  • eribaMotters
    eribaMotters Club Member Posts: 1,223
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    edited January 2022 #7

    I looked for and subsequently bought a wi-fi booster about 5 years ago. I went for this one https://www.motorhomewifi.com/product/iboost-pro-d8-directional-system/

    If a signal is around it will pick it up. Last time I used it was at a site in Carlisle, latching on to the router in a shed about 150m away.

     I just have to remember to clean the window thoroughly before I suction cup it into place. Once you remember the set-up procedure, ie second outing of the year, it's fairly quick to set up.

    Colin

  • brissle
    brissle Forum Participant Posts: 46
    edited January 2022 #8

    OK thanks everyone.  I've been doing research all over and my conclusion is to buy the Kuma My WiFi kit.   I understand all the limitations explained above, but for our needs that will do the job.  Fingers crossed....

     

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