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Topic: OT - New wireless product - mifi (Read 3 times) previous topic - next topic
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OT - New wireless product - mifi
Yahoo Message Number: 102187
I saw this in the NYT today. It might interest someone here.
I see both ups and downs for it. But, hey, let's not discuss here. OK There is a Yahoo forum for wireless discussions.
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/InternetByDataCard/
 Here's the link, read it and if it looks like something for your Lazy Daze, please get more info elsewhere.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/07/technology/personaltech/07pogue.html?_r=1

Cheers, Don
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: OT - New wireless product - mifi
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102189
Don, Looks fantastic for RVers. Can't wait to try it out as my wife complains I hog the computer too much. This will solve that problem...just have to buy another computer!

Thanks for the heads up.

David (1998 MB LD)
Re: OT - New wireless product - mifi
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102195
For the record, many folks in this group are already sharing cell phone intermet connections by using CradlePoint Wi-Fi routers, into which you can plug almost any aircard or USB cellular modem. CradlePoint even makes a battery-powered, pocketable model, the PHS-300, that's very similar to the MiFi.
 The only significant difference is that the new MiFi device includes the cell modem as well as the Wi-Fi router. But if you already have a USB or aircard-type cell modem, such as a Verizon USB-720, -727, or -760, it's probably cheaper to keep it and just add a CradlePoint router to share the connection. See  for details.

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: OT - New wireless product - mifi
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102221
I'm not so sure this is a great deal.  I found these comments on RV.net
Re: OT - New wireless product - mifi
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102222
You make some good points, Ted. But perhaps you're too hard on this device.
 "NO cellular antenna jack. Expensive wireless repeater needed if signal sucks."
 Nope. The Wilson Universal Adapter cable makes antenna jacks unnecessary. (They were never a good idea anyway--too easy to damage the phone's circuit board with repeated pluggings and unpluggings). I'm using one to post this message, and can testify to how well it works with no electrical connection to the phone.

"NO ethernet port. though one computer can tether via USB"
 I used to use Ethernet, but I haven't in four or five years, nor do other RVers I know. With wireless capability, there's no longer any need to string Ethernet cables--that's the whole point of using a *wireless* router. :-)

"limited wifi range. Max of about 30ft"
 True. Most Wi-Fi routers can do much better. On the other hand, in a small rig like our Lazy Dazes, thirty feet is probably all you need. You're not going to "light up" a whole RV park with this device, but then you're not trying to. In fact, MiFi's limited range can be seen as an advantage from a security standpoint: fewer outsiders can see/probe/attack your network. Especially for Windows users, that's a serious consideration.

"max # of users is five."
 That shouldn't be a problem for most of us. I don't know anybody who has more than five computers in their coach. ;-)
 The real concerns are that it's tied to 3G and to Verizon. But every USB cell modem and aircard out there now is tied to 3G... so they'll all have to be replaced anyway when faster 4G service become available in a couple of years. That's the price of progress, and MiFi owners will be no worse off than anybody else.
 And the great majority of RVers I know already use Verizon, because their coverage is by all accounts the best... so being "tied" to them is immaterial; we'd be using them anyway.
 All in all, I don't think MiFi's's drawbacks are as serious as you seem to suggest.

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
OT - 4G
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102224
On Sat, 09 May 2009 02:52:18 -0000, "Andy Baird" wrote:
 
Quote
....every USB cell modem and aircard out there now is tied to 3G... so they'll all have to be replaced anyway when faster 4G service become available in a couple of years.
4G? First time I have heard about it.
I need a break from the ever evolving technology.
I am a dinosaur.
When I was a kid, THE phone was on the phone table in the hall and a long distance call involved an operator and was never good news.

Here are the 4G plans for AT&T and Verizon:
 AT&T: The nation’s largest network in terms of subscribers, AT&T plans to use LTE to upgrade to 4G, but not for a long, long time. For now it’s content with its current 3G network. A spokesman wrote via email, “Our HSPA network has the potential to hit theoretical peak speeds more than five times faster than AT&T’s current 3G speed ranges.” When it does upgrade, it will be to HSPA+ in 2009 and 2010. Eventually it will go to LTE, but won’t begin testing until 2010 or 2011 with full deployment coming after that.

Verizon Wireless: Verizon is already testing LTE equipment from several vendors, with plans to roll out the network in 2010 and have most of the country covered by 2012; Verizon’s would likely be the first full U.S. deployment of the LTE technology.

Still time for a two year 3G contract before 4G is wide spread.

Cheers, Don
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: OT - New wireless product - mifi
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102225
Yes you do know someone, Andy, raising my hand, "Guilty!"

Two desktops plus three laptops. More than five
Re: OT - New wireless product - mifi
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102226
Andy,

Quote from my first post:  I found these comments on RV.net in the technology forum in the form of questions:"

I was just pointing out what SOMEONE else brought up in another forum and I happen to think some of the points are of concern.

It seems to me there could be some folks out there for whom one, some or all of these concerns are valid.  Some of them are concerns for me and obviously none of them are to you.   I'm delighted with my setup of USB modem, Cradlepoint 1000 MBR router, Wilson antenna and wired amplifier.
You're happy with your se-up - great!

And yes, I gave up on my LG 8350 because it couldn't survive the antenna plug.   But I've been using the plug on my Motorola for 3-4 years with problems whatsoever.

As they always, YMMV...or Different Strokes...

Ted H.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
 
Re: OT - 4G
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102227
Sprint is already advertising 4G.  Apparently, it's currently available only in Baltimore with plans on extending it to other "major cities" soon, so it won't be as widely available as 3G anytime soon.
 For more information go to Sprint's website, www.sprint.com, and put "4G" into their search box.

Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Linda Hylton