In-vehicle internet options for 2017

[Dan Robinson]

From 2011 to 2015, I ran a Cradlepoint router/4G Verizon aircard setup for my car's dedicated internet connection. This system performed very well. When the Cradlepoint router died last year, I bought a Verizon Ellipsis Jetpack to replace both the router and aircard functionality.

I have generally not been happy with the Jetpack lately. It seems to have a lot of trouble with tower handoffs and other dropped connections, and will not regain a dropped connection unless it is power cycled (which takes about 2 minutes). I'm constantly having to power cycle the thing during chases, and it's a real pain. It auto-updates the firmware, so it's always current on that.

I'm trying to decide on what to do for the future. Replacing the Cradlepoint and going back to the aircard is an option, but that's going to be almost $250. Are there any other options that support 4G that any of you have used?

 

[Brian Noble]

I had similar issues, last year, as well. I'm looking to upgrade to this: https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/mo...ers-mofi4500-4gxelte-sim4-v2-cellular-router/ for the upcoming chase season.

 

[Drew Terril]

I had similar issues, last year, as well. I'm looking to upgrade to this: https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/mo...ers-mofi4500-4gxelte-sim4-v2-cellular-router/ for the upcoming chase season.

I'll be curious to see how well this works. My 2017 budget won't be especially large but my 2018 chasing budget looks to be much larger

 

[James Wilson]

I just use my mobile hotspot with Verizon. It doesn't take much data to run the programs but when you are uploading video to your broker go to a free wifi spot. ;-)

I added this for next year after some good reviews by other chasers ... I will review it later.
https://www.amazon.com/SureCall-Fusion2Go-Booster-Vehicles-Carriers/dp/B015QCHVMG

 

[Marc R. O'Leary]

Agreed @James Wilson I use my VZW hotspot off my LG G3 in an older model Sleek booster cradle. Very rarely have drops and typically run the phone with two tablets all connected at the same time. I've never come close to any data limits, but I also do not upload any video/images while on the fly.

 

[ericjkelly]

Always looking for options here! I use a weboost 4G-X amp and an Iphone tethered to my laptop.

I own a verizon lte data card but havent activated it due to the performance of the iphone tethered

 

[Ben Holcomb]

I've got the 4620L Jetpack which is a pretty old version, but it's been working pretty well. I've got it velcro'ed to the inside upper of my windshield and powered thru a USB cable that runs down to my inverter (which has a USB out port)

I find that once in awhile it overheats and I have to pull the battery and hold it and my jetpack in front of the A/C. This happens on particularly hotter days and/or if I stop somewhere for awhile where i don't have the A/C running.

I also find that I have to power cycle maybe 1-2 times a chase because of tower jumping fails, although typically you can login to the web interface and disconnect/reconnect. That takes mere seconds and works like a charm.

I use no boosters, external antennas, etc. Just the jetpack.

 

[Clarence Bennett]

Since 2013, I've only used the Mobile Hotspot on my phone in an effort to eliminate equipment to have to keep up with. In 2013, the only data issues I had were from Turkey to Jayton. In 2014 I got a weBoost with external antenna and haven't had any issues at all. It is simple, easy to use, and doesn't require me to do anything other than watch the battery life on my phone.

 

[John Wetter]

I've use the Verizon (Pantech) MHS291L jetpack for the past 3 years and love it. I used to hard-wire it to an antenna through the Rockies 3G amp and it was a rock-star. Now I moved to the new Maximum signal 4G amp and the jetpack sits in a sleeve in the back seat where it can be secured and plugged in and it has still been great, and stays on 4G longer even in really shady coverage areas. The battery life is outstanding also. I've gone through a whole chase and at the end of the day realized I hadn't plugged it in after bring it into the hotel the previous night. Otherwise, plugged in to power with my inverter and it just works. Usually have about 3-4 things connected to it at a time.

 

[Mark Blue]

I'd love to replace my Cradlepoint router but they no longer cater to the lower-end of the marketplace. They have since moved on to the enterprise market with routers that are uber expensive and are more geared towards an ambulance than a chase vehicle. From what I've read here it seems that jet packs have supplanted mobile routers, which makes sense since there aren't that many other choices.

I'll be rocking a WeBoost Signal 4G and a MaxAmp Mobile this year, but by the end of it I'll be back to just one depending on which one performs the best. I'm also eyeing the Peplink mobile routers that are currently being refreshed with upgraded hardware and whatnot to see what they come up with.

 

[Dan Robinson]

I finally had enough with my Jetpack's random restarts and drops, and transferred the activation back to the aircard. I only really use my laptop for internet on chases anymore, so I'll just direct-connect it for now. Like you say Mark, Cradlepoint has really gone high-end with their product line. There are still a few of the older routers out there for sale for $250 or so, I may just go that route again. My old one lasted 5 years, so maybe by the time a new one dies, 5G will be out and there will be better options.

 

[Mark Blue]

I'm glad you brought that up Dan because your strategy will definitely work with an older Cradlepoint and air card. It's what I've used for a few years although I'm trying to tinker with it now to improve it. I rely a lot on the data in the router UI to monitor my connection, which I keep open in a browser tab for fast troubleshooting. One of the things we miss out on with slightly older equipment are the newer LTE bands on offer from the carriers, but LTE isn't everywhere yet, especially the out in the boonies. The biggest drawback with the new Cradlepoint's are price and the exclusion of 3G service. They're doing a beautiful job for emergency services and EM in general, but the lower-end offerings we liked evaporated some time ago. It would be nice to see something from them for say $249.00 retail at some point in the future.

There are some routers from Pepwave that are closer to a chaser's budget or at least mine. I've actually heard Chris at Technomad say some of the Pepwave models from a year or so back are great choices. The Max BR1 and BR1 mini are proven performers and folks seem to like them. I've been leaning towards them for awhile now but still have a little time left before I have to decide. Let us know what you decide to do.

 

[Brett Roberts]

FWIW, I used the 6620L the last two years and it performed well with no major flaws or issues. The value proposition isn't very good, but unless you have VZW cell service with a phone capable of doing a WiFi Hotspot, it's becoming one of the very few good options for chasers.

 

[Dan Robinson]

My jetpack is the MHS800L. It acts like it was designed for occasional light duty use. Gets very hot when transferring a lot of data in addition to all of the spontaneous reboots and drops.

The Cradlepoint MBR1200B is still available from a few places for less than $300.

https://3gstore.com/product/1196_cradlepoint_mbr1200b.html?country=US

My old one was a MBR95 that I paid a hundred bucks for, I might be able to track down an unopened-box one somewhere for even less than that.

 

[Joe Moore]

I've used an old Jetpack 4510L since 2015, loading a prepaid session for the chase season. I think the Verizon prepaid Jetpacks offer the best value for me because (1) I want the best coverage (almost always VZW) and (2) I only need coverage for about two weeks of the year. (My personal cell is AT&T, and while the mobile hotspot is great for a backup, in my experience VZW has superior coverage and speed in the areas I like to chase.) The 4510L was $99 when I bought it, and I buy the 10GB/$100 plan for chasing which has worked fine provided everyone chasing turns off Windows updates... haha. While the plan has worked great, the actual MiFi unit has showed it age, with numerous issues last year of falling back to 3G (and staying there for too long) when there was definitely an LTE signal available, keeping the device plugged in to the sometimes loose USB port, and with the device overheating. After last season, I'm motivated to find a better replacement.

@Dan Robinson - seeing you having issues with the current generation cheapest Jetpack unit (MHS815L, $49, which looks identical to the MHS800L), I'm tempted to just jump to the AC791L ($199 new) which has some very favorable reviews. I see this unit going for $100 or less on ebay, so I think that's probably what I'll purchase for this year's trip.