Mobile Internet

[Kahner Cleveland]

As storm-chasing season approaches, I am looking to get affordable and also effective internet in my vehicle. I do not have a flexible data plan for my smart phone, and am very limited with my data usage during storm chases. This is becoming a hassle, and I am now looking for a way to get data from an outside source IE: "USB Internet" for laptops that I've heard about... What is the most affordable way to get Internet in my vehicle? Thanks

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[Mark R]

As storm-chasing season approaches, I am looking to get affordable and also effective internet in my vehicle. I do not have a flexible data plan for my smart phone, and am very limited with my data usage during storm chases. This is becoming a hassle, and I am now looking for a way to get data from an outside source IE: "USB Internet" for laptops that I've heard about... What is the most affordable way to get Internet in my vehicle? Thanks

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Personally I use a Verizon Mifi that I velcro to the dash of my truck along with a Wilson Amplifier signal booster. From Verizon you can purchase the Data allowance you need from 500mb expiring in one week for $15 on up to 10gb expiring in 2 months for $100. I've had very good luck with this arrangement using GRlevel 2 Analyst and GRlevel 3 on my laptop.

 

[Mark Blue]

I'm not sure affordable and effective go together, but you can have a reliable internet signal either way. The best carrier for data in the field is Verizon, with AT&T coming in second. Once you have your internet connection determined the rest is all pretty much downhill. You can use your smartphone as a hotspot to share amongst other devices, or you can tether your laptop to your phone, which I think is what you mean by USB Internet. You could use a MiFi device or a Cradlepoint router to share the signal, it really depends on your needs and what you want to do. I bought a used USB modem from Flea Bay (UML 290) coupled with a subscription to Verizon for the signal and use a Cradlepoint router to blanket my vehicle with WiFi. There are plenty of old threads on this subject to use as a guideline as well. If you have any specific concerns fire away and we'll help eliminate them one at a time.

 

[Ethan Schisler]

I personally just use the hotspot off my Verizon Wireless Iphone. Its pretty fast and reliable. I had a Mifi about 3 or 4 years ago that I used and it was always fairly slow and always disconnected on me, so I got rid of it. I also have an Ipad Air that I use in my car and that is connected onto my phone plan, so I'm able to use the data for it as well. If you decide to go that route, make sure you get the one with the cellular chip in it regardless if you plan on using the data, because the GPS in the wifi models isn't very accurate.

 

[TJKLECKNER]

Yeah, definitely get a Verizon MiFi device. They work ok most of the time. I have been testing about four different MiFi devices with ok results. I would love to hear some opinions on the best MiFi device

 

[James Hilger]

Yeah, definitely get a Verizon MiFi device. They work ok most of the time. I have been testing about four different MiFi devices with ok results. I would love to hear some opinions on the best MiFi device

My 6620L works flawlessly. Even switches towers seamlessly while boosted. Had quite a few issues couple years ago with cards and jetpacks alike.

 

[James Wilson]

I use my hotspot off my Verizon phone ... I have yet to hit a place I have not had service. GrLevel3, mesoanalysis, etc do not use much data ... I have a 10GB shared plan and I have never gone over.

 

[Dan Robinson]

I used to have a Verizon aircard+Cradlepoint router setup. The router died last fall, so I bought a Jetpack (50 bucks at Best Buy) and switched the data account to it. It's been working just fine so far.

 

[Brett Roberts]

I can also recommend the 6620L after using it last year. It wasn't completely flawless about switching towers quickly and effectively in poor-coverage areas, but it generally wasn't a hassle, unlike what most people reported about earlier-generation hotspots.

The 6620L's retail price without contract ($200 new, generally $100-150 used) is annoying, though. If you happen to be a Verizon user for cell service already, I would most definitely opt for an enhanced data plan on your smartphone during chase season instead. A lot cheaper, and honestly, I still feel like modern smartphones are better about staying on the best towers than any hotspots or USB modems I've tried. The only really good reasons to go with a hotspot or modem: (1) to get coverage on a network other than what you use for your phone, or (2) if you have an external antenna and amp (although effective LTE amps are still pricy and hard to come by).

 

[Wesley Luginbyhl]

If your are already a Verizon customer, you can buy a Mifi off ebay for as low as $10 (just makes sure the ESN is clear). You can add it to your account for just $10 a month and it can pull from your data pool. Cheap enough to keep on your plan year round. You can also suspend the line for up to 180 days or something like that as well to help cut the costs too during the offseason. Just bump your data plan during storm season to what you need.

 

[John Wetter]

make sure you get the one with the cellular chip in it regardless if you plan on using the data, because the GPS in the wifi models isn't very accurate.

The WIFI models have no GPS, they are only positioning from known WIFI locations they can hear.

I have a Verizon MHS-291L and love it. I've had it 3 years. Has an external antenna port which is nice if you aren't running a wireless amp. An external antenna is a must have even without an amp. I've had great connectivity and even with the max devices connected, it just goes.

Running the hotspot off your Verizon phone means whenever you receive a call it drops the data. That can be annoying and it seems people always call at the worst times. The phone also gets crazy hot as it is really going through battery so needs to be charged at the same time. I'd only do it in an emergency.

 

[Ethan Schisler]

You can change the settings to where it doesn't drop the call and I've never had my phone get hot from running the wifi hotspot on it. Perhaps that is an issue that should be taken up with a Verizon customer service agent, seems like a hardware problem


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[TJKLECKNER]

Yeah, I have been playing with the 4620L and MHS800L. Both are <$50. I have my eyes set on the 6620L. Does the 6620L do xlte, GPS, and 3g fallback?

 

[Mark Blue]

Here is the data sheet for the 6620L TJ. It doesn't appear to have xLTE capability, unless I overlooked something. Cradlepoint seems to have dropped the consumer product line in favor of commercial applications, so I'm treating mine with kid gloves to make it last as long as possible.

 

[Wesley Luginbyhl]

Running the hotspot off your Verizon phone means whenever you receive a call it drops the data. That can be annoying and it seems people always call at the worst times. The phone also gets crazy hot as it is really going through battery so needs to be charged at the same time. I'd only do it in an emergency.

The issue with dropped data during a call was only a 3G issue since they were on the same frequency or something like that. 4G they are separate and that should not be an issue as long as you are on 4g coverage. When I used my phone as a hotspot, it worked pretty well even with streaming.