WiFi Question

[ExcelRVGuy]

I'm trying to make a decision in getting ready for our 2011 models. I'm thinking it would be convenient for the consumer if we included a wireless router with our Limited at the time or purchase. However, I realize the only time the router would be useful is when you are connected to cable at the campground and are subscribed to internet service provided by the cable provider.

I need to ask you who are in the field using our coaches. Would a wireless router be a good feature to include with a new coach or is it just as simple to go to Wal**** and pick up one for those who need it?

And, aren't most campgrounds/resorts providing wireless service now-a-days? Also, are many of you using air cards for your laptops which would also make the route useless?

Thanks,
Bryan

[rockintom]

Good question Bryan. As you know we've been FTing for over 5 years now. In the early days the WiFi connection in most parks were rare and often very unreliable and weak. As time has passed the WiFi service continues to improve and most decent parks now have WiFi. We elected to go with a aircard wireless router in the rig so Donna and I can be on line at the same time. The aircard router (mounted in the entertainment center) allows us to connect to the internet almost anywhere and anytime. Also we can simply install the aircard directly to our laptop computer and use it riding down the road (not while driving). Coverage is very good and the internet speed is pretty darn good. Now, Verizon now offers a aircard that plugs in the USB port that works as a router and allow for about 5 computers to draw off it. With that said I don't know if a router as you mentioned would be worth installing in a new unit. Hope this helps. Maybe some of our IT junkies here will share more info then me.....I know just enough to be dangerous!! SKIA....NOT!! rockintom

[Endeavor2BnC]

Bryan,
We use Verizon Broadband with a USB card that fits our CradlePoint Router. It provides us with fast secure access to the net inside or outside the rig. We can, like Tom, use the aircard while going down the road. It works veery well in most parts of the country. There are areas where the only thing that works is DataStorm, if you're not surrounded by trees. Rarely I will use free WiFi at the park. IMHO, not worth it

[bigmichael]

Bryan,

In our experience FTing the last 3 years, most of the parks still have a very long way to go in getting to the point of usable wi-fi. Many of them don't have it--and of those that do, lots of it is almost worthless, at least from the coach. Then there are some that claim to have it, but have an exceedingly high x-tra cost. As others so far that have responded, we use the "Verizon solution", which also allows the navigator to have internet while traveling down the road.
In participating in another forum, it appears that many if not most full-timers are using these other various options, as park wi-fi, if available, is just not up to par yet. Thus, I'm not sure a built in router would be a particular useful cost for many.

I must say though, I sure do appreciate the fact that you come on the forum asking our opinions and listening to our comments. This always seems a step above and beyond what so many manufacturers do.

[bdaball]

"FREE WIFI" is exactly that and worth about that much. Most parks that advertise free wifi should be arrested for faulse advertising. There service may be improving but not to the pase required for most travelers requiring constant IS. We are fending for ourselves.
Save your money in production costs..omit the router and spend it somewhere else to improve quality elswhere. I'm sure there are other areas.

[MonacoMama]

Bryan...Please make sure you use a quality piece of equipment if this comes about. The Cradlepoint product line is the only way to go in my opinion. Our cradlepoint is great because we can also use a wireless printer with it - plus many other features...

[Steve R.]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExcelRVGuy I'm trying to make a decision in getting ready for our 2011 models. I'm thinking it would be convenient for the consumer if we included a wireless router with our Limited at the time or purchase. However, I realize the only time the router would be useful is when you are connected to cable at the campground and are subscribed to internet service provided by the cable provider. I need to ask you who are in the field using our coaches. Would a wireless router be a good feature to include with a new coach or is it just as simple to go to Wal**** and pick up one for those who need it? And, aren't most campgrounds/resorts providing wireless service now-a-days? Also, are many of you using air cards for your laptops which would also make the route useless? Thanks, Bryan

I believe that including a router option would just lead to support issues later that no one (PI or customers) would be happy with. Routers cost just a couple bucks to manufacture. The money you're shelling out when you buy one is primarily for customer support for the multitude of potential network configurations out there. Having PI potentially in the middle between clients (many of whom are not exactly computer savvy) and technical support is not a good thing. Obsolescence is another issue with technology like routers. Models and firmware are constantly updated and managing inventory can be complicated by this.

If you do decide to move forward with this option, you may want to consider a Cradlepoint MBR1200 failover wireless broadband router. IMHO it is simply the best out there for RV types using EVDO wireless broadband services from Verizon, Sprint, etc. The setup is pretty much plug and play except for initial security configuration which is very simple. Insert the wireless modem card(s) in the router, wait a couple minutes and you're on the Internet.

[wa8yxm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExcelRVGuy And, aren't most campgrounds/resorts providing wireless service now-a-days? Also, are many of you using air cards for your laptops which would also make the route useless? Thanks, Bryan

I'm not sure I'd say "MOST" yet.. but many do indeed offere Wi-Fi, either Free or FEE (KOA likes to Keep On Adding charges so many of their parks are, or were, "FEE" based)

NOTE: at least one KOA I visited had Fee WI-FI but the service was dial up.

Another I had had FREE and it was broadband

Soemtimes (most of the time) you have to be in the "Internet area" (Example. where I'm at now, There is an "Adult Lounge" and I get internet here, or up to about 200-300 feet away from here) others it blankets the park.. or is supposed to with several access points scattered about.

[Still Working "NOT"]

Byran,

I can't add anything that has not be said by Tom and Tim.

One feature that would be nice would be on the satellite TV connections would be run two coaxes so that a person can use a DVR along with watching other programming. Also need to have coax run directly to eack location since most satellite TV and TVs are HD today. Most HD use a HDMI cable between the reciever and TV and you cannot split HDMI to feed other TV sets. I have not be able find anything yet to fill this need.

[ARRET]

We use an air card and it works really good for use. Good free WI FI is hit and miss. I think you would be wasting money to add any thing to the RV.

[Dan Hen]

Brian We had you install a Wilson Truckers RV antenna that I supplied to be used with a aircard and router with Verizon , this might be a good option rather than make a wifi router standard in the limited.

The antenna, router and aircard have work very well for us, every where we have been we have always had a connection some better than others but good enough for a quick check for our email

Dan

[jackrobinryan]

For a lot of reasons...No,don't bother.

(As a retired network engineer who lived and breathed this stuff since the beginning days of ARPAnet, I think I can safely chime in.)

1)Just because a campground has cable TV it does not mean data over cable would be supported, like we might get from Comcast if we are at our stix and brix. A whole diferent beast.
2)To many good options for remote internet access and they're getting better all the time.
3)Support issues mentioned in previous posts..for the mfg and campground owner.
4)Tech moves too fast.

Heck, I think it's a waste to have a built in navigation system in car/RV with options out there. (with more integration going on these days by folks like Ford, I reserve my right to change my mind.)

We're better served by voting with our dollars to getting better WiFi implementations at the CG's we frequent. It's not that hard to do. If we all said on check out that "I'm not coming back till you fix the Wifi service", some might listen.

[KU9L]

Bryan, We use the Verizon USB Aircard, but do use campground WIFI when it is free and it works well (rarely). Sometimes we subscribe to Comcast cable and Internet and they include a quality router for $2/mo. What REALLY helps us is installing a Wilson Trucker Antenna ( Wilson Trucker Antenna | Trucker Cellular Phone Antenna) on our rear luggage rack, it takes our Verizon signal from 1 bar to 5 bars inside the coach. Campground WIFI is RADICALLY improved when installing an external WIFI antenna (¤RadioLabs || WaveRV - Motorhome Wireless System) piggy-backed onto the TV antenna. Range can go from 100 yards to 1/2 mile in some cases. The problem with both antennas is they are a pain in the tail to run the cables down into the coach without professional installation and we are too nervous for most places to do this correctly (including me a Ham Radio operator of 32 years!). A drill on the roof is a scary thing!

I would say "No" to the router, I have 3 already and they are easy to pickup everywhere (WIFI, 3G, etc).

Thanks,

Dave

[Lindaxtwo]

Bryan,
It's great that you are asking for feedback that would benefit Excel owners but as has already been expressed by others here, it wouldn't be of any use to us. We've been FT'ers for over 3 years now and early on we relied on "hot spots" but since we still work, we needed a reliable means of staying connected and went with a Verizon broadband card that plugs in our USB port. That was the best option for us and many fellow FT'ers do the same. Thanks for asking !