Community Forums

buck454 · 08-22-2011, 01:35 PM

When using devices in travel that are strictly WiFi, do you find signal comes and goes. Do most of you purchase a cellular card or "hot spot" for 3G/4G connection? Is this more effective?

I am looking to purchase "tablet" (possibly the Galaxy) and while the device can be bought at a small savings just with WiFi from many places, the same device can be purchased through my cellular choice, Verizon, with a built in 3/4 G spot (also usuable I'm told if needed for another device hunting WiFi connections...say a spouse's Kindle). Of course, there is a extra monthly charge, but seems it would possibly be worth it to know you would be able to access Internet more reliably, expecially if wanting to use tablet for Co-Pilot, compliment your GPS.
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wa8yxm · 08-22-2011, 02:10 PM

Wifi is fairly short range... It is not designed for "in motion" use (unless you are providing teh wi-fi signal form a wireless device) This is "router" to Client or client-Client.

That said I have seen city wide wi-fi systems.

Wireless, is cellular, It can be used "in motion" (Just not by the driver) as it covers a wide area.. However you are correct to be concerned as signals may grow in strengths or fade as you approach or drive away from towers (Cells) as you go from cell to cell speeds may change and more.

Izzyblueye · 08-22-2011, 02:20 PM

Standard WIFI is at best hit and miss. Depends on the load, your location, I actually think at times the c/g just shuts it down. As the o/p said, it is stationary only, cannot be used on the move.

calico · 08-22-2011, 02:39 PM

I have a Verizon MiFi2200, works wonderful, supposedly will provide wireless for up to five devices, we use two laptops daily. We live in Illinois, used it on the road coming and going to Arizona last winter worked great, also had good reception while in Arizona. It does work great while the motorhome was tooling down the interstate. We have the 5G plan, runs $50/month, have never ran short on usage allowance, could probably get by with 3G @ $35/month.

wa8yxm · 08-22-2011, 07:34 PM

Wi-Fi is short range.. Your router to Your computer (or computer to computer or computer to printer) The new "N" standard is longer range but in truth it's meant to be a very small area coverage.

WIRELESS.. Is cellular technology.. (Cell Phone) More on that in a bit.

My-Fi.. combines the two, it takes the Wireless (Cellurlar) and "Routes" it on short range Wi-Fi. The best way to describe it is to say it's the same (When parked with a good signal) as AT&T's wireless DSL offering (Where they bring a DSL line to your house and hook a combo Modem/router to the end of it)

Cellular (Wireless) as you move you will drive into and out of cells, the strength will change, the speed will change, sometimes you will loose it completly.

Same as your cell phone. Exactly the same as your cell phone.. In fact.. It *IS* a cell phone.