Community Forums

bukzin · 03-22-2020, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmp1991

I don't know that I qualify as an expert, but I'll offer my opinion as a fairly tech-savy person who's been doing alot of research.

First, per the page you link to, I'd recommend aiming for the Combo model (a suffix on the model name and number) as it costs only $15 more but it offers more LTE bands per it's spec sheet. That translates into a better chance to find a signal, or a higher bandwidth signal, in more places on more cellular networks. If you plan to keep multiple active plans, like both an AT&T and Verizon, this is more important to be able to swap between them. But if you stick with one provider, just make sure whatever you buy supports all bands they use.

The combo still doesn't have 5GHz 802.11ac wifi. Nor does either the SIM4 or SIM4-Combo have faster than a 100Mbps wired port. Since 2.4GHz seems fairly crowded these days, I can't imagine I'd want to pull the trigger on this as packet collisions on the crowded radio spectrum could take away a decent percentage of your bandwidth. But depending on where you stay, and your bandwidth needs, this might not be a problem for you. The wired port speed certainly isn't a problem if everything you have only connects via wifi. (That won't be the case for me.)

I'd also point out that the Pepwaves and Cradlepoints all have 2 sim slots per modem while the MOFIs only have one. If you want to be able to failover (not quickly, but at all) without a visit to the router, you'll miss out with the MOFI. Then again, if you aren't maintaining 2 sim plans this won't matter anyway.

I'll also say the MOFI looks to be aimed for internal installation locations. While the temp range is wide, the power requirements range is a bit narrower than the Pepwave and Cradlepoints. The MOFI also can't be powered by POE like some of the Pepwaves and Cradlepoints (but not all). This would mean larger enclosures and more cable runs to the roof if you wanted to put this on the roof near the antennas to minimize signal loss over long cable runs. Another thing that a single sim slot would compound would be switching sims on the roof more often.

The only other thing I can tell from the spec sheet is that GPS is an additional optional add-on to both the model you mentioned and the 'combo'. The Pepwaves and Cradlepoints have this built in already. If you don't plan to use the GPS feature for anything on your network, this won't matter. Some folks have a number of devices tracking the current GPS coords output by their router though.

I can't comment at all on the ease-of-use, or capabilities, of the setup and monitoring screens for the MOFI. I do find the Pepwave and Cradlepoint usable and generally well thought-out, at least to a prosumer or enterprise level. But your average home user will likely be a little confused and/or never get around to some of the more 'enterprise' things you can do with these. Maybe the MOFI is better for a typical home-user? I dunno.

How are folks using the GPS feature in these units? I have a Cradlepoint CBA 850.

LarryJB · 03-23-2020, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bukzin

How are folks using the GPS feature in these units? I have a Cradlepoint CBA 850.

Pretty sure the CBA850 does not have the GPS feature.

bukzin · 03-24-2020, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryJB

Pretty sure the CBA850 does not have the GPS feature.

Just wondering what advantage is to have a mobile router
with GPS.

Anyone try one?

Meleina · 04-06-2020, 03:26 PM

For those folks using a pepwave product such as the transit duo, has anyone taken advantage of the speedfusion component of the product? I have set up speedfusion using Vultr and while I see an increased speed using both modems the speed is less due to degradation of the speeds as they are aggregated three through Vultr. Latency times are also significantly degraded. Anyone seeing a overall improvement? About to abandon the tool.

jwprosser · 04-12-2020, 06:44 PM

Time and timing of packets sent is one, 2 is location based services.

LarryJB · 04-14-2020, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bukzin

Just wondering what advantage is to have a mobile router
with GPS.

Anyone try one?

AFAIK the GPS feature is used by trucking companies to track their trucks. An unnecessary feature for most RVers.

Massparanoia · 05-21-2020, 01:47 PM

Anyone using the AT&T car connected plan? Do you have to buy their OBD2 device to get it? Can you then take the sim out and put it in the modem?

creativepart · 05-21-2020, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Massparanoia

Anyone using the AT&T car connected plan? Do you have to buy their OBD2 device to get it? Can you then take the sim out and put it in the modem?

We've been using it since it was started a couple years ago. But that sweet plan is not available for new users.

The Plan is all different now and the device has to be in an OBD-II port and it needs to know that you're moving around not parked.

Basically, it's no long viable for use in your RV except for when you're driving. Some people have found workarounds, but those appear to be spotty.

Here's some info from www.rvmobileinternet.com:

Massparanoia · 05-22-2020, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creativepart

We've been using it since it was started a couple years ago. But that sweet plan is not available for new users.

The Plan is all different now and the device has to be in an OBD-II port and it needs to know that you're moving around not parked.

Basically, it's no long viable for use in your RV except for when you're driving. Some people have found workarounds, but those appear to be spotty.

Here's some info from www.rvmobileinternet.com:

And plans that you recommend now? I pulled the trigger on a pepwave br1. I have T-Mobile now, I have an unlimited data plan on an iPad, maybe I can pull the sim out of that while we’re traveling?

creativepart · 05-22-2020, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Massparanoia

And plans that you recommend now? I pulled the trigger on a pepwave br1. I have T-Mobile now, I have an unlimited data plan on an iPad, maybe I can pull the sim out of that while we’re traveling?

I don't keep up with plans now since I have the ATT Connected Car unlimited and a Verizon grandfathered unlimited.

Again, you'll find answers to all the questions about best devices and plans at www.rvmobileinternet.com. They keep up to the minute info on everything.

Massparanoia · 05-22-2020, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creativepart

I don't keep up with plans now since I have the ATT Connected Car unlimited and a Verizon grandfathered unlimited.

Again, you'll find answers to all the questions about best devices and plans at www.rvmobileinternet.com. They keep up to the minute info on everything.

Awesome I’ll check them out.

Lmodesitt · 05-23-2020, 06:52 AM

Turbopilot, would you change anything now in 2020 based on the networking equipment you recommended in 2019?

Massparanoia · 06-04-2020, 08:27 AM

Just finished our first trip with the pepwave installed. I set it up in the overhead cabinet above the windshield, plugged into an outlet up there that’s wired to the inverter, so I don’t need the generator on to use it.

Used our T-Mobile sim from the iPad. We travelled from Richmond VA to Panama Beach FL and the kids were able to stream on the Roku for the whole trip. I don’t have an exterior antenna yet, but after this trip not sure I’ll need one.

Very impressed so far.

Tilzbow · 06-14-2020, 11:26 AM

Sorry if this has been asked and answered but I searched the thread and couldn’t find an answer....

We have AT&T with two phones and an IPad, each with their own line. If I buy a Pepwave how do I get an AT&T Sim for it and is that SIM card a duplicate of an existing line or an additional line with a monthly charge?

I assume it’s an additonal line and I simply go to an AT&T store, add a line, get a SIM card for that line and plug it into the Pepwave but maybe it’s not that simple....

I also assume if I wanted to use a different carrier, such as Verizon, for only the Pepwave I could do that.