Wifi Ranger Denali/Spruce LTE

[creativepart]

I hope this doesn't muddy the water, that's not my intent.

But the entire cellular internet, data plan, modem, router and antenna subject IS techy and IS complex. Those hoping for simple and easy without tech knowledge are kidding themselves. Maybe someday, but not today.

Newmar is trying to add equipment that a lot of buyers want. Many of them already have experience with WiFi Rangers and SIM cards, and Data plans etc. So, for those folks it's a good addition to a Newmar motorhome. Unfortunately, this is causing others without this knowledge and experience to think this stuff is all plug and play easy. And unfortunately, for the non-technical folks that's just not true. For the experienced folks it's straightforward.

I feel for those that are "not techy" and were under the false impression it was plug and play. But folks either need to become tech savvy or hire others that are to make their systems work. A basic level of tech knowledge, beyond how to turn on a cell phone, will likely always be required.

The website www.rvmobileinternet.com is a great place to start to try to learn about these topics. Be aware it's not easy, but it's totally doable if you give it some time and attention.

I'll add one more thing - if you are looking for answers to all this, your local cell phone store is NOT the place to go. Start at that website link above.

[Auburnlisa]

Originally Posted by dizcom

There are so many better options out there, for less money, than what wifi ranger offers. Just a little bit of study is all it takes to understand how to get better internet access. There are many threads here that talk about some of those options, and YouTube is filled with DIY internet solutions on the go that cost less and perform better.

We joined the Mobile Internet Resource Center and did look into many options. We balanced cost and functionality and since we are not working any longer, what WiFi Ranger offered at the time was the best solution for what our needs are currently. I spent most of my 34 year career dealing with information systems so these concepts are not foreign. As technology evolves, our equipment/setup will evolve as well.

[GW4607]

I have been working with WifiRanger Support every day for the last 5-6 days trying to get my cellular plan to connect. So far no good. If I new someone to hire to come to my coach and set it up I would. If I just need an IT person I am sure I could get someone hired. Would that work?

[Yellville]

Unless you are a full-timer, most people are better served just using the hotspot on your cell phone.

None of these products in the RV space are consumer friendly yet.

In the early days of my IT career it was normal for software to include large manuals. We even employed technical writers. Fortunately we all learned that our software was not user-friendly if a manual was necessary and finally manuals went away.

We then moved to the era where the manuals were gone, but setup was still required through a settings or admin window. This often involved adjusting DIP switches or jumpers, and selecting COM ports. This era has now mostly ended.

If your product now days requires a complicated setup process to get online, you are behind the curve. Can you imagine if you had to go through an admin menu and make techy decisions to use your cell phone, and then do it again when you moved to a different location?

A network device designed for consumers should be plug and play. If you have more than a few choices in your setup/admin portal you have already failed. It is unacceptable to expect the consumer to educate themselves to use your product. It is the designer's responsibility to know their customer and design a product the target customer can use out of the box. Add an advanced menu for those who want to dig in, but make it work out of the box for everybody else.

Oh and you can't blame the customer for selecting your inferior product because you also sell a better product. I believe they call that bait-and-switch.

[docj]

Originally Posted by Yellville

A network device designed for consumers should be plug and play. If you have more than a few choices in your setup/admin portal you have already failed.

The problem as I see it is that the marketplace is a mix of consumers with differing abilities and interests. Some potential customers are technology novices and some want nearly professional capabilities.

Manufacturers have to walk a fine line to try to accommodate the broadest base of possible customers. For example, WiFiRanger routers are shipped with their "advanced features" locked out by default so as not to intimidate customers with more limited technology knowledge. More advanced users can remove the lock if they wish. It's not a perfect solution, but it's an attempt to appeal to the broadest range of customers.

[BBelanger]

Hi Docj,
I'm wondering if you have a sense of how busy wifi Ranger support is?
I submitted a ticket Sunday night and haven't heard anything yet.

Bill Bélanger

[mtflybox]

Originally Posted by Yellville

Unless you are a full-timer, most people are better served just using the hotspot on your cell phone.
.

Agree 100%.

Im a retired software guy and helped some acquaintances get setup. When the LTE works fine. But this stuff is fragile and when LTE doesnt work for whatever reason after rhey move locations and you have walk someone through the browser command pages to restart the modem until it connects blah blah…

They both said enough and hotspot to other connected devices. Showed them how to Airplay to their tv’s and couldn’t be happier.

To many layers in this model and software always breaks.

[docj]

Originally Posted by BBelanger

Hi Docj,
I'm wondering if you have a sense of how busy wifi Ranger support is?
I submitted a ticket Sunday night and haven't heard anything yet.

I apologize for that; half the customer service staff has been attending the Escapees Escapade this week and, as a result, those left in Idaho have been somewhat overtaxed.

If you want to PM me the ticket number, I'll personally look into it.

[BBelanger]

Thanks Joel, but if there was a ticket number, I didn't write it down, and I don't see any email from them yet either.
It was just basically a note letting them know that I wasn't able to use the installed sim and see if they could help troubleshoot without me getting on the roof.

Bill Bélanger

[docj]

Originally Posted by BBelanger

Thanks Joel, but if there was a ticket number, I didn't write it down, and I don't see any email from them yet either.
It was just basically a note letting them know that I wasn't able to use the installed sim and see if they could help troubleshoot without me getting on the roof.

Bill Bélanger

Bill:

I went through the "ticket stack" and didn't see one from you. If you didn't get an acknowledgement back then maybe it didn't get into the system. You might want to send a second email.

[BBelanger]

Started a new ticket today. Just for your information, I had an account created, tried to login, it told me my password was incorrect, although my browser saved it. I asked for password reset, no email, not in spam etc. So that doesn't seem to be working. The new ticket I created was as a guest since that was my only option.

Bill Bélanger

[docj]

Originally Posted by BBelanger

Started a new ticket today. Just for your information, I had an account created, tried to login, it told me my password was incorrect, although my browser saved it. I asked for password reset, no email, not in spam etc. So that doesn't seem to be working. The new ticket I created was as a guest since that was my only option.

Bill Bélanger

Do you recall what you titled your ticket?

[Talloaks]

Originally Posted by docj

Do you recall what you titled your ticket?

Looking at the screenshot Bill posted, I see his name, a ticket (#12115), and a link to check the status of his ticket. Not familiar with the system, but isn't that enough to ID the ticket and its status?

[docj]

Originally Posted by BBelanger

Started a new ticket today. Just for your information, I had an account created, tried to login, it told me my password was incorrect, although my browser saved it. I asked for password reset, no email, not in spam etc. So that doesn't seem to be working. The new ticket I created was as a guest since that was my only option.

Bill:

You've now received a detailed response from my colleague, Ted. He found a number of things that can be causing your issues.