Community Forums

crumgj · 04-22-2010, 06:16 PM

Okay, I'm as technology challenged as they come when it centers on broadband, WiFi, 3G,4G and all the rest! Can someone give me a clear and simple (simple being the key word!!) suggestion regarding how I can get internet connection while in the MH? I have the family plan with Verizon and am very happy with the reception. My daughter's family recently moved to Seattle from Michigan and we have no problems with daily chats. We're going out to Seattle in June for a visit and would like to maintain an internet connection with our MacBook laptop. We don't want anything fancy, just something that will allow us internet connection most of the time, without the need to stop at Starbucks for WiFi. I'm sure there must be something out there that can plug into the Mac to gain this connection but I just don't know WHAT or WHERE to look. Is there something that would connect to the cellphone and Mac that would create this connection, or is there something simpler? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!!

Gary

Gary - K7GLD · 04-22-2010, 06:45 PM

Most of the new cell phones have internet and email capability in them already - just need to pay for the service - even my cheepie/freebee LG phone thru Verizon gets it...

John Hilley · 04-22-2010, 07:41 PM

tedward1555 · 04-23-2010, 05:23 AM

I have Verizon MiFi too, and overall it works great for what I need. It is slower than my cable internet at home, but not so much slower that I really notice it once I'm in travel mode. Depending on what your internet needs are, you might just want to talk to Verizon about adding an air card that plugs into your macbook via a USB port. Very simple to plug and play. And can be used at camp, and while driving.
Ed

Clay L · 04-23-2010, 10:32 AM

I use a Verizon air card that plugs into the USB port on a laptop. The data plan costs $59 per month and the card was free when I signed a two contract.

If you don't want to use the air card all of the time you might want to talk to Verizon about tethering your phone to your laptop. I understand that the data service can be turned off when you don't want to use it and back on when you do.

steelheadbluesman · 04-23-2010, 11:05 AM

Here's the simple solution! ClayL is right on. I've done it several ways over the years, and the SIMPLE way is to sign up with Verizon to use a laptop modem (air card) for $60/mo. It's easy, reliable, you just plug it into a USB port and it configures itself each time and tells you when you are connected, and you can connect to the internet ANYWHERE you can get a cell phone signal. I'm very happy with mine.

Abnmarine · 04-23-2010, 11:40 AM

For $60 per month it would be cheaper to go with the iPad and it's unlimited 3G plan of $29 per month. Sure you have to buy the iPad but then you also have a huge GPS display among other things.

Bill Adams · 04-23-2010, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abnmarine

For $60 per month it would be cheaper to go with the iPad and it's unlimited 3G plan of $29 per month. Sure you have to buy the iPad but then you also have a huge GPS display among other things.

How are you going to connect your laptop (or what if you have more than one laptop) to the internet if your only connection comes from the iPad?

itdave · 04-23-2010, 05:50 PM

It is not just the $60 per month unless you pay full retail for the air card you will have a two year contract that you can't put on vacation. So unless you are going to make just about full time use it get kind of expensive. There may be another options. I currently have a Motorola Droid Phone with an unlimited data plan for using the phone on the web. There is an application PDANet from Junefabrics.com which lets you connect your phone to your computer (windows or Mac) and use it as a modem with no additional charges from Verizon. The app cost $25 however if you are not at a point in your contract where you can upgrade a new Droid phone could cost $250.00
There are plenty of options for connecting it all comes down to cost , reliability and ease of use.

Big Bear Local · 04-23-2010, 06:40 PM

The Verizon air card works for me.

GrandpaLarry · 04-23-2010, 07:20 PM

I have been investigating this very issue and came up with the following.

First I checked for a Verizon USB card as my cell phone service is with Verizon. I didn't want to subscribe to a long-term service and with Verizon you don't need to. You can sign up for a week or month directly from your laptop with a Verizon broadband card plugged in. That way I can buy a 'connection' as I need it. A month's service runs $50 with a 5GB limit.

Next, I looked into the various Verizon air cards. One of the least expensive is the USB760. It retails for $129.99 but I found a used one on eBay for under $70 shipped.

That gets me my network connectivity at a fairly reasonable price and I'm not locked into a long-term contract.

Next I wanted to be able to have internet connectivity for several other devices...a second laptop, an internet active weather monitor, etc. I could have gone with a MyFi or other wireless access, but some devices require a wired connection. I checked out several web sites, especially iRV2 and found several recommendations. Cradlepoint seems to be a popular and dependable source for routers that are used with cellular broadband cards.

As I was checking prices on Cradlepoint routers, I found the MBR1000. This is a 3G/4G - 802.11 b/g/n device that has a USB port I can plug my Verizon aircard into. The router then broadcasts the connection for multiple wireless devices and also has four LAN ports into which I can plug my weather monitor, etc.

The cost of the MBR1000 was $149.99 through NewEgg.com with free shipping (and no tax) but they are also offering a $50 rebate - Net Price $99.99

The whole package
$ 69.99
$ 99.99
$169.98

Not too bad for a long term investment. Of course I will need to pay the connection fee as needed.

__________________________________________________ ______

GrandpaLarry and my MUCH younger wife Mary
1998 Holiday Rambler Endeavor DP
Usually towing a three horse trailer

Airshow · 06-23-2010, 09:29 PM

[QUOTE= I currently have a Motorola Droid Phone with an unlimited data plan for using the phone on the web. There is an application PDANet from Junefabrics.com which lets you connect your phone to your computer (windows or Mac) and use it as a modem with no additional charges from Verizon. The app cost $25 however if you are not at a point in your contract where you can upgrade a new Droid phone could cost $250.00
There are plenty of options for connecting it all comes down to cost , reliability and ease of use.[/QUOTE]

Ya, what he said about the Droid. I'm connected to one now to my Mac. The speed is great. PDANet makes it easy. The plan is $30 for unlimited usage on top of the voice plan. Both the little woman (she's 5 ft tall on a warm day) and I have one. Verizon has a 2fer sale going on now. The phone does it all.

B Bob · 06-23-2010, 09:57 PM

IMHO there is no magic solution to getting mobile internet. I have tried almost everything. I was an early user of Verizon broadband air cards. They do work sort of most of nearly almost all the time except when you really need it to work. I think Verizon has added so many users that the service has declined over the last 2-3 years. I also have an Android phone. You can tether that to your computer fairly simply. The results are approx the same as with an air card. Just today I tried using Verizon to connect in Temecuala CA. This is a populated area. The connection was so slow I just gave up and went back to my office.

I have a Motosat Internet F1 on the top of my coach. It was there when I bought the coach last fall. Next week I am supposed to get that hooked up. So I will see how that works.

There is NO!!!!!!! current substitute in my humble opinion for a good wifi signal from a broadband connection. After I get my sat hooked up I will report back.

H. Miller · 06-24-2010, 06:25 AM

Google @ Virgin Mobile....... They have a NO CONTRACT - PAY AS YOU GO plan. Appears it can be "turned off/on" with no add'l cost. The air card/modum is a little pricey at $149.