Oh Dear... another MUST HAVE gadget... (1 Viewer)

[JJ]

Just as I am trying to wean myself off my gadget dependency I find the existence of another "must have" device...

Called "MiFi" it would allow me to take my data sim card out of my Sony Vaio laptop (or your internet dongle), put it in the new thingy and "Bob´s Your Uncle" you have a private wi-fi network around you for up to five connections.

So, apart from personal use in the Wagon where I could have five different wi-fi devices working through the one 3G connection, I could also offer wi-fi to Motorhome Fun visitors to Quinta Majay... (How much do the CCC charge?)

Anyone have first hand experience of the Novatel Mifi thingy? (I have checked the web reviews but who is writing them I ask.)

JJ

 

[scotjimland]

Save money, set up a virtual network with the Sony ..

that's what I did in the RV to share the same connection with Jan

 

[656]

I have been thinking about one of these for the iPad. It would come in handy when in the van. However, the cost of use when abroad would be horrendous!

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[Road Runner]

Bryan Admin has/had one I believe.

What phone you got again JJ and do ya recommend it?

 

[JJ]

Save money, set up a virtual network with the Sony ..

that's what I did in the RV to share the same connection with Jan

How much do you charge for teaching idiots how to set up VPNs?

I have been thinking about one of these for the iPad. It would come in handy when in the van. However, the cost of use when abroad would be horrendous!

Ok for me in Portugal as I have a contract (unlimited at 5mbs where possible) with Vodafone Portugal.. :thumb:

JJ

 

[JJ]

Bryan Admin has/had one I believe.

What phone you got again JJ and do ya recommend it?

I have a Nokia E72 smartphone (connected in the UK to T-Mobile) and I recommend both of them John. Unlimited data, 200 minutes talking and unlimited texts for 19 pounds a month or maybe 29 pounds, can´t remember, sorry)

JJ

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[scotjimland]

How much do you charge for teaching idiots how to set up VPNs?



JJ

sorry wrong terminology .. I should have said an ad hoc wireless network

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[Xoxoc]

The trouble with an ad-hoc network connection is that both laptops need to be on for the second to see the internet.

I do have a mi-fi dongle and it's great (in the uk)

Very easy to use.

 

[lunarman]

I have the 3 equivalent. It has to be the best £49.99 I have spent in a long time. Its kept the wife quite. No longer is she huffing and puffing that she cant use her laptop to get on to Facebook while I am doing the very important job of checking the forum posts. :thumb::thumb:

Being serious I have found it to be much more convenient than the dongle, you can place it where you get the best signal. Could be half way up a tree in Quinta JJ. I am sure that it gets a stronger signal than the dongle because the speed I have been getting has been noticably faster. Maybe it has a better ariel.

At present it is locked to 3 whereas the dongle was unlocked and I could use any sim. If I need to go on Vodafone then it will be back to the dongle.

Overall I am very happy with it.

Lunarman

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[JJ]

The trouble with an ad-hoc network connection is that both laptops need to be on for the second to see the internet.

I do have a mi-fi dongle and it's great (in the uk)

Very easy to use.

Thanks Bryan... I would want to allow "guests" to use the connection without my laptop being on so it looks like I can justify the purchase of a new gismo after all... Jim had me worried there for a moment...

I have several friends touring in their vans and they won´t join me at any locations if there is no internet connection... with a Mifi I could say "Use mine..."

See how far I go to try to get people to be my friends!

JJ :thumb:

 

[scotjimland]

The trouble with an ad-hoc network connection is that both laptops need to be on for the second to see the internet.

yes, of course,

but is that not the idea .. two or more on at the same time .. ?

Does your MIFI dongle work with your lappy shudown ???

 

[JJ]

yes, of course,

but is that not the idea .. two or more on at the same time .. ?

Does your MIFI dongle work with your lappy shudown ???

I think is does Jim... it is a stand alone, battery powered router...

JJ

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[lunarman]

The MiFi is a standalone device that is not tethered to any other device. As long as it is switched on and can get a signal it becomes a Wifi Access point

 

[scotjimland]

I think is does Jim... it is a stand alone, battery powered router...

JJ

ofcourse,

but I thought Bryan had a usb mifi dongle .. my mistake

 

[JJ]

It is the word "dongle" that can cause misunderstandings! I do not need a "dongle" as my laptop has a sim card slot for mobile 3G internet.

People ask where my "dongle" is and I get embarrassed...:Blush:

I guess the Mifi "thingy" should be called a mobile, battery powered 3G router...

an MBP3GR for short...

JJ

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[hilldweller]

Anyone have first hand experience of the Novatel Mifi thingy? (I have checked the web reviews but who is writing them I ask.)
JJ

I'm pretty sure Dame Penelope has one.

Not offering free WiFi must be the trick though when it's on mobile.

 

[JJ]

I'm pretty sure Dame Penelope has one.

Not offering free WiFi must be the trick though when it's on mobile.

... well as my mobile data package is "unlimited" and on a fixed price, I thought I might charge Funsters a fee, say one Fray Bentos Steak and Ale pie for two hours internet and save on my food bills...

JJ

 

[Xoxoc]

ofcourse,

but I thought Bryan had a usb mifi dongle .. my mistake

I have a '3' mifi device. They can be unlocked so that any sim will work in them. Unlocking also gives you extra control over the device that is locked away if you don't unlock it.


JJ, be careful with the 'unlimited' data package moniker.

They almost always have a 'fair usage policy' and unlimited can in reality mean 3gb per month.

hth
Bryan

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[hilldweller]

one Fray Bentos Steak and Ale pie for two hours internet and save on my food bills...

JJ

So you are going to eat their words !


Sorry, I'll get me hat.

 

[gozomike]

Hi
I have been using a Huawei mifi on the 3 network when in the UK and as has been said it works well. I have also used it suspended on the top of my flag pole when the signal coming in has been weak, it does help. Mine is locked to the 3 network, you would need to get an unlocked one (or have one unlocked) to use it on another network. I see the unlocked ones are £91 from Amazon. For others to use it you would just have to give them the access code provided.
Sorry no experience of the Novatel one but it looks more expensive.

 

[scotjimland]

It is the word "dongle" that can cause misunderstandings! I do not need a "dongle" as my laptop has a sim card slot for mobile 3G internet.

People ask where my "dongle" is and I get embarrassed...:Blush:

I guess the Mifi "thingy" should be called a mobile, battery powered 3G router...

an MBP3GR for short...

JJ

I also have the small Sony with the sim card slot .. that was what I used when I set up the ad hoc network for Jan to use in the RV ..

can't say I didn't try to save you a few bob... which you could use for kindling

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[PenelopePitstop]

We have a 3 MiFi thingy bob for using in the UK - much better than using a dongle each!
We can also both access the printer with it too!:thumb:

 

[656]

Would these work with Apples Air Print?

 

[ArenqueRojo]

I see the unlocked ones are £91 from Amazon.

Or cheaper as the Zoom Travel Router from Maplins. About £70 unlocked.

Would these work with Apples Air Print?

They are standard wifi - nothing special. The special bit is the firmware to use the dongle as a modem.
TP Link and one or two others also have 3G USB Modem connections on their routers. The idea being that you leave a dongle plugged in so that if the landline fails they switch over to 3G automatically.
Used the Zoom for a couple of years now in Tenerife, Spain, UK, Germany etc. No problems so far. Although Wireless-n, the zoom maxes out at 7Mb. Its enough for three or so users!
Patrick

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[Sundowners]

We have been using a 3 Mifi - Huawei E5830 for just over a year - we first had 3gb for £7.50 per month but have just increased to 15gb for £15.00 as we are using more now that we have both retired and are using the laptops more often. It is great both being able to use the internet at the same time, as has been said previously, we just move it around to get the best signal wherever we might be. However, it does not run as long as we would like on it's own battery so we plug into ac supply.

Nigel and Pamala

 

[JJ]

I can't wait!

What's more it appears I have "earnt" enough Vodafone Portugal bonus points to be able to get one of these thingies at a very affordable price... (I'll believe it when I see it...)

Thanks everyone for your input...

JJ :thumb: