Which MIFI ?

[chrisboyo]

I have just been looking on Amazon with a view to buying an unlocked MIFI
It seems quite confusing, well it is to me.
There are loads of different types and model numbers

So which one do i go for ?

Thanks Funsters

 

[Larrynwin]

I swear by my 3 mi fi :thumb:

 

[marymary]

I have a 3 mifi too, pay as you go so I usually do the £10 a month.....

 

[Phill D]

i use a Huawei E5331 unlocked but usually buy a 3 data sim on ebay at around £11 for 3gb over 90 days,:thumb:

 

[Chris]

i use a Huawei E5331 unlocked but usually buy a 3 data sim on ebay at around £11 for 3gb over 90 days,:thumb:

That's what I have got too.

Not used it yet but I have got it.

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[jools66]

We have used an unlocked (branded '3') HUAWEI E5331 for 18 months now in the UK, France, Spain and Portugal using 3 in the UK, Europa SIM across the rest and Vodafone PT in Portugal SIMS.

This model is bit old now you should be looking for a newer one I would recommend you have a look at www.motorhomewifi.com and get in touch with Adam I'm sure he will help you sort something out to suit your needs.
:thumb:

 

[GJH]

I'm still using a Huawei e585 bought some years ago. It was Three but I unlocked it myself. I still normally use a Three SIM card though, unlocking just allows a Vodafone SIM to be used if there is no Three coverage.

The e5331 is a newer model so presumably more powerful than the e585 - might need to check specs though.

I've found that the Three network is normally reliable (had to stick the MiFi on the flag pole at Malvern Show though) and better than others.

 

[enery8]

I have a huawei e5332 which is the same as the e5331 except it has an antenna socket.
I also bought an antenna from touringenterprises (motorhome wifi) HIGH GAIN 3G Antenna 28dbi TS9 for MiFi Devices Huawei E5332 E5776 E586 2M Cable £22.99 + £2.95 postage and I am getting 8mbps, double what I was getting without the antenna.:thumb:

 

[Peter & Elaine]

i use a Huawei E5331 unlocked but usually buy a 3 data sim on ebay at around £11 for 3gb over 90 days,:thumb:

Snap
And no problems

 

[Rapide561]

MiFi

Hi

I have a 5331 model. It is OK and is using a THREE sim at present, mostly because of the free roaming in Italy and six other countries - see my blog item here about it overseas.

Russell

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[grasscutter]

We have the 5331 and use it with a 3 SIM card. I think our sim was £12 on Amazon for 3gb and three months use. Had very good results using it and great for the iPads .
If I was to buy one now I would probably go as per "enery8" and get the 5332 with external antenna socket.

 

[champers]

I have a three Huawei myfi but will have to check what model, how do I go about having it unlocked please?

thanx
Kath x

 

[pappajohn]

I have a huawei e5332 which is the same as the e5331 except it has an antenna socket.
I also bought an antenna from touringenterprises (motorhome wifi) HIGH GAIN 3G Antenna 28dbi TS9 for MiFi Devices Huawei E5332 E5776 E586 2M Cable £22.99 + £2.95 postage and I am getting 8mbps, double what I was getting without the antenna.:thumb:

thanks for that :thumb:

considered long and hard as to whether to buy an antenna or not.....i think that just made up my mind.

my main reluctance was i thought the antenna simply increased the signal range (phone signal not wifi strength.) and 'boosted' weak signals.

 

[enery8]

Re my post about the e5332 and antenna. I forgot to mention, the antenna I bought is also semi-directional.
Hope this helps
Bill

 

[peter H]

I have a huawei e5332 which is the same as the e5331 except it has an antenna socket.
I also bought an antenna from touringenterprises (motorhome wifi) HIGH GAIN 3G Antenna 28dbi TS9 for MiFi Devices Huawei E5332 E5776 E586 2M Cable £22.99 + £2.95 postage and I am getting 8mbps, double what I was getting without the antenna.:thumb:

I use an E5332 as well. Works fine usually. Sometimes signal strength can be a bit low. So inside my motorhome there is a long usb cable, (to connect to the 12v socket). This cable is draped round the cupboards, shelves etc so that I can put the wifi in the most suitable window. (avoids the Faraday shield effect).

Reading the thread, mention is made of an external antenna.

Oh thinks I, I wonder what that funny covered socket in the side of my wifi is for?

After 10 mins or so if google research, I find I can use an external antenna on the unit.

Ordered on ebay, delivery 20 to 48 hours. Lets hope it works. (I shall report back)

Thanks to Pappajohn for starting the thread and to enery8 for triggering my brain cells into life.

Peter

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[GJH]

I have a three Huawei myfi but will have to check what model, how do I go about having it unlocked please?

thanx
Kath x

This is how I unlocked mine but it wasn't quite as straightforward as the web site suggests. It's a little while ago so I can't remember exactly but the PST sequence wasn't where it "should" have been. Other devices use other methods and you may have to go via the phone company and pay.

Caveat: If something goes wrong it can lock the device, you only get so many goes.

For anyone buying new it's probably easier to buy one ready unlocked.

 

[knokinonabit]

I recently bought a Tesco Hudl, mainly to use in the MH when we are away. I thought that I had best buy a MiFi and was guided by the Tesco mobile phone sales guy. Amazingly, I have a Huawei E5332. I say amazingly because I didn't have a clue about them, so thank you Tesco, apparently. :thumb:

 

[Phill D]

good deal

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:thumb:

 

[JOHNSTEY]

We have a Huawei E5331 bought unlocked from Amazon.Works great with the i pads in the van and no signal problems anywhere we have been as yet.We are pretty heavy users at the moment as we are searching for a new home whilst living in the van so have a Three 7gb sim which costs £25 for 30 days but will drop to the 3gb for £15 when we are settled(whatever that is!):thumb:

 

[jollyrodger]

Have one of these gets out everywhere without problem :

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unlocked but use the 3 network I have found best
similar here :

Link Removed

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[cmcardle75]

I have a huawei e5332 which is the same as the e5331 except it has an antenna socket.
I also bought an antenna from touringenterprises (motorhome wifi) HIGH GAIN 3G Antenna 28dbi TS9 for MiFi Devices Huawei E5332 E5776 E586 2M Cable £22.99 + £2.95 postage and I am getting 8mbps, double what I was getting without the antenna.:thumb:

+1 for the E5332 with external antenna. Even before mounting on the RV, I got an 3 extra bars (out of five) with a large can omni antenna compared to the built in one held at exactly the same position.

In reality, the RV is made of aluminium, so you couldn't get a signal inside at all unless the base station aerial is sticking through your windows.

As it still has the internal, there is no harm going for the E5332 over the E5331 so you can get the antenna later if needed.

 

[jonandshell]

Everyone rushes to buy a mifi, what's wrong with a tethered smartphone? It makes calls too!!!

Obviously, you need a good data package on your mobile contract!:thumb:

 

[GJH]

Everyone rushes to buy a mifi, [HI]what's wrong with a tethered smartphone[/HI]? It makes calls too!!!

I think you answered your own question

[HI]Obviously, you need a good data package on your mobile contract[/HI]!:thumb:

My MiFi is PAYG and costs me very little compared to having a contract with the necessary data package

 

[jonandshell]

Many people don't realise you can tether another device to a phone.

We have a Gig Of data on on our contracts, together with 5000 unusable texts and 500 mins. £12.50 including phone. Its plenty for the casual browsing we do when out in the van.:thumb:

 

[pappajohn]

I use an E5332 as well. Works fine usually. Sometimes signal strength can be a bit low. So inside my motorhome there is a long usb cable, (to connect to the 12v socket). This cable is draped round the cupboards, shelves etc so that I can put the wifi in the most suitable window. (avoids the Faraday shield effect).

Reading the thread, mention is made of an external antenna.

Oh thinks I, I wonder what that funny covered socket in the side of my wifi is for?

After 10 mins or so if google research, I find I can use an external antenna on the unit.

Ordered on ebay, delivery 20 to 48 hours. Lets hope it works. (I shall report back)

Thanks to Pappajohn for starting the thread and to enery8 for triggering my brain cells into life.

Peter

wasnt me Peter.....it was chrisboyo.

the antenna you ordered does have the correct plug....doesnt it ?

the plug HAS to be a TS9 type

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[My Dog Likes Fishing]

I have mifi as well as a one plan contract on 3 for my iPhone so that I can tether my phone to my ipad.

The mifi not only provides a wireless network but is designed to act as a router and provides a lot better signal. In most cases it is double the speed of tethering.

 

[grumps147]

Prior to retiring 12 months ago I used to travel the UK quite a bit. I never had Vodaphone, but occasionally those who did with me had connection issues, same with a few on Orange. We had 02 from work, appalling service even in highly populated areas. Even worse when there were events on nearby (near NEC a prime example).

Then I got a 3 mifi, payg initially, which 2 months ago I changed to a contract when they offered me 1Gb monthly for £7.99. It has been extremely rare for me not to get a connection (end of Llyn Peninsular near Aberdaron is one).

Why can't the others provide the reliable network coverage 3 do?

 

[enery8]

Prior to retiring 12 months ago I used to travel the UK quite a bit. I never had Vodaphone, but occasionally those who did with me had connection issues, same with a few on Orange. We had 02 from work, appalling service even in highly populated areas. Even worse when there were events on nearby (near NEC a prime example).

Then I got a 3 mifi, payg initially, which 2 months ago I changed to a contract when they offered me 1Gb monthly for £7.99. It has been extremely rare for me not to get a connection (end of Llyn Peninsular near Aberdaron is one).

Why can't the others provide the reliable network coverage 3 do?

I have Vodafone and T-mobile and they seem to work well in most places. However, I did buy a cheap 3 sim for £5 off ebay and found that to be very reliable but my voda sim is none expiring so I as long as I use it once in 180 days I can keep money on it. My son has a 3 contract and he certainly gets more reliable coverage than I do, but (I don't know if my new antenna will make any difference)
Bill

 

[SuperMike]

No.2 son moved to Littleover which is on the outskirts of Derby. His 3 phone and Internet signal was non existent, so he switched to Orange. I think they are all as bad as one another, it just depends where you are. :Sad:

 

[chrisboyo]

Thanks for all the info
As usual funsters are the font of all knowledge:thumb:
I have now ordered an E5332 from ebay

In the past I have used my mobile as a dongle but it was always quite slow and at times very frustrating to use.
As we are off to Morocco and Spain this winter this I also wanted a decent connection and to be able to use local sim cards

Very interesting thead so keep it going
Funster thanks
Chris

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