Wifi - Dealer Fit ?

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Phil89a

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Adria Twin 600 SPB
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Internet connectivity is fairly important to us in our pvc. We simply use the mi-fi unit that appears to be part of the kit you are considering.

So I think this is ours @ £69.99

Amazon product ASIN B011YM0QC4

I did buy a separate aerial, which wasn't cheap, but it didn't appear to add much. The one in the kit you are considering may be better?

But the truth is, we normally have no problem getting a decent mobile data signal from just the small device itself. If reception is a bit weak we place it on the dash in the van (so the steel of the van is not shielding the signal too much) - but normally not necessary. Used extensively in the UK and abroad.

The one back-up is that we use a different network for the mi-fi (3) compared to our mobile phones which are with Virgin, which I think are now on the O2 network. So we can use those if any problem with the 3 signal.
 
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mikebeaches said:
Internet connectivity is fairly important to us in our pvc. We simply use the mi-fi unit that appears to be part of the kit you are considering.

So I think this is ours @ £69.99

Amazon product ASIN B011YM0QC4
I did buy a separate aerial, which wasn't cheap, but it didn't appear to add much. The one in the kit you are considering may be better?

But the truth is, we normally have no problem getting a decent mobile data signal from just the small device itself. If reception is a bit weak we place it on the dash in the van - but normally not necessary. Used extensively in the UK and abroad.

The one back-up is that we use a different network for the mi-fi (3) compared to our mobile phones which are with Virgin, which I think are now on the O2 network. So we can use those if any problem with the 3 signal.
Click to expand...
A decent MIMO aerial around £140.

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Phil89a said:
My dealer is offering to fit WiFi to my new Adria Twin and the product they install is 4G (https://www.motorhomewifi.com/product/4g-smart-compact/) at £399 or 5G (https://www.motorhomewifi.com/product/5g-ready-compact/) at £499

Having internet is very important to me when travelling (within the limitations of the sim providers coverage), so it is an option I will need. Is this a good deal / product or should I look elsewhere do you think?

Thanka

Phil
Click to expand...
As Lenny highlights a good aerial is essential especially as you're living in a metal box.

The cost difference is to do with the roof mounted aerial, I find that the 5G also enhances 4G too.

Browse MHF, there's loads of info on here. My preference is LTE rather than Wifi and a monthly sim only contract but you need to weigh up the pro's and cons for your individual needs.

The motorhomewifi.com product is a very good package and most dealers who fit them usually do a very neat job. Coverage and usage is usually fine for everyday needs.
 
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mikebeaches said:
Internet connectivity is fairly important to us in our pvc. We simply use the mi-fi unit that appears to be part of the kit you are considering.

So I think this is ours @ £69.99

Amazon product ASIN B011YM0QC4

I did buy a separate aerial, which wasn't cheap, but it didn't appear to add much. The one in the kit you are considering may be better?

But the truth is, we normally have no problem getting a decent mobile data signal from just the small device itself. If reception is a bit weak we place it on the dash in the van (so the steel of the van is not shielding the signal too much) - but normally not necessary. Used extensively in the UK and abroad.

The one back-up is that we use a different network for the mi-fi (3) compared to our mobile phones which are with Virgin, which I think are now on the O2 network. So we can use those if any problem with the 3 signal.
Click to expand...
They've switched the product. That one is no longer the model with the antenna ports. The E5577c isn't that easy to get anymore.
 
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Jonno1103 said:
My preference is LTE rather than Wifi and a monthly sim only contract but you need to weigh up the pro's and cons for your individual needs.
.
Click to expand...
Ask a silly question - what do you mean, LTE rather than WiFi?
 
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Guigsy said:
They've switched the product. That one is no longer the model with the antenna ports. The E5577c isn't that easy to get anymore.
Click to expand...
You may well be correct - ours certainly has the antenna ports. (y)
 
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Phil89a said:
Ask a silly question - what do you mean, LTE rather than WiFi?
Click to expand...
LTE is the 4G data system we use in the UK, Wifi is the local connection between your devices and the router the same as you use at home.

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Guigsy said:
They've switched the product. That one is no longer the model with the antenna ports. The E5577c isn't that easy to get anymore.
Click to expand...
There has always been 2 versions more if you include the S with the larger battery, all discontinued now replaced with the Mobile Wifi 3 & the Mobile Wifi 3 E5783 neither has external aerial connections.
 
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Just like Mikebeaches above, we have used a £70 standalone huawei mifi unit (e5577) throughout the UK and France, we have never used or needed an aerial, we just prop it up against a window and use a 3 datasim. Cheap, cheerful and effective.
 
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BillM said:
Just like Mikebeaches above, we have used a £70 standalone huawei mifi unit (e5577) throughout the UK and France, we have never used or needed an aerial, we just prop it up against a window and use a 3 datasim. Cheap, cheerful and effective.
Click to expand...
We fitted an external aerial, but only because we had a panel van. We found that when the (foil backed) blinds were all down, that we'd get almost no 4G/LTE signal inside.

I've not got my new motorhome yet, but I suspect a coachbuild won't have the same issues as the walls are mostly plastic, fibreglass and foam. If this is the case, then the cheap option is probably to not bother with one of these MiFi things and just upgrade the contract on your mobile phone and use it as a hotspot.
 
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Lenny HB said:
LTE is the 4G data system we use in the UK, Wifi is the local connection between your devices and the router the same as you use at home.
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Ah I get it; 4G to the router via the roof aerial then standard WiFi across the van. I understand that; it was preferring LTE over WiFi I didn’t get. 😀
 
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Guigsy said:
We fitted an external aerial, but only because we had a panel van. We found that when the (foil backed) blinds were all down, that we'd get almost no 4G/LTE signal inside.
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This is my worry with the van being a PVC; basically we are sitting in our own faraday cage; so the use of an external aerial appeals greatly.

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Geo said:
You can diy if competant same spec equipment for cira £230.00
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Not someone for DIY - if I can pay someone else to put holes in things, then sort it out if if it’s done wrong - then that is for me 😂
 
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Jonno1103 said:
The cost difference is to do with the roof mounted aerial, I find that the 5G also enhances 4G too.

The motorhomewifi.com product is a very good package and most dealers who fit them usually do a very neat job. Coverage and usage is usually fine for everyday needs.
Click to expand...
I think I will go for the 5G option as it is only 5G ready; it seems to have an improved aerial with 20% more gain and a 4G router. So it’s not really 5G just a better 4G unit it seems 🤞
 
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Phil89a said:
I think I will go for the 5G option as it is only 5G ready; it seems to have an improved aerial with 20% more gain and a 4G router. So it’s not really 5G just a better 4G unit it seems 🤞
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I'm dubious about their gain claims. You can't magic something out of nothing. Aerials tend to get better gain by becoming more directional. But if you think you'll be upgrading to a 5G router in the next couple of years, it might be worth it.
 
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Phil89a said:
Ask a silly question - what do you mean, LTE rather than WiFi?
Click to expand...
LTE ie 4G uses the mobile phone masts to connect to the internet. The router sets up a local wifi network in the MH that your devices can connect to, then use the 4G systems to access the internet.

Wifi is a network in a very limited area (30m or so). Some sites (campsites, cafes, airports etc) have a wifi network that you can connect your devices to. The site wifi will be connected to the internet by some method like a phone line or the mobile phone mast. If you had a good aerial on the roof, it would pick up the wifi from a greater distance than the tiny aerial in your iPad. Some routers, including the Motorhome Wifi setup, can pick up the site wifi. They set up a second local wifi for your devices to connect to, then use the site wifi to access the internet. The upshot is, you can use the site wifi even if you are too far away to pick it up from your iPad.

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Phil89a said:
I think I will go for the 5G option as it is only 5G ready; it seems to have an improved aerial with 20% more gain and a 4G router. So it’s not really 5G just a better 4G unit it seems
Click to expand...
The idea is, the '5G ready' aerial is compatible with 5G. In the future, to upgrade to 5G you just replace the router - a couple of connections - rather than having to replace the aerial as well.
 
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Phil89a said:
I think I will go for the 5G option as it is only 5G ready; it seems to have an improved aerial with 20% more gain and a 4G router. So it’s not really 5G just a better 4G unit it seems 🤞
Click to expand...
Vehicle antennas typically have multiple aerials molded into the unit, one for each of the different frequency bands in use. Mobile phones are the same. Something that's '5g ready' will have more arials in it than one that isn't - but you'll have to have a 5G compatible device to benefit from it.
 
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Phil89a said:
Just the ticket 😀. Decision made; be 5G ready and have the ease of a dealer fit.
Click to expand...
Don't expect too much from campsite wifi. From what I've seen, it can be expensive if it's any good. It's usually OK for emails and general browsing, but streaming TV is usually not a great experience.
 
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autorouter said:
Don't expect too much from campsite wifi. From what I've seen, it can be expensive if it's any good. It's usually OK for emails and general browsing, but streaming TV is usually not a great experience.
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Some of the sites I have been on have had decent WiFi, enough to stream Amazon and Netflix, and some not - but the majority have performed ok. Maybe just been lucky 😄

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Lenny HB said:
I wouldn't bother with 5G unless you plan on camping in big towns, it will be many years before it's rolled out to rural areas.
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I agree with you, also as 5G works at a higher frequency and transmits over a shorter distance there will need to be more base stations. If a campsite already has poor 4g reception it’s unlikely 5g will work. For many of us connectivity is important not just for entertainment but for business whilst away as well personally I would stick to 4g for a while yet.
 
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Another advantage of the motorhome WiFi set up, is that you can connect more than one device to a camp site WiFi system as we do where we have our static in France ....
 
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Phil89a said:
Some of the sites I have been on have had decent WiFi, enough to stream Amazon and Netflix, and some not - but the majority have performed ok. Maybe just been lucky 😄
Click to expand...
Campsite WiFi is as good as the Broadband cable it connects to, which is more than likely a copper telephone wire in rural areas. The more people on site, the more the available bandwidth has to be shared. A couple of dozen people doing email and on line banking will be fine, but as soon as someone starts streaming video it'll slow down.

The same principles apply to mobile masts - they can support a finite number of connections, and the more rural you are the lower the frequency, and therefore available bandwidth, is likely to be.
 
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Coolcats said:
I agree with you, also as 5G works at a higher frequency and transmits over a shorter distance there will need to be more base stations. If a campsite already has poor 4g reception it’s unlikely 5g will work. For many of us connectivity is important not just for entertainment but for business whilst away as well personally I would stick to 4g for a while yet.
Click to expand...
5G works on 3 frequency bands. 2 of them (low and mid) are the same or very similar to the 4G bands. The third high-frequency band is likely to be installed only in dense urban areas and crowded places like stadiums.

The low-frequency, longer range band will be used less, if it can be replaced by a few mid-frequency masts. The greater bandwidth required in the middle frequency band will be obtained by literally increasing the width of the bands.
 
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