Wifi, mifi and all that (1 Viewer)

[vzac]

I have camped for many yrs in tents, caravans (owned 2, and 2 motorhomes, 2 narrowboats( lived on these)). So think I have been there and don'it. What I am finding having recently joined this community, is the chatter around wifi. I dont really get it, we have never had it other than on the phone, and do not see the need for it, after all we are out experiencing the great outdoors, not sitting in watching tv,face time twitting etc. Do we not leave that at home, or is it we cannot now go without it, and the cost of having wifi in the van doing nothing but paying monthly premiums when it's not in use. Ti me it seems excessive, unless you live in it. Or am I missing something ?

 

[Geistguy]

To a certain extent I agree but how often has someone been helped when they have a problem. I belong to a few forums and regularly members ask for help, within minutes someone has posted advice. How would this work without wifi ?

 

[Puddleduck]

I used to be self employed and picked up orders etc when away in the van.

These days I use my phone as a hotspot if I need to, or use site wifi. I use the internet when away if I am writing and need to check facts.

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[Southdowners]

I think it depends on how long you’re away for. We normally go away for months at a time and need WiFi to communicate generally and access documents and files connected with my husband’s consultancy work.

It certainly doesn’t prevent us from enjoying the great outdoors

 

[vzac]

I guess using your phone, yes if you can get a signal, but 30yrs ago we still managed without to many problems, just took a bit longer to sort. No phones then and if lucky had only 1g. Suppose am saying what the advantage over your phone, if you have no signal a short walk ( uk) usually gets you a signal.

 

[vzac]

I think it depends on how long you’re away for. We normally go away for months at a time and need WiFi to communicate generally and access documents and files connected with my husband’s consultancy work.

It certainly doesn’t prevent us from enjoying the great outdoors

Get that, semi living in it as well.

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[Mikeco]

Away in the van at the moment and using my wifi via my mifi to answer your post.
As you get older there is only a certain amount of walking you can do so having decent wifi is a benefit, might even watch the F1 sprint race later.

 

[vzac]

Glad your embracing this modern tech stuff, I struggle with it sometimes, hence my post.

 

[Jev88]

MIFI for us is convenient to watch TV catch-up mainly on rainy evenings. We buy a Vodafone or Giffgaff simm that lasts 30 days and so only activate when we are going away. £20 for 80Gb.
Device and aerial was £100 and runs on 12v

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[ChrisL]

I think people have different interests, different levels of mobility and use their motorhomes in different ways, no doubt some are almost addicted to the Internet or streaming TV, whilst others are equally addicted to long walks, climbing, surfing, photography etc. Etc. We are all different and I appreciate those differences, life would be boring if we all lived life in a similar manner.

 

[Otter Spotter]

I have camped for many yrs in tents, caravans (owned 2, and 2 motorhomes, 2 narrowboats( lived on these)). So think I have been there and don'it. What I am finding having recently joined this community, is the chatter around wifi. I dont really get it, we have never had it other than on the phone, and do not see the need for it, after all we are out experiencing the great outdoors, not sitting in watching tv,face time twitting etc. Do we not leave that at home, or is it we cannot now go without it, and the cost of having wifi in the van doing nothing but paying monthly premiums when it's not in use. Ti me it seems excessive, unless you live in it. Or am I missing something ?

Need WiFi in van to use Lightroom photo editing software (which is accessed online) and I save some of my photos direct onto my NAZ at home for Backup Via the mifi

 

[Podney]

I have camped for many yrs in tents, caravans (owned 2, and 2 motorhomes, 2 narrowboats( lived on these)). So think I have been there and don'it. What I am finding having recently joined this community, is the chatter around wifi. I dont really get it, we have never had it other than on the phone, and do not see the need for it, after all we are out experiencing the great outdoors, not sitting in watching tv,face time twitting etc. Do we not leave that at home, or is it we cannot now go without it, and the cost of having wifi in the van doing nothing but paying monthly premiums when it's not in use. Ti me it seems excessive, unless you live in it. Or am I missing something ?

Oooops! Fat finger syndrome,sorry nothing to add!

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[HKF]

I need a secure connection when away, to be able to work

 

[ManTheVan]

We usually tether our phones if we need to use a slightly larger screen, so haven’t got MiFi. Works for us, but if we ever get to the point where we are spending lots more time in more remote areas we‘ll consider MiFi and a proper external antenna.

I had to set up a 4g data connection for the house, as our local broadband service is just too slow and unreliable for working from home. It wasn’t too difficult and we now have a MUCH better service. At home I have a directional dish antenna, but would probably go for Omni on the van if I ever needed it.

As the OP says, we don’t go away to watch TV, but it can be really useful to have a signal so I can stream during special events such as when Wales play England in the 6 Nations….and win! (Sorry Jim eddievanbitz , same allegiance as ShiftZZ on this ).

 

[glenn2926]

We only use the phone hotspot too. We don’t go away to sit in the van on the internet or watching The tv. We do have a tv but since buying it nearly six years ago it has been switched on three times. Once to test it, once for the grandchildren to watch a dvd and once to watch a football match. Probably a waste of money and a cupboard.

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[vzac]

MIFI for us is convenient to watch TV catch-up mainly on rainy evenings. We buy a Vodafone or Giffgaff simm that lasts 30 days and so only activate when we are going away. £20 for 80Gb.
Device and aerial was £100 and runs on 12v

That's more of a cost benefit analysis that I can accept, some costs seem very expensive.

 

[Jim]

As the OP says, we don’t go away to watch TV, but it can be really useful to have a signal so I can stream during special events such as when Wales play England in the 6 Nations….and win! (Sorry Jim eddievanbitz , same allegiance as ShiftZZ on this ).

Just wait till 5g is in your area, it might take 10 years, but I doubt you'll miss any wins.

 

[vzac]

May be there is more people actually working from mh's and Van's than perhaps I had realised. I had my own business, but when I was away I was away, business could wait. Did the business suffer, yes a little did my health suffer not as much, as the business.

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