Yahoo Message Number: 67991 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/67991)
Just returned from the rv show in Quartzite and am looking at the inmotion wifi, which would make our coach a mobile hot spot. At 29.00 per month it dosen't seem like a bad deal if it works and operates as they say. Has anyone had any experience with this product? Tom Coomes
2005 Inspire # 51177
Yahoo Message Number: 67998 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/67998)
Tom, are you asking about WiFI In-Motion? If so, this is just a cellular compatible router, i.e. Cradlepoint MBR1000, with a Wilson antenna and amplifier attached. Unless you spend a lot of time off the beaten path, something like the Verizon MiFi will accomplish what you want. When on the road we use a Cradlepoint MBR1000 (http://www.cradlepoint.com/) with a Verizon USB Broadband Modem. It works anywhere there is a Verizon signal. To get good speeds you need to be connected to 3G but just about an cell signal will get you on the internet. Almost all of the interstates we travel have cellular wifi available. All the in-motion kit does is add an external antenna and 3 watt amplifier. Before you buy the whole kit from these guys, check out getting the parts from other sources Wilson Electronics (http://www.wilsonelectronics.com/). If you don't spend a lot of time in the boondocks, you might be able to get away with getting a Verizon or similar Mobile HotSpo (http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneOverviewByDevice&deviceCategoryId=13) t which is simple to use and cheaper than the In-Motion kit. You just set the Mobile Hotspot on the dash and you are good to go.
The bottom line is that there is not "magic" to in motion WiFi. It's just WiFi from cellular broadband and there are many ways to achieve it. I'm sure there are others on this forum that are using cellular broadband and can chime in with their particular setup and the advantages and disadvantages they see for their particular situation.
Bob
'05 Intrigue 11872
Yahoo Message Number: 67999 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/67999)
Tom I have used a Mifi for about 14 months. They had some quality control issues at the beginning as I replaced mine 3 times in the first 3 months- losing signal and having to reboot but am happy with performance since. I use it with an Ipad as well as computers and carry it with me with the Ipad . Saves having a separate Smart phone with the wife and I using it with regular cheaper phones and the Mifi and Ipad ( which I can read and use easier ). Ithe Ipad is a 10 inch screen and we carry it and the Mifi in a small computer bag , not much bigger than my wifes purse. Love it
Ron Baran 09 Magna 7025
Yahoo Message Number: 68000 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68000)
I haven't heard about it but I have the Virgin MiFi 2200 with Unlimited Data Usage for $40 a month and it works Great.
However, as of Feb. 15th they will go to an Unlimited Plan with a Limit of 5 Gigabytes so anyone who buys the Unlimited Plan before that time will be Grandfathered in as a truly Unlimited Plan whereas the New Unlimited Plan has a 5 Gig Cap.
Verizon also has the MiFi 2200 for $40/month and it has a 5 Gig Cap which is okay just for Email, etc. but if you do alot of video downloads you can eat that up in about 30 minutes so Buyer Beware. It is a 3G Plan but they also have 4G now but 3G works fine for Email, Web Surfing, etc.
Yahoo Message Number: 68002 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68002)
How much date is included at that price? That is the key on good or not.
Leonard Kerns
97' Magna 5418
Yahoo Message Number: 68007 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68007)
Tom,
What is the name of the company and product? The $29 monthly price is much better than $59 a month for my Verizon air card. We plug it into a Cradlepoint when in the coach so Martha and I can get online at the same time. We can also take the air card with us when traveling in the truck and plug it into a computer. Can you do this with the "in motion" system you saw? Is it through one of the phone companies? If it is portable, I am sure a lot of us would be interested.
Gene Merryman
2000 Allure #30496
Yahoo Message Number: 68008 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68008)
Tom,
You need to look at updating to the Verzion Hot Spot. They have better price plans then the $59. We purchased at Best Buy and the hot spot was free with data plan purchase. Hot Spot good for 5 devices with wireless connections.
Leonard Kerns
97' Magna 5418
Yahoo Message Number: 68024 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68024)
For what it's worth, I just upgraded last week from a Verizon air-card to the Mi-Fi. The equipment was free and the plan is 35.00 monthly for 3 gigs and each 1 gig in excess of the 3 is 10.00. It works great and can handle up to 5 devices.
Tom
Trans-Specialists/Lifeline Batteries
01 Magna 5999
www.trans-specialists.net (http://www.trans-specialists.net)
Yahoo Message Number: 68030 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68030)
Thanks to all who responded to my question. The website for the unit I am looking at is www.inmotiowifi.com (http://www.inmotiowifi.com).
Thanks
Tom
2005 Inspire # 51177
Yahoo Message Number: 68038 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68038)
Just to let everyone know, the Virgin MiFi 2200 is the same as Verizon's MiFi but it runs on the Sprint Backbone Network (3G) and is Truly Unlimited Data Usage for $40/month and supports 5 Devices simultaneously.
And it is Truly Unlimited if you buy it before Feb. 15, 2011. The other Plans have a 5 GB Cap on it and it gets pretty expensive if you go over the Cap.
So, if you do Video Netstreaming you can use 5 GB in 30 minutes. You do not need this Unlimited Plan if you just would use it for Email or Web Surfing. It is more for doing Large File Downloads such as in Netstreaming Video so keep that in mind.
Yahoo Message Number: 68086 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68086)
Richard:
How does the coverage of the Sprint/Virgin MiFi combination compare? Verizon is just about everywhere. If I have to start paying roaming charges the 5GB limit doesn't look as bad because I don't exceed it often.
Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178
Yahoo Message Number: 68091 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68091)
I have not used it Extensively as I just got it 2 months ago but if you are in Spint's 3G Area it works Great. However, it does not include Free Roaming so you might incur additional charges when Roaming.
However, it does have Unlimited Data Usage if bought before Feb. 15, 2011 and is the only plan that does have Unlimited but if you don't ever go over the Cap then I would go with Verizon as it does include Roaming capability and is $40/month with a 5 Gig Cap.
I bought it so I could use Slingbox occasionally which really eats up the Bandwidth as I could eat up 5 Gig in about 30 minutes of Slingbox downloading.
Yahoo Message Number: 68097 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68097)
Shortly after we purchased our coach, this "clunk" noise was one of my first concerns. Kaiser Bros in Eugene (recommended by CC at the time) indicated it was worn bushings on the front, replaced, aligned and for the past 10 years or so I've had the same problem/issue. It probably has something to do with our Gillig chassis, not sure. In any event (normally at rather hard braking), we're always aware of it and hoping it continues to be of little or no consequence to us.
Jim Kelso
95 Affinity 5295
Yahoo Message Number: 68169 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68169)
I was just in Best Buy today and was told that you can get unlimited G4 from Tmobile on a stick for 49.95 per month and Verizon's G4 is 10 gig and 80 bucks a month. What I find is the plans differ from G3 to G4.
Bob
2002 Affinity 42' tag
Yahoo Message Number: 68171 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68171)
Bob,
Yes that is true but keep in mind that 4G service is only available close to major hub cities. The bandwidth capabilities of 4G is much higher offering up to 10 megabits/sec but I understand that is a theoretical limit and 5 megabits/sec is more realistic. The current limit of Verizons 3G EVDO Rev A is 3.2 megabits/sec but I have never seen anything above 2.5 in bursts and 1.8 is more like the average with a strong signal.
Unfortunately it will be a while before 4G service is available where most RVers like to travel. Nobody really knows how fast the countrywide roll out will happen but most 4G data cards and phones are backward compatible and work with 3G. I say that but there is an IP addressing problem with Verizon that is being worked on. Frankly I think it is a little early for me with 4G just yet.
I also read an article just today that highlights a new Vreizon gimmick. Basically is says that anyone that contracts for data service after Feb 3, 2011 will be subjected to a slow down in service for the remainder of the current billing period and possibly the next billing period if their data usage exceed the top 5% of their existing customer base.
Check the links below.
https://ecache.vzw.com/imageFiles/Myacct/nda/images/docs/VerizonWirelessServiceInformation.pdf>
http://support.vzw.com/terms/products/broadbandaccess_nationalaccess.html (http://support.vzw.com/terms/products/broadbandaccess_nationalaccess.html)
Personally I feel that this decision could be challanged as it provides no guideline for the average user to measure his/her usage. What is the average data usage of the top 5%? Stay tuned on this one.
BTW there are three excellent Yahoo Groups that provide a lot of excellent information regarding Cell Data service. They are InternetByCellPhone [IBCP], InternetByDataCard [IBDC] and InternetBySmartPhone [IBSP]. They are a great bunch that may get a little techy at times but don't hesitate to ask them for it in plain English. They will all respond to that request.
Don Seager
2004 Allure 31046
I was just in Best Buy today and was told that you can get unlimited G4 from Tmobile on a stick for 49.95 per month and Verizon's G4 is 10 gig and 80 bucks a month. What I find is the plans differ from G3 to G4.
Bob
2002 Affinity 42' tag
Richard:
MiFi combination compare? Verizon is
everywhere. If I have to start paying roaming charges the 5GB limit
Bob (rthandren@)
Yahoo Message Number: 68176 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68176)
It is not a Verizon Gimmick as all companies have included in their Fine Print something that is called FAP and this is "Fair Access Policy" that guarantees that everyone will have a reasonable equal to Bandwidth and Data Usage.
Virgin goes to it on Feb. 15th, 2011 and Verizon is going to do it and AT&T is doing it also so just get used to it as there is a Cap on every Plan and everyone will be having Tiered Pricing and the more you pay the more Access you will have but no one will have Unlimited Access as it uses too much Bandwidth.
Too many people particularly the younger generation are downloading huge video files and it is eating up the bandwidth so others can't enjoy their usage and get slowed down.
I am Grandfathered in on my Unlimited Virgin Plan but even that will have it's limitations but not as severe as the 5 Gig and 10 Gig Plans.
4G will not be completely rolled out to the rural areas for at least another year and probably more like 2 years.
Yahoo Message Number: 68188 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68188)
Richard,
Ok so I used a poor choice of words. The Fair Access Policy is nothing new. It has been around for several years. Both of the satellite internet providers include it. However my point is that stating that one's bandwidth will be throttled back if he/she joins the top 5% of Verizon's user base is not a cap unless Verizon provides a number for it. Remember the State of New York vs Verizon of several years ago.
BTW if I am reading things correctly there is no limit at the moment on 4G service, only when it is connected to 3G.
Don Seager
Yahoo Message Number: 68247 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/68247)
Ill toss in my $0.02 and recommend a cell router (like the CradlePoints) and then add air card(s) for whatever carrier you prefer/have service in your area. Over the years, we have used an MBR1000 with combinations of Verizon & Sprint and both directly through the carriers and through Millenicom.
The combination of your own router + air cards gives you the most flexibility.