*FAST* Mobile Wifi for your Campervan and Motorhome - Improve *YOUR* Signal NOW!

We test 2 routers and 2 popular external antennas against a plain old iPhone 13 Pro. What gets the best signal and speed? Have a watch to find out. Nothing worse than having no signal when you were looking forward to a cosy evening listening to streaming radio, watching a bit of Netflix or even uploading your latest vlog.
The kit we have tested here is:
Iphone 13 Pro
ZTE MF731V Mifi Router - Discontinued but check eBay for prices, c. £50 used.
Teltonika RUTX50 Router - £570 inc VAT - www.broadbandb...
Poynting Puck-2 Antenna (Round puck, magnet included) - £72.36 inc VAT - amzn.to/44f36oY
Poynting Mimo-3-17 V2 Antenna (Shark Fin):
White (£208.77) - amzn.to/3K4cmnR
Black (£252.49) - www.broadbandb...
Mangnet Set (MBK-0001-V1) - £36.91 - www.solwise.co...
1p Mobile Network - www.1pmobile.c...
(if you buy via this link you get £5 free and so do we!)
Keep a look out for our other new videos coming to the channel soon and a BIG thank you to all of our wonderful subscribers - we have been blown away by how many of you are now following what we are doing. We can’t wait to share more content with you.
Take care, sit back and grab yourself some Campervan Time !
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#mobiledata #campervan #wifi
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[@TeltonikaNetworks]

It's always a pleasure to witness our routers being put to the test in a variety of settings. Thanks for the spotlight! 🤟

[@CampervanTime]

You’re welcome, it’s a fantastic bit of kit!

[@EverestVWMods]

My RUTX50 seems to have failed with no wifi and just flashing lights on the 3G 4G 5G.. it was working great. But doesn't broadcast any wifi or allow wired connection anymore to investigate? It appears a few have had this issue.

[@stevezodiac491]

Never have a problem inside my campervan, to outside, with my phone signal. I've got a pop top ! The Signal in my none metal roof caravan is great as well when I am in that. Always use the phone's hot spot for my apple TV and directly from my phone to my smart TV, no problem.

[@chrisaskham5754]

The best option is star link, I’ve used it in deepest darkest Wales where no one had phone signal and we were getting 200 meg ish, amazing kit

[@CampervanTime]

Very nice!

[@Lee-zg3gx]

@@CampervanTimeNice but sadly very expensive 😮

[@dayofdaysdotbe]

@@Lee-zg3gx If you need to buy a decent 5G router and an antenna, you are often lost more money than with a Starlink. Anyway, I don’t get the numbers in this video… In Belgium I get 300Mbps download and about 25Mbps in a very crowded city on 5G. Seems like all the devices tested have problems with the reception and the bad network. If the network is poor, no hardware at all will deliver miracles. Testing should involve a comparison with optimal conditions as well I think.

[@robtheplod]

True, but £75 upwards a month is quite steep....

[@geoffcampbell7846]

Thanks for the video, its been a great help and very timely. I'm not after rocket science technology, just a good system that works reliably in most circumstances and doesn't need a wet nurse available to keep nudging it along. I note the comments about if you do this or do that, you could achive wifi bliss, but most folk just want a bit of help selecting a suitable and reliable setup with no extra monthly fees other than the cost of the simcard, and your fine efforts have helped me very much, so thank you.

[@CampervanTime]

You’re welcome. We now have this (mimo 3) antenna installed on the roof of our camper and are currently using a Gl.Inet Spitz AX router which is excellent - well worth a look.

[@thecaravandad8489]

When you tested the teltonica with the puck, it appeared that you did not have any of the WiFi antennas connected, hence the poor performance. Similarly; when you connected the teltonica to the mimo 3 shark fin, your WiFi is emitting externally, hence being sat in the car introduces a signal barrier. 👍

[@danielcookeb90]

Nice review of some great kit. A few observations though, You are not comparing Apples with Apples. If you look at the "use case" for this video, it appears to be (SIC) - how to get good useable signal in areas where phone signal is poor-average. The first point is that (mostly) in modern phones the reception through the phone is the best signal you can get - its up to date tech with up to date software! The second is that 4G and 5G are different bandwith platforms and due to the range - coverage of the 5G, you need to be closer to these masts to make use of the benefits. The RUTX11 would have been an altogether more appropriate test, as this has all the functionality - aerial connectivity of the 50, but in a 4G configuration, and at significantly lower cost. The HIFi analogy is good here. You have for example, an AMP, a CD player, Speakers and Cables. 4 key elements. Here, we have A Modem/Router, a SIM card, Network, Aerials and Technology advancements. Comparing a 4G and a 5G modem/router with your conclusion to - just buy the best of everything? That's not really a test! You already know the outcome! And like a hifi system, upgrading one bit at a time, can be a good way to go, finding bottlenecks and tackling them!

[@JantjeP1]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. You have RJ45 sockets so why do you use WiFi instead of a small OTG to USB C adapter. In France we use a 4G/5G Box outside our (aluminium) mobilehome with a RJ45 between the box and a switch inside to connect all notebooks and smartphones. So € 25 / Mo for 4G , € 12 for the switch, € 16 for OTG adapter, and some CatX cables. When we travel , we use the same equipment in our Campervan.

[@steviebye1]

Can you do a video

[@danielcookeb90]

Nice!

[@BullyBonanza]

We have just recently moved onto a narrowboat and got the huawei b535 router with a poynting 2x2 omni router. I have to say that the signal we are receiving is rubbish so have just bought the rutx50 and the poynting 7 in 1 4x4 omni antenna. Two days for it all to arrive. Hopefully that sorts our Internet issues once and for all because at £800 for the lot it definitely isn't cheap.

[@CampervanTime]

Well it will be as good as you can possibly get with the signal that is out there on the network you are on. Once you have that kit installed if it's not up to what you need you only really have two other options - starlink or a IoT simcard, which roams across all UK networks automatically. Have a look at broadbandgo.com for example.

[@BullyBonanza]

@@CampervanTime Thank you

[@Taffyappleify]

Great vlog, very interesting as I love tech………please keep doing the camper reviews as I’m loving them. Do you think you’ll run a mini series on campervan cooking?

[@CampervanTime]

Quite possibly... we just need our new van first!!

[@GreenHavenFarmStay]

Great video thank you, can the RUTX50 be used without simcard to collect wifi from public area?

[@404-HANDLE_NOT_FOUND]

I’m a bit late to the game, but with the RUTX50 you need to use the outer two most (0 & 3) ports if you just connecting two. Might explain the slow score when using the puck.

[@MatthewNeilson]

Great review. Sadly most sites we go to in Scotland struggle to get any kind of mobile reception, much to the annoyance of our seven year old 😂

[@CampervanTime]

I wonder how this tech might have worked for you? 🤔

[@Jazzynet100]

That's a good router and I see Broadbandbuyer do bundles with external antennas and 12v power lead. Love a bit of Broadbandbuyer 😉

[@CampervanTime]

Me too!

[@ianthomason8563]

AT LAST !! ... An Amazing (really helpful) vlog which which has helped me decide that it has to be either a Poynting Mimo 3 + RUTX 50 (aprox £800) OR STARLINK !!

[@CampervanTime]

Glad it’s been helpful 👍

[@cooperandy3]

Interesting tech and findings. Have used MiFi successfully off touring Brittany although problems with excessive data use with photos downloading automatically. Now usually with granddaughter, 8, so little time for heavy surfing.

[@Northern-Light]

Excellent vlog Will, clearly explained and presented - Fascinating test results. Very informative and will be useful in helping to decide how best to invest in motorhome wi-fi. I guess in the end you get what you pay for. Well done.👍

[@CampervanTime]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@j4nch]

There are also options that have the 4G antenna and the WIFI and are weather proof, like this you only have one device. Otherwise, for visual guys for me, it would help to have some kind of recapitulative table with speeds

[@CampervanTime]

We did put on screen our excel sheet that we recorded it all on?!

[@Polyhive]

It's infuriating to see comments saying "never had a problem". BUT.... not saying WHERE. We are just back from a trip to Dumfries and Galloway forest. Yes a problem there and the Flow country in Sutherland for example. The WHERE is in the UK critical. Interesting vid but I didn't hear anything about omni or directional?

[@CampervanTime]

Completely agree, the where is really important hence the advantage of two networks in the RUTX50, although at a cost. Both antennas are omni - picked that way because they’d usually be installed on a roof permanently so not easy to rotate / align etc.

[@andyblake1849]

Will with a spreadsheet 🤦🏻‍♂😂. Can’t justify that kinda money me thinks. Interesting stuff though. Jules wanted to upload to our KZbin channel when away so we found a pub ….🍻

[@CampervanTime]

That's a really good point re finding an alternative connection!

[@Voski-ld9fh]

I think that you're WINNING with your solution! 🍻

[@Voski-ld9fh]

Best option - switch the damn phone off if cant get a signal and give your mind a rest

[@ToroInglese]

I have looked at the Antenna but after looking at 6 sights not one says whether it comes complete with the cables? Do you know if it does come with the cable you are using.

[@philipberry2155]

I am surprised you had such a good speed when you put the Mimo Shark Fin antenna on the roof with the Wi-Fi cables attached. Your car is a faraday cage that in effect attenuates all the external signals. By also connecting the Wi-Fi cables on the shark fin you moved the Wi-Fi signal to the outside of your car that has a steel roof. The Wi-Fi would therefore be mostly broadcasting to everyone outside your car not inside where you and your mobile were. The roof being between you and the antenna on the roof would adversely attenuate to an extreme degree the Wi-Fi to your mobile. A better test would have been to use just the mobile connectors on the shark fin and have the separate Wi-Fi antennas that come with the RUTX50 connected and inside the car. That way the LTE network signal would be picked up outside the car by the shark fin antenna and the Wi-Fi to your mobile would have been uninterrupted by the steel roof of your car and better speeds would have been achievable. It is remarkable that you got the speeds you did when in effect you were sitting in a faraday cage when you did the tests and the Wi-Fi signal had to get past your roof in order to reach your mobile phone and shows what a good set-up the RUTX50 and an external LTE antenna can be. I always enjoy your videos and they often get me thinking there are better ways to do things in my campervan. As a result of your video I have given up on my rubbishy mobile hotspot and I have gone for the RUTX50 and a Teltonika MiMo 4-4 antenna the one without the external Wi-Fi cables. Do continue to keep your videos coming.

[@michaelrogers9163]

Hi Will what type (size) of cable did you connect to the shark fin antenna at the end of the video?

[@CampervanTime]

The antenna has the cables built in to it, so they are just what it came with. You can get extension cables for them too if needs-be. Cables are 2m long.

[@marcuswashtell4884]

You read my mind. I wondered about getting better Wi-Fi in the van. Horror it might be a bigger van !

[@CampervanTime]

Really? Thinking of changing?!

[@marcuswashtell4884]

@@CampervanTime month in Europe made me think about a bathroom camping without an awning. But I did park in underground 2.1 m car parks in centre of town.

[@marcuswashtell4884]

@@CampervanTime but on a plus note will be at Camper Jam with all the other VW s

[@CampervanTime]

It's a very natural thought process - I think most people who have a pop-top transporter (or transporter sized) van wonder about what-if it was bigger.

[@11Daniel2k]

does your 1p mobile have band 20 enabled? i noticed someone who travels a lot my network locked band 20 when i switched to another mnvo with band 20 it was soo much better especially cumbria

[@CampervanTime]

Yes I think it did - haven't used it for a little while. 1p mobile doesn't throttle or cap speeds etc either.

[@tomhelstrip7619]

I just take my 3 wifi router from home, never less than 150mbps, why complicate things?

[@CampervanTime]

Because we have fixed line broadband at home and thus don't have a 3 wifi router we can take with us!

[@ghostrider67]

I have unlimited data with the 02 network,,,, so of course i don’t get internet anywhere in the country! At all! 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@CampervanTime]

Oh dear 😌

[@lynnefischer8000]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@AsTheTreeBends]

Did you need adapters to connect the Poynting MIMO-3 antenna to the RUTX50? Mine has connectors that are both male, so I think I need to get 5 more SMA-Female to RP-SMA Male (since for some reason there are 2 included with the Poynting antenna)

[@CampervanTime]

The two wifi antenna cables needed the adaptors and then the other 5 don’t 👍

[@carlosleon1972]

Great review!!! thank you so much it was very helpful

[@CampervanTime]

Glad it was helpful!

[@steviebye1]

To expensive for me. There must be a cheaper way of getting internet in a van?

[@bruceelliott6083]

Great video

[@Auxbeam]

Hi Do you need some great lighting for your car to light up the trail? We're the pro auto lighting company for nearly 20 year and we're looking for sponsorship!

[@philkirk5970]

Thanks for doing this but… The test is slightly compromised by using a car. They don’t have blinds. Blinds, which are foil lined, really do turn a Campervan into a complete metal box, which leads to the Faraday effect. This will greatly reduce the signal within the vehicle. Also, it is better to stick to 4G not 5G. 4G has a slower top speed but the signal is stronger, longer and more reliable. 5G is faster, weaker and shorter.

[@mww558]

What new van are you going for?

[@CampervanTime]

We’ve got a Westfalia Sven Hedin on order 👍

[@mww558]

@@CampervanTime are you selling your Ocean?

[@CampervanTime]

It’s already gone! If you take a look back through our videos we did one on it and then about what we’re buying next and why

[@sergey6183]

You didn't compare equipment, you compared 4G to 5G. It's a bad idea. Which is better is still not revealed

[@mariop.8207]

I noticed it too. 4G and 5G are available. One antenna only has 4g, the other 5g.

[@kayleecook4332]

77

[@RoyMarriott-o6k]

If you stopped saying and er um and lets see and so and telling us repeating the same infomatjon over and over the video would be 15 minutes shorter.

[@sunnydavies3990]

I think this is a bit a pricey option, as you said only the most expensive option gave decent results If you paired a MA963.A.BIVW.002.wm with a 5g router with a x62 modem, it should destroy the teltonika with that Poynting

[@CampervanTime]

Interesting, which x62 modem device for mobile usage would you suggest? (Ie 12v)

[@sunnydavies3990]

@@CampervanTime the OFS-SRI301D is 180 quid and running 2 in parallel with 3 and ee would be a decent shout, it has wifi 6 too

[@familiemitbulli]

Thanks for the effort but we are happy with Starlink and we are sure we would have at least 100 Mbit down and 10 up at this spot. We had great connection all over the UK on our trip to Northern Ireland. It's pricy but totally worth it and since you have to buy hardware anyway it doesn't make a big difference in the first place. Obviously the usage is additional cost if you don't use it at home as well. If not you can pause it at any time. Best of all: there's is practically no data limit (until you hit a terrabyte) and it works without roaming fees everywhere in Europe (important especially after Brexit). 🚐👨‍👩‍👦🐕

[@CampervanTime]

Yes agree that starlink is a different proposition all together with the monthly costs it entails. I think if you already had multiple connections in multiple houses and the van then the costs might work but just for the van it’s a lot of money if business isn’t paying!