MOBILE INTERNET OPTIONS FOR CARAVANS AND MOTORHOMES - From low cost to full systems, pros and cons

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Күн бұрын

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@andymann4936 21 күн бұрын

Have been to a number of sites recently that give you free wifi but at times have very poor reception. Is there a device I could place on the roof to "Grab" the service to boost it insid ethe caravan for say tv,Ipads etc?

@DTSquared 21 күн бұрын

The avtex unit I have (and made a review of) picks up 4G mobile signal but also has an option for connecting to a nearby WiFi signal. We used it recently in Sweden to use the sites WiFi. Alternatively a standard WiFi booster / repeater will just link yo WiFi.

@jameswatson6099 27 күн бұрын

Really good informative video. As someone who worked for Ericsson and had a caravan, I fitted a Maxview antenna and associated mobile sim router. The only thing you missed out is the wave length of the signal that some carriers operate at. O2 and Vodafone use a shortwave signal system because their cells are smaller and close together because they are designed to operate in cities and towns. EE operates at a longer wavelength signal because they were the old Cable And Wireless designed to work in rural areas. I personally use anew Sim in my caravan router.

@DTSquared 27 күн бұрын

That's really useful information to know the background to some of the technical reasons why different providers have better or worse signals. I wasn't aware of that, though to be honest it would probably have made the video a bit too technical. Thanks for sharing though it's always to good to know more. Glad you liked the video. Dave

@rorymax8233 4 ай бұрын

This is what I like, keep it factual and succinct, I bet the large majority of people share my view. Good content, thank you 👍. The only thing I do not care for is the Avtex aspect, there are better and more cost effective systems, so sorry but for this alone I won't be subscribing to your channel.

@DTSquared 4 ай бұрын

Thanks glad you liked it and found it helpful. In terms of the Avtex that is just the system we went for, for a number of reasons some of will likely not apply to other users. That is why I pointed out that there are other kits available including the option of buying components to make up a kit. If you have specific kits or options that you'd recommend then please do let me know as it will help others in the community. Thanks for the feedback though it really does help the channel.

@don1estelle 12 күн бұрын

Have you thought about an external antenna that has the ability to use an eSIM they are quite a new thing but are more flexible and can work out cheaper! Its Vertual SIM that you download no card to remove or insert!

@DTSquared 10 күн бұрын

I haven't seen an external antenna kit that uses eSIM (though it would actually be the router that would need to be eSIM based rather than the antenna. So there would potentially be an option to change to one if someone bought/fitted an external antenna and internal SIM based router.) Certainly a great idea for people that need to swap providers often for example when travelling thru multiple countries. Thanks for making the suggestion.

@AmyMiller-bn9ou 3 ай бұрын

Super helpful! I'm a full time RV'er and I personally use HomeFi. It's a great option for me and has worked wonderfully for all my remote work and streaming services. It connects me to the nearest strongest signal so I am constantly connected wherever I go.

@DTSquared 3 ай бұрын

Thank you Amy, I'm glad you liked the video. I don't think I've seen Homefi, but have seen a similar product in the UK. Thank you for pointing it out. Having the ability to connect to any available network is certainly one of the best ways to guarantee signal if you are travelling a lot.

@stephenbrittain5754 2 ай бұрын

Good video thanks I just use a mobile phone booster with a indoor and outdoor aerial . if you've got one bar outside your caravan you will get 5 bars inside your caravan no SIM card needed in the booster just the one in your phone.

@DTSquared 2 ай бұрын

Thanks Stephen that's really useful to know. If you have a link to the booster you use that would be helpful. I may even do a specific review of it. Thanks Dave

@serendipity1046 2 ай бұрын

Very interesting and useful videos thanks. Q. we currently use an avtex TV tethering to Iphone, the logging on procedure fails more often than not and is very frustrating often resulting in something or someone being hurled around the caravan, its possibly an phone or network set up issue. we are considering an Avtex wifi unit, Do all devices require a log on at every use (as per the instructions ie. password/QR code)and is the success rate constant or is it like home when ipad logs on automatically after initial set up? thanks again.

@DTSquared 2 ай бұрын

I'm not familiar with the Avtex TV but generally any WiFi device should remember the WiFi details and reconnect automatically. The only reasons it would not would be either. 1 The option to SAVE (remember) the connection details was not chosen in the TV inteeface when you connected to the phone's WiFi. 2 The phone may be generating a random wifi password each time you connect. I believe this is an option in iPhones and can be turned off by setting your own fixed hotspot password. If you did purchase a fixed WiFi unit such as the Avtex WiFi then you would only need to connect devices to it once and then you are all set (unless you decided to change the password).

@serendipity1046 2 ай бұрын

@@DTSquared Thanks for the reply Dave, given me a few more options to investigate.

@justiceServedUK 12 күн бұрын

Starlink is fantastic.

@DTSquared 10 күн бұрын

Definitely the best option to guarantee a connection. .

@brotherkith 2 ай бұрын

You won't beat Starlink. Fast, reliable and portable. Why even think about WiFi!

@DTSquared 2 ай бұрын

WiFi is actually the local connection between the Internet connected device (such as a Starlink terminal) and the user device. Starlink is a more reliable alternative to 4G and 5G but at significant cost for more occasional users.

@KennyMcC 2 ай бұрын

I was going to get Starlink but need internet connectivity on the move in my motorhome. So it’s no good for me.

@brotherkith 2 ай бұрын

@@KennyMcC Starlink Mini will operate well at speed! Plenty of information out there including You tube!

@KennyMcC 2 ай бұрын

@@brotherkithThanks. I’ll look into that 👍

@WoolyChewbakker Ай бұрын

Starlink 😂😂😂 Another Musk controlled endeavour.

@jasmine1321 Ай бұрын

This is super interesting. Gaining 4G or 5G is near on impossible inside our van with the doors & windows shut. Starlink always seems the best option but for the cost I just cant justify it.

@DTSquared Ай бұрын

I'm glad you found it interesting and hopefully helpful. Starlink (or any other satellite based solution) will always be the best option in terms of guaranteed signal. So, if an internet connection is critical, then it would be the best option. If a fast upload speed is important, usually only required if you are uploading something like video on a regular basis, then other options like 5G are faster (if you have a signal). The cost issue with Starlink is, for me, at least, the monthly fee. If you are not using it full time, then it becomes very expensive to the alternative PAYG options. Having access to multiple SIMs that you can easily activate is probably the most cost-effective solution. Since there will often be one provider with a signal in most locations. But when there isn't any provision, that's where Starlink wins out.

@deltaman1804 3 ай бұрын

Thanks very helpful - subscibed

@DTSquared 3 ай бұрын

Thankyou :)

@21stcenturycaveman33 22 күн бұрын

What an excellent, informative vid. This has really helped me to narrow down my options. Just got to make the decision now. Thanks very much. Des

@DTSquared 22 күн бұрын

Thank you that's very kind. I'm so glad you found it helpful.

@peterwest5842 20 күн бұрын

Thanks for the really great video well set out I live in a narrow boat and have already gone down the router route but it's great to now I did the right thing

@DTSquared 19 күн бұрын

Can't beat a bit of confirmation 😄 Glad you liked the video. Dave

@mickobrien7747 19 күн бұрын

Rip your DVDs down To Mpeg 4 and you can get about 700 Dvds On a 1 tb Memory Card

@DTSquared 18 күн бұрын

We used to do this for a while. But never found the time to sit there ripping DVDs.

@paulwells5038 Ай бұрын

Well done, a refreshingly well presented video. Clear and concise.

@DTSquared Ай бұрын

Thank you Paul, I'm glad you enjoyed it and hopefully found it useful.

@StuffJason437 2 ай бұрын

3G is also being shutdown.

@DTSquared 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for mentioning that.

@LoveLifeTriumph Ай бұрын

WOW! Love the channel BUT can’t believe you didn’t mention Starlink!!!! We live on a boat and have it and when travelling in the motorhome take it, it’s simply the BEST option. Sorry you dropped the ball here!

@DTSquared Ай бұрын

Hi glad you like the channel. I thought I had mentioned mentioned Starlink / satellite. Just checked the video transcript and it is covered, briefly, at around 11:22 including covering some basic costs and performance stats. I didn't have any personal experience of it and given the high cost didn't focus too much on it but it is in there:)

@Wendel_Kos Ай бұрын

@@DTSquared For Greece (i work a lot on the road) a good working Starlink connection while moving around is too expensive compared to mobile subscription. (50 euro for 3 months unlimited data and 5G speed + free big SIM modem in Greece) But only if you have good antenna's and SIM router (not just one of those mini dongles). Im talking about those mobile wifi subscriptions not the mobile phone subscription. For Greece you need the one from Cosmote for best coverage...Plus with Starlink there are wierd waiting lists and other problems. For now, i think Starlink is amazing for business or much bigger budget...I have critical online work with real deadlines, i tried a lot of stuff and what i said (mobile wifi subscription) is for me the best, for now (2024).

@martynwylde288 Ай бұрын

i use a TPLink with a year of data on it brilliant

@DTSquared Ай бұрын

Sounds like a good option. Which network is the data with?

@martynwylde288 Ай бұрын

@@DTSquared EE

@Budgie40 2 ай бұрын

I find Avtex equipment don't work very well and very costly. There are other options on the market.

@DTSquared 2 ай бұрын

That's interesting to know, were there any specific issues with the Avtex gear? And was it their WiFi unit you had problems with or their TVs?

@hunty1970 20 күн бұрын

Starlink mini 👍

@DTSquared 19 күн бұрын

👍

@davehoyles437 3 ай бұрын

Just buy a little more 3/4G. Then just use your hotspot off your phone. Most phones are far ahead of any other piece of kit. I pay £5.00 a month to get plenty of airtime. Can watch between 50 to 70 films a month. No holes in your roof and @ £5.00 a month extra on my phone is super cheap. It would take about 10 years before it equals a wifi router or satellite dish.

@DTSquared 3 ай бұрын

Using your mobile phone, as I said in my video, is certainly the lowest cost option for having WiFi on site . . . if you can get signal. In low signal areas it's the least reliable. In the few months since fitting the Avtex unit we have already stayed at several sites where our mobile phones could not get a reliable internet connection. But the Avtex, on the same provider could.

@Bistna444 27 күн бұрын

@@DTSquaredor a plug in play 5G router.

@adrianappleyard4005 5 ай бұрын

Really helpful.

@DTSquared 5 ай бұрын

Thank you 😊

@chrissearle2055 Ай бұрын

But what if you have little or no mobile signal on side, outdoors?

@DTSquared Ай бұрын

The only option is to try other providers, so having access to other PAYG sims is usefull. If no providers give coverage then something like Starlink is the only option, since satellite coverage is far more consistent.

@chrissearle2055 Ай бұрын

@@DTSquared Thanks, much as I feared!