Do Cell Boosters Really Work? Testing the HiBoost Travel 4G 2.0

Cell boosters have a mixed reputation. I test the HiBoost Travel 4G 2.0 to see if it really makes a difference in remote areas for overlanding and off grid travel.
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[@jeffmorris739]

As a cellular RF engineering guy, I would say that if you got the antenna next to the mount where your phone resides you would do much better. These are wide band RF amplifiers and all they do is boost signal across the complete 4G RF spectrum. Any booster adds noise to the signal and degrades the accuracy of the digital packet data. This requires correction which slows down the ability of your device to get a corrected frame of data (FER). To make it simpler, it may help a little with small tasks like SMS messaging but it's not going to help you much past that. Sort of what you said....LOL!

[@chino1127]

Watched several of your videos now and appreciate that you don't rush to put them up but take the time to learn about the product and post a video sometimes several months later. I also found this review helpful as well as the comments from your audience. =)

[@mjenner89]

So glad you did this review! I've been eyeing it on your rig and waiting!

[@justinwilliams8032]

Good review. I found most of the same issues with my Weboost. I mounted the interior antenna on the dash between the driver and passenger’s seat. Seems to work the best in that location out of all the spots I tried.

[@jaygreer195]

I've had the HiBoost 50 watt on my truck for 6 months. It came in REAL handy at the Big Iron Overland Rally last weekend. YES... They work well. I went from 1 bar to 4 bars. I love mine. DON'T get anything other than the 50 watt. You won't be happy. I mounted my inside antenna on the middle console between the two front seats

[@josevaldes6748]

Really like how you set it up and went the extra step and did it right. Other videos I’ve seen just have wires everywhere.

[@gwrulzmylife]

Thank you for putting chapters I. the video, easy to navigate.

[@davidritacurl797]

An old trick they used to use back in the day's of whip antennas is the tennis ball. Helps with the impact of the rebound. Might be something you may want to try. Its a cheep alternative, but effective.

[@newlifeoverland226]

Interesting video. I’m kinda like you in the first part of the video of I expected better. Did moving the antenna ever net anything over 1 extra bar without near touching the internal antenna? Also thanks for the honest review. Too many others throw out the wee boost and how it does everything but never actually show the results. So it was very much welcome

[@chrisgardnerss]

I have a WeBoost in our Wrangler and used two-sided tape to mount it on the little hump between the transfer case shifter and the dash, and that seems to work well with the phone right above it in a 67 Designs mount.

[@ahmednesbitte4906]

Nice video, I like this review it shows we have more options we may not have been aware of. Thank you Matt!

[@fasgamboa]

I dont think it is about speed. It is about "having". If the connection is bad, is probably going to be bad, but at least it keeps working. More about the safety of not being off line I would assume.

[@eprohoda]

Hiya!! friend! Omg,unreal uploading, all hte best!🖖

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Hey, thanks

[@harleymartindale7757]

We have a different brand version and I agree these things are not "knock your socks off" however if a serious situation ever comes up while we're out and about I like knowing I did everything possible to be able to communicate. Even being able to get a text out could save a life. Smart buy in my opinion.

[@ii1825]

I've seen too many reviews like yours that say they kinda work. I'm gonna hold off on one for now. Thank you for the info.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

No problem 👍

[@tylerstoner-realtor]

Hey!! Super excited to see ManAlive on your partners! ManAlive alumni here in Conway!

[@blakejulian6878]

I’ve always mounted the antenna to phone mount. I’ve been using them for around 7 years and their great when your in the middle of nowhere and need to make a call

[@TwoFeatherChannel]

will it work in the dash behind the plastic panel? 500 dollars is expensive for 1 bar

[@WolfOverland]

Yes it has to be right on the inside antenna. I have the we boost long range. Works wonders. Mounted the inside antenna to the back of my phone mount. Star link is the future in a few years when they tweak it for our lifestyle

[@ThePyleDriver]

Starlink actually works perfectly right now. I use it to go off grid (while still working online) for days at a time in my Jeep camper. I'm thinking of removing and selling my latest-gen WeBoost.

[@Drmikekuna]

I have a Weboost, and its performance is similar. I find that the phone needs to be very close to the antenna for it to work. It typically boosts up one bar, and the signal is mostly useable for texting. I'm mixed on whether I would recommend one of these boosters as they are expensive and the results are marginal.

[@RinconPilot]

Similar findings here. I have the WeBoost. The inside antenna needs to be as close as possible to the phone to couple to it. The interior and exterior antennas should be as far away as possible so they don't fight each other. If you have a good signal you do not want to use the amps, as they relay your data which naturally slows it down. They will get a call through when you are at the limit of normal service which is the goal right...

[@americandad4864]

I wold have tested the system prior to installation .

[@Joey-ne1zi]

So a side by side comparison with a WeBoost? Any thoughts on that?

[@craigpuckett1]

Thanks for the review! I just bought a weBoost but haven’t had the chance to test it. What are your thoughts on the Zero Breeze Mark 2 now that you’ve had it awhile? Possible update video?

[@jk_wrangler13]

Great info. Have you tried the new 2000 jackery? I've seen a video out about.

[@SithLordBishop]

ya normally with these things if you set the phone on it it works best. i see most of them dask mounted right behind phone holders

[@bootmender]

On my motorhome I have a weboost cell phone booster, and a MOFI 4500 cell phone router that uses 2 sims cards AT&T & T-mobile for my Internet connection.

[@CLohry]

Need to run a hotspot next to the internal antenna with these type of systems. Run the phone off the hotspot. Or get a Star Link, apparently.

[@northeastarkansasdirtfishe7060]

Have you done an ouachita national forest vs ozark national forest video? Whats the differences and what to expect?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

I've discussed the differences in my first couple Ouachita videos from last fall.

[@anthonygendron9737]

All of these boosters that are out now work best when close to the antenna

[@Billrovid]

You want to be right on the antenna from what I understand

[@chillaxorz]

id be interested in seeing how Starlink performs in your area which appears to have a much thicker canopy then recommended. If that service could work, the possibilities for being off grid and still being able to put in your TPS reports on time without getting fired (sarcasm aside) really make me interested in it.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

A couple friends that have Starlink are coming down in October. We will see if it works then.

[@slcpd6469]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures Please share their results in the Ozarks. I spend quite a bit of time around the ONSR and recently switched to a "remote" job. Starlink would allow me to make the normal 2 night weekend into something much longer.

[@user-hf3tp4uf3o]

Matt， any code Can you share? I love your review!!

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Thanks for asking. Code is Ozark15. Forgot to put that in the description.

[@danielthomasson159]

Are cell boosters carrier specific? Meaning could they boost atnt and Verizon at the same time?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

They are not.

[@danielthomasson159]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures thanks!

[@ChuckNorris01]

What antenna is that? That is not the original? Ever see if the original got you better signal?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

for my radio?

[@MrWSM1]

I always thought they were more for getting a signal to make a call, not for upload/download. I wouldn’t expect it to give you a good internet speed. Just my .02.

[@fraser405]

Yea this is not the appropriate test for the subject of "does it work." His reception bars would be the better indicator. Better signal doesn't always mean higher speeds. Especially when you're using a tower that's in the middle of nowhere. I always looked at these devices as extending your range to talk/text, not necessarily about sending/receiving lots of data.

[@ThePyleDriver]

Just to throw it out there - I have the latest WeBoost built in and have stopped using it completely now that I have a portable Starlink setup. Starlink gives not only high speed data but also support high quality calls-over-wifi built into modern IOS / Android phones. I'm thinking of removing and selling the WeBoost... :p

[@Yoh-Dah]

Starlink is the way to go.

[@davidbourgeois856]

Of course your antenna should be a clear shot to your phone. Not going through you, your dash or anything else.

[@nautidad]

Signal boosters are a gimmick. You cant boost-up what isn’t there. You could broadcast stronger signal (mobile originated)- as opposed what your phone antenna can do, but you cannot boost a received weak one (mobile terminated). Should’ve consulted with someone who knows these things before hand. There are people who follow your example.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

I literally said in the video they can’t boost signal if it’s not there. Did you even watch it?