This is a subject that, the more I research, the more confused I get. We are fledgling full timers who tend to stay in one place for at least a month at a time. Even the CG's that we really like don't always have perfect WiFi. So we have been researching getting a WiFi Ranger. But I can't really nail down which model would be best for our needs. There is the Mobile and the Go, etc and it seems like there are probably a lot of options and add-ons that we don't need and not sure we want to pay for. We typically use an iPad and iPhones online with an occasional business laptop thrown in now and then. I don't want to spend the money on an air card. I just want to boost available WiFi so I can get consistent service.
We have recently camped next to folks who were using a Ranger (they will likely read this post and probably know who they are) but I neglected to ask for their input. If anyone can help me sort thru all the******I don't need and get down to business, it will be greatly appreciated.
Steven
Faith
Abby and Sierra
2007 GMC Sierra 5.3L Crew Cab
2011 Keystone Passport 2850RL SE
http://shelbyrvblog.blogspot.com
Shelbs wrote: This is a subject that, the more I research, the more confused I get. We are fledgling full timers who tend to stay in one place for at least a month at a time. Even the CG's that we really like don't always have perfect WiFi. So we have been researching getting a WiFi Ranger. But I can't really nail down which model would be best for our needs. There is the Mobile and the Go, etc and it seems like there are probably a lot of options and add-ons that we don't need and not sure we want to pay for. We typically use an iPad and iPhones online with an occasional business laptop thrown in now and then. I don't want to spend the money on an air card. I just want to boost available WiFi so I can get consistent service.
We have recently camped next to folks who were using a Ranger (they will likely read this post and probably know who they are) but I neglected to ask for their input. If anyone can help me sort thru all the******I don't need and get down to business, it will be greatly appreciated.
The Ranger will help somewhat as far as using the CG WiFi but my experience has been that it is still an iffy proposition at best. Most CGs put in the minimum bandwidth/equipment just so they can state that they hafe WiFi and generally it is free. You get what you pay for in most cases in these situations.
I had a WiFi Ranger when they first came out and I was assured that it would work with my Sprint USB WiFi before I bought it but it did not. I worked with the company for an extended period of time and they finally refunded my money and told me to just keep the unit. It worked well when the CG WiFi was good but did not resolve the poor WiFi that I found at many places. It died shortly after they refunded my money.
Based on the experiences that I had with CG WiFi I tried AT&T after I gave up on the Sprint stick. It worked great for 8 minutes and then quit forcing me to take it out and start all over again. I have sunsequently replaced the AT&T MiFi with a Verizon MiFi that I got through Millenicom...no contract required. In addition to that I replaced the Ranger with a Cradlepoint CTR35 unit. The only downside of this unit is that it only has one RJ-11 outlet that I feed into a 6 port switch to attach all of my devices to my network. This unit works well with the Verizon MiFi as well as a good CG Wifi signal.
Robin Brumfield
2011 Dodge 3500 DRW CC
2012 Jayco Eagle SuperLite 31.5RLTS
If you put one of these on a pole outside your RV and run the cable inside. Then you can point this towards the CG access point or a neighboring hotel or somewhere with free wifi. This will allow you to connect to it and pull it into your RV. Then you could connect this to a local access point to reboard case the signal for your devices. This sounds a little over the top but it's well worth sharing a connection than paying a monthly Mifi or Wifi from cell phone company that works just as well as your cell phone in some of the CG's.
I would suggest that as more and more folks use the campground systems that there will be less satisfactory service because the bandwidth is always shared between all the users.
I used an Alfa with a 15 db antenna and could pull in a signal from over a mile away. I now use a data stick from Telus in Canada and have a Verizon account for USA.
If I were full time in USA I'd go with the Mellenicom data stick.
Wow, every time I start thinking of doing what all you guys do to get free wifi and read these posts on ALL what is involved. I don't have such a hard time paying my monthly internet fee while full timing. I'll keep checking in though I'm guessing soon it will get simpler. I just can't justify not having my computer available to me 100% of the time anywhere I am at.
I do have ONE question though. Those that rely on free wifi at CG's and nothing else when RV'ing, just what DO you do when you pull over while traveling and decide you want to spend the night in the area you are in instead of the original planned destination, or for that matter want to look up 'anything' on your computer when you are NOT at a CG?
"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us".
I do have ONE question though. Those that rely on free wifi at CG's and nothing else when RV'ing, just what DO you do when you pull over while traveling and decide you want to spend the night in the area you are in instead of the original planned destination, or for that matter want to look up 'anything' on your computer when you are NOT at a CG?
Tombstone Jim wrote: Just about every fast food place, supermarket and whatever in these parts has a free WIFI. Just pull into the parking lot and log on.
Ahhhh,.....NO.
Don't think I will be pulling into a Micky D's anytime soon with my coach towing every time I want to log on!
I have a Wifi Ranger GO and a Verizon Mifi. I have the WFR set to manual, so I can control whether it connects to available wifi or the V-Mifi. When we are at a CG that has a good, fast, hi-bandwidth wifi system, the WFR works perfectly with it. HOWEVER, we have found amazingly few CG's with good, fast reliable wifi, even for paid service.
We decided that having the mifi option was necessary, because using CG wifi only was an exercise in frustration. Now, I'll try connecting to the CG Wifi using the ranger first. If is works, great and it keeps me from reaching my data limit on the Mifi. If wifi service sucks, then I just point the WFR to the mifi and use that.
The WFR GO, with the optional plug in Antenna, offers much better range and reception than simply using your device to connect to the CG wifi, plus offers a single point connection for those CG's which limit you to one device connection to their system.
Paul & Sandra
New Bedford, MA
2003 Monaco Executive M43 DS2
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