need a wifi unit. Not sure if a dongle will supply enough to watch movies etc. or do I need the type the caravan suppliers recommend. Price is so different.
Possum3 said
04:09 PM Oct 1, 2019
We have movies downloaded on a USB stick - have enough movies to last for years of travel. Too many other things to do out there than watching a box, lazily sitting around a fire is my preferred entertainment.
Rob Driver said
09:03 AM Oct 2, 2019
A dongle with a good provider will work fine if you are streaming Netflix or similar. You may need a Chromecast dongle as well. A smart TV may eliminate the need for a Chromecast device.
The price of those units they put in vans as an option seem very expensive.
You can also use a good mobile phone as a hot spot and do the same.
I have Netflix and an IPhone with a lightening connection and I bought a little connection that is available to connect my phone to the TV via a HDMI cable. Hooking this up lets me watch anything that I can get on my phone direct to the TV.
I will find a link to the connector and post it here.
There are also ones available for digital phones as well.
I paid a bit more fore my connector but I can charge the phone while using it as when viewing movies the battery is used up a bit quicker
Regards
Rob
-- Edited by bentaxlebabe on Wednesday 2nd of October 2019 09:09:52 AM
Aus-Kiwi said
11:33 AM Oct 2, 2019
Ill have to check my dongle !!
MikeL said
01:43 PM Oct 2, 2019
Most MyFi units will handle up to 5 connected devices but it's all about what each one is demanding. I think you would probably be able to stream for 2 devices and browse the web on the remaining (depending on connection speed). Most recent mobile phones would be about the same. I've used ZTE units before with excellent results. ebay.us/Y6T9Vn
I've found external aerials don't work well - they rarely seem to boost the signal. I've stuck my MyFi unit in a plastic bag taped to a long pole outside my van to boost the 4G signal. I have a poptop so inside wifi signal strength wasn't a problem.
Mike Harding said
03:46 PM Oct 2, 2019
Most smart phones can operate as a "Wireless Hot Spot" - on the rare occasions in the bush when I have phone coverage that's what I do and then just direct my computer to connect with that wireless network. Would that not work for you?
denmonkey said
11:51 AM Oct 3, 2019
I just use a normal 4g wifi modem which takes power from USB so makes it easy enough to use.
It lives over the back of my car on my aux battery and stays on permanently.
I ordered a bunch of external antennas for it which I plan to test soon enough.
we'll see how they perform. From a data perspective, I paid for an additional sim card for 5 bucks a month and it pools with my mobile data.
need a wifi unit. Not sure if a dongle will supply enough to watch movies etc. or do I need the type the caravan suppliers recommend. Price is so different.
A dongle with a good provider will work fine if you are streaming Netflix or similar. You may need a Chromecast dongle as well.
A smart TV may eliminate the need for a Chromecast device.
The price of those units they put in vans as an option seem very expensive.
You can also use a good mobile phone as a hot spot and do the same.
I have Netflix and an IPhone with a lightening connection and I bought a little connection that is available to connect my phone to the TV via a HDMI cable. Hooking this up lets me watch anything that I can get on my phone direct to the TV.
I will find a link to the connector and post it here.
https://www.ebay.com.au/i/401716584103?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-139619-5960-0&mkcid=2&itemid=401716584103&targetid=469489755018&device=t&mktype=pla&googleloc=1000339&poi=&campaignid=1793098946&mkgroupid=74958853608&rlsatarget=pla-469489755018&abcId=1139226&merchantid=118968500&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4JKC7pX85AIVijgrCh36CQIrEAQYASABEgJyA_D_BwE
There are also ones available for digital phones as well.
I paid a bit more fore my connector but I can charge the phone while using it as when viewing movies the battery is used up a bit quicker
Regards
Rob
-- Edited by bentaxlebabe on Wednesday 2nd of October 2019 09:09:52 AM
I've found external aerials don't work well - they rarely seem to boost the signal. I've stuck my MyFi unit in a plastic bag taped to a long pole outside my van to boost the 4G signal. I have a poptop so inside wifi signal strength wasn't a problem.
Most smart phones can operate as a "Wireless Hot Spot" - on the rare occasions in the bush when I have phone coverage that's what I do and then just direct my computer to connect with that wireless network. Would that not work for you?
It lives over the back of my car on my aux battery and stays on permanently.
I ordered a bunch of external antennas for it which I plan to test soon enough.
we'll see how they perform. From a data perspective, I paid for an additional sim card for 5 bucks a month and it pools with my mobile data.
cheers Brett