Wifi repeater

[Boubou]

We use a mac laptop, iphone and ipad.
I'm starting to look into what would the best product be to amplify the wifi signal from Campgrounds.
I see Wifi boosters and wifi repeaters and I think I'm on the right path for repeaters but so many to choose from. I am technically inclined but it's not something I want to have to fuss with when camping. Plug and pay is my aim.
I have seen a new product for mac called bear extender http://store.bearextender.com/produc...rextender-mini Looks really sleek, $59.99 CDN and has won a bunch of yeah nods.
Also found this: http://www.jefatech.com/product/RV-KIT-REPEATER/ which looks pretty good as well, I like the no software part.
Anyone have experience with any extender?
What do you recommend?
Think mac.

[jdorant]

I was thinking of going with the wifi ranger myself.

[Doug]

My preference is to have my own wifi hot spot.
That way I am not limited by CG quality or number of campers.
I also like that I have a private WEP secure device.
I went with Vorizon Jet Pack. $199 purchase of device, month to month, 4GB = $50/month, 6GB = $60/month, 8G = $70/month etc.
You can connect up to 10 devices. If the CG internet is good, we'll use it. If not, or on the road we have our own.

I tested it out at home last week and works good. No software, plug & play.

Doug

[Boubou]

Originally Posted by dougtoms01

My preference is to have my own wifi hot spot.
That way I am not limited by CG quality or number of campers.
I also like that I have a private WEP secure device.
I went with Vorizon Jet Pack. $199 purchase of device, month to month, 4GB = $50/month, 6GB = $60/month, 8G = $70/month etc.
You can connect up to 10 devices. If the CG internet is good, we'll use it. If not, or on the road we have our own.

I tested it out at home last week and works good. No software, plug & play.

Doug

I would also be inclined to go that route but we camp in both U.S and Canada so we need something that will work in both countries without breaking the bank.

[rbrumfield]

I have the Pepwave Mini Surf. When you get to a new campground just connect your laptop to the Surf via a network cable and it will connect to the webpage automatically. Go into Advanced Configuration and tell it to refresh the available WiFi connections. Pick the one that you need and enter the password if needed and save and you are done. Here is one on Amazon which is cheaper than the company website. That is what I use for campground WiFi. As far as my own hotspot I have mine through Millenicom.Com. It is $70/month for 20GB of data. Operates on the Verizon network and there are no contracts. However this may not be feasible for our Canadian neighbors. HTH

[Doug]

Millenicom.com,
I've never heard of it, but that's a great deal.
Looking at the coverage, it looks pretty good.
They don't have a full U.S. map, but putting in some addresses on our trip, looks just like Verizon
I wish I would have known this before I just bought the Verizon :-(

Doug

[Seann45]

I got an Alpha network wireless range booster.. so far it seems to work well..

[jdorant]

great video on wifi ranger, this will pull a wifi signal from up to 8(?) miles away and give you your own personal secure wifi hotspot. Also has the ability to plug in a wifi card directly into unit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqb0cn9Ktxg

[Boubou]

so many to choose from
Must: Ease of use, and connection
Strong and effective
Mac compatible
No extra set up when changing campground, just find the wifi
no monthly fee or hotspot fees

I am not looking for a cheap option, just something that I can rely on and ease of use once installed.

Going the the Good Sam rally in Syracuse, I wonder if there will be vendors with such products on ground and willing to install....

[jdorant]

I did it... purchased the WIFI Ranger RV Pack today. After much research, and thinking about all the options and cost I decided to go for it. Its cost is a little high, but it's reviews, ease of use, and the fact we can plug my wife's 4g verizon card directly into it to broadcast that signal securely is what made up my mind. I checked out how I think I will install it and it looks pretty easy to complete. BTW if you like them on FB there is a 5% coupon code available.

https://www.wifiranger.com/store/pro...products_id=55

[Boubou]

Originally Posted by jdorant

I did it... purchased the WIFI Ranger RV Pack today. After much research, and thinking about all the options and cost I decided to go for it. Its cost is a little high, but it's reviews, ease of use, and the fact we can plug my wife's 4g verizon card directly into it to broadcast that signal securely is what made up my mind. I checked out how I think I will install it and it looks pretty easy to complete. BTW if you like them on FB there is a 5% coupon code available.

https://www.wifiranger.com/store/pro...products_id=55

is that good to repeat and amplify the campground wifi signal?
do you need a router or is it stand alone?
simple instal?

[jdorant]

It seems like a simple install, I had a techno friend take a look at it and he thinks it seems like a great product. It actually takes the "campground" signal and turns it into your own protected secure network. I bought the pack so it comes with the booster and they work well together. And its the router that you can plug your 4G card into. If you have questions, They are great to talk too. I think it was Brian that i spoke too for probably 30 minutes while he answered all my questions. I plan on mounting it on my wingard TV antenna, running the cable along the existing cable into the TT and mounting the router behind or above my TV. Checked the route out and it seems do-able. FYI... you do not need to pull campground WIFI, if there is any open networks you can pull whatever is strongest.

[rbrumfield]

You can set it to fail over from the plug in card to the WiFi. If I am not mistaken I believe you can have several WiFi signals installed and set it to fail over in priority order.

[jdorant]

I believe you are correct.