Hi Everyone, I had accidentally posted in the welcome forum, put it down to rookie error on this website. We have been looking at putting in a wifi connection in our van and have several options. There is RVwifi and Sphere wifi (Sphere also do the sat dishes) we have a just got a smart tv 22inch and would also be using tablets and laptop as needed mainly for bill paying while out and about. We have thought the TV might connect to hotspot off our phone but not sure if it would work. But... our local caravan place has suggested either the above wifi options RV or Sphere, we would love to hear from anyone who have used either of them for their experiences. Many thanks
I have a "Sphere WiFi" device which I cannot get working. It has been replaced or Upgraded under warranty, but I still cannot connect to the Internet. The User Manual is not helpful.
Was wondering if anyone has had success with this particular device.
Personally we simply hotspot off our phones, its cheaper, doesn't require a separate internet plan, and works just as well. I can't see any reason to pay the extra money for either of those devices except for maybe a large family travelling who want to allow the kids to access the internet while the phones are taken elsewhere.
The Van came with the Sphere WiFi device (including GPS function) new. As we enjoy Netflix we puchased a portable Hotspot with 200Gigs of data per month. Yes.... we are living in the Van full time for the next few years.
And yes, we have used our phones as hotspots but until we need the extra data (we think). I just wanted to be able to used the Device that came installed with the Van as it is permanently connected to power and supposedly when travelling tries to reconnect to the net only every ten minutes so.... if it's working we should be able to locate our van.
Anyway, as I am getting greyer I will give it one more go and if not successful might just take it back as the Van manufacturer really doesn't want to help!
My van came with RVWifi and I'm not that impressed with it. It seems to struggle in areas of marginal reception, and it can be hard to see what's going on. At such times I found putting the SIM in my Android tablet gave better reception. I bought a Netgear Nighthawk modem as a portable hotspot, which seems a lot better. I have a Boost SIM in the Nighhawk, as we have Optus SIMs in our phones, so that we can use whichever carrier is available / is stronger and we're not tied to the van for coverage.
I have RV wifi with the outside aerial for reception from the tower and it most definitely brings in a stronger signal. There are many variables when comparing reception and any test must be done from the same position/ location and with the same device and using the same service supplier.
-- Edited by RickJ on Wednesday 23rd of November 2022 12:34:42 PM
I have a 4G Nighthawk wired in our towing vehicle attached to an external antenna on the bull bar. I am on a business Telstra data $15 a month plan which is shared with data on other devices. Can easily remove to use as a hot spot elsewhere.
-- Edited by PRChappie on Sunday 11th of December 2022 10:32:44 AM
