sphere wifi technical help

shanem · Veteran Member

sphere wifi technical help

MapleHunter25 · Veteran Member

The question on data required is not related to speed (Gb/s) but bandwidth (Mb/Gb) for upload/download. The speed of the connection is pre-determined by the capabilities of 3G/4G. Your Telstra dongle experience will tell you how much bandwidth you usually use. BTW you can just re-use the SIM from your dongle if you like (assuming it is still in full-size format, or can be made so).

WIFI is really only necessary if you want to connect multiple devices at the same time (eg. laptop, phone, tablet), but this can be problematic with the limititations of a mobile connection anyway. That is, I struggle to see the value in it. Personally I would stick to tethering my phone, or using a dongle, or indeed both for 2 or more devices.

I have no experience with the GPS capability. Does it have an external antenna? I am wondering if the signal (pretty weak for GPS) will be reliable with no external antenna.

shanem · Veteran Member

thanks Gazza.
yes, I understand most of that.
I was most interested in discovering Sphere's tech help - still wondering.
I have worked out that Sphere isn't really necessary anyway. I will - if wiring allows it - have Black Knight installed as the better option, and continue to use the Telstra dongle for laptop internet as that is most convenient and most reliable.
yes, Sphere antenna is internal. don't know about the Black Knight one, but that always worked well during our trip up to Cooktown then back down to Melbourne over five months a year ago. so, a proven product. Black Knight is also more cost friendly by half as best as I can determine.
anyone else have thoughts on this?

clean-machine · Member

Hi Shanem,
A couple of years ago we had 1gb of data per month. Just keeping up with email was a struggle. Now we have 20gb month and find that plenty.
If you want to watch Netflix or foxtel go it seems to consume about 1or 1 1/2 gb per hour.
I find the Sphere router works well however now we just use the phone hotspot, lets both of us connect our tablets, sit outside or inside.
The gps has worked well anytime I have polled it but so far we have not been out in the boonies to test it.

Rob Driver · Guru

I am not familiar at all with the Sphere unit but as far as tracking goes if the equipment receives a Satellite Signal then it will work fine but if it is using the phone tower signal information then leave a note with the van addressed to any potential thief to try to stay in built up areas at all times. biggrin

On the internet side of things, I dont know what the Sphere Unit costs through Jayco but many dealers will now fit an RV WiFi unit which will do anything you want while in range of an internet signal. I could nearly bet the Sphere Unit wil be more expensive than most other routers and hubs. cry

Mike Harding · Guru

This Sphere device appears to be simply a rather expensive 3/4G modem/wi fi unit - I would not buy it.

If you really want a modem in your caravan look at Nighthawk's range which can accept an external antenna. I have managed perfectly well for three years by using my phone as a wi fi hot spot.

I use the internet extensively but never stream video apart from very occasional short YouTube clips, I use 8 to 10GB per month and am currently with Boost (Telstra retail).

Les_B · Member

I you want help with sphere products contact coast tv as they are the importers

Les_B · Member

Sorry big fingers supposed to be coast rv

Dougwe · Chief one feather

G'day Shane,

I can't help with Sphere but as far as Wifi and Data goes. I use Wifi for nearly everything, phone calls, TV, Netflix, Stan and poota.

Reason, most places I tend to go to have poor reception on the phone etc so Wifi takes over.

I use up to 100gb per month and on a rare occasion might sneak over but not by much. I am on a Monthly plan that covers my Wifi and phone by Testra and have 400gb date to play with. Just a few months ago Testra in their wisdom went from 200gb to 400gb. Still, i don't have to worry about running out.

My Wifi is connected to a antenna of roof of aluminium teepee.

I watch mostly Netflix and Stan on the Telavish. Sometimes even on the phone via Wifi.

Keep Safe out there.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Ooops, this old Indian Chief has lost the plot. I just noticed the original post was back in the dark ages of 2019 so more than likely done and dusted long ago now.

Cupie · Guru

Mike Harding wrote:
This Sphere device appears to be simply a rather expensive 3/4G modem/wi fi unit - I would not buy it.
If you really want a modem in your caravan look at Nighthawk's range which can accept an external antenna. I have managed perfectly well for three years by using my phone as a wi fi hot spot.
I use the internet extensively but never stream video apart from very occasional short YouTube clips, I use 8 to 10GB per month and am currently with Boost (Telstra retail).

Just a small point .. sorry to nit pick ..

I assume that you are referring to Boost (not owned by Telstra) using the full Telstra 3G & 4G retail network & not its stripped down Wholesale/reseller network as does the Telstra owned Belong reseller.

It's easy to mistakenly think that Telstra owns Boost as Boost pays Telstra to provide a range of service delivery functions that often contain Telstra branding.

Mike Harding · Guru

Noted and agreed Cupie.

Telstra run two "networks" - a retail one and a wholesale one. In reality afaik, they use exactly the same hardware in regard to towers and such but the retail network appears to have a higher bandwidth available to users than the wholesale one - which is fair enough as access is more expensive.

Only two companies have access to the retail network; Telstra and Boost.

Many companies have access to the wholesale network; Aldi, Belong (owned by Telstra), Pennytel and others.

If your need is for low volume data (<3GB/month) and voice calls then the wholesale network makes a lot of sense but if you need more data then the retail network makes internet life much easier.

Are We Lost · Guru

Mike, like you I find hotspotting from the phone works fine much of the time and it's the primary solution we use when travelling. But a modem (even the $70 4GX one ... currently $50 at Coles and others) gets a stronger signal. Add height and antenna for greater improvement.

Responding to your comments on coverage on the Telstra wholesale network ....

The wholesale network is fine in populated areas but very poor in remote areas. Try this interactive map to compare ... use the slider.

Interactive coverage map - Telstra retail vs wholesale

I would not recommend providers using the wholesale network if you travel around much. But for around populated areas, those resellers do fine, including video streaming etc.

Boost has the same coverage as Telstra but no access to 5G. (I am a happy Boost customer).

At home, Vodafone performs the best at my location, but I took the SIM away on 2-3 week trip up the NSW coast this month. It was virtually unusable in the 4 places we stayed, including 3 caravan parks. Always worth checking their wifi ... usually pretty slow, but one was really fast.

-- Edited by Are We Lost on Saturday 26th of February 2022 12:22:15 AM

Buzz Lightbulb · Guru

I've had very similar experiences to AreWeLost.

Cupie · Guru

Buzz Lightbulb wrote:
I've had very similar experiences to AreWeLost.

Yep me too.

My Vodafone connection worked very well in the Brisbane area and was cheap.

Useless away from the coast so I researched the market & settled on a Boost replacement for both mobiles. An excellent choice for a price competitive very good network.

We use either of our Android mobile or iPhone as hot spots for our iPad & laptop. Never have to use the usually unsatisfactory CP Wi Fi or the Council Library networks.

I was going to get a backup Optus SIM but as we don't do very much remote traveling these days I didn't bother.

Can't see the need for anything more.