Hi everyone!
Before beginning, just wanted to state;
This is the UK bit. Due to my line of work, I managed to get free LTE data sim cards for both Vodafone and EE fully paid for by the networks and with "unlimited 4G data". For each bit of hardware discussed below, I tried both sims in each and the EE 4G coverage and general speed was significantly superior. The Voda coverage had me really annoyed at times, particularly in Essex where I live, and central London where I work.
I'm kinda back at square 1 and need your help guys.
I'm happy to spend my own money to test a viable device, but I'm not sure which of the top reviewed devices to try?
Netgear AC810
TP-Link M7350
Something else?
Really I'd like at the bare minimum for the unit to turn on and off with the car, or better yet, have an inbuilt battery to stay on after the car turns off but then shut itself down if there is no activity.
Signal if obviously hugely important too, which is why I'm prepared to spend more than people do on normal MiFi units.
If possible, I'd prefer to use USB power as well. I know that vampire drain might be a real issue (which is why I want the Mifi to auto power off on no activity), but currently using a 12V splitter for my DVR and CarFi and am not sure how safe it is. USB also means I can hide the cables a bit better.
Anyway, as always, appreciate any advice, input and feedback.
Peace out!
Before beginning, just wanted to state;
- I did a search before posting, but found no relevant hits.
- I'm from and in the UK, but thought the technology being discussed was fairly global so put it in this section. Feel free to move this thread if it offends the forum police.
- I hate that I don't have LTE in the Tesla. This is because it's not available in the UK through Tesla yet, but given this thread I don't think I need it anymore.
- My kids also hate that their iPads don't work on long journeys.
- I have a Blackvue 650 2 channel DVR, and the internet functionality on it is GREAT! Even though the GPS on it has never worked for me on it.
- I'm a streaming music fanatic/loser. I'm that guy that subscribes to every service but then has to listen to Dora the Explorer songs because my 2 year old daughter says so.
- When using a supercharger I typically tend to work and hold video conference calls using my laptop from in my car. 4G is essential for this.
This is the UK bit. Due to my line of work, I managed to get free LTE data sim cards for both Vodafone and EE fully paid for by the networks and with "unlimited 4G data". For each bit of hardware discussed below, I tried both sims in each and the EE 4G coverage and general speed was significantly superior. The Voda coverage had me really annoyed at times, particularly in Essex where I live, and central London where I work.
- So I initially tested the Verizon Jetpack Mifi 6620L whilst I was in San Francisco for work. This is the device that gave me the original idea. It wasn't really that great, but worked better than my colleagues Mifi devices. When driving around it would constantly lose signal for long periods of time, and the only fix was often a reboot. This did not occur if I was stationary.
- So when I got back to the UK the first one I bought was the Huawei E5573 due to the really good reviews. Overall though there were two problems.
2a-The signal management whilst moving isn't too great, neither is the performance on the whole in a car. It sounds dumb, but using this thing whilst sitting at a desk is a way greater experience than sitting in a car with it.
2b-This unit doesn't auto power on/power off if using the USB cable for power with the battery removed. In fact it doesn't work at all with the battery removed. The other thing to note here is that the Tesla USB ports are always on and supplying juice, I didn't know this before. This isn't a huge issue and is kinda beneficial for some people.
- I then tried the Huawei R216 and it had identical results to the E5573. So much so, that I think they're the same unit rebadged.
- Then I tried the EE Buzzard, which is advertised as being an in-car wifi unit. To be fair, it was ok and pretty cheap. Power management on it was great, it would turn on and off with the car, just like a DVR. But signal on it was probably on par with the Verizon unit.
- So I went away, and found this diamond! The Huawei E8377 CarFi, this thing has been amazing on all networks I've tried it with, but has been really strong on EE. Signal is brilliant on it as is the management app and interface, if you have a data cap it lets you set one with warning in the mobile app. This device is really a 9/10 but has a fundamental flaw...... It doesn't auto turn on with with car. Yep, this sounds minor, but the manual step means that you cant use an extension cable to hide this thing, or if you don't drive a Tesla using the 12V socket in the boot/trunk would be a pain.
I'm kinda back at square 1 and need your help guys.
I'm happy to spend my own money to test a viable device, but I'm not sure which of the top reviewed devices to try?
Netgear AC810
TP-Link M7350
Something else?
Really I'd like at the bare minimum for the unit to turn on and off with the car, or better yet, have an inbuilt battery to stay on after the car turns off but then shut itself down if there is no activity.
Signal if obviously hugely important too, which is why I'm prepared to spend more than people do on normal MiFi units.
If possible, I'd prefer to use USB power as well. I know that vampire drain might be a real issue (which is why I want the Mifi to auto power off on no activity), but currently using a 12V splitter for my DVR and CarFi and am not sure how safe it is. USB also means I can hide the cables a bit better.
Anyway, as always, appreciate any advice, input and feedback.
Peace out!
