WLAN LTE hotspot £702 or fit myself on Grand 680

[Paddy GC680]

Hi everyone,
Just ordered my new camper van GC 680. Need very good internet as I will use this as an office. Do I order the factory fitted, so go to specialist like
motorhomeWifi.com and buy system for £450. Would be easy to fit, probably small hole for cable from antenna to router. Not sure how good VW electronic equipment is for internet etc. Any guidance appreciated.

 

[WelshGas]

Hi everyone,
Just ordered my new camper van GC 680. Need very good internet as I will use this as an office. Do I order the factory fitted, so go to specialist like
motorhomeWifi.com and buy system for £450. Would be easy to fit, probably small hole for cable from antenna to router. Not sure how good VW electronic equipment is for internet etc. Any guidance appreciated.

Personally I would go to an expert, not VW.
If you had problems with the VW system, they only know one thing, swap it.
If you want guaranteed functionality, definitely 3rd party, and look at commercial suppliers.

In-Vehicle 4G/LTE WiFi Solution

BUS WiFi SYSTEMS FOR EVERY SIZE VEHICLEFrom taxis, minibuses and buses through to the largest touring coaches, Zcomax Bus WiFi technology provides full-featured and powerful WiFi connectivity for any size passenger vehicle.Transportation and FleetReal-time updates and remote managementFirst...

www.zcomax.co.uk

They do systems for taxis etc.

 

[Californication69]

I can highly recommend the Netgear Nighthawk M2. It’s 4G and really rather good.

NETGEAR Nighthawk M2 Mobile Hotspot 4G LTE Router MR2100 - Download Speeds of up 2 Gbps, Wi-Fi Connect Up to 20 Devices, Create a WLAN Anywhere, Unlocked to Use Any SIM Card​

you buy the seperate antenna and sucker it to a window. But I guess you attach elsewhere.
(

A1TECHSTORE 35DBI 3G 4G LTE TS9 Antenna fits HUAWEI Router Mobile Broadband​

and it’s good to go.
Just buy a piggy back’d on an EE main account user SIM card for £10 and then gift 80GB of data

 

[Jester]

Hi everyone,
Just ordered my new camper van GC 680. Need very good internet as I will use this as an office. Do I order the factory fitted, so go to specialist like
motorhomeWifi.com and buy system for £450. Would be easy to fit, probably small hole for cable from antenna to router. Not sure how good VW electronic equipment is for internet etc. Any guidance appreciated.

Hi Paddy,

The link below is what is supplied via VW in the GC the antenna is fitted above the sliding door behind the paneling. There is no external antenna, so no penetration through the roof! It is also attached and controlled via the main control panel. The router is sited under the drivers seat.

Personally I didn't want any third parties playing with my electrics.

It is quick

Overview

Lesswire - leading in wireless worlds

www.lesswire.com

Will

 

[Andy]

Or get something like this then wire it in the glove box. Some of these you can connect external ariel.
Can buy mifi modems for around £50 & take your pick of network.

 

[Paddy GC680]

Just reviewed the

NETGEAR Nighthawk M2​

and it looks like a great product. You can also take it with you on any trip. So its not attached to the mobile home. Cost about £420 , and has great speeds. Not sure on its capabilities with connection in bad WIFI spots. It also connects to hard drive to stream media.

 

[johnyboy]

I got a 3G huawei years ago, upgraded with a dashboard antennae - gets signal when my phone doesn't! More useful too as it has been used roaming abroad rather than pay my OHs extortionate costs and currently deployed at the in laws as she doesn't need boradband.

 

[Lightning]

A Huwai mifi for around £50 on 4G has worked for me almost everywhere.
Recently I discovered the ESim on my iPhone so I have that on Vodafone and a normal sim on 3, and it auto switches between them to the best signal. You can turn one or both off. It’s not necessary to get an expensive router and external antenna in my experience. Speeds are fat enough for streaming etc.

 

[Paddy GC680]

Decided against the fitted option + £700+. Lots of new technology on the market and 5G is on its way. Not so worried now if its not a factory fitted type. Thanks guys

 

[kp64zl]

Why not just use your phone in hotspot mode? Works well for me most of the time

 

[CamperFam]

Why not just use your phone in hotspot mode? Works well for me most of the time

^ This.

Mobile routers like the Nighthawk are great for large offices for backups or mobile teams that require flexibility enmass. Unless you're in a team of 5-10+ people across a relatively decent area, a phone hotspot will suffice. Stick it into hotspot mode and go to town. It's not like the size of the (Grand) Calis are so big that a mobile hotspot wouldnt work.

 

[Lightning]

It can be handy to have a wifi connection separate to your phone for some things. I use a wireless Ring camera which links to the mifi when I’m away in the van. Software updates and back ups also need a wifi connection to work on IOS, so if you are away from home for a long time a MiFi is good to have.

 

[Elmo3]

We use a Vodafone MiFi with unlimited data. It is very useful to have a separate device rather than using phones as hotspots. Stronger signal and faster as well.

 

[jacksprat1962]

Try

TP-Link M7200 mobile wireless router, €50 on Amazon.de​

 

[Wannabecamperman]

I saw a funky 5G router with a magnet antenna for the roof to boost signal at the NEC Caravan & Camping show last year for around £400 (think was on offer). I liked the fact that it was perfect for popping on the roof when parked up and using as an office, and take down when driving. It also runs off a USB rather than my current Three 5G router which is bulky and needs 240V (I camp with a Bluetti AC 200 MAX. I also often get well above 200MB per second download speeds with the 5g - great for 4K gaming and streaming which I do a lot on the road.

I'll buy a prepaid Three 5G unlimited data sim when the contract expires, then probably look for a USB-C or 12V router to minimise power consumption.

 

[GordonH]

East to DIY and link to the GC control panel to allow use of the manual and automatic
On/off switching from that point.

 

[studioTUNGSTEN]

Another way to use data abroad, BlackVue CM100LTE, it is the cheapest option because It is supplied with Vodafone Smart SIM, 40GB monthly for only £4.00 p.m(No EU limits). No problem watching Netflix etc.. abroad.
The limit is you need a Blackvue Dashcam to activate Wi-Fi. Consider a dashcam with a live view and data use? This is the perfect option for me.

 

[buchonvacation]

No need to spend all all that money. 3 mobile contract a 5G ZTE modem, regular house moden. It's £20pm unlimited including the modem. No upfront costs. It works a treat, been using this the past several months.
It's unlocked, I power this via a 12v regulated cigarette adapter purchased off amazon. Stays on 24/7.

The kuma adapter. Is Kumas adapter for their 4g modem.

 

[alanwicker555]

East to DIY and link to the GC control panel to allow use of the manual and automatic
On/off switching from that point.

Hey there Gordon! Just curious, did you create this guide by chance? I’m following along but really struggling to get the cable up to the roof above the door. The guide says to drop a string but finding it hard to find a route down, even using a straightened wire coat hanger! Any advice gratefully received!

 

[GordonH]

I used electricians pull wire. Don’t recall if I used fish tape or rods or any specific trick or sequence not mentioned in the guide but do remember it being quite fiddly.

 

[alanwicker555]

Thanks for the response. Despite lascerating most of my fingers on sharp trim and trying various different angles, I wasn't able to find a route to the space above the door. Was however able to route through to the very front of the bunkbed into nose which is giving good signal. One other question Gordon - how did you attach the router under the seat? I have a few options in mind but was curious as to how you managed it? Thanks for the support!

 

[GordonH]

I’m sure the very front will be just as good as it’s all clear of the van metalwork which is the goal. How to power things is detailed in the how to guide, not sure if that’s posted on this forum but I’ve posted in this thread for completeness. I have since updated the wiring with a relay system to allow additional things to be powered up by that switched signal as well as the router and added a circuit which also switches everything on automatically when hookup power is present. You should be aware the control panel signal switches off when you lock the van to save the leisure battery but if you are on hookup thats not necessary hence my additional wiring

 

[alanwicker555]

Thanks this is really useful - I already had a copy of the guide but having it again is no harm I was interested in how you physically attached the device to the van rather than the electrical connection. Did you bolt it down somewhere? Thanks Gordon!

 

[GordonH]

Was going to design a bracket but I’ve never got round to it. Just lives under the seat, hasn’t moved, been like that for 2 years!