Turn your car into a Mobile Hotspot - Page 4

NCC1701 · 09-10-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forestacademy

Has anyone tried Autonet Mobile?

My router was delivered today! I'll give an update after installation, activation and check out.

John_H · 09-10-2009, 05:23 PM

Sweeeeeeet. Looking forward to the low down.

driven2succeed · 09-10-2009, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NCC1701

My router was delivered today! I'll give an update after installation, activation and check out.

"I did see the post here that Crutchfield is offering a $200 rebate. I sure hate rebates, I've never sent one in so I usually ignore them and make a purchase decision based on the regular price.

But, $200 may just be substantial enough to bother with it, LOL"

I'll send you a self addressed stamped envelope if I can have 50% of the rebate...that will save you the work!

NCC1701 · 09-10-2009, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by driven2succeed

I'll send you a self addressed stamped envelope if I can have 50% of the rebate...that will save you the work!

I once took someone up on a similar offer. It was for two $50 rebates. I provided them with all of the necessary paperwork. Never saw a dime of it.

In any case, $200 is probably worth a few minutes of my time. I still hate rebates though. There's not a single doubt in my mind that for smaller sums, they're counting on most people to not bother with them. In this case, my decision DID include the rebate. Thanks anyway!

NCC1701 · 09-10-2009, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John_H

Sweeeeeeet. Looking forward to the low down.

I just thought of something which would make it even sweeeeter. Unfortunately, it is beyond my skill level, and to have a pro do it would most likely be beyond my budget.

I am going to have it installed so that it can be powered without the key in the ignition, with an on/off switch. What would be sweet would be to use the blank button on the dash bank ... with a power indicator LED. Yeah, I'd like that! Oh well, I'm sure the installer can come up with something practical and, hopefully, nice looking.

NCC1701 · 09-12-2009, 07:26 PM

I got it installed and activated today. Spent the past couple hours checking it out.

1st, their claim of a 150 foot range appears to be conservative. I took my notebook on a walk at least half a football field away from the car while streaming internet radio and watching the signal meter, which dropped by maybe 50%, never lost it and the streaming audio never broke up. Granted, this test was done with no obstructions ... but, still it satisfied me.

I did a speed test on PC Pitstop. I got around 500 kbps download and close to 400 kbps upload. Compare this to my wired comcast, download is only about 5% as fast and upload is 25% as fast. Latency is also greater than my hardwired cable ISP. Then again, the cable ISP is pretty dang fast. I think the speeds I've seen by the Autonet are perfectly acceptable for web browsing and streaming audio. I don't think I'll be downloading any movies though.
The speed will vary with network traffic load and speed. Here are the speeds claimed by Autonet:

Quote:

Over the 3G network, download speeds average from 400kps-800kps. Upload ranges from 128kps-300kps. When not on 3G the average download is 120kps-200kps and 50kps-100kps for upload.

RACNXTG3 · 09-23-2009, 04:11 PM

hehehehe, i've wanted one for a while from Verizon, but with me abusing the internet by transferring big (huge) files then that wont become a reality for me. Luckily i get to hack the BIOS on my laptop and insert a SIM card into the slot and all i need is an extended antenna!(wireless service might help too, i think)

NCC1701 · 10-28-2009, 08:02 PM

OK, yesterday I bought a USB Wireless Network adapter for my desktop, and MagicJack for my phone. After a second evening of setting up, installing, configuring (you know the routine), I've got my DECT 6.0 phone and my desktop PC running off my car's wifi.

I discovered accidently that leaving the wifi on 24/7 is not a significant drain on the battery. The phone sounds fine, and while the PC's internet speed is noticeably lower than wired cable, it appears to be tolerable. Saying goodbye to telco and cable ISP represents more than $1,000 per year. Haven't done either yet. I'll take a while to evaluate.

Right now, my cable 'modem' is unpowered. It looks dead, poor thing.

EDIT: Oh, rats! One big CON: when the car isn't home, I won't be receiving any voice mail.

Or will I? Hmmm, I think MagicJack voice mail is stored on their server. I'll have to phone home tomorrow from work and see what happens.

chieftmc · 10-29-2009, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NCC1701

....Or will I? Hmmm, I think MagicJack voice mail is stored on their server. I'll have to phone home tomorrow from work and see what happens.

It DOES go to their server for later retrieval. You can also get your "voicemail" at your email address (wav files)

NCC1701 · 10-29-2009, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chieftmc

It DOES go to their server for later retrieval. You can also get your "voicemail" at your email address (wav files)

Very nice, one more concern removed. I called from work today and left myself a message. Haven't figured out how to retrieve them yet ... that's for tonight.

I think this may turn out to be one of those, "why didn't I do this a long time ago?", things.