4G WIFI Router

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RDL2

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Any recommendations which one to get? Would mainly be used in the marina where the Marina WIFI is not that great. Will be a Vodafone sim card at the Hamble. Would like to link the tv to it so I can stream from Netfix and others. Would need 5-8 MB/s for HD. Just done a speed test at home on my phone which has a good 4G signal and I am only getting 1.8 MB/s. Doesn't sound promising to be able to get that speed. Whats your experiences??
 
Dedicated 4g router is for multiple devices really or if you want internet access when you are not there for WiFi cameras etc…

if it’s just for Netflix…..I’d tether to your phone.

your slow speed is probably not your phone (my iPhone gets 45mb for example on 4g…even saw 80mb once) and Netflix is good at handling slower speeds. I struggle to tell the difference between SD and HD on smaller tv’s.

If signal strength is an issue on the boat via your phone then a router might be the way to go.
 
I fitted a Huawei B 535-235. Runs off the 12V supply. It’s unlocked so any SIM card goes in and work well. About £100 from Amazon
 
I use one of these with a Vodafone SIM
It is in Spain and been working for 2 or 3 years 24/7
I have no complaints - works well
I reckon it is faster than a MiFi and doesn't need to be charged - I just leave it on.
When I'm on the boat it is powered from a small inverter - when I'm away from the boat, it runs off shore supply.
I don't like leaving DC on whilst I'm away from the boat.
D-LINK DWR-921 4G / 3G LTE Sim Slot Unlocked WiFi Mobile Broadband Router 4-Port 790069393532 | eBay

I fitted one of these to it but it works fine without:-
Omni Directional 4G 3G LTE MIMO External Antenna Teltonika RUT950 RUT955 SMA | eBay

But, these days, wouldn't a 5G one be more "future proof"?
 
I'm at mercurys on the Hamble. The WiFi there is shockingly bad, you get a signal but non of the websites will work on it.
The marina is also a bit of a 4/5G black spot. I have a stand alone 4g device and it just doesn't work well enough. I've resorted to cd box sets when nothing on TV.
 
Running a Digital Yacht 4Gxtream which has proven to be the mutts and blisteringly fast. Excellent tech support from them too. I built it into a Peli style case from Solent Plastics so I could move it from boat to boat/remote use and avoid running the longer, much thicker low loss antenna cables. 34 Ltr IP67 Rated Waterproof Protective Case
 
I went down a rabbit hole earlier this year looking at all sorts of router and antenna options. There were lots of different options but none were too cheap. Eventually I ended up buying a secondhand Huawei B818 for €100. It was unused in its original box. I have ran it off 12v all season and it has been fantastic. I use it for working from the boat, MSTeams meetings, YouTube, Netflix, etc.
 
Dino said:
I went down a rabbit hole earlier this year looking at all sorts of router and antenna options. There were lots of different options but none were too cheap. Eventually I ended up buying a secondhand Huawei B818 for €100. It was unused in its original box. I have ran it off 12v all season and it has been fantastic. I use it for working from the boat, MSTeams meetings, YouTube, Netflix, etc.
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The Huawei B818 is about the best you can get, its what I use at home instead of FTTC but at £200 retail is not cheap, you did well to only pay £100.
I use a Huawei B535 with a Poynting XPOL 1 antenna on the boat, needs the antenna as the boat is steel so an excellent Faraday cage ;)
 
TP Link CA8A1 4G Router with aforementioned Poynting Omni Directional Antenna. We can stream uninterrupted TV simultaneously with website searches, etc. Works well in the marina which is not in Vodafone`s best reception area and also most places we visited around the West Coast of Scotland last summer.
 
Scapegoat said:
We use a tplink ac1200 dual band router https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Wireless-technology-Configuration-Archer-MR600/dp/B08N5CHH2Z/
it is unlocked so can use any network sim in it. VOXI use the Vodafone network and include free Netflix, prime and YouTube in their 30 day plans.
you can add an external antenna if necessary. I keep giff gaff (O2) and Smarty (3) sims so I can use them if in a different signal area.
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I run the same with Smarty, £10 a month for a stupid amount of data keeps us happy for the week a month we spend on the boat :-)
 
If all i want to do is to be able to access Netfix, prime etc on the TV, would a router using the same vodafone sim card as my phone offer any faster (Mb/s) download speed? Both devices (phone and router) are using a vodafone and probably connected to the same vodafone mast. If the same, them I could just tether the phone to the TV as suggested above.
 
RDL2 said:
If all i want to do is to be able to access Netfix, prime etc on the TV, would a router using the same vodafone sim card as my phone offer any faster (Mb/s) download speed? Both devices (phone and router) are using a vodafone and probably connected to the same vodafone mast. If the same, them I could just tether the phone to the TV as suggested above.
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Depends on the router. If using your phones hotspot is working for you then that’s fine.
If not, make sure you get a dual band router to avoid interference from other nearby WiFi users (See recommendation above). You may also need a SIM card carrier to resize from nano to micro.
My own experience is that a router is superior and for £120 is great value compared to most boating purchase!
 
harvey38 said:
I run the same with Smarty, £10 a month for a stupid amount of data keeps us happy for the week a month we spend on the boat :)
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Smarty is great if you are in a good 3network reception area. I got unlimited for £18 a month over the season and just stopped it early October
 
I also installed the Huawei B535 on my boat too and as others have said it runs off 12v so is wired into the battery system, it also has ethernet so the 28 inch smart LG TV is hooked up via that and also on the 12v system via a 12v to 19v DC/DC converter.

Unlimited data is via Three mobile and it costs me £17.50 a month but wer have the same at home and they did us a deal recently for £15 a month there inc the router.

I previously had the smaller 4G USB type but the advantage of the B535 is it's ethernet connectivity, we also had the Alexa type at home but it only has one ethernet connector. Should put them on e-bay really as they are sat at home collecting dust.
 
I have given up on the wifi at hamble point and now just run everything off my vodafone hotspot, from memory about 40 mb, I have a n Alfa router and aerial fitted and it is linked to phone and wifi but no longer use it.
 
Bran said:
Teltonika RUT360 fitted inside a Quspot omni directional aerial, mount on your arch or roof, gives you the best chance of maintaining a good signal. £150 for the router plus £100 for the aerial.
View attachment 125940
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This is what I have. Chop the cable off the supplied transformer and connect it you your 12v directly.
I use the boat as an office a couple of days a week and it has coped with everything I’ve needed.
If there is just a sniff of signal It finds it.
The difficulty of changing SIMs the only downside.
In the Uk EE has the fastest data. Unlimited is about £30 /month.
 
I have Vodafone 4 g mobile broadband for £25 a month on the supplied little router that they are marketing at the moment It is very small and has a battery I have unlimited data and max speed possible
 
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