LadyInBed
Well-known member
Enphatically YES, Mifi 3g dongle - 3g to internet (outside world) wifi (or cable) connection to tablet.So could I get a wifi router or something to do the connecting bit rather than a mobile?
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Enphatically YES, Mifi 3g dongle - 3g to internet (outside world) wifi (or cable) connection to tablet.So could I get a wifi router or something to do the connecting bit rather than a mobile?
Enphatically YES, Mifi 3g dongle - 3g to internet (outside world) wifi (or cable) connection to tablet.
Enphatically YES, Mifi 3g dongle - 3g to internet (outside world) wifi (or cable) connection to tablet.
But just to clarify this as OP seems confused re the phone network - any Mifi device will use the phone network.
If you want to be able to see YBW.com in your favourite anchorage the best choice is a phone-type device.
2 broad types.
Data only devices - ( Mifi/ 3g Tablets etc)
Data and voice - Smart phones with tethering.
SO if you want onboard internet at anything over 50-100m from a hotspot you will need to get into bed with a phone co.
No. If you are in a wireless hotspt or can use a private wifi such as in a marina, you don't need a phone. If you are out of range of these then you need the phone to access the internet. Exactly the same as at home where your local wifi comes in through the phone. You can get a local wifi on your boat but it still needs a phone line or a signal from a mobile.
No way of avoiding this if you want the (dubious) benefit of access to the internet on the boat.
You are correct that a dongle plus tablet or laptop sounds like your best option and what you want. The altenative is that with a new smart phone you can use it much like a dongle and tether it to your laptop or tablet to get internet. It is very simple. I have also been similarly attached to my old mobile but the point I am getting at is a new smart mobile is also an amazing tool (effectively a small tablet itself) miles beyond your old mobile and that maybe worth looking at rather than dongles. Providing you can charge your mobile on your boat (via cigarette lighter) you are fine coz the battery life of new smart phones is a lot less, however you use them.Apologies for not replying to everyone but I am getting bogged down in all this.
I need internet access to interact with a website as part of my business.
At home I have virgin broadband that comes by cable & a wired connexion.(It's fastest for my old computer)
Am I correct in thinking that I could get away with a laptop (seems to have the potential for good chart plotting among other things,beside possibly being the cheapest ) or a tablet providing I get a 3g mifi dongle? Are those 3g mifi dongles pre loaded as a payg option?
Please be patient.Like many here I go sailing largely to get away from the rest of the human race & am very very reluctant to get involved with all this technology most of which seems to go wrong half the time.
The Golden Globe this year is doing that. Emergency communications and navigation equipment must sealed. Any communications gear connects to the organisers only. Any photos and movies can only be offloaded in Australia during a stop, but no contact with anyone or anything.RKJ is proposing a round the world race without electronics (except vhf) so you don't HAVE to have them for navigation.
True, but you are hostage to the quality of reception at the chart table or where ever you are using the 'PC'.You can buy a laptop, notebook or tablet with 3G (or 4g) and a hole to stick a sim into. You don't need to faff around with dongles.
Am I correct in thinking that I could get away with a laptop (seems to have the potential for good chart plotting among other things,beside possibly being the cheapest ) or a tablet providing I get a 3g mifi dongle? Are those 3g mifi dongles pre loaded as a payg option?
… I don't have a 'smart phone' & I don't want one …
I really don't want to get involved in taking out a contract with one of those mobile phone providers & all the trouble & expense it is likely to entail.
You should have a chat with my mum - this was exactly her circumstances a couple of years ago.(I have an antiquated Nokia).