Above-the-Fold 15 Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 I see the Coast Guard is offering (subcontracting?) broadband wifi, which they say will run on 12V, using an available adapter, and let you bring your boat into the 21st century. https://www.boatiesbestmate.nz/broadband?_cldee=bWljaGFlbF9zbWl0aEBzeW1wYXRpY28uY2E%3d&recipientid=contact-d8583324921ae811941100155d13e305-d682b9d7b71e460ca474cbbfc5eab9cf&esid=3afb3783-adad-e911-941a-00155d13e305 Anybody tried it? Does it live up to the hype? We've been using the phone to hotspot, but this might be a better idea. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
southernman 73 Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 It's the same service just 4G and uses the cell networks for connection. If you are using a hotspot you wont' notice anything greater in speed or service I'd suggest. Nothing new really at all. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beccara 25 Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 Looks like it's resold Wireless Nation which is selling something called RBI, It's Vodafone based and will be a Huawei modem and a little 12-24v boost converter. It'll be nicer than your mobile phone hotspot by a little bit but still depends on your coverage Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Above-the-Fold 15 Posted September 17, 2019 Author Share Posted September 17, 2019 The general tenor: If I'm parked in Whangamumu waiting for the south-easterly to stop, as I was last summer, I'll be no better off with this thing 'cause there still ain't gonna be cell service. Thanks all. I think I'll stick with Spark and a hotspot. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bigal.nz 61 Posted September 17, 2019 Share Posted September 17, 2019 We have got a Mikrotik router on the boat which IIRC takes 24v and has a sim card slot. They are about $180.As you say it's no better service than hotspot but it means that all the other boat devices actually have a permanent AP to connect to.I like 2 degrees for data as they have carry over and you can share your handset data with a second sim (is in the Mikrotik)There are some flash 4G marine antennas arrive but I have not tried them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bigal.nz 61 Posted September 17, 2019 Share Posted September 17, 2019 PPS: Its also got built in a DDNS service and VPN among other things, very handy if you want to monitor remote systems on your boat. Its a bit nerdy to try to set one up, but if you buy from Go Wireless NZ the support is great. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beccara 25 Posted September 17, 2019 Share Posted September 17, 2019 The main advantage here is going to be the datacap, You can have the kids watching some Netflix fairly safely and cheaply with this service. You can't take the SIM cards and use them in any other device and the modem is generally quite a bit better reception wise and you can pair it with something like this: https://www.gowifi.co.nz/omniaaa/mtao-lte-5d-sq.html To help improve it even more Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dtwo 157 Posted September 20, 2019 Share Posted September 20, 2019 We use Wireless Nation and it's fabbo. 120 Gb for a hundy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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