Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
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Mood: Optimistic
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Request: Which laptop 'air card' to access Internet for US travels?
I have a question as to which 'air card' to use on my laptop while traveling across the western states of the USA.
For the last couple of years, I have been using a Verizon air card; which is about $100 for the device and generally my usuage runs to $50 month.
Anyhow, my last subscription ran out long ago while I was in Baja... and somehow I have lost the two Verizon aircard plugs I had
bought last year Up North, grrrr..... and I now need a new device and pre-paid subscription to the internet for this season's travels from
San Diego to mostly the Western and Midwestern States...plus central Canadian provinces.
I have read Nomads for breakfast since 2004 and would hate to break that tradition. (...also posted a few trips in this Non-Baja Trip Report
forum....to the boredom of many nomads, I know.)  I dislike having to
rely on RV parks for wi-fi internet, plus I prefer boon-docking anyway.
I would prefer a pay-as-you-go program, rather than a monthly plan... depending on rates of course.
Does anyone on Nomads use a similar device for a mobile Internet connection? If so, can you tell me what, where, and how much for the device and
service. I am currently in San Diego county and can find any source easily.
I will appreciate any advice or input!
Internet withdrawal is not a pretty sight!
Mil gracias, amigos.
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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bigmike58
Nomad
Posts: 286
Registered: 1-20-2012
Location: Homeland CA/Mulege
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Mood: Fish on!
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Why don't you just use your cell phone as a hot spot?
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Roger....these thingys are called a "Dongle." You have to go into the store and say to the clerk, "I need a Dongle."
Who knows.....you may leave the store with a new co-pilot. 
http://www.uswitch.com/broadband/guides/what_is_a_mobile_don...
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LancairDriver
Super Nomad
Posts: 1593
Registered: 2-22-2008
Location: On the Road
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Roger I went through this same drill about six months ago. Bottom line is I was unable to find a better alternative than the Verizon setup you have
been using. That is the same as I am using now. It works reasonably well in almost all areas and Verizon seems to have the best coverage in the
"boondocks". As far as the Aircard, I have seen some on e-bay for lower prices.
If there is a better alternative I would also be interested.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Suggestion
Rog.........
I know this is a little off topic, but have you considered a wi-fi/3G tablet.........can do web surfing and e-mails on both systems..........just a
thought.
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sd
Nomad
Posts: 487
Registered: 3-19-2008
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Good morning Roger,
I have two laptops, and ordered both with a built in cellular card. I have Verizon's heavy user program, not unlimited but it allows a great deal of
use for the monthly fee of about $75 for each computer.
There are other Verizon programs if you are a lighter user.
I am very happy with the service, I get service everywhere, no need to rely on someone else's system.
Marine layer here this morning, hope you have sunshine.
Scot
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LancairDriver
Super Nomad
Posts: 1593
Registered: 2-22-2008
Location: On the Road
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| Quote: | Originally posted by sd
Good morning Roger,
I have two laptops, and ordered both with a built in cellular card. I have Verizon's heavy user program, not unlimited but it allows a great deal of
use for the monthly fee of about $75 for each computer.
There are other Verizon programs if you are a lighter user.
I am very happy with the service, I get service everywhere, no need to rely on someone else's system.
Marine layer here this morning, hope you have sunshine.
Scot |
A solution that could save you the extra 75 bucks for the second computer is a wireless WI fi that will accept your Aircard in a USB port and use any
computer with one Aircard. I am using that now with iPad,iPhone,and laptop all using the one Aircard. Use whichever one is handy, of course confined
to the wi fi area.
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Fernweh
Nomad
Posts: 444
Registered: 2-24-2011
Location: Centenario, BCS
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Roger,
join all the other experts at the free WiFi places like Starbucks and so on....
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sd
Nomad
Posts: 487
Registered: 3-19-2008
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Thanks LancairDriver,
For now I pay the price so I am not reliant upon a wi fi area. Many of my friends now use the iPad exclusively and like the system and ease.
Scot
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Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
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Mood: Optimistic
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Muchas gracias, all...even Dennis. (Co-pilot now wears a Mona Lisa smile from his post about asking
for a 'Dongle'...)
Good to hear the options available.
Fernweh, I once did stop at a Starbucks for some surfing and a frappe-ed mocha dulce con anejo tequila, but the nervous looks I got drove me out. It
may have been the camo face paint & fatigues, ya think?
Good heads-up, sd, old habits win...& I'll be making a trip to a Verizon/Dongle store today.
LancairDriver...good tip on using a wi-fi that I already have....for that other laptop connection. Co-pilot hugs you.
Good to hear all the other options, but I need to use my laptop with all it's programs, fotos, etc. Also, small screens and keyboard pens are not for
me. Unless there is a better solution, it's back to Verizon.
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
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Mood: undecided
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bigmike58
Nomad
Posts: 286
Registered: 1-20-2012
Location: Homeland CA/Mulege
Member Is Offline
Mood: Fish on!
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FYI.. if you already pay for the internet on your cell phone you may be able to download an app or jailbreak it and use it as a wifi hot spot for
about 5 devices. You do not need a wifi, only your cell phone. We do this with our AT&T phones/ T-mobile and sprint phones/networks. It works just
fine as long as you have a cell signal and 3g.
Why pay extra for a aircard? Especially if your devices are usually in the same close vacinity..
This does not work in Baja, I had to buy an aircard for BCS.
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Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
Member Is Offline
Mood: Optimistic
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bigmike58
FYI.. if you already pay for the internet on your cell phone you may be able to download an app or jailbreak it and use it as a wifi hot spot for
about 5 devices. You do not need a wifi, only your cell phone. We do this with our AT&T phones/ T-mobile and sprint phones/networks. It works just
fine as long as you have a cell signal and 3g.
Why pay extra for a aircard? Especially if your devices are usually in the same close vacinity..
This does not work in Baja, I had to buy an aircard for BCS. |
Thanks Mike, but I do not pay for any Internet time on my cellphone and probably would not use it for that purpose anyway. Too many gadgets for me, I
fear. I can check out that option again at a nearby AT&T store, but if I recall their internet rate is a bit higher than Verizon.
I have RV amigos who tell me Verizon is the best mobile Internet provider for all travels in the West and Far North.
Whatever happened to pigeons, soup cans on a string, smoke signals, shouting....
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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sd
Nomad
Posts: 487
Registered: 3-19-2008
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Big Mike -
For several years I used my Treo phone, Sprint program to power my laptop. I had an unlimited plan at that time and it worked fine for me. It is MUCH
slower, so I had to switch as my needs changed.
Lots of options out there depending on users needs.
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18385
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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verizon air card id dependable. don't get the verizon mobile hot spot, it is less stable than air card.
if you have iphone, you can turn it into hotspot for $10/month, but data speed is slower than air card.
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Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
Member Is Offline
Mood: Optimistic
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DONE DEAL.
I settled on the Verizon Broadband device (Dennis calls it a 'Dongle')and bought it at a Best Buy here in San Diego.
Cost: $50 for one month with a usage limit of 1G. (A 'G' is a gigabite, right?) No monthly contract.
Device replacement cost to me: $90.00
(FYI: Per Dennis' advice, I asked the salesgirl at the Mobile Phones booth for a 'Dongle'. We had a great lunch break.)
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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