Staying connected on the road

Discussion in 'Camping/Outdoor Living' started by drumminmama, Jul 1, 2014.

  1. drumminmama

    drumminmama Super Moderator Super Moderator

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    While Cassidy and Kerouac, and their spiritual, itchy-footed heirs, could take off and depend on the post office and the random pay phone, that's not the best option in the text message era.

    So, as just a discussion, how do you choose to stay in touch/ get information when traveling?
     
  2. drumminmama

    drumminmama Super Moderator Super Moderator

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    My scenario will be needing to get texts and calls and emails for work gigs while van dwelling.
    I will also be running a business on the road.

    Going to a wifi area isn't a good option. I'd have to make hanging in one spot a job between appointments.
    I'd rather hang in the cool campground/friends property/ someplace that isn't a Starbucks.
    Even a public library is a place I shouldn't be 20 hours a week.

    Sure, some campgrounds will have access, but not all.

    And there's also the desire side. Not a need, but very nice. I'd like to surf the net before dropping off to sleep.

    So,I'm thinking keep my cell/data plan, which will cover very light use of data.
    But my tablet is wifi.

    I can hotspot the phone, get a hotspot from a cheaper company...or?

    What are other options?

    Library/other public wifi
    Minimal data use monthly
    Hotspot via existing plan, paying more for data
    Hotspot from less expensive wireless company

    And?
     
  3. Vincent2012

    Vincent2012 Perpetual Smiler

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    I'm kinda in the same boat, but at the same time, I don't want to have to earn more money to supply something I only want to use once a month.... I'm planning on just stopping at a hotspot during travels for updates along the road (if something awesome happens) to check emails, etc.
     
  4. Irminsul

    Irminsul Valkyrie

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    The last time I went on a decent road trip was all around Germany, Austria, Czech and Poland. We had a motorhome and calmed at camping spots. Every spot had wifi opportunity, you just had to pay for it at the front counter for the night. That's what we did anyway with our phones and iPad plus a friend had a MacBook.

    Also throughout Europe it's good to know McDonalds usually provides free wifi and this also helps.

    When we go out camping we aren't all old school with no technology. We bring our technology with us, especially music.
     
  5. drumminmama

    drumminmama Super Moderator Super Moderator

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    Will you be working?
    I'll be taking clients through services like Zeel and I use thumbtack. Plus my booking is online, so I need those notifications.

    Being connected keeps me traveling!
     
  6. Ranger

    Ranger Hip Forums Supporter HipForums Supporter

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    We used McDonalds, motel parking lots, many librarys.....
     
  7. drumminmama

    drumminmama Super Moderator Super Moderator

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    Hmmm.... Looking like hotspotting might do... Off to investigate options.


    Eta: I read this a while back and promptly forgot it.
    http://lifehacker.com/5974761/how-t...e-hotspot-to-stay-connected-everywhere-you-go

    It makes me interested in the Karma device and service, but the coverage is spotty. But in larger towns and cities, I'd be covered. And that's where my need to get appointment notifications are highest.

    Also, it's no contract, and you can buy in advance. You are buying GB of data, not a contract that is the gate to GB of data. They don't expire. It's like rollover minutes.
    I could buy in advance, a little at a time, pay the$10 rate per GB (buying 10GB)

    So while it is an expense, it isn't an automatic expense. I could ration it.

    Happy dance.
     
  8. Shakti_Om

    Shakti_Om Local Pixie

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    I've always used hotspots and Wifi in bars and cafes. I've always used a laptop for my business so being connected is essential either on the road or in one place for any amount of time.

    Sx
     
  9. AceK

    AceK Scientia Potentia Est

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    use your cell phone as a modem ... i did it with a shitty phone that cost about 10 bucks, much better than using the internet on the actual phone.

    Can't give exact instructions cuz it was a few years, it required a tiny bit of hackery and setting up the laptop to use it like a modem. With smartphones it's much easier though, you can set them up as a wifi hotspot you can use.
     
  10. ywarpeace

    ywarpeace Ye Old Soul

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    if you have the money look at toshiba satellite laptops no need for a modem or anything just hooks up to the sats
     
    1 person likes this.
  11. snowtiggernd

    snowtiggernd Member

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    I use a android phone and have a cell modem as well. I find myself using the android more and more rather than dig out my laptop.
     
  12. Dalamar

    Dalamar Member

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    A pre paid smart phone might be the way to go with unlimited data plan. Only down side is that most of the no contract plans throttle your data. You can get a prepaid smart phone for as little as $100.00 now days. A smart phone would probablely be all you need. I hardly ever use my lap top anymore. I surf the web, play games and even watch tv, read books and watch movies right on my phone. I was in a bad spot the other day. Wifi was down and was in a weak cell area. I only had a 2g connection and I was still able to stream my movie. The technology to stay connected on the road is thankfully improving.
     
  13. Logan 5

    Logan 5 Confessed gynephile Lifetime Supporter

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    I have Verizon. I can hotspot from my iphone to my laptop when I am literally 30+ miles from town. So long as I can get a cell signal, I can hotspot. And that is nice.
     
  14. kenwilkes

    kenwilkes Member

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    Verizon is the best especially if your in the boonies. Best bet is to get StraightTalk from Walmart. Their phones are either on the Verizon or ATT towers. MAKE SURE YOU GET VERIZION. 45.00 a month for 3 gig of 3G, Yeah its not 4g but its pretty good. After you do the 3gig of 3G they bump your speed down but its still usable.
     
  15. drumminmama

    drumminmama Super Moderator Super Moderator

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    Verizon and Colorado is no Bueno. AT&T coverage still wins. Not that any coverage is stellar deep in the mountains.
     

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