In need of a mobile wifi/lan router solution

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martyyn

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Topic # 195127 7-Apr-2016 10:12

Until recently I've been using a Skinny 3G dongle, TP-link TL-MR3020 and cheap switch to provide local wifi and lan in my caravan. But the dongle has been trodden on and no longer works. Skinny no longer sell them and I can't find another suitable dongle which works in the router, they all need a driver or something in Windows to work.

It's used for eftpos, an ethernet receipt printer and an ipad.

Can anyone recommend a suitable replacement which doesn't cost $$$$'s. This was a relatively cheap solution to a problem 12 months ago and I'd rather not have to bin it all and buy a 3G eftpos unit if I can help it.

Dynamic

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Reply # 1527486 7-Apr-2016 10:17

TP-Link MR200 is something I bought recently for a client. There is a cheaper and more expensive version. At first glance it looks like a wireless ADSL broadband router (that kind of look) but you can plug a SIM card into the back of it for 3G/4G access.

The only other one I could find was a more expensive DLink model. Netcomm no longer make them despite what their web site says (according to their NZ office when I called - we have a Netcomm one and I wanted another). I was looking for a wireless router that could be used for 3G access but would take a SIM card and not have to use a USB dongle.

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sonyxperiageek

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Reply # 1527488 7-Apr-2016 10:23

Edit: Whoops, just read that you are wanting it in your caravan, in which case the Skinny Wireless Broadband plan can't be used..

Since you're already on Skinny, have you considered their Skinny Wireless Broadband, which you can buy a $99 Huawei modem/router?

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trig42

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Reply # 1527494 7-Apr-2016 10:26

sonyxperiageek:

Edit: Whoops, just read that you are wanting it in your caravan, in which case the Skinny Wireless Broadband plan can't be used..

Since you're already on Skinny, have you considered their Skinny Wireless Broadband, which you can buy a $99 Huawei modem/router?

The Skinny solution there is not intended to be mobile - they ask for your address and tell you if it isn't used at that address it may be disconnected.

However, the Router itself may be the solution, used with your existing Skinny Sim.

martyyn

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Reply # 1527503 7-Apr-2016 10:41

Dynamic:

TP-Link MR200 is something I bought recently for a client. There is a cheaper and more expensive version. At first glance it looks like a wireless ADSL broadband router (that kind of look) but you can plug a SIM card into the back of it for 3G/4G access.

The only other one I could find was a more expensive DLink model. Netcomm no longer make them despite what their web site says (according to their NZ office when I called - we have a Netcomm one and I wanted another). I was looking for a wireless router that could be used for 3G access but would take a SIM card and not have to use a USB dongle.

That looks perfect, thanks.

Just to decide whether it's worth the extra $70 over the cheaper MR6400 which only does 2.4GHz. That appears to be the only difference between the two.

martyyn

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Reply # 1527505 7-Apr-2016 10:44

trig42:

sonyxperiageek:

Edit: Whoops, just read that you are wanting it in your caravan, in which case the Skinny Wireless Broadband plan can't be used..

Since you're already on Skinny, have you considered their Skinny Wireless Broadband, which you can buy a $99 Huawei modem/router?

The Skinny solution there is not intended to be mobile - they ask for your address and tell you if it isn't used at that address it may be disconnected.

However, the Router itself may be the solution, used with your existing Skinny Sim.

I was tempted to try it, but I just don't need that amount of data each month and I certainly don't need it to be switched off when I'm using it !!

martyyn

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Reply # 1534833 18-Apr-2016 12:06

Dynamic:

TP-Link MR200 is something I bought recently for a client. There is a cheaper and more expensive version. At first glance it looks like a wireless ADSL broadband router (that kind of look) but you can plug a SIM card into the back of it for 3G/4G access.

Thanks for the suggestion Dynamic. Bought the MR200 last week and its excellent with a 2D sim card in it. Getting a nice 3 bars of 4G in my kitchen with speeds regularly hitting 50Mbps down and 6Mbps up with Speedtest.

As an aside, when I put the same 2D sim card in my D821 N5 I barely get any signal at all. Pings are 840ms with speeds of 0.15|0.01

What's that about ?

[e] Muppet, I forgot to change the APN setting from Skinny !

[e2] Errrr maybe not, that didnt fix it :(

Dynamic

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Reply # 1534846 18-Apr-2016 12:15

Massive big flappy antenna on the back of the MR200 vs a compromised inbuilt antenna in the Nexus, I would guesstimate.

Any wireless technology is full of compromises and the size of the antenna is a big one. Cabled solutions have different compromises, but in general a cable solution is faster and more reliable. You just have to be prepared to dig the holes to get the cable in place and lose your portability.

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martyyn

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Reply # 1534855 18-Apr-2016 12:20

That's what I thought, but I wasn't expecting to get no signal at all.

nunz

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Reply # 1534859 18-Apr-2016 12:24

martyyn:

Dynamic:

TP-Link MR200 is something I bought recently for a client. There is a cheaper and more expensive version. At first glance it looks like a wireless ADSL broadband router (that kind of look) but you can plug a SIM card into the back of it for 3G/4G access.

The only other one I could find was a more expensive DLink model. Netcomm no longer make them despite what their web site says (according to their NZ office when I called - we have a Netcomm one and I wanted another). I was looking for a wireless router that could be used for 3G access but would take a SIM card and not have to use a USB dongle.

That looks perfect, thanks.

Just to decide whether it's worth the extra $70 over the cheaper MR6400 which only does 2.4GHz. That appears to be the only difference between the two.

We have used cheap 3g routers nad psent more time rebooting than using them. mind you we also used an expensive 3g router to the same effect ($500 plus)

3g sticks generally are good. They dont work in most routers unless they are a telecom or specific model.

We are finding the TP-Link Pebble an excellent option.

Alternatively - cheap phone or second hand Samsung 3 or similar. USB or wireless tethering to Pc which acts as a gateway too.

nunz