Assuming you really can just plug a USB stick into your car stereo, it's going to have some compatibility requirements. Do you have documentation for the stereo? Most devices will maintain a list of compatible modems. It'd be useful if you could be more specific with what modem you want.

Yes I can plug a USB pen stick modem directly into my stereo. What other spec do you want to know?

It's unlikely just any USB stick will work. Most devices that support a USB modem maintain a list of compatible devices. E.g. DrayTek support this list of devices: https://www.draytek.co.uk/download/support/DrayTek_USB_Modem_Support_140518.pdf

I have the Wifi version that you could plug in via USB?

Thanks but the stereo has built in WiFi. I need the mobile data link so I can use google maps live traffic while on the road.

Cheers Paul.

Ummmm … most 3G/4G modem sticks/dongles carry their own connection software on firmware, and install onto a specific computer running Windows, Mac or Linux.

Surely a car radio therefore would be incapable of doing what you seek?

There are plenty that do not need that stuff and just show as a dialer interface to the computer. It was the norm in the olden times to just teather thru USB and the "dial up" modem that it made when plugged in. The stereo probably runs android since the OP mentioned google maps.

Some of the wifi hotspot ones plug in and show as a USB ethernet adapter so might work too. The software on them is just to let luddites use them without worrying about setting up APN names and stuff in the dialer.

Rickles:

 

Ummmm … most 3G/4G modem sticks/dongles carry their own connection software on firmware, and install onto a specific computer running Windows, Mac or Linux.

 

Surely a car radio therefore would be incapable of doing what you seek?

 

Hi rickles,

My stereo runs Android and has 2 usb cables to add a device or pen stick on so its capable of doing what I seek I just need modem to connect to mobile data.

     >My stereo runs Android and has 2 usb cables to add a device or pen stick on so its capable of doing what I seek I just need modem to connect to mobile data.<

OK, so does the radio actually run the connection, or do you use its wifi?

I have a spare Huawei E173 you can try, but it is not wifi enabled, viz. it would work if your stereo can 'read it' direct.

Hi Rickles,

I assume that Android runs the stereo and all other functions it already has built in WiFi so I only need the mobile data to be able to access Google maps live info while on the road.

How much do you want for your modem?

Cheers Paul.

@kiwipawl …. where are you, I'm in Wellington.

Feel free to use the dongle as a test … no charge.

Thanks for the offer, I am in Wellington as well and  work at VUW's Te Aro Campus in Vivian St.

Can i pick it up from you?

Cheers Paul.

kiwipawl:

 

Thanks for the offer, I am in Wellington as well and  work at VUW's Te Aro Campus in Vivian St.

 

Can i pick it up from you?

 

Cheers Paul.

 

Hey I just thought of something. If it doesn't work natively - look at disabling mode-switching, i think that might enable it to be seen as just a pure 3G connection. If not - I also have an android head unit in my car and just have everything running of a wifi hotspot as I never got the usb connection to work