Last year we demonstrated how we installed a WiFi Ranger system on our RV to improve internet connectivity. We mentioned that we’d report back on it, so here’s a very brief example of a situation where we’re picking up free WiFi signal, where we’d otherwise be off-line.
Like many RVers (especially full-timers), we have more than one way to get online on the road, but we save on data costs by taking of advantage of free WiFi whenever it’s available. The WiFi Ranger allows us to do that much more often.
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Darryl-n-Rich
Monday 19th of June 2017
We just bought a Monaco Dynasty to start our adventures and your YouTube Channel has been a wealth of information. I know you mentioned that you untilized Technomedia and other full timers to help in your decision to go with the Wifi Ranger and we had thought we had to as we need to be able to be connected all the time for the kind of work that we do. We were about to order the stuff and was discussing the installation with our mechanic and he suggested we do a little research on the Cradlepoint IBR900 which has slots for SIM cards for the 4 major carriers but also picks up weak WiFi signals. Evidently switching from WiFi to the cellular data when needed. Did you all do any research on this setup or know anyone that has?
TheRVgeeks
Monday 19th of June 2017
Hey Darryl & Rich... thanks for the kind comments. Glad our videos have been helpful! We did look at options like the Cradlepoint when we were evaluating our needs for cellular & WiFi boosting, and for us, the WiFiRanger was a better choice. At the time, we weren't traveling to particularly remote locations, so didn't need dedicated cellular boosting (our MiFi was able to pickup strong enough signal), so the fact that the WiFiRanger could tether our MiFi and share it (along with prioritizing WiFi over cellular... or vice versa) was good enough for us. Plus we knew that we could always add separate cellular boosting later (which we did with the WeBoost Drive 4G-X). Another factor was that, at the time, the cellular boosting industry was in a state of flux, with the new FCC regulations for boosting limits, registration, etc coming into play, so we wanted to wait things out until it all settled down.
Hope this helps!
Andrew Taylor
Friday 23rd of December 2016
I don't have a question on the WiFi Ranger but on your Winegard TV antenna that you mounted the ranger too. I have the same one like most rvs, but with TV going to HD you don't get the channels you used to on it anymore. I have had people tell me to replace it so I can get the local channels better. Will I found an upgrade for the antenna, its Winegard's Wingman. Not only dose it boost channels 1-13 you get with just the antenna but gives you access to 14-59, and it just snaps on. My question is have you used this or knows anyone that has and what they thought of it? It sounds like a grate way to update the TV antenna with out the higher cost to replacing it. Any thoughts on it will help, Thanks
TheRVgeeks
Friday 23rd of December 2016
Hi Andrew,
Unfortunately, since we don't watch much TV, we've never looked into the options for upgrading the Winegard antenna. We've seen the Wingman, but don't know how effective it is. Our suggestion would be to check out the forums over at iRV2.com to see if anyone has posted about their experiences with one. If not, it's also a great (and free) place to post a question about it.
Sorry we couldn't be of more help on this one, but let us know how you make out!
Dale
Friday 19th of February 2016
First, thank you for all of your professional and informative videos. I have views the majority of them.
I have a dilemma that you may be able to help me with. I am ordering a 2016 Dutch Star 4018. Newmar no longer offers the power up batwing Winegard as shown on your Mountain Aire.
I intend to install the WiFi Ranger Elite, but I am now stumped as to where to mount it. I don't care about TV much, but do you know of a source for the power lift batwing anywhere?
I appreciate any help you can provide me, and I hope to meet you out on the road sometime.
TheRVgeeks
Friday 19th of February 2016
Hey Dale! No problem. Just get the Elite FM (for "Flat Mount"). Goes right on the roof. Check with Newmar... if we're not mistaken, you might be able to order it as a factory install.
Emilio D. Rodela
Saturday 30th of January 2016
What's the price for the Wifi Ranger?
TheRVgeeks
Saturday 30th of January 2016
Here's a link to their entire product line. We got the Elite Pack. http://wifiranger.com
Anthony Liotta
Wednesday 27th of January 2016
Great video, Do you plan on having satellite for internet or tv. Thanks
TheRVgeeks
Wednesday 27th of January 2016
We removed our internet satellite dish (which also received TV) a few years ago, because cellular data has become so much better, surpassing satellite for internet access. The little TV we do watch is on-demand, over cellular, using Hulu, Netflix, etc. If you're a big TV watcher, and prefer to use a satellite dish, they still make pretty modestly-priced TV-only dishes, but we watch so little that getting it over the internet is fine for us.