Ipad WiFi 3G
- Thread starter med2463
- Start date
- Status
Mary, i have an ipad i use on the boat. I bought it with 3g and wifi cabilities but do not use the 3g. I only bought it with 3g because it includes a GPS. I use an unlimited data Mifi device from Verizon to connect the Wifi. Much more useful as i can share it with my laptop and friends if i wish.maryd33950 said:
I would like to add onto this question and respond with my experiences.
I have a basic IPad with no 3G and obviously WiFi. I was thinking about using my IPhone to connect to the IPad to give me in essence 3G coverage. My question though would be introducing water into this nice little mix. How do you all intend to protect the IPad from the weather? A special case? I figure the IPhone can be in the cabin in my bag transmitting WiFi, but using the IPad in the cockpit seems risky.
Also recommendations on applications? I purchased the ISailor app and bought the charts for the Chesapeake (my sailing grounds). What are others using?
I have a basic IPad with no 3G and obviously WiFi. I was thinking about using my IPhone to connect to the IPad to give me in essence 3G coverage. My question though would be introducing water into this nice little mix. How do you all intend to protect the IPad from the weather? A special case? I figure the IPhone can be in the cabin in my bag transmitting WiFi, but using the IPad in the cockpit seems risky.
Also recommendations on applications? I purchased the ISailor app and bought the charts for the Chesapeake (my sailing grounds). What are others using?
Here in Maine at least most Wi-Fi spots are security locked and you can not get into them. If you can find and "open" one it is usually very slow and or I don't feel comfortable using it, as who knows why, in this day and age, anyone would set up a Wi-Fi enabled router with no security. Are they just waiting for unsuspecting individuals to use it so they can try and hack into your computer?? Our Yacht Club offers free Wi-Fi, one of the few that still does, and it is set up to provide speeds at about that of a 56k modem. Hardly worth it...
I use 3G and 1X coverage from Verizon but the 1X is very slow, 14-80 kbps, and the 3G was downloading at roughly 1600 kbps on Saturday.
I use 3G and 1X coverage from Verizon but the 1X is very slow, 14-80 kbps, and the 3G was downloading at roughly 1600 kbps on Saturday.
FWIW -
I use a Mac G4 PB and have a Bitstorm "Bad Boy Xtreme" powered WIFI antenna (with Ubitiqui power base). Ive been 'cruising' the NE and maritimes coast since June and with this antenna I have had only 1 single day when I could not get adequate WIFI. I estimate that this antenna will pick up WIFI signal at 3 miles (line of sight). www.bitstorm.com
Yes many Wifi nodes are 'secured'/encrypted but an equal amount are still 'open' ... folks simply leave their 'open' router on when they shut down for the day/nite. In Maine, and especially in the more remote parts most routers seem to be open.
I use a Mac G4 PB and have a Bitstorm "Bad Boy Xtreme" powered WIFI antenna (with Ubitiqui power base). Ive been 'cruising' the NE and maritimes coast since June and with this antenna I have had only 1 single day when I could not get adequate WIFI. I estimate that this antenna will pick up WIFI signal at 3 miles (line of sight). www.bitstorm.com
Yes many Wifi nodes are 'secured'/encrypted but an equal amount are still 'open' ... folks simply leave their 'open' router on when they shut down for the day/nite. In Maine, and especially in the more remote parts most routers seem to be open.
The two primary reasons for open Wifi are as follows:
1. Most Wifi routers come from the factory pre-configured so that the manufacturer does not have consumers calling for help. You can simply plug them in and they work. This means no password.
2. People that want to hack your computer will put out free wifi hotspots so you connect and they get a chance at getting security information from you as you surf the web.
I have seen scams where these people will put out a free wifi called something like Startbucks1 using a smartphone near a Starbucks cafe. Most people would assume that they could safely use this access point but are actually using a hackers AP to gain access.
I do not use free Wifis without permission unless I can positively identify who they belong to.
Another problem is that people who want to gain access to illegal content on the web will use an open wifi. If your wifi is unsecured that means law enforcement could very easily mistake you for the actual criminal. This has been happening a lot and it is very difficult and embarrassing to resolve.
So my advice to you would be to secure your home wifi and be extremely careful which ones you connect to.
And for those who think that using an unsecured wifi wthout permission is ok, you are stealing from someone no matter how you justify it.
1. Most Wifi routers come from the factory pre-configured so that the manufacturer does not have consumers calling for help. You can simply plug them in and they work. This means no password.
2. People that want to hack your computer will put out free wifi hotspots so you connect and they get a chance at getting security information from you as you surf the web.
I have seen scams where these people will put out a free wifi called something like Startbucks1 using a smartphone near a Starbucks cafe. Most people would assume that they could safely use this access point but are actually using a hackers AP to gain access.
I do not use free Wifis without permission unless I can positively identify who they belong to.
Another problem is that people who want to gain access to illegal content on the web will use an open wifi. If your wifi is unsecured that means law enforcement could very easily mistake you for the actual criminal. This has been happening a lot and it is very difficult and embarrassing to resolve.
So my advice to you would be to secure your home wifi and be extremely careful which ones you connect to.
And for those who think that using an unsecured wifi wthout permission is ok, you are stealing from someone no matter how you justify it.
Good to know that with better range you can find open wi-fi here in Maine. Even in the cockpit going through multiple wi-fi spots on my laptop, without external antenna, normally yields nothing in the way of access. If you have 3 miles of range in Maine that changes a lot.. Just looked at that site and it's pretty cool. With 3G and our Wilson cell phone amp I can sail along fairly far off shore and still get a signal if in 3G territory. Unfortunately 3G territory ends East of about MDI...
I have an iPad with 3G. I have INavx (and several other sailing apps) installed and use it with 3G when sailing a charter boat down in the Gulf of Mexico. I keep the iPad in a protective case inside of two one gallon zip lock freezer bags when on deck. It works fine for our purposes. The touch pad works through the two zip lock bags.
I see that a company has recently introduced a helm mounting bracket setup for the iPad. I will probably give this new mounting bracket a try.
I see that a company has recently introduced a helm mounting bracket setup for the iPad. I will probably give this new mounting bracket a try.
- Status