Anybody used one of these? If so, did it substantially increase your range and/or stability of your connection? Better for WiFi or xG? Any Gotcha's or recommendations?
Thanks,
Thanks,
Wirie pro
- Thread starter Chris Burti
- Start date
A few years ago I got a Wirie AP, just the WiFi, the free networks I could access in my harbor were terrible. Hotels, coffee shops etc. really slow, paid service was overpriced and not that good. I have it mounted too low, it's on the rail by stern perch seat, but it does increase range pretty good. I've pretty much abandoned it's use in favor of 4G hotspot which has excellent coverage in my area.
I'll put a plug in for ....
http://www.islandtimepc.com/marine_wifi.html
...who are cruisers that really support their products. I built a system based on the same components and saved maybe $40 overall but a big learning curve. Get it from them without the big learning curve. Mine is based on the Bullet HP and they still use that but I notice they also have a second option now.
I've received/transmitted up to 5 miles before but at very low speeds (good enough for e-mail and slow posts here and NOAA weather). I've been connected up to 1 mile at much higher speeds. I had the antenna/radio out in the elements for about 4-5 years now and it still works flawlessly. I just got to the yard last week to the boat it is on and it fired right up after sitting for about 18 months.
I use a USB Alfa based system...
http://www.amazon.com/Alfa-Wireless-Original-Screw-On-9dBi/dp/B001O9X9EU
... on the road in motels and for the first couple days here in the yard and it is much better than the computer by itself but the Bullet is much faster than the alfa. More on that situation here....
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor-navigation/WiFi-1.html
....and on what I did here...
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor-navigation/WiFi-Index.html
If I had to do it all over though I'd just get one from IslandTime. A number of different vendors use the same Bullet radio. Don't forget it is a two way street so some times you can see a hotspot but can't connect to it. If their equipment can't hear you then you won't have a connection.
Sumner
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]============================
Our Endeavour 37
Our MacGregor 26-S Pages
Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida
Mac-Venture Links[/FONT]
http://www.islandtimepc.com/marine_wifi.html
...who are cruisers that really support their products. I built a system based on the same components and saved maybe $40 overall but a big learning curve. Get it from them without the big learning curve. Mine is based on the Bullet HP and they still use that but I notice they also have a second option now.
I've received/transmitted up to 5 miles before but at very low speeds (good enough for e-mail and slow posts here and NOAA weather). I've been connected up to 1 mile at much higher speeds. I had the antenna/radio out in the elements for about 4-5 years now and it still works flawlessly. I just got to the yard last week to the boat it is on and it fired right up after sitting for about 18 months.
I use a USB Alfa based system...
http://www.amazon.com/Alfa-Wireless-Original-Screw-On-9dBi/dp/B001O9X9EU
... on the road in motels and for the first couple days here in the yard and it is much better than the computer by itself but the Bullet is much faster than the alfa. More on that situation here....
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor-navigation/WiFi-1.html
....and on what I did here...
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor-navigation/WiFi-Index.html
If I had to do it all over though I'd just get one from IslandTime. A number of different vendors use the same Bullet radio. Don't forget it is a two way street so some times you can see a hotspot but can't connect to it. If their equipment can't hear you then you won't have a connection.
Sumner
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]============================
Our Endeavour 37
Our MacGregor 26-S Pages
Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida
Mac-Venture Links[/FONT]
We originally purchased the BadBoy Xtreme and the Unleashed hot spot to go with it. It worked like a champ for a couple of years, extending our ability to reach access points as far away as 2.3 miles, though service was pretty slow at that distance.
When the radio for the BadBoy failed, we picked up a Bullet radio and it melded into the BadBoy system flawlessly and we were back in business again.
Love it.
When the radio for the BadBoy failed, we picked up a Bullet radio and it melded into the BadBoy system flawlessly and we were back in business again.
Love it.
Thanks for the input...
I appreciate the responses, I'll continue to follow it for while so, if anyone has current Wirie experience...please post your comments.
I appreciate the responses, I'll continue to follow it for while so, if anyone has current Wirie experience...please post your comments.