what mifi has the best coverage?

don't have any problems with AT&T, do all 48, the only issues are the same issues with all carriers, WI some of MT and NM, but that's just a given.

 

Look for a device that has an external antenna port and get a cell booster (2g & 3g only, currently) with a direct input into the device is going to give you the most reliable connection in fringe areas. Relying only on the internal "antenna" to reach out and push out data to distant towers will become frustrating quite often.

 

My husband & I use the Verizon "mi-fi". We have 2 smart phones & the mi-fi devie with unlimited text/talk & 10 gigs of data that runs us @ $185/month. We also got a $75.00 rebate when we purchased the device, too.

I like Verizon, seems to have the most coverage area and the mi-fi works quite well. The only downfall of it is that you can burn through the battery quick depending on what you're doing and how long you're using it, so having the ability to re-charge it is a must.

 

YES!! A booster is a MUST, too! It can make your signal strength go from 2-3 bars up to 5!

 

Sprint works too, but coverage is spotty and 3G speeds are slow unless next to a major city with 4G. Big plus is the unlimited transfer, unlike the per gig charge with Verizon.

 

I have both ATT and Verizon and they are both good. I may use ATT if verizon shows poor coverage and visa versa. But the facts are that Verizon has more coverage than ATT throughout the US, hands down, but its nice to have both for convenience.

 

The latest version of Pdanet allows for wifi. No need to tether anymore

Or get a Wilson repeater/booster. It looks like any other cellphone holder, but it plugs into a 12v source that is attached to a booster. You're phone never has to leave the holder

 

Verizon without a doubt- but be prepared to pay for it. I have a 6gig plan for $40 and routinely go over if I use it too much and end up paying $10 a gig extra.

I also have sprint, but it's only reliably fast in large cities (LA, NYC, Philly most of DFW ect.) it's okay in some smaller cities (>/5,000 people) but forget about any kind of night watching netflix or playing an online video game in the majority of smaller cities. That being said, it is unlimited and I pay $60 a month for it- to say the least I'm seriously considering killing that and buying a vuqube.

 

i might be right behind you with the vuqube thing.

i have a usb tv tuner to watch tv on my laptop. but reception sucks, the channels received are mostly church and mexican. and my tuner JUIST went out. not getting a signal anymore nor can i scan for the local stations.

wished they had a way to watch satellite on the laptop. really don't want to actually buy a tv.

 

Well I've been seriously considering it for a while now, but the initial investment for satellite TV in the truck is pretty steep.

The Cheapest VuQube available is the tailgater VQ 2500, which runs about $350-400 minimally. I'm in a company truck (Volvo 670) and even though there's a mounting area I could use on the back of the cab- I can't because it would be in violation of company policy, and that's a bit harder to hide than an inverter or a dog. Big white bulb sticking over my cab? yeah, surly I won't get popped for that.

But anyhow since I can't permanently mount it, I've gotta fork out $40 for the window mounter.

Then there's another $100-150 for the receiver.

and lest we forget the service packages run between $70 (crappy smart pack with dish network or the basic package with direct TV.)

Altogether you're looking at around $400-500 minimally just to get the equipment. This isn't including the fact that you might not have a TV. (You can get a package like this from amazon, however.)

Basic flat screen LED/LCD TV's at walmart run $120-200 ranging in sizes from 16" to 26" in that price range (the price differences in the larger sizes are due to the fact that the cheaper, larger flat screens typically do not come with a DVD player built in.)

The cons are that all the service packages from both major providers are minimally 24 months, and both require good credit to get any kind of break on the price. Worse than usual credit will result in either declining service to you, or will cost a rather hefty deposit. I'm younger, I don't really have any established credit so both companies are saying a $300 one time deposit would be necessary on my account that would be slowly credited back to me over the period of 24 months.

Another con is that the baseline service packages are, well...crappy...But you can order specific packages "a la carte." As an example I'm big into motor sports and outdoor sporting, but not into MLB or NFL type sports- both carriers offer "sporting packages" that contain my motor sports (#48 baby) and usless hunting shows but also include horrendously boring basketball, football, baseball and soccer. You cannot pick and choose what you want out of the packages and you're looking at paying big bucks ($15+ per month) just for the privilege.

Some of the pluses are in my case, I have no wife, kids or dependents to worry about. As it would stand to reason I don't even have a home; I live in the truck. That's ending soon (>5 months) and I will be returning home towards September, I can (have to) of course keep the service and use them as my cable provider using the exact same service I have in the truck; since it's all portable.

If you are unlike me, and are tolerable and have kids/wife whatever- then you might consider changing your service provider and simply adding another receiver onto the package. Both networks don't cost too terribly much to do this (though it ought to be free.)

The equipment is pretty durable from the reviews I'm reading, even the negative ones. You can find third party reviews with a simple Google search or even on this forum.
The VQ 2500 has automatic satellite tracking, though I do not believe it should/can be used while in motion. The dish also does not require a power source, having only one cable to attach (that being the coax.)

Just some food for thought.
(and a chance for me to take a step back to think about whether or not I want this service.)
(I think I do.)