Which connection is best?

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by Crusty, Nov 29, 2011.

  1. Crusty

    Crusty <b>Just Plain Crusty</b>

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    Old trucker getting back on the road after 11 year sabatical. I am totally ignorant on the best way to get connected out there. I have a laptop with wireless. I do NOT have a smart phone. Main use to email and maybe do a little 'surfing' once a day. I have read some are dissatisfied with 'wandering wifi'. So whats the scoop? Are the cards you put in the laptop a better choice? Sorry I don't know the right names of these devices.
    Crusty.
    :biggrin_25514:<<<< This was me today getting my DOT physical!
     
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  3. Sabine in Mo

    Sabine in Mo Medium Load Member

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    I don't have a smart phone either, just my 4 year old flip style cell, that no matter what I do, it won't die, just last week my friend dropped it in a bowl of salsa, and yes it still works.

    I am typing this using the Pilot's wifi, here in Fremont, IN and I have a great connection. Not all places do, but I am too cheap to buy the card and pay for the monthly service.

    I am not that heavy of an internet user anyhow. So this setup works for me

    Why don't you come out here with what you have, if you find it not adequate, you can always get bigger and better, which I think is the better way than spending your money on things you may decide aren't worth having.
     
  4. Crusty

    Crusty <b>Just Plain Crusty</b>

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    Hey Sabine. Thanks for reply. Sounds like a good Idea. I could just call on phone if I can't get wifi.
     
  5. Beer Runner

    Beer Runner Medium Load Member

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    All of the big truck stops have wifi now. Some other truck stops even have it for free. The only place where you will have a hard time finding wifi is in Canada.
     
  6. Semi Crazy

    Semi Crazy Road Train Member

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    If you find your own loads Verizon broadband is a must. 3G good enough. 4g too expensive.
     
  7. MrMustard

    MrMustard Road Train Member

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    All of the Fifth Wheel truck stops in Canada have free WiFi.
     
  8. MrMustard

    MrMustard Road Train Member

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    I use a Virgin Mobile Ovation MC760 usb data stick. It's $50 a month for unlimited data. The only catch is they throttle it down to less than 250 kbps after the first 2.5 gigs, but there are no overage charges, ever. That's still plenty fast enough for surfing, but watching youtube videos after the throttle goes in effect can be a pain. Personally, that's what works best for me.
     
  9. Crusty

    Crusty <b>Just Plain Crusty</b>

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    Beer Runner, Semi Crazy, MrMustard; thank you all for the info. That puts things in a better perspective. I am thinking the data sticks would be the way to go. That way I don't have to be anywhere in particular to do what I need to do. I've got till Jan 3rd. I'm going to look at all of it. Cause I'm CHEAP....... er, a...FRUGAL; that's it. I get what I need at the cheapest price.
     
  10. DragonTamerBrat

    DragonTamerBrat Road Train Member

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    NO one has unlimited data anymore. And I've been looking. At least not the big 4.
     
  11. MrMustard

    MrMustard Road Train Member

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    You're wrong.


    Virgin Mobile:
    [​IMG]
     
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