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Old 08-03-2013, 09:46 AM   #4
Pau Hana
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City: Seattle, WA
Vessel Name: Pau Hana
Vessel Model: 1989 PT52 Overseas Yachtfisher
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,676
Quote:
Originally Posted by jungpeter View Post
Hi Peter,

My choice for our trip through BC to AK this summer was to go with Verizon MiFi. IF you go this route, my suggestion is you selected an international data plan, and ACTIVATE IT before you cross the Canadian border. Otherwise, the roaming and data charges will bring you to your knees while in Canada. Judicious use of data, such as Environmental Canada for weather, and minimal web searching for phone numbers as needed while in Canada, let us get by with $25/100Mb of data without breaking the bank. No downloads of video's to a smart phone, no uploads of huge picture files to/from friends via facebook, no perusing various blog sites while underway, and use of the WWW essentially restricted to text emails as necessary.

But coverage was fairly good throughout Desolation Sound and the Broughtons, especially when near major metro areas such as Nanaimo, Campbell River, Port McNeill, etc. FYI, nothingfurther north than Port Hardy until Prince Rupert, however. Tiny bit in Shearwater, but despite Verizon's claim of coverage in that area, throughput was lousy.

IMHO, RUN, don't walk, away from anything associated with BBX. Tried it for years, and finally gave up, even in my home port of Everett. Simply a POS, even with direct line of sight to the marina transmit antenna, about 1/4 mile away.

Some marinas in the vicinity of Vancouver Island have subscription WiFi, but it's usually VERY slow, and spendy for what you get. There are a few "free" WiFi hot spots around, but they are again in major metro areas, and you usually have to hike around to find them.

Hope this helps.

Pete
This is exactly the info I am looking for. I'm on AT&T, and the better half is on Verizon. We're going to look at at MiFi today, and also explore the option of using her iPhone as a hotspot.

Mucho Gracias, Pete!
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Peter- Marine Insurance Guru at Novamar Insurance Group (206-350-5051) & tuna fishing addict!

1989 52' PT Overseas yachtfisher
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