Glomex webboat 4g or Shakespeare webwatch

[Corky Row]

would appreciate any input on either of these wifi/cell phone extenders. Not interested in OTA antenna input. Plan to be cruising from Mexico to Alaska over next 2 years and would like to be able to get wifi in/around marinas plus use cell service to transmit boat monitoring information for remote access when wifi is not available.

 

[Spinner]

My only comment is that for some areas in the Inside Passage, don’t depend on a cell booster because you can’t boost a cell signal that isn’t there...

 

[Rigtyme]

We have the Glowmex. It’s a WiFi hot spot that allows cell reception up to about 20 miles from the tower. It requires you to set up an account like a cell phone. It does not work with Verizon. AT&T and T-Mobile seem to be the preferred providers. When choosing the provider and plan, beware of data usage. I think T-Mobile has an unlimited data plan, AT&T does not. However, if you have a Direct tv account, you can stream all the Direct tv programs without a data charge, so long as you access Direct tv through the Direct tv app. If you connect through a smart tv, and not through the app, data usage charges apply. The Glomex does not boost the normal cell signal to your phone, it only creates WiFi. Hope this is helpful.

 

[Rigtyme]

This is an update to my previous post. When we originally set up our WeBBoat with AT&T, we used it to watch Directv programming (without data usage charges) and connected our I Phone and I Pads to our large screen TVs via a lightening to HDMI adapter cable (available from Apple). Unfortunately, Directv has now disabled this ability. When I talked to their technical support, I was advised to just watch TV on my phone or tablet. I have now added T-Mobile (which has unlimited data plans, some with free streaming) and will report back next season if there are any coverage issues in our cruising area (So Cal and Catalina). The WebBoat accommodates 2 SIM cards, so we will be able to check coverage with both AT&T and T-Mobile. The new T-Mobile coverage map looks good for Catalina, but we will see.

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

My only comment is that for some areas in the Inside Passage, don’t depend on a cell booster because you can’t boost a cell signal that isn’t there...

Unless you are in a populated area there are no cell signals. Then when you do get a signal in some areas )Wrangell, Petersburg Kake and others, you get 3G and no data.

 

[angus99]

Resuscitating this thread . . .

. . . because it’s time to ditch the much-hated Cradlepoint router on our boat and improve WiFi/cell connectivity.

The review of the Glomex system below is very helpful but I’d appreciate hearing from more users—as well as anyone using the Shakespeare Webwatch system.

Finally, if there are other solutions I should consider, please weigh in.

 

[helm]

We tried multiple solutions to achieve reliable LTE internet connectivity including the Glomex webboat. I would say its performance was mediocre but if you are interested in buying one I can give you a deal on ours - its sitting in my shop.
We moved on to cellular internet service provided by 4 g antenna shop. Their new V5 tablet modem with a Poynting antenna is working very well. Includes band 14 for ATT and carrier aggregation. Basically went from next to no service at one of our favorite delta anchorages to reliable all day service. Since we can only get shoddy DSL service at our house we just use the modem at our house or on our boat with great service.
4gantennashop.com
Poynting Omni 400 antenna was from North West towers -NWtowers.com - they are very knowledgeable and could put together a dependable solution for you as well. Attached was what they suggested to us but we got it working with the solution mentioned above
Best Eric

 

[angus99]

I appreciate the recommendations. Doesn’t take a lot of this subject to get my head spinning.