How do you monitor data usage with StraightTalk Hotspot?

From the ST website:

How to Choose a Network

If you live in an area served by both carriers, the Straight Talk website will offer you phones from both carriers. However, if you know Verizon (or AT&T) has better coverage where you live, you will probably want to get a phone that works on the better network.

While not explicitly providing this information on their website, Straight Talk has made it easy to tell. Just look at the letter code at the end of the phone model. If it is a “G”, it is a GSM phone and will work over AT&T; if a “C” it is a CDMA phone and will work over Verizon. For example, the LG100C is a CDMA phone, while the LG620G is a GSM phone.

When you purchase a StraightTalk Hotspot, can you actually specify that you want Verizon service?

Thanks to everyone! I appreciate the comments.

lawrosa wrote:
I have the hot spot, and although you can check online, what happens when you run out of gigs in the middle of the woods?

If it cuts you off you will have no internet to buy a new plan.

I guess if you have a smart phone you can do it through that.

I know the internal software dont tell you. all it gives is a link that takes toy to the straight talk site where you check the balance..

I found out if I go to netflix before the trip I can lower the bit rate to .3 gigs an hour. Thats good enough for my kids to watch movies during the weekend with a 2 or 4 gig card..

They have auto refill but what I read it refills on the end date and not when you run out of gigs.. But I never tried it or ran out to see...

You can always get to their page to get more or pack a spare card otherwise once you ran out there would no way to restart service

I have the hot spot, and although you can check online, what happens when you run out of gigs in the middle of the woods?

It has been a few months since using mine but if I remember correctly:

1- You can put more gigs " in reserve " and it will kick in when yours run out

2-if you don't use reserve and purchase new gigs online or by phone I think it may wipe out any time you have left on the current card

3- I think what we did when we were running low is we would put a new amount in reserve

4-if you have phone service you can also call ST and get time ( if you happen to totally run out ) , or go to a fast food joint and use their wifi to get more time

hope that makes sense. It is the way I remember doing it

You can download a tracking program to your pc
But if you have multiple devices, you need a tracking app on each device and then manually total them

mikeleblanc413,

I too have an older unit, but there is a place in the menu that allows you to "check usage". My experience is that this doesn't always work though.
Another way, is to use a separate router (between the Straight Talk MiFi and your computer(s)) that has a data counter built in.
The beauty of this device is the low (or no) monthly costs. Just pay for what/when you need it. But just keep in mind that it isn't very fast.
Facebook works, our home cameras work, this website works, email works .... when we have a good connection.
But if you want to download movies or audio, then it is not the product for you....at least the older one that I have.

lawrosa,
As long as you have service available, the device will connect to order more data. Just can't surf the web...

I have the hot spot, and although you can check online, what happens when you run out of gigs in the middle of the woods?

If it cuts you off you will have no internet to buy a new plan.

I guess if you have a smart phone you can do it through that.

I know the internal software dont tell you. all it gives is a link that takes toy to the straight talk site where you check the balance..

I found out if I go to netflix before the trip I can lower the bit rate to .3 gigs an hour. Thats good enough for my kids to watch movies during the weekend with a 2 or 4 gig card..

They have auto refill but what I read it refills on the end date and not when you run out of gigs.. But I never tried it or ran out to see...

Thanks riven1950. I must have misread the info. Thought the only way was to call StraightTalk. The hotspot should be in Friday. I'll check it out. Is it your experience that they keep the usage up to date and not several days behind? Thank you for your input.