Recommendation for Internet Cellular Connection

For your data, you can get the best bang for your buck and stay on the Verizon network by going with Millenicom Hot spot, which is the Verizon Mifi and you get 20 Gigs a month. It is a router, so you do not need to purchase anything else. Your phones stay on the Verizon plan, which is the best there is for traveling.

You can get a data plan for your Droid and turn it into a wifi hotspot with pda net.

You can get a data plan for your Droid and turn it into a wifi hotspot with pda net

I was thinking about that. If I go that route, I'll need some way to attach the phone to an amp so I guess it would have to be some kind of inductive setup. That sounds OK but I've read that hard wiring is better. We (my wife and I) have the lowest data plan now for our phones, just one gig which is plenty for our needs at home. When traveling in the past we've used between five and six gigs per month but I'm thinking that with 4g connectivity that figure might rise. Anyhow, thanks for your input. Lots to consider.
jor

PS: .No need for PDAnet anymore as the latest Android OS includes the hotspot feature.

Most smartphones lack an antenna port so there is no way to attach a direct-connect amplifier. Many people use the Wilson Sleek cradle amplifier and have found that it provides adequate signal amplification under most circumstances.

Hi,

If data use is going to be high look at Mellenicom in the Verizon "flavor". It offers 20 gigs.

I have the Verizon Mi-Fi 4G hotspot with the Wilson Sleek booster. Worked everywhere we've been in the US and Canada but we don't boondock. If you get a signal the Sleek will boost it a bit faster. We have the window mount taller antenna for the RV and the smaller antenna for the cell phone in the toad.

IMPORTANT --- How much data will you need each month? Makes a huge difference in options and/or cost.

MORE IMPORTANT --- Before buying into any service, check coverage in the areas you plan to frequent. Nothing will be more disappointing than setting up a nice 20gb service and finding you have no signal at your favorite camping spot!

If Mellenicom will work where you're going, its a terrific option. If 20gb will suffice (little or no video streaming), a Mellenicom hotspot and plan is your best bet. Simple and effective.

If you want the ability to select between several internet sources, like aircards, multiple hotspots, campground wifi, etc...., then investing a Wifi Ranger type setup may make sense for you. All of your devices can be set up to connect to the WFR and you can select which source the WFR is then connected to. Very flexible, but still a bit of a work in progress.

Thanks to all for the advice. I'm thinking the Millenicom deal is the way to go. Still pondering about external antenna and amp. I can get the mifi/Sleek deal but I wonder if the inductive setup might be less capable than a hard wired deal. I definitely want an external antenna and amp having used a mifi alone extensively. Also appreciate the advice on coverage areas.
jor

I looked into Millenicom on Verizon and asked what the cost of exceeding the 20GB limit was. I was told that if you go over they simply shut you down until the next month.

If you don't think that you will ever need more than 20GB then Millenicom is a good solution but if you think you might go over some months it may not.

Millenicom does have an unlimited plan but it uses the Sprint network and is limited to 3G (as opposed to 4G). I had that plan a few years ago and hated it. Sprint's coverage (IMO) is terrible compared to Verizon and even though I had an unlimited plan, any month that I exceeded 20GB of data I would get an email from Millenicon chiding me for using more data than I should.

Hi,

Hard wire is always better--but no phones come with antenna ports any more. My brother uses a Wilson Sleek 3g version and it works well.