Car's OnStar Hot Spot question
I posted this question on another thread, but figured it may be better to post as a new topic. My Car has the On Star WIfi Hot Spot. I camp every weekend and want WIFI for the RV. My question is, ...
Forum Discussion
CA Traveler wrote:
WiFi is a standard so any repeater should be OK. But with a 50' range the repeater will have to be able to use that signal. And a weak signal may reduce bandwidth.
So does the ignition have to be on for On Star to work like my car? That would be a nice way to run down the battery.
For me I saw very limited value to On Star vs a cell phone. But that's my take.
ignition doesn't need to be on. but then wifi will shut off after about 10 or 15 minutes. get in passenger side, turn key to accy, wait for wifi to come on, take key out of ignition, get out passenger side.
fine for us since when we are camping, other than maybe checking email or a quick message, don't use wifi or phones much. But if you want to stream video, well, not good.
Getting out drivers side will turn off wifi.
compared to some other options it may or may not be a better deal than the obdII dongle.
Onstar wifi and phone transmitter has a better antenna and higher power than a phone or the obdII dongle. So, if your in a marginal area it may give you coverage that other options won't.
We have several spots where GSM or CDMA phones give zip, but onstar gives good phone and decent wifi, course in these areas, it's usually 3G anyway even if you could connect with your phone.
But if you don't travel in areas with marginal coverage, doesn't give much advantage and the obdII dongle is probably a better solution.
