Clear for Internet access, routers, etc...

I rarely use Netflix... Things just add up quickly...
 
You have to be streaming or downloading mucho video and/or one heck of a lot of music to get over even 8 gigs. There's no other way there, even with zero time on wi-fi. I'm usually about 3 gigs when cruising full time (i.e. no wifi) . But watch the Olympics, some ball games, lots of You Tube music videos, download a movie video or two, listen to some Pandora and there's 12 gigs before you know it.
 
As been said, videos can suck up usage fast, average movie is about 1GB
I downloaded the Hd version of Prometheus last week, close to 5GB!
 
I ll have to check my precise usage, sometimes i put my card in Charmer's router so guests can connect which may explain the volume. Plus the helmcam
 
If you do get Clear please report back and let us know how it is. It wouldn't be a bad solution for me either - but I have heard horror stories of low speeds, bad connections, etc...
 
Pascal we used a web cam and did not see any appreciable increase in consumption if the cam uploaded every two minutes.
With all of the choices in plans, we find ourselves in a confusing situation. It's almost like there is no clear solution. :D
And since we boat, and use wifi on the water, we are interested in this discussion as well. For example, we can get phone numbers for alternative marinas, and check local weather. It comes in very handy when you have the internet on a boat.
 
I'm not sure how any live aboard or cruiser could stay on the boat without some form of the internet. If you are self employeed your time will be very limited on your boat even if your a retired cruiser weather maps, paying bills on-line heck even reading BE can be fun when the weather isn't cooperating. If you run a charter it's great for the guests.
Dan, George and Pascal all bring up great points for having internet access on a cruiser. Now if you have a day boat or a bass boat I can understand there wouldn't be much need for internet data service.
I would just warn anyone thinking about Clear if you are stationary and it works in your area you should be fine until 2014 which in the electronics communications field might as well be a decade. I doubt the network will be shuttered before it is finally converted to another signalling format (currently WiMAX) the conversion will be to LTE-TDD but I doubt the coverage will grow without a fresh infusion of investors. Currently it's been the opposite the investors have mostly hidden from it or sold it off for pennies on the dollar. It's main problem is the frequency band it operates in 2500 to 2700MHz just above the US 2.4 WiFi band. I will say where you have a solid signal it works great but look at the current US coverage map and it's not growing.
http://www.clear.com/coverage
 
Holy poop, Bill, they consider that "coverage"? Heck, cablewifi.com has more coverage than Clear!
 
Just an FYI Pascal your webcam trips would be limited to about 20% of their current coverage that you get on AT&T and I am being generous to Clear.
Bill
 
Oh i know... But it s twice a year at the most, I could tether my iPhone
 
Ok well I didn't think about your iPhone that changes things.
Bill
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

Ok well I didn't think about your iPhone that changes things.
Bill

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Unless he is paying the Piper for it already, one thing it will change (up) is his bill for his iPhone, the other thing if he has it, will be no more unlimited data on his iPhone either. There's no free lunch..
 
I've been using Clear for about 6 months at our marina. Works very well there but as been pointed out coverage is very limited. I also have Verizon which actually sucks at our marina but works well most places we travel to. Hate having two services but it's a necessary evil for us.
 
That's amazing Verizon sucks at Liberty Landing. Their headquarters is only about 15 miles west of there in Basking Ridge and you're pretty much in the midst of things between the port and Jersey City. Interesting.
 
George at Liberty Landing VZW has capacity & interference issues they have not been able to resolve (mainly zoning involving the need for another site). Rommer is lucky he is within a 1/2 mile of the closest Clear tower from Liberty.
I find Verizon 4G to have by far the largest coverage area along the Northeast coast (4G). I'm not comparing AT&T's 3.5G to it but they are a close second. I also agree no more unlimited iPHONE plans not unless SPRINT can convince you to use one on their older CDMA network which is being upgraded via *Network Vision*. However to take full advantage of Network Vision might require purchasing a newer not yet released i-PHONE and waiting for the Network Vision equipment to be installed at their current CDMA sites.
 
As far as a router look at the newer CradlePoint routers. These have a consumer interface page called the "Dashboard". They support almost all the modern modems and are constantly updated or supported for many of the latest cards. The Kyocera KR2 is too old for many of the newer 3G/4G modems. Again the 3G store is a good place to look at them and read reviews. Purchasing can be done at a discount house if you don't want the 3G store's support.
Bill
 
Bill, don't you mean 4GStore.com? :-) (yes, they were smart enough to grab that domain name too)

Pascal, I think Bill's recommendation of a Cradlepoint router may be a good option for you. The CTR35 at 3G/4G store is $60. The interface is super-easy to work with and it will interface with both an ethernet connect and a USB 3G/4G dongle/modem. I have mine connected to my Rogue Wave Wi-Fi system most of the time. I also will pull the Verizon 4G SIM out of my phone and put it in a USB modem when Wi-Fi isn't available. If I understand your OP correctly, I think the CTR35 (which, btw, is about the size of an iPhone and runs on 12v or AC power adapter) along with a USB modem would suit you well. I'd recommend you find a used USB modem for AT&T and pull the SIM out of your iPhone when you need it. When I do that I forward my calls to my Google Voice number and I can still make and receive phone calls.
 
quote:
Originally posted by mixman

Bill, don't you mean 4GStore.com? :-) (yes, they were smart enough to grab that domain name too)

Pascal, I think Bill's recommendation of a Cradlepoint router may be a good option for you. The CTR35 at 3G/4G store is $60. The interface is super-easy to work with and it will interface with both an ethernet connect and a USB 3G/4G dongle/modem. I have mine connected to my Rogue Wave Wi-Fi system most of the time. I also will pull the Verizon 4G SIM out of my phone and put it in a USB modem when Wi-Fi isn't available. If I understand your OP correctly, I think the CTR35 (which, btw, is about the size of an iPhone and runs on 12v or AC power adapter) along with a USB modem would suit you well. I'd recommend you find a used USB modem for AT&T and pull the SIM out of your iPhone when you need it. When I do that I forward my calls to my Google Voice number and I can still make and receive phone calls.

Click to expand...

Kurt either site will be helpful they are the same company. The site is well laid out and even has a review section.
Bill
 
Thks guys!

Been busy on charger over the past few days but need to take care of it this week. That AT&T globetrotter modem is a pain, it s actually getting worst. From day 1 it was acting with AT&T software. I Ended up downloading globe trotter software but it never really worked 100%.

This week end the cam was up only 75% of the time at columbus day regatta (it s a shame.. Lots of action :) )
 
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