Wifi for Car Trip

[4 6 3 DP]

So in the Blind forum I posted that I was taking my kids on a driving trip. They have requested some wifi along the way. When I let them use my phone as a hot spot, they absolutely destroy its data (like used 2GB in hours) - wondering if there is a more efficient way to buy wifi for a trip that doesn't require an annual contract so that I have sanity in the car for a week.

Thanks!

 

[uncannymanny]

Look into a MiFi hotspot. http://www.verizonwireless.com/internet-devices/verizon-jetpack-4g-lte-mobile-hotspot-mifi6620l/

Also just predownload content instead of streaming tons of data intensive video.

 

[Hambone]

https://yourkarma.com/

Pay as you go wifi service. Hardware is $149. Then you can get 1GB for $14, 5 for $59 or $10 for $99. Data never expires, so I think I've been using the same 5GB for 6 or so months now.


This link will get you $10 off (full disclosure I a get $10 credit too, so there may be better deals out there)

https://yourkarma.com/invite/dzezrr

 

[AlNipper49]

You're not going to find a great option. It's more cost-effective just downloading content to the phone or whatever before you leave.

 

[4 6 3 DP]

Kids want to play Clash on their IPads is the killer.

 

[AlNipper49]

Not going to work for a long car trip. Unless you don't mind paying effectively $15/hr for them to be playing CoC

 

[4 6 3 DP]

Frankly thats probably cheap not to listen to them bitch.

 

[derekson]

Seems like it's cheaper to just pay the overage on data for the phone bill than investing in a Mifi or similar device and then buying service on that.

 

[Saints Rest]

Don't forget that all of these services will not be uninterrupted service. I travel MetroNorth from NYC to Stratford CT pretty regularly and both ATT (my iPad) and Verizon (iPhone) have dead areas. And this is going thru densely populated and affluent areas. Lord knows what dead areas you might find on your trip. And even when an area isn't truly dead, the connection may prove weak enough that it won't work for anything that is streaming large quantities of data (be it movies or online gaming)/

 

[The Napkin]

Frankly thats probably cheap not to listen to them bitch.

how much is a bottle of benadryl?

 

[HriniakPosterChild]

Kids want to play Clash on their IPads is the killer.

Just download London Calling and Sandinista and be done with it. Those were the only ones that mattered.

 

[Marceline]

Check out Freedompop, you can get a Hotspot with some pretty cheap plans available. First 1gb free.

 

[jayhoz]

If they don't need the Internet, but need movies or TV shows to stream then buy one of these and load it up.

 

[mauf]

Don't forget that all of these services will not be uninterrupted service. I travel MetroNorth from NYC to Stratford CT pretty regularly and both ATT (my iPad) and Verizon (iPhone) have dead areas. And this is going thru densely populated and affluent areas. Lord knows what dead areas you might find on your trip. And even when an area isn't truly dead, the connection may prove weak enough that it won't work for anything that is streaming large quantities of data (be it movies or online gaming)/

Surprisingly, I have found that cell service (including data) is remarkably good on rural interstates, much more so than in major metropolitan areas. Haven't driven through any truly remote areas (in the Great Plains or the Mountain West) in years, so I can't speak to reception in those areas.

 

[derekson]

Cell service from the major carriers seems to be pretty good along interstates in my experience, even in the middle of nowhere. It's when you go a few miles off of the interstate that it goes to shit.

When I was at Cornell, people with T-Mobile could literally only get service in one spot on the entire campus, which was basically at the top of the highest hill.

 

[crystalline]

. Haven't driven through any truly remote areas (in the Great Plains or the Mountain West) in years,

Eh. Much of Pennsylvania has crappy service on interstates. 84, 380, rural rt 6, the Turnpike and TP NE extension all have significant dead spots. 80 and 81 and areas around Philly are usually good, however.

So I guess my point is that northern and central PA are truly remote areas. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure that's news to anyone...

 

[canderson]

Eh. Much of Pennsylvania has crappy service on interstates. 84, 380, rural rt 6, the Turnpike and TP NE extension all have significant dead spots. 80 and 81 and areas around Philly are usually good, however.

So I guess my point is that northern and central PA are truly remote areas. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure that's news to anyone...

I've never not had service fwiw on any of the roads. I have AT&T.

Should add I've never been on 6 often, but 76 abd 276 most definitely.

 

[SumnerH]

Depends a lot on the terrain. In the mountains in western NC you'll have full, strong service and then drop into a valley and have none and then 2 minutes later come back up and be at full strength again.

 

[TimNJsoxfan]

If you have Verizon wireless, you can increase your data plan for your current month and then switch back to your current plan at the start of your next billing cycle.