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Mifi or turn Phone into a Wi-Fi Hotspot? Thought I should ask :)

Forums › Forums › Gear – The Stuff We Carry › Electronic Devices › Mifi or turn Phone into a Wi-Fi Hotspot? Thought I should ask :)

Viewing 7 posts - 16 through 22 (of 22 total)
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  • February 3, 2026 at 5:23 am #150539
    admin
    Keymaster

    I keep it plugged in when I set it up as a hotspot.

    Only do it when the internet is down so that the wife and kid and still surf.

    Otherwise, like mentioned the plugged in method is the way to go.

    February 3, 2026 at 5:23 am #150540
    admin
    Keymaster

    Thanks very much everyone for your help, it’s really appreciated!

    February 3, 2026 at 5:23 am #150541
    admin
    Keymaster

    I would probably go for a regular usb 3G modem stick and plug it into my wireless router (that has usb plug and supports a selection of modems as only or backup connection).

    February 3, 2026 at 5:23 am #150542
    admin
    Keymaster

    Depends on the phone and service. If you have an iPhone and they don’t charge extra for it, I’d use that. As someone else has said, it will probably have better reliability. Also, chances are, you’ll always have it with you. One less gadget to carry.

    Currently, I use an LTE iPad w/ unlimited data. I think my record was 22-24GB in one month.

    February 3, 2026 at 5:23 am #150543
    admin
    Keymaster

    I use my iphone 5 as hotspot alot in the field, works really well

    February 3, 2026 at 5:24 am #150544
    admin
    Keymaster

    I was all set to use an old phone with an unlimited data plan until I found that my wife had packed all the phones up for the move.
    I do have an iPhone 5 and 3GS but didn’t want to go without the better camera as I was thinking of just leaving a phone wired in.
    So I was forced to go for a Mifi which I have not checked the data usage yet but has been very good so far.

    OK, 10GB of data was used within 12 days so I added in a new sim with unlimited data 🙂

    February 3, 2026 at 5:25 am #150545
    admin
    Keymaster

    There are plenty of options, but here is what I would suggest:

    a) ask neighbors whether you could use their wifi for internet access in exchange for a share on the costs. pro: easy, considerably faster in terms of latency and cheap. Con: no control over security measures.

    What I would do is to get a Apple Airport Express and connect it to that WiFi network in order to extend it. And while I am at it, I would plug it into my HiFi for music streaming.

    b) any decent smartphone allows tethering. Use this only as a second choice, as t will be by far more expensive, latency typically makes you feel like if you were using a classic modem and usually you get throttled pretty fast.

    Source: 20 years of experience as a systems administrator, including mobile video streaming.

    —
    Urban EDC philosophy: Getting things done for yourself and others.

    “Inveniam viam aut faciam!” – I will find a way or make one!

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