WiFi Ranger Sky - RV-Dreams Community Forum

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

WiFi Ranger Sky

Nick W · RV-Dreams Community Member

Been moving steadily closer to a decision on a WiFi booster for our 5ver, and am very intrigued by the WiFiRanger Sky. But, am having more than a little difficulty in finding a price for the darn thing. The WiFi Ranger site says it's sold exclusively by the Mito store, yet when I click on the link, I find further adverts, but no price. So, some questions please:

1. Anyone have anything good or bad to say about the Ranger Sky?

2. Anyone have it now, and will recommend it? Or not?

2. Anyone have any idea how much a Sky is going to set me back, and where I can get one?

Thanks in advance for the input.

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I think this is better suited for Technology on the Road thread but if you will type WIFI ranger in the search function you will find a few threads on this topic.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yes, now that your needs and questions have given us more info I can point you to two websites of people who frequent here:

http://www.technomadia.com/category/life-on-the-road/technology/mobile-technology/ - they use WifiRanger

http://www.jackdanmayer.com/communication.htm - has a section on WiFRanger

To boost cell phones or cellular modems (MiFi, hotspot, USB modem) you need a separate amplifier. The technology between WiFi and cellular is so different it makes no sense to make a product that boosts both. But you can provide your own WiFi using the right kind of router to make a USB modem a WiFi source, which does not interfere with boosting the cell phone signal. That is what I do using a Cradlepoint MBR95 router, which is similar to a WiFiRanger Go for about the same street price. The MBR95 has some advantages and some disavantages in comparison to the Go.

-- Edited by bjoyce on Tuesday 9th of April 2013 10:30:17 PM

-- Edited by bjoyce on Tuesday 9th of April 2013 10:31:11 PM

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

I just sent them a Very informative message about how they fail to handle there online customers........as soon as I get a response I will post it along with there I'm sorry discount!!

Nick W · RV-Dreams Community Member

Racerguy wrote:
I think this is better suited for Technology on the Road thread but if you will type WIFI ranger in the search function you will find a few threads on this topic.

I certainly agree about the "better suited" and I apologize. I did a very cursory look at the forum categories, saw "technical", converted that to "technology" and went with it.

Nick W · RV-Dreams Community Member

bjoyce wrote:
It will be cheaper than the WifiRanger Mobile, which is $299.99 ($300), since the Mobile is more powerful. Jack Mayer will eventually come along and should have some insight, since he knows the WifiRanger stuff. Me, I would start with the WifiRanger Go ($109.99) and see if it was enough before spending more. The Go can support USB modems and Ethernet, the Sky is WiFi only and more than half the places we camp do not have WiFi. We have to provide our own WiFi at those places.

-- Edited by bjoyce on Tuesday 9th of April 2013 07:09:22 PM

Thanks Bill, that's exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for. I'm looking forward to Jack's input, as I know he's the "goto" guy for WifiRanger topics.

What I'm really interested in is increasing our ability to use both any available WiFi, and get stronger reception for Cell coverage. Sharon (the beloved DW) works two days a week, and uses her Verizon aircard if WiFi isn't available. Any idea if there's an "all in one" solution for increasing WiFi and Cell coverage?

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

I dont know the area you travel but.....I use a wilson cradle sleek with an external antenna for 3G/4G internet and cellular on Boost Mobile (sprint) for unlimited 55.00 a month no contract........have yet to be in a spot where I dont have a decent signal

and for Wifi I use a homebrew directional dish that has a range of over a mile that can take a single bar unusable connection and bring it up to 4 -5.......total cost of dish set up less than 100.............less than that if you already own most of the pieces

I am normally boondocking on the east coast and upper New England area.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Another couple that deal pretty extensively with the technical aspects of many things go by the username of Technomedia. The last I saw of their setup, and that was some time ago, I believe they had used the WiFiRanger Sky in their system. Perhaps they will chime in as well.

Terry

Nick W · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks Bill. Yeah, I wasn't as clear about my overall desires for WiFi and cellular as I could have been, but I think that is, in part, due to my muddled thinking on the whole subject. I need to keep remembering that solutions for better WiFi and better cellular are going to be different solutions.

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for the shout out guys... sorry I haven't chimed in earlier. My father passed away a couple days ago, and afraid I just haven't had time to surf the forums.

Here's a direct link to our internet setup (which does include a Sky), plus there's an hour long video chat we did on the subject breaking down mobile internet options:

http://www.technomadia.com/internet

- Cherie

-- Edited by Technomadia on Thursday 11th of April 2013 06:15:05 AM

VanMar · RV-Dreams Family Member

Technomadia wrote:
Thanks for the shout out guys... sorry I haven't chimed in earlier. My father passed away a couple days ago, and afraid I just haven't had time to surf the forums.
- Cherie

-- Edited by Technomadia on Thursday 11th of April 2013 06:15:05 AM

Cherie,

Our condolences and deepest sympathy on the loss of your father. You are in our prayers.

Vance and Marla

JayKim-no regrets · RV-Dreams Family Member

Technomadia wrote:
Thanks for the shout out guys... sorry I haven't chimed in earlier. My father passed away a couple days ago, and afraid I just haven't had time to surf the forums.

Here's a direct link to our internet setup (which does include a Sky), plus there's an hour long video chat we did on the subject breaking down mobile internet options:

http://www.technomadia.com/internet

- Cherie

-- Edited by Technomadia on Thursday 11th of April 2013 06:15:05 AM

So sorry to hear about your Dad Cherie I know he was ill, but it still seems to come as a shock when they actually pass. I lost my Dad when I was 21, miss him every day!

Huggies Kim x

Nick W · RV-Dreams Community Member

I join the others in offering my condolences Cherie.

I'll certainly check out your website and your video, then may well have questions.

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Cherie,
Our sincerest condolences for your loss. From your website it's obvious you've both been there for him while he was in hospice.

Sherry & Jesse

Nick W · RV-Dreams Community Member

OK, so now I have a clear distinction in my head about the differences between a cell booster and a wifi booster. And I'll tackle the cell booster eventually. But I still want to know about the Wifi Ranger Sky, it's features, who sells it, and for how much. I've emailed BlueMesh Networks asking them for assistance, but they frankly don't seem too communicative. And I've given up on trying to get through to Mito Corp. All apparent links to the Sky on that site return a "page not found" error.

I recognize that the Wifi Ranger Mobile may well be as good or better than the Sky, and I may well happily choose that option, but for now I really like the wireless, "lash it to the TV antenna" concept of the Sky.

So, now that I've vented, anybody have any advice?

-- Edited by Nick W on Sunday 14th of April 2013 07:16:48 PM

JayKim-no regrets · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have the WiFi ranger, we plug it into the dash and just stick the ranger in the front window, we have free WiFi in the camp here, but every time it rains/gets windy/spaces fill up, we can't get a decent signal from it, we have no issues when we use the ranger, it boosts the signal up over 'excellent' signal. It cost us just under $300 and we wouldn't want to be without it.

huggs Kim x

Nick W · RV-Dreams Community Member

Well, I finally got a price on the WiFi Ranger Sky from MITO, but given that they quoted $499.00 for the unit, I don't think I'll be making that purchase any time soon. I certainly don't understand why it's that pricy, given the opinions here and elsewhere that the Mobile is more powerful, and it's price is $300.

But, in any event, if/when I pull the trigger, I'll probably go with the Mobile. Or take Bill's advice and start with the Go.

-- Edited by Nick W on Friday 26th of April 2013 01:34:03 AM

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

I use a Wilson cell booster ($400) and it works for both my smart phone and my 3G/4G internet hot spot. The antennae works good both inside and out.

FOSJ · RV-Dreams Family Member

For the last 2 years Joan and I have been using the WiFi capability of our cell phones or laptop to tap into campground WiFi whenever possible. As many are aware this type of signal is often weak and inconsistent. Immediately after arriving in our summer campground in Colorado we ordered the WiFi Ranger GO. It boosted our reception from single bar to 4 bars immediately and we have not dropped the signal since we plugged it in. Should we need to boost our reception more we can still order the WFRBoost.