Wanted to follow up on this video 48 hours later. I am sending it back to HomeFi and have made the appropriate arrangements. Network uptime (best practice) is 99.999% (although that is the goal, it is virtually impossible to achieve). This product, in my specific use case, came in at 78.026% percent uptime across 48 hours. I have the data that shows when coverage would drop (and being cell based, may be purely on the wireless carrier), but it did not meet my requirements, nor need requirements.
Thanks for the video/review. So, in short, are you saying the service is unreliable over all? I didn't watch the full video so can you please touch in the major points that caused you to give up, like the speed when the service was working, did even up time fluctuate on speed and to what degree, and whatever else you can think of. Also did you return before or after the allotted week, and if after, did the service start out good then fall apart after the weeks return period? Thanks again.
@@jackm6307 I understand the video might have been TLDL for some. The service was unreliable (Connection) for the types of areas that I knew we would be using it in most (boondocking). There is a speed graphic (albeit a short timeline, but it didn't change much over the 4 days I let it run). I let the system burn in for the first 24 hours, and speeds were marginal for cost offering. I returned the device after 4 days (three under the requirement) and it still took a month to get refund. Good luck and Adventure on!
Thanks for the unbiased review. My use case would be a work from home (on wheels), senerio. It's definitely not an alternative. Low-level satellite it will be for me! Thanks again!
Thank you so much, this is very helpful. We currently have Starlink but do not get anywhere near the speed it's supposed to because our home is surrounded by large trees (and we refuse to cut any down). In your experience with HomeFi, would it work ok in such surroundings? So when you are in your RV, this device pulls signals from other carriers or do you have to sign up for a particular carrier? My apologies for not knowing much about how all this works. I appreciate your information!
We are in a similar situation with trees (our house backs up to a National Forest). This is largely the reason that I returned the device (as the forest plays a massive role in cell tower coverage being so poor in the majority of our area). The device will function on any carrier's signal (No specific carrier signup required). The toggling between carriers was a feature that I did like, its limitation is just the natural foliage in our use case. Our Starlink still beats the HomeFi offering, so that is what we have stuck with. Good luck!
@@bobbygreenwell8836 thank you so much! I was thinking that, perhaps, the HomeFi set up would work in our RV when we are in areas without WiFi connections. But perhaps using our phone's LTE would be sufficient.
Is there a better antenna system available that will work with the modem you were using?? I’m wondering if I upgrad the antenna would it improve my speed??
Elevation and power gain are the kings for this type of communication setup. I am sure there are antenna options out there that could help, but they are probably not going to be a good solution due to space limitations (Antenna height being one of the main ones). Power gain is also part of the equation (think Repeater or Booster), but it will also have its limitations with this equipment setup (and those like it on the market).
Before I can really offer much, I need to better understand how you are using them (or intend to). Are you remotely monitoring or locally? Are there cameras in multiple geo locations (sticks and bricks as well as on rv)? I love security cameras, so I would be happy to hear more.
I don't know if I missed it, but which Homefi device were you using? (I think there are 3?) The orange puck, the lte with a bunch of antennas & a 5g box... Thank you for the thorough review. 💜
@minamarie1983 I used the LTE device (with the 6 multiple in/multiple out) antennas. It did toggle between carriers, but did not provide enough consistent Cell-based coverage for me to consider it "reliable". This is not necessarily a limitation of Homefi's hardware, and more of a carrier issue.
@@bobbygreenwell8836 ah, I see, thank you for replying. I've been looking into them but I know the "5G" here is very unreliable(connected but no data, mostly), with 4G I can catch a signal here & there, & sometimes a even decent one... So I've been on the fence about homefi altogether & also confused as to which one I should try. A lot of people think the 4g lte one is better than the 5g, so thank you for confirming. ☺️
So..'speed' test was Homefi and 'starlink' was starlink? Sry just want to be sure. Im supposed to get dsl on phone landline up to 15mbps next week in rural-ish AL. I have ok cell service here. I dont use it for work but may need some big downloads for ps gaming offline or streaming a game on ps+. But not really playing online against others. That and streaming movies but only 2-3 devices at most.
@@bobbygreenwell8836 hi, can u help answer a question ?(thank u!) Im not the smartest about this, so Im in rural AL and I currently get 3-4 bars 4glte or 2-3 bars 5g (switches a lot) in one spot in back bedroom near window(where all devices are anyway) on my att samsung s23 ultra. I have another tmobile cheap phone for music/etc set to 4g lte network (cant figure out how to do s23..) but if near window gets 2-3 bars used mostly music/movies/tv not the best but does ok. I have dsl available for $70/mo. using existing phone lines (TDS service up to 15 mbps dl speed)no contract or upfront costs. Or homefi home internet(dont intend to get portable hotspot for traveling) for about 80-100/mo. And at least tds has a customer service phone # and repair dept... (Currently no home internet yet..movies on phone or maybe download some games but not really play online vs other players very much. Maybe 2-3 devices, cell phone(s), ps4, and maybe tv at most) Any thoughts you have are welcome!
BS fake account with to advertise Homefi internet. Conveniently has one more video of him hiking to “prove” it’s a real account. Homefi can’t beat Starlink.
Why in the name of all that's holy can people not just get to the damned point? 7 minutes in and absolutely no useful information yet! He does love the sound of his own voice, doesn't he?
I appreciate your perspective, unfortunately your opinion is not shared by everyone. I hope you find what you are looking for, as it is clearly not here. I would love to hear (or see) anything productive you have created for everyone's benefit.
Honestly, why are you criticizing this presentation? The man goes to a lot of trouble giving details - I do not mind hearing about his background and experiences. He is saving us a lot of money and frustration by letting us know that HomeFi is not for everyone. So what if he gives more information about himself? I appreciate the fact that he took the time to explain it all in detail. Let's all be a bit more respectful and appreciative - and not lower to the levels that social media is pushing. Having said that, I also respect your opinions, but find you are unfair to the presenter.
Given your criticism, sounds more like you like “hearing your own voice” in the form of posting critical rants on the internet…. He warned you eatly on that his information wasn’t for everyone. Those of us with technical expertise don’t mind the level-setting of his background and appreciate his discussion of the methodology he used.
Wanted to follow up on this video 48 hours later. I am sending it back to HomeFi and have made the appropriate arrangements. Network uptime (best practice) is 99.999% (although that is the goal, it is virtually impossible to achieve). This product, in my specific use case, came in at 78.026% percent uptime across 48 hours. I have the data that shows when coverage would drop (and being cell based, may be purely on the wireless carrier), but it did not meet my requirements, nor need requirements.
Thanks for the video/review. So, in short, are you saying the service is unreliable over all? I didn't watch the full video so can you please touch in the major points that caused you to give up, like the speed when the service was working, did even up time fluctuate on speed and to what degree, and whatever else you can think of. Also did you return before or after the allotted week, and if after, did the service start out good then fall apart after the weeks return period? Thanks again.
@@jackm6307 I understand the video might have been TLDL for some. The service was unreliable (Connection) for the types of areas that I knew we would be using it in most (boondocking). There is a speed graphic (albeit a short timeline, but it didn't change much over the 4 days I let it run). I let the system burn in for the first 24 hours, and speeds were marginal for cost offering. I returned the device after 4 days (three under the requirement) and it still took a month to get refund. Good luck and Adventure on!
@@bobbygreenwell8836
Thanks, much, Bobby for the quick reply...very helpful, and good luck on whatever you decide on.
Thanks for the unbiased review. My use case would be a work from home (on wheels), senerio. It's definitely not an alternative. Low-level satellite it will be for me! Thanks again!
@@chadbarney4612 I think you made a good decision. Safe travels and Adventure On!
Thank you for this review. Look forward to hearing more.
Appreciate it.
Thank you so much, this is very helpful. We currently have Starlink but do not get anywhere near the speed it's supposed to because our home is surrounded by large trees (and we refuse to cut any down). In your experience with HomeFi, would it work ok in such surroundings? So when you are in your RV, this device pulls signals from other carriers or do you have to sign up for a particular carrier? My apologies for not knowing much about how all this works. I appreciate your information!
We are in a similar situation with trees (our house backs up to a National Forest). This is largely the reason that I returned the device (as the forest plays a massive role in cell tower coverage being so poor in the majority of our area). The device will function on any carrier's signal (No specific carrier signup required). The toggling between carriers was a feature that I did like, its limitation is just the natural foliage in our use case. Our Starlink still beats the HomeFi offering, so that is what we have stuck with. Good luck!
@@bobbygreenwell8836 thank you so much! I was thinking that, perhaps, the HomeFi set up would work in our RV when we are in areas without WiFi connections. But perhaps using our phone's LTE would be sufficient.
Is there a better antenna system available that will work with the modem you were using?? I’m wondering if I upgrad the antenna would it improve my speed??
Elevation and power gain are the kings for this type of communication setup. I am sure there are antenna options out there that could help, but they are probably not going to be a good solution due to space limitations (Antenna height being one of the main ones). Power gain is also part of the equation (think Repeater or Booster), but it will also have its limitations with this equipment setup (and those like it on the market).
How did this perform on your trips?
I never got that far in testing. Returned it for a refund about 2 days after this video. It could not keep a solid cell connection.
I like how you explained in detail! My main concern is my security cameras!what do you think
Before I can really offer much, I need to better understand how you are using them (or intend to). Are you remotely monitoring or locally? Are there cameras in multiple geo locations (sticks and bricks as well as on rv)? I love security cameras, so I would be happy to hear more.
signal stretgh varies depending on your location just like a cellphone, because it's using the same technology.
I don't know if I missed it, but which Homefi device were you using? (I think there are 3?) The orange puck, the lte with a bunch of antennas & a 5g box... Thank you for the thorough review. 💜
@minamarie1983
I used the LTE device (with the 6 multiple in/multiple out) antennas. It did toggle between carriers, but did not provide enough consistent Cell-based coverage for me to consider it "reliable". This is not necessarily a limitation of Homefi's hardware, and more of a carrier issue.
@@bobbygreenwell8836 ah, I see, thank you for replying. I've been looking into them but I know the "5G" here is very unreliable(connected but no data, mostly), with 4G I can catch a signal here & there, & sometimes a even decent one... So I've been on the fence about homefi altogether & also confused as to which one I should try. A lot of people think the 4g lte one is better than the 5g, so thank you for confirming. ☺️
So..'speed' test was Homefi and 'starlink' was starlink? Sry just want to be sure. Im supposed to get dsl on phone landline up to 15mbps next week in rural-ish AL. I have ok cell service here. I dont use it for work but may need some big downloads for ps gaming offline or streaming a game on ps+. But not really playing online against others. That and streaming movies but only 2-3 devices at most.
@@joblo2671 Yes. Probably should have labeled them "HomeFi" and "Starlink", but these were the only two transport systems tested against each other.
@@bobbygreenwell8836 hi, can u help answer a question ?(thank u!) Im not the smartest about this, so Im in rural AL and I currently get 3-4 bars 4glte or 2-3 bars 5g (switches a lot) in one spot in back bedroom near window(where all devices are anyway) on my att samsung s23 ultra. I have another tmobile cheap phone for music/etc set to 4g lte network (cant figure out how to do s23..) but if near window gets 2-3 bars used mostly music/movies/tv not the best but does ok. I have dsl available for $70/mo. using existing phone lines (TDS service up to 15 mbps dl speed)no contract or upfront costs. Or homefi home internet(dont intend to get portable hotspot for traveling) for about 80-100/mo. And at least tds has a customer service phone # and repair dept...
(Currently no home internet yet..movies on phone or maybe download some games but not really play online vs other players very much. Maybe 2-3 devices, cell phone(s), ps4, and maybe tv at most)
Any thoughts you have are welcome!
Bro really saved me some time
Glad it helped.
BS fake account with to advertise Homefi internet. Conveniently has one more video of him hiking to “prove” it’s a real account. Homefi can’t beat Starlink.
@adammoran8935 You are part of what makes the world great! Hope you find what you are looking for.
Why in the name of all that's holy can people not just get to the damned point? 7 minutes in and absolutely no useful information yet! He does love the sound of his own voice, doesn't he?
I appreciate your perspective, unfortunately your opinion is not shared by everyone. I hope you find what you are looking for, as it is clearly not here. I would love to hear (or see) anything productive you have created for everyone's benefit.
Oh c'mon man. Didn't you enjoy learning about his back ground, where he lives, where he travels to, future plans...?
Honestly, why are you criticizing this presentation? The man goes to a lot of trouble giving details - I do not mind hearing about his background and experiences. He is saving us a lot of money and frustration by letting us know that HomeFi is not for everyone. So what if he gives more information about himself? I appreciate the fact that he took the time to explain it all in detail. Let's all be a bit more respectful and appreciative - and not lower to the levels that social media is pushing. Having said that, I also respect your opinions, but find you are unfair to the presenter.
Given your criticism, sounds more like you like “hearing your own voice” in the form of posting critical rants on the internet…. He warned you eatly on that his information wasn’t for everyone. Those of us with technical expertise don’t mind the level-setting of his background and appreciate his discussion of the methodology he used.