Insty Connect Mobile Internet Router - The Best RV WiFi Solution?

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 23 сер 2024
  • Is the Insty Connect the best RV WiFi solution? This product gives you tons of options for dialing in the perfect LTE signal. In this video, we set up the Insty Connect start to finish, and then take it on the road to test out what kind of speeds we can get at a random rest stop off of I-5 here in Oregon. Whether you live in an RV, an off grid cabin, a campground, or just in a rural area where Internet may not be easily available, the Insty Connect Mobile Internet Router may be the WiFi solution you're looking for!
    Product links (affiliate)
    Insty Connect: instyconnect.com?aff=1115
    Crosstalk SIM cards: Email info@crosstalksolutions.com for a quote on Crosstalk's unlimited and unthrottled AT&T SIM cards!
    -----------------
    Buy me a beer! ko-fi.com/cros...
    Or donate some Crypto! crosstalksolut...
    Follow me on Twitter: @crosstalksol
    Crosstalk Solutions - RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS: crosstalksolut...
    Crosstalk Discord: / discord
    Amazon Wish List: a.co/7dRXc67
    Crosstalk Solutions offers best practice phone systems and network/wireless infrastructure design/deployment. Visit CrosstalkSolut... for details.
    Connect with Chris:
    Twitter: @CrosstalkSol
    LinkedIn: goo.gl/j2Ucgg
    UA-cam: goo.gl/g4G58M

КОМЕНТАРІ • 87

  • @cg.claudio
    @cg.claudio 2 роки тому +5

    Great walk-through video Chris! Thanks for being so thorough. I’ve been using the Insty since last summer (book docking the north/southwest in my Airstream) and I’ve had great results. Excited to try the Binocular antennae - those results you showed were epic!

  • @WeCanExploreIt
    @WeCanExploreIt 2 роки тому +3

    Chris - Nick from Insty Connect here - THANKS for the review!👍

    • @CrosstalkSolutions
      @CrosstalkSolutions  2 роки тому

      Cheers - thanks Nick. I enjoyed testing out the equipment even though it was very cold!

  • @happiicamper
    @happiicamper 2 роки тому +6

    Great walkthrough. I have used this system since it came out. Works GREAT. Live in CO. Lots of mountains. Have had service with this where cell phones did not. Life changer for me working/playing from my camper :).

    • @WillSmidlein
      @WillSmidlein 2 роки тому +1

      What carrier are you using and what speeds do you see up in the mountains? Thanks!

    • @CrosstalkSolutions
      @CrosstalkSolutions  2 роки тому

      Great feedback - thanks for sharing!

  • @flatlandtexan1853
    @flatlandtexan1853 2 роки тому

    Living in the “Giant Side” of Texas, where population is not concentrated, this looks to be a fantastic option. I laughed at your comment about being a quarter mile to a tower! Great video, and excellent detail.

  • @seanpalmer8472
    @seanpalmer8472 2 роки тому +3

    I was just using that website yesterday to look up cell tower info. My brother just bought a house (without visiting it in person before buying it) and moved in last week. He found when he arrived that there was no cell signal. He talked to the neighbors and they confirmed that the street was indeed a cellular dead-zone. I looked up their address and found out that the nearest tower was ~4.5 miles away...but there was a hill in the way. To actually get line-of-sight from the house, he would need at least a 90 ft. tower/mast. He does have a decent cable connection, so at least he can make calls over Wi-Fi.

  • @AndrewWells527
    @AndrewWells527 2 роки тому +4

    The tower selection is pretty cool. For example, you could be in an RV park outside of town with a rural, overwhelmed cell tower. Everyone else with their cell phones have good signal but poor data. You however have a powerful enough antenna to reach a tower in town. Might be a less of a cellular signal but the tower itself has an unsaturated backhaul.
    Also worth noting that if you are in good coverage w/o the booster, the booster can make your data experience WORSE. This is because they typically only have 2 or so MiMo channels, and your phone may have more.

    • @juri14111996
      @juri14111996 2 роки тому

      sadly the usb modem only has a 2x2 mimo, unknown revision of lte.

  • @engrpiman
    @engrpiman 2 роки тому

    I deployed a Cisco ISR 1121 router for mobile trailers and they have been rock solid. Kind of expensive at $3k but it work great as long as there is LTE. It can also take dual sim cards so you can do Verizon and ATT.
    This solution looks really bulky.
    Your solution is a good price

  • @johnpoldo8817
    @johnpoldo8817 2 роки тому

    Fascinating solution. Kudos to Chris for demonstrating this tech.
    Mobile Starlink, when available, seems more attractive. It costs less and doesn’t require antenna orientation. It may deliver higher speed too.

    • @juri14111996
      @juri14111996 2 роки тому

      the solution i am building for myself has more bandwith, but a bit more latency.
      The core of my system i a old Firewall (you can use any PC or even Raspberry Pi) running OpenMptcpRouter to do wan bonding. This combines the bandwidth of my 3 Netgeaar Nighthawk M1, My Phone (ethernet Therthering) and i can pull ethernet to an router (at friends or at home).
      It will be no problem to ad starlink to, just connect it to one of the 7 wan ports.
      In future i will use some rpi to do a wifi bridge to use public wifi to.

  • @connclissmann6514
    @connclissmann6514 2 роки тому

    Many thanks as always, but in particular for this one given the cold! About 50oF here, with a sunny day despite being 53oN.

  • @saviom8166
    @saviom8166 2 роки тому +2

    I set up a similar thing at my parents' farmhouse, only LTE there, nothing else. In fact, I have four 4G LTE routers, 2 of them with high gain antennae such as the ones you showed, and 2 of them of yet other types, all of them connected to a TP-Link ER605 running with an Omada OC200 controller. I can share more if interested. End result is speeds that once touched 190 Mbps download where no gets more than a tenth of that at best. Oh, and, each device has it's own 'router UPS', to account for the power cuts that remote area can face.

    • @juri14111996
      @juri14111996 2 роки тому

      What antenna do you use? 2x2 or 4x4 mimo?
      once my bus is ready i will need to get some new modems, 4G and 5G support, 4x4 mimo and mini pcie format, because i will build a modem around a pc engines apu.
      Router will be a vm running OpenMptcpRouter. (yes even in my van there will be a smal pc to run difference VMs, like OpenMptcpRouter for wan-bonding, some smart home controller, surveillance, ...

  • @olic12
    @olic12 2 роки тому +7

    At 18:14, we see that the speed test with the phone was done with Verizon, while the speed test with the mobile router was done on AT&T, it seems to me that we cannot compare these results, no?

    • @CrosstalkSolutions
      @CrosstalkSolutions  2 роки тому +1

      Yup - fair point...just doing some real-world testing. I don't have an AT&T cell phone, so working with what I had.

  • @JamieLovick
    @JamieLovick 2 роки тому +6

    I've experienced issues using LTE modems over longer USB cables in the past. Some USB modems have a built in battery, so if it needs more power than is available via the USB connection, it has it available. The USB 2.0 standard only allows a cable length of up to 5M/16'5", so a longer cable shouldn't be used, even though they are available on the market. When the router failed to communicate to the modem in your video, but it worked after a reset, may have been a power issue. Unplugging and replugging in the modem or router may have fixed the issue.

    • @CrosstalkSolutions
      @CrosstalkSolutions  2 роки тому

      Thanks for the feedback! In my troubleshooting, I actually did unplug and re-plug the modem multiple times - I still never figured out what that issue was, but the factory reset sorted it.

    • @juri14111996
      @juri14111996 2 роки тому

      there are active use extensions, some even use fiber. if you run a long cable i suggest cutting the power wire (only cut red, leave back as signal ground) and running 12v near the modem and use 12v to 5V dc-dc converter to feed the modem.
      But it whould be smart to switch from usb to ethernet with poe. but for this they whould need the add some sort of router to the modem.

  • @lgb6110
    @lgb6110 2 роки тому +12

    1. no mention of TTL (the only thing that matters for RV'ers), SIM cards from Visible and many other carriers will see your PC traffic as PC (not cell phone data) and throttle to 5mb (hotspot speed) up and down, which is useless. Changing the packet TTL to 64/65 tricks the carrier into thinking your data is a cell phone. Your special AT&T card might not be affected by this, like I have a sprint grandfathered at full speed so TTL doesn't matter.
    2. The tower, I bet, doesn't have any sectors pointing perpendicular to the highway (it's not how they are designed), so there is no signal aimed in your direction. And super saturated from all the traffic (100 people connected at any one time, all watching videos/facetiming as they drive down the highway) = 3mb/s on phone
    3. Band aggregation is why you have 5-10x the BW of your phone. Connects to multiple bands at the same time (they call it "carrier aggregation", which is incorrect, unless it can take 3x SIM cards (like the Pepwave can, does carrier AGG and Band AGG) you cannot have 3x Carrier aggregation)

    • @WeCanExploreIt
      @WeCanExploreIt 2 роки тому +3

      LGB, I'll try to answer some of your questions.
      1.) The IC can set TTL values, it's in the advanced section of the SIM profile.
      3.) Carrier aggregation - You're right, it's somewhat confusing, but instead of thinking Carrier as in Verizon, At&t, etc - think of it like Carrier wave. It's multiple frequency blocks or bands called component carriers. In fact, the iPhone 13 modem category is a 20 I believe, which can do 7x CA, and the modem in the 4g is Cat 12 that can do 3x.

  • @Mr2greys
    @Mr2greys 2 роки тому

    The MIMO antennas (what you called the Binoculars) are the key to the whole thing. Just one of the antennas would be fine for cell phone coverage but if you want decent data the dual antennas are the lynchpin as 4G+ frequency hops. Some Android phones have the ability to do the frequency locking (my OnePlus 9T for example).

  • @fnnpc746
    @fnnpc746 2 роки тому +1

    Would be great with more LTE content on your channel. There aren't that many videos regarding that topic here on YT.

  • @richjim1389
    @richjim1389 2 роки тому +1

    Hmm.. Not sure if I’d use this over a Peplink Pepwave or Cradlepoint.

  • @Soda88
    @Soda88 2 роки тому +2

    Mikrotik LHGG LTE6 kit combined with say Mikrotik hAP ac3 is much less cumbersome and more powerful solution, at less than half the price.
    Don't be fooled by 'only Category 6 LTE' spec, it runs circles around every other consumer grade modem.

  • @tzisorey
    @tzisorey 2 роки тому +4

    I could see this being handy for my father - he's a long-haul trucker, and often uses the internet in the bunk for Netflix and the like. But signal strength in outback Australia can be a bit spotty.

    • @CrosstalkSolutions
      @CrosstalkSolutions  2 роки тому

      Good use case!

    • @wiziek
      @wiziek 2 роки тому +1

      What do you expect, do you roam around desert or jungle expecting cell coverage? Australia is giant as single country.

    • @tzisorey
      @tzisorey 2 роки тому

      @@wiziek Hey, just because I can drive at 110km/h in a single direction for a day and a half and still be in the same state..... ;)

  • @k-mparker
    @k-mparker 2 роки тому

    Excellent video and soooper informative 411!!! Will the modem work with your cell phone and not purchasing a SIM card?

  • @1000left
    @1000left 2 роки тому

    Excellent video!!!! Thank you!!!

  • @tragicvision775
    @tragicvision775 2 роки тому +3

    Have you seen Teltonika routers?

    • @TSSC
      @TSSC 2 роки тому

      Exactly my idea. They have a wide array of industrial routers, including LTE (category 4/6/12). Some with built-in WiFi. Some with double SIM slots (e.g. for failover). RUT240 and RUTX11 are the ones I’ve tested.

  • @Daily_Dose_of_knowledge_
    @Daily_Dose_of_knowledge_ Рік тому

    Can i use that crosstalk AT&T sim card even though i have Verizon as my cell carrier? Do you sell Verizon crosstalk unlimted data sim cards?

  • @Olegdj3
    @Olegdj3 2 роки тому +1

    I live in Idaho and here is a terrible service from companies selling the Internet, they think that all people are idiots ....
    And so I solved this problem, and what I have now.
    3 internet lines 1) Starlink, 2) T-mobile LTE 4G/5G, 3) AT&T LTE 4G
    All channels are connected to MikroTik CCR1009-7G-1C-1S+PC
    common download channel 500 Mbps
    !!! The antenna in the video is almost rubbish.!!!
    !!! In order to have a normal signal, you need a parabolic antenna of +27 decibels. !!!
    1. you need to buy a contract for the phone (you need a phone)
    2. Mikrotik RBM33G
    3. Quectel EP06-A or Quectel RM502Q-AE
    4. replace the Quectel number with a phone number !!!
    5. set everything up and enjoy the Internet.

    • @TruePerfectInsanity
      @TruePerfectInsanity Рік тому

      Could you answer a couple questions on your setup? I've looked into parabolic antennas based on your post, with Griddy and the like being the most common. However, that doesn't give MiMo for high speeds and aggregation. Are you using multiple (4?)? How far away are you from T-Mobile and AT&T towers, and what portion of your aggregated speed comes from each? How are your WAN channels shared/bonded? (How are packets behaving?)
      I'm seriously entertaining going with the 5G version of the Insty with the current capabilities and all the development their doing. I'm also mobile, not stationary, so that drastically reduces the reality of using a parabolic antenna, though I may get a single one for use in very remote areas and swap it's lead in for one of the LPDAs the Insty uses if there are enough issues of no/poor signal still.

  • @JasonsLabVideos
    @JasonsLabVideos 2 роки тому

    Good video sir! Good idea too !!

  • @fredrau5279
    @fredrau5279 2 роки тому

    Thank you

  • @markolafploeg3265
    @markolafploeg3265 2 роки тому

    Very interesting solution thanx

  • @JC-21470
    @JC-21470 Рік тому

    Would this work on a boat? I would assume so?

  • @weird1577
    @weird1577 2 роки тому

    Hi Chris
    There are many systems available here in the UK to give the exact same solutions.
    However, I would prefer to use a system where all of the fragile components, modem, sim cards etc, to be located in the warm and dry and not use a system that uses lengthy USB cables in close proximity to RF.
    Using a standard 12vdc SIM router with external robust aerials would be a much better solution for me.
    Great chanell and content, sorry to sound negative about this product.
    Kind regards and Happy New Year
    Andy

    • @juri14111996
      @juri14111996 2 роки тому

      by placing the modem outside you dont have to deal with signal lost on long antenna wires. but i would prefere the solution to be more modular. (Lte Modem with Ethernet instead of usb, powered by poe.)
      And i realy miss an option to use public wifi, wan-bonding or at least fail over.
      But if you regular on this channel you probably better of with a diy solution.

    • @weird1577
      @weird1577 2 роки тому +1

      @@juri14111996
      Hi Juri
      I understand your reluctance to extending your aerial cables, but for best WiFi signal inside the van, the modem would likely be in a high cupboard, so the real distance between the aerial and modem would be only a few inches. The other modification that i would make would be to allow the aerials to rotate vertical to horizontal as the LTE mast may transmitting on H, V or X polarization, so the fixed 45" is a compromise.
      With respect to the public WiFi, a separate access point in bridge mode would be a reasonable option.
      The key to living in a van is leaving your options as flexible as possible because you never quite know what you need before you need it.

  • @DavidJWarEagle
    @DavidJWarEagle 2 роки тому +3

    Your cell phone is using Verizon so you’ll need to put an AT&T SIM in it to have an accurate comparison with the Insty Connect.

    • @CrosstalkSolutions
      @CrosstalkSolutions  2 роки тому

      Yup - fair point...just doing some real-world testing. I don't have an AT&T cell phone, so just working with what I had.

  • @LtBRS
    @LtBRS 2 роки тому

    Can the wireless network part be shut-off?

  • @vlcekmlcek3393
    @vlcekmlcek3393 2 роки тому

    Nice 3D printed construction ;)

  • @juri14111996
    @juri14111996 2 роки тому

    there are some nice functions, but its missing a ton of function and information.
    - what are the specs of the modems ( bands and lte category)?
    - why is tis only a 2x2 wifi modem??
    - can i use multiple modems?
    - how can i uses the wifi of a camp groud?
    - what about failover?
    - does it support packet based wan bonding?
    + Thy added an option to modify ttl (no need for hotspot data plan)
    I currently use a setup with 3 Netgear Nighthawk M1 and and old firewall running OpenMptcpRuter to do the wan bonding.

  • @AfifAhmad
    @AfifAhmad 2 роки тому

    Can you please review some Cradlepoint gear?

  • @jasonh2904
    @jasonh2904 2 роки тому +1

    So you don't use the router to connect to the modem via ethernet cable? What's the point of the router with a Wan port then?

    • @WeCanExploreIt
      @WeCanExploreIt 2 роки тому

      Jason, the WAN port on the router can be used for land line WAN with cellular failover.

  • @bhenson001
    @bhenson001 2 роки тому +1

    looks like the software is based on openwrt which is nice.

  • @roygwilliams
    @roygwilliams 2 роки тому

    FirstNet? I didn't expect to see that in this video.

  • @cptfbi
    @cptfbi 2 роки тому +1

    You need to try out the 5G stuff. The T-mobile home internet band n41 is amazing! Ive seen 700 down 45 up. I cant go back to LTE.

  • @jfrtwo
    @jfrtwo 2 роки тому

    Most Insty modem issues are fixed by pulling the USB for a little bit and repower it up. 90% of the time this will fix it.

  • @mrxmry3264
    @mrxmry3264 2 роки тому

    if i had an RV (or a boat) i'd get starlink and some unifi equipment.

  • @hate247love0
    @hate247love0 2 роки тому

    So as much as I love this idea, the area I am located in doesn't have a lot of at&t service. Is there a way to get an unmonitored verizon sim card?

    • @CrosstalkSolutions
      @CrosstalkSolutions  2 роки тому

      I'm not sure if Verizon offers an unlimited SIM - you'd have to contact them to find out.

  • @DrLax111
    @DrLax111 9 місяців тому

    Its now back in stock

  • @joegomez5807
    @joegomez5807 2 роки тому +1

    How long until Starlink goes mobile?

    • @juri14111996
      @juri14111996 2 роки тому

      mobile like you can use it anywhere? i think later this year
      mobile on the road, while driving? a lot longer.

  • @jeffsadowski
    @jeffsadowski 2 роки тому

    Is starlink still geo locked? Would it be a good option for RV's?

    • @jeffsadowski
      @jeffsadowski 2 роки тому

      Answering my own question after watching some other videos. Starlink coverage areas are still very poor Jeff Gerling had a recent video talking about his cousin's farm not being able to use Starlink in her area till next year and I watch a couple that broadcasts from their off grid land in CO same situation. I'll be pointing them here. Not sure if they have seen this or know about it but it might be useful.

    • @jeffsadowski
      @jeffsadowski 2 роки тому +1

      Oh and I think 2022 is way too optimistic. I bet this gets pushed back quite a bit.

  • @richardlewis2290
    @richardlewis2290 2 роки тому

    The lower price Insty Connect Explorer 4G12 is sold out.

  • @mattboston74
    @mattboston74 2 роки тому

    How about a device like this that lets you repeat Wi-Fi signals from a campground but from a greater distance

    • @CrosstalkSolutions
      @CrosstalkSolutions  2 роки тому

      I've done videos on that...

    • @wiziek
      @wiziek 2 роки тому

      Point to point RF devices, i guess you hoped for home routers or repeaters?

  • @MrDaho84
    @MrDaho84 2 роки тому

    I like teltonika routers more 🙂.

  • @RogierYou
    @RogierYou 2 роки тому

    What about the cost for the cellular plan?

    • @CrosstalkSolutions
      @CrosstalkSolutions  2 роки тому +2

      Our plan is $118/mo., unlimited + no throttling.

    • @juri14111996
      @juri14111996 2 роки тому

      @@CrosstalkSolutions wow, i get the same with call and text and 3 additional sim cards for 90$, but i live in europe. most i did was 10TB in one month.

  • @13aaryan
    @13aaryan 2 роки тому

    I really like this channel after I watched the budget 10G network, but I think you really need to work on your thumbnails - I'm not hating but they really look dated and bad. Thanks for the videos!

    • @CrosstalkSolutions
      @CrosstalkSolutions  2 роки тому +2

      You volunteering?

    • @13aaryan
      @13aaryan 2 роки тому

      @@CrosstalkSolutions are you deleting my comments or is it auto delete haha? Lemme know how we should connect, I'd love to help you.

    • @CrosstalkSolutions
      @CrosstalkSolutions  2 роки тому

      No - I only delete offensive comments. You can always contact us at info (at) crosstalksolutions (dot) com.

  • @aldimore
    @aldimore 2 роки тому +1

    I feel Starlink is going to really hurt this segment everywhere but under a canopy of trees.

    • @cptfbi
      @cptfbi 2 роки тому

      5G band n41 puts the hurt on starlink. buts its all about location.

  • @VLandrew
    @VLandrew 2 роки тому

    Get starlink

  • @haroldpepete
    @haroldpepete 2 роки тому

    y que jopo

  • @takahiroyoshiyuki
    @takahiroyoshiyuki 2 роки тому +2

    $1000 no thanks

    • @TheTaekwon3
      @TheTaekwon3 2 роки тому

      I work from home, I have to travel to another location so to people like me it's worth it