Ubiquity Bullet M2 vs PepLink Max BR1 Mini. Wan WiFi

[Skybolt]

is this a big deal?
You will not be able to use the Peplink InControl Cloud functions.

Actually that is not true. SpeesFusion Clound VPN and Incontrol cloud management are available for all of the Max BR1 line. Although I am not sure any of that is really needed, but it is available. Remember this is a commercial line of cell/wifi hardware that does allow for the power user to have access to.

https://www.peplink.com/products/max-series-comparison-table/

 

[Skybolt]

@ocgrant - this is getting a little confusing reading all of the posts about what will work with what and where. The unit you ordered is the exact same as what I have and from everything I have read it will work just fine in the Bahama's, you just need a sim card for that works in the Bahama's. It will also work just fine with PepLinks cloud and management software/features.

The unit's @dtfeld posted (peplink) are more feature rich units that also cost more and may be devices others are interested in or have features desired. I don't think you can go wrong with any of their products as they also support end users like us boaters as well. The 5G store is also a great place for buying the license needed for the peplink wan and failover license. They also have very fast response times with getting the license and are more then happy to help you enter it correctly.

That said, the unit I was originally speaking about, MAX BR1 Mini LTE US T has everything needed for iNet including wan/cell failover (License required). The cell modem in the Classic/MKII/Mini has the same throughput of 100Mbps. Out side of commercial differences and support, I don't see the need for the extra features, others might and thats great if it fits their needs better. So far from what I have experienced and have read on other site's the BR1 Mini is a very big favorite for what boaters need for on board iNet.

Besides the coverage map that Dave posted, here is a nice quick article on coverage/carriers in the Bahama's. Also this thread on THT speaks to this as well, but on a bigger scale.

 

[Skybolt]

... One note, your extra sim card might have very low data caps. Test it out, it might work for you. Streaming TV consumes about 3GB/hour. Once you hit those limits, the download speeds drop to the point watching TV is impossible. My extra Verizon SIM I started with got me about 1 football game a month. That's why an unlimited data plan on board is the way to go. Skybolt is getting his for $40/month. Thats a pretty good deal!!

This is probably the biggest issue with any of this. To Daves point, the providers cap the high speed data at limits like 50g-100g or what ever you decide to pay for. I am using Ultra Mobile, a flavor of T-Mobile cell data. They reserve the right after your data cap to downgrade the service to 3G speeds. Although I have gone over the my 50G limit a couple of times, I didn't notice the downgraded speeds. Not sure they did drop it, but I couldn't tell. I am not sure I will actually go over that limit in season, I was testing this to see what would happen if I did go over.

 

[Skybolt]

is this a big deal?
You will not be able to use the Peplink InControl Cloud functions.

Actually that is not true. SpeesFusion Clound VPN and Incontrol cloud management are available for all of the Max BR1 line. Although I am not sure any of that is really needed, but it is available. Remember this is a commercial line of cell/wifi hardware that does allow for the power user to have access to.

https://www.peplink.com/products/max-series-comparison-table/

Or were you pointing out that with that particular vendor PepLink won't support that purchase? Sorry your point was unclear. If that was the case you are correct. Peplink is particular how you obtain their product.

 

[dtfeld]

My head hurts...

 

[dtfeld]

Or were you pointing out that with that particular vendor PepLink won't support that purchase? Sorry your point was unclear. If that was the case you are correct. Peplink is particular how you obtain their product.

I read the details, and these are salvaged after a fire, and seller claims no support available from Mfg. I don't completely understand that comment either. I'd bet they work just fine.

To Skybolts point, my hardware list is kind of a good, better, best scenario, and the biggest factor is the service you have and the proximity to their towers. I have 0 experience in the Bahamas.

However, in the US, my favorite has been T-Mobile where I was getting 30 Mbps down. My least favorite is my current ATT where I'm at 5Mbps down right now (adequate but I can tell its not as fast). Keep in mind all of the services were through OTR Mobile.

 

[techmitch]

I read the details, and these are salvaged after a fire, and seller claims no support available from Mfg. I don't completely understand that comment either. I'd bet they work just fine.

I'll bet the Mfg. wrote those ser.#s off as a loss and is no longer liable/obligated to provide support.

 

[Smokeio]

I am using Ultra Mobile, a flavor of T-Mobile cell data. They reserve the right after your data cap to downgrade the service to 3G speeds. Although I have gone over the my 50G limit a couple of times, I didn't notice the downgraded speeds.

I have heard stories of these companies cancelling service when they see you are using a device that is not a phone. Ultra Mobile lists in their terms :

Modems, bypass, gateways, automated relay devices and any other Devices used for commercial or re-direction purposes are not supported Devices and violate our Acceptable Use Policy. Failure to use a supported, compatible Device when accessing our network will result in immediate termination of your Service.

Can they tell how their sim card SIM card is being used?

 

[Skybolt]

... Can they tell how their sim card SIM card is being used?

I believe they can, I know t-mobile proper did and wouldn't allow the sim to even connect. I originally tried one of their data bricks and they wouldn't allow the that sim to work with regular phone plans and had to be sub'd with a data only plan at ridiculous prices. I emailed UltraMobile before I sub'd and they said it was fine for what I am doing.

EDIT: Although the modem comment in the terms has me concerned a bit.

 

[Shaps]

Or were you pointing out that with that particular vendor PepLink won't support that purchase? Sorry your point was unclear. If that was the case you are correct. Peplink is particular how you obtain their product.

Yes, that was my question. if I bought through this vendor the explicitly stated the InControl wouldn't work. I was asking how big a deal.
Unlike @ocgrant I will be mostly nearshore and domestic. I already have our family on Verizons unlimited plan. Seems like adding a device on to that may be the path of least resistance.

 

[dtfeld]

Yes, that was my question. if I bought through this vendor the explicitly stated the InControl wouldn't work. I was asking how big a deal.
Unlike @ocgrant I will be mostly nearshore and domestic. I already have our family on Verizons unlimited plan. Seems like adding a device on to that may be the path of least resistance.

Unfortunately the Verizon Unlimited plan will not get you very far. I started out with their plan in a hotspot device, and while it was fine for the first few hours, it then dropped to an unusable speed (I could maybe watch 1 football game a month) While the amount of data changes over time 15 GB/20GB/30GB etc, Verizon's limits are hard and enforced.

Even the best plans are constantly changing and may even just disappear altogether. For the latest and greatest list go here --> https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/gu...ers-cruisers-verizon-att-t-mobile-and-sprint/

Unfortunately, once you get the hardware up and running, the hard part is getting (and keeping) service. The cell companied know what we want to do and don't have the bandwidth to do this, so they make it difficult and or expensive. You have to really want to do this.

 

[dtfeld]

If your going to try streaming on the boat, you need to watch at least the first 8 minutes this...

BEST Cellular Data Plans for RVers & Boaters - Mobile Internet, Hotspot & Tablets (Jan 2021)

-->

 

[b_arrington]

I'll bet the Mfg. wrote those ser.#s off as a loss and is no longer liable/obligated to provide support.

That kind of stuff is why I’m leery of buying “new” stuff from eBay.

 

[b_arrington]

Yes, that was my question. if I bought through this vendor the explicitly stated the InControl wouldn't work. I was asking how big a deal.
Unlike @ocgrant I will be mostly nearshore and domestic. I already have our family on Verizons unlimited plan. Seems like adding a device on to that may be the path of least resistance.

I also have Verizon for phones and stopped in a Verizon store today to ask about a plan for the boat. The largest plan they offer is some type of “unlimited” plan that’s actually 30gb / month for $30. After that you get throttled. Plus is there’s no contract so you can shut it down for the off season.

 

[dtfeld]

Here's the consumption #'s This would be per TV. Per hour. Not including other things on the network. This article is looking at a 1 TB limit on your home network. Cut that to 30 GB/month and you can watch roughly 10 hours max. Once they throttle you, you're done.

 

[Skybolt]

Dave it's important to note that those numbers are for Netflix only. For what ever reason Netflix uses a ton of data per hour for HD, as you noted 3GB per hour. Live HD tv from services like YouTubeTV stream @ ~7Mbps or 1MBps or 3.6K MB per hour, basically a tenth of what NetFlix uses, something to be mindful of I guess. Maybe stream Netflix on WiFI only if the cell data plan can't support Netflix.

 

[b_arrington]

Dave it's important to note that those numbers are for Netflix only. For what ever reason Netflix uses a ton of data per hour for HD, as you noted 3GB per hour. Live HD tv from services like YouTubeTV stream @ ~7Mbps or 1MBps or 3.6K MB per hour, basically a tenth of what NetFlix uses, something to be mindful of I guess. Maybe stream Netflix on WiFI only if the cell data plan can't support Netflix.

One option that might be possible is to mirror your phone / iPad to the TV, if you have decent signal. Roku devices now support AirPlay for iOS devices. You could potentially stream Netflix from your phone to the TV? I’ve streamed some stuff to my Rokus at home but haven’t tried this scenario yet. This might help get around the data caps for the routers.

 

[Skybolt]

One option that might be possible is to mirror your phone / iPad to the TV, if you have decent signal. Roku devices now support AirPlay for iOS devices. You could potentially stream Netflix from your phone to the TV? I’ve streamed some stuff to my Rokus at home but haven’t tried this scenario yet. This might help get around the data caps for the routers.

In some instances that may work for a while. I know I use to use my cell phone as a hotspot for my unbiquity wifi. The issue there is your cell phone has a very poor antenna opposed to ones that mount on the outside of the boat. Using only your phone in area's like PJ harbor would not work (At least it never did for me), but the BR1 with an external antenna most likely would be fine.

 

[dtfeld]

Dave it's important to note that those numbers are for Netflix only. For what ever reason Netflix uses a ton of data per hour for HD, as you noted 3GB per hour. Live HD tv from services like YouTubeTV stream @ ~7Mbps or 1MBps or 3.6K MB per hour, basically a tenth of what NetFlix uses, something to be mindful of I guess. Maybe stream Netflix on WiFI only if the cell data plan can't support Netflix.

I’ll have to look, but I’m using significantly more than that. Also depends on your TV definition. 1080 uses more than 720. I have 1080 TVs.

 

[b_arrington]

In some instances that may work for a while. I know I use to use my cell phone as a hotspot for my unbiquity wifi. The issue there is your cell phone has a very poor antenna opposed to ones that mount on the outside of the boat. Using only your phone in area's like PJ harbor would not work (At least it never did for me), but the BR1 with an external antenna most likely would be fine.

I have streamed Disney+ to my tv via HDMI cable from the middle of PJ. Worked pretty well.