Need advice on nighthawk M1 and best data sim.

[Gus]

Hi. Two questions:
I'm thinking about the Nighthawk M1 for more reliable wifi in the van and elsewhere, the intention being to use it in the uk and abroad for calls and firestick streaming. Is it a good proposition? When abroad I hope to be able to buy a local sim but most use will be in the UK so is there a particularly good sim I should purchase.
Thanks

 

[Guigsy]

I've recently got a Teltonika RUTX50 with a Poynting antenna. I've got SIMs from Vodafone, Smarty (Three) and PlusNet (EE). From the locations I've tried so far (city centre, couple of medium towns, few miles out of town, middle of nowhere, and a campervan festival with far too many hotspots)... Vodafone has consistently connected, but is slow. Three connects in towns and is fast as long as it isn't overly congested (at the festival). EE has given me enough to do work (video calls) everywhere so far.

The issue is EE aren't very EU roaming friendly. Best I've seen is there's a £31 per month long contract with 125GB that includes full roaming and isn't speed limited. I think they know they've got the best service and they charge for it.

 

[zac]

I've got SIMs from Vodafone, Smarty (Three) and PlusNet (EE).

Not sure if you are aware but Plusnet are closing down their mobile network, just a heads up if not.

I think a roof antenna (decent make/model) is essential if you want to be able get a signal most of the time, the M1 nighthawk is a decent mifi for sure.

 

[Guigsy]

Not sure if you are aware but Plusnet are closing down their mobile network, just a heads up if not.

I think a roof antenna (decent make/model) is essential if you want to be able get a signal most of the time, the M1 nighthawk is a decent mifi for sure.

Yeah. I've not been formerly offered a switch to EE yet.

I've had a Poynting antenna before and I've got another one on the new van. If you're in an area with a good signal, they make no difference. When the signal is poor, it can make a distant antenna usable. E.g at the festival I was at, the nearby masts were Vodafone and Three. They were totally overwhelmed by the thousand extra #vanlife people. Good signal, but rubbish service. The EE mast had a poor signal, it was much further away. But I don't think many other users could see it, so I was still able to get a usable 8Mb connection. Not speedy, but far better than nothing.

 

[Orion]

If it’s to be van based and not something you want to tote around as well, then the Teltonika router of your choice, plus a Poynting MIMO antenna with matching connections. The RWG 200gb ‘Global’ data only SIM has been working well for us with no issues roaming in EU and U.K. If you want some additional SIM options the RUTX12 has twin slots (and dual modems), so could also handle a locally purchased one as well.

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[PaulC70]

I keep thinking about getting a mifi but have yet to have an issue with phone tethering in 2 years. Well, I lie, there was literally one night neither I nor the wifes phone had no signal, but the 50p library of charity shop DVD's were available

 

[zac]

I keep thinking about getting a mifi but have yet to have an issue with phone tethering in 2 years. Well, I lie, there was literally one night neither I nor the wifes phone had no signal, but the 50p library of charity shop DVD's were available

If it works for you then why change

 

[MisterB]

I have an Netgear M2 it's brilliant - though I don't think there is much difference between them that you would notice for 'normal' use

There is an M2 for sale in the classifieds with aerial.

The M2 go for about £270 on their own, pre used from eBay

 

[PaulC70]

If it works for you then why change

I know, but I keep feeling like Im missing out on something

 

[Guigsy]

If you want some additional SIM options the RUTX12 has twin slots (and dual modems), so could also handle a locally purchased one as well.

Something I didn't realise. The RUTX50 is 5G and twin SIM, but only single modem. You can only use one SIM at once. It auto switches if you play around with the settings, but you have to set the limits quite low or it'll just ping-pong between the two with 20 seconds of downtime each switch.

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