WiFi Router

[sails2020]

What is the best marine WiFi router for my Ranger R27 Classic? I have seen several but I am no expert on the topic. Any ideas or thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Remedy2]

I installed Starlink on my C288 and it's been super fast and reliable- even underway. Bonus is since my dock is in my backyard it's become the backup to my unreliable home internet. It's not cheap- 300 for the HW and 150 a month but worth it, for me, because I "work from boat" a lot. I also can stream anything anytime on the TV. I had it professionally installed and the router and power supply mounted behind the galley counter and out of site.

 

[sails2020]

Thanks Remedy2, I did see Starlink as an option. My caveat on that option is that I really don't intend to "work" that much such that I will need less sophisticated device. What midlevel options are out there as well?

 

[Cutwater28GG]

It sounds like you are asking the question how to get internet to the boat vs sharing Wi-Fi on the boat.

You can spend about $1000 to get a cell phone network setup. Seabits.com has some good write ups. You then have ongoing cell phone charges.

You can spend less on a Starlink setup. But monthly can be higher.

I just purchased the new Starlink mini. It’s genius. Low power. They have a 50gb a month plan. It’s $50 a month. It can be paused.

I write this sitting at anchor in montague marine park in the gulf islands drawing 25 watts with the Starlink sitting inside on the dashboard

 

[sails2020]

It sounds like you are asking the question how to get internet to the boat vs sharing Wi-Fi on the boat.

You can spend about $1000 to get a cell phone network setup. Seabits.com has some good write ups. You then have ongoing cell phone charges.

You can spend less on a Starlink setup. But monthly can be higher.

I just purchased the new Starlink mini. It’s genius. Low power. They have a 50gb a month plan. It’s $50 a month. It can be paused.

I write this sitting at anchor in montague marine park in the gulf islands drawing 25 watts with the Starlink sitting inside on the dashboard


View attachment 23476

You are convincing me. Thanks to you both.

 

[watson1987]

I have the following which I like, but I also have a high-performance Starlink fed into it as well

RUTX11 Gigabit Cellular Router

RUTX11 is a Teltonika Networks gigabit cellular router with dual SIM. Click here to learn more.

teltonika-networks.com

The max power consumption for it is 16W (per the spec), but I've never seen more than 10W being pulled from mine. It's only 4G, they do have some nice 5G models now, but you're not going to get 5G service while out on the water, so for me 4G is fine (this is just a backup when I'm not paying for Starlink or have it turned off for power reasons). This is a high-quality multi-channel 4G chip and I've got 85Mbit/s out of it before while at Friday Harbor.

I have an unlimited plan from AT&T that I pay $20/month for. Send me a DM if you want to know the details.

 

[Submariner]

What is the best marine WiFi router for my Ranger R27 Classic? I have seen several but I am no expert on the topic. Any ideas or thoughts would be appreciated.

I have a Pepwave BR1 Pro Max 5G router. It's 5G/LTE, WIFI (2.4ghz and 5ghz), and runs Starlink. The router draws 6 watts. I run it 24x7 as it supports the CerboGX for remote power monitoring and my security cameras connect through it.

Internet-Cellular | LetsGoChannelSurfing

www.letsgochannelsurfing.com

 

[jeffhowell1]

What is the best marine WiFi router for my Ranger R27 Classic? I have seen several but I am no expert on the topic. Any ideas or thoughts would be appreciated.

I have used Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro for last 1 1/2 years, cellular, uses sim assigned specifically to router, 5G, works well in San Juans, can connect external MIMO antenna but I’ve found it doesn’t really need one, I have AT&T, 50GB data mo plan is $60 mo

 

[SgtAlf]

Franklin A50 – Specs, Pricing & Reviews | AT&T

Buy the Franklin A50, a hotspot router from AT&T. Featuring a 2.4-inch TFT Color Display, Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11ax), Enhanced Security, Remote Management & First Net Support.

www.att.com

 

[Rauguthj]

We are using a GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 Travel Router (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B2J7WSDK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1). Does a great job in a small footprint of providing a strong primary and guest WiFi network.

It can use a marina (or any WiFi) or tether from a phone. It powers via USB C, so it consumes less power.

We are looking at the Starlink Mini, but this could then use the Starlink WiFi as well. Overall an inexpensive solid backbone to our network.

 

[Martin610]

I think the choice here depends on what kind of cruising you do. Obviously you can tether your cell phone for casual use but that gets old fast. If your plan isn't unlimited you can burn up minutes very quickly. And it can be a pain to do that every time.

I consider my C28 a coastal cruiser. I am almost always in cell range. I have a Teltonika RUT240. Older model, but still sold. It costs about $200 bucks. I have a Spectrum data only plan right now, but I always look around for a deal.

This allows me to connect a ROKU TV stick, tablets, whatever we might have. I leave it on all the time so it's always available. With the supplied antennas you get more range than just a cell phone alone would have.

This setup creates WiFi on the boat and the uplink to the Internet is a cell modem. The router has an ethernet port also.

As mentioned you can use boosters or external antennas. Power draw is minimal. It's about the size of a pack of cigarettes. This was designed as a industrial "Internet of Things" type router to connect vending machines and automated equipment to the internet. It's been very reliable. Was easy to set up.

If I was going off shore or really remote the mini Star Link would be top of my list.

-martin610

 

[gmschuler]

What is the best marine WiFi router for my Ranger R27 Classic? I have seen several but I am no expert on the topic. Any ideas or thoughts would be appreciated.

We went with the T Mobile Home Network. As long as you have cell service this works great. It is much more robust then just your cell phone working as a hotspot. I use it on the boat and it allows me streaming tv and laptop use generally with no issues. We also have a travel trailer and it goes with us there too. When I got it the price was only $30 a month. I believe it it more now.

 

[Someday*]

It sounds like you are asking the question how to get internet to the boat vs sharing Wi-Fi on the boat.

You can spend about $1000 to get a cell phone network setup. Seabits.com has some good write ups. You then have ongoing cell phone charges.

You can spend less on a Starlink setup. But monthly can be higher.

I just purchased the new Starlink mini. It’s genius. Low power. They have a 50gb a month plan. It’s $50 a month. It can be paused.

I write this sitting at anchor in montague marine park in the gulf islands drawing 25 watts with the Starlink sitting inside on the dashboard


View attachment 23476

This is exactly what I am looking at...do you power it with AC or 12v?

 

[GunkHoling]

I went the BR1 Pro Max 5G and added a Google Fi Data SIM to it. I went the Google FI route as its T-Mobile which has the best coverage in the San Juans, and already have a Fi account with 4 total data SIMs that I use in other Peplink deployments for backup connectivity. I bring up the Starlink Mini dish when needed and use the WiFi as WAN feature in the Peplink so that my other devices only need to know the Peplink WiFI SSID. The Peplink then balances across 5G, Starlink, or even marina WiFi if available.

The Peplink can be powered off 12v, AC adapter, or has USB C adapter cable as well. I haven't yet routed external antennas to the Peplink as we've been mostly in high coverage locations.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

This is exactly what I am looking at...do you power it with AC or 12v?

It won’t work off 12v. You need to convert it to something between 24 and 36v. As the cable losses are too high at 12v. It will just reboot. Mine draws about 25W.

I’m thinking of putting together a little kit to make these easy to install on a cutwater/ranger. Wondering if there is any interest?

 

[Cutwater28GG]

far too many anchorages have 1 bar or less. You will need a decent antenna to get cell working properly. Then you are in the same price bracket as Starlink.

 

[Someday*]

It won’t work off 12v. You need to convert it to something between 24 and 36v. As the cable losses are too high at 12v. It will just reboot. Mine draws about 25W.

I’m thinking of putting together a little kit to make these easy to install on a cutwater/ranger. Wondering if there is any interest?

I saw this video which made me wonder if it would work from a 12v cigarette lighter plug:

 

[Nwdiver]

starlink mini should work off a 12V plug, i think it’s less then 35watts

its still $599 for the hardware and the monthly plan is $150 if you want in motion use

i plan to get one, once the price drops, I’m not in any rush as I have one of the older units that I share between camping and boating

 

[Someday*]

starlink mini should work off a 12V plug, i think it’s less then 35watts

its still $599 for the hardware and the monthly plan is $150 if you want in motion use

i plan to get one, once the price drops, I’m not in any rush as I have one of the older units that I share between camping and boating

I plan on getting the $50/ month plan

 

[Cutwater28GG]

It will not work off 12v if the cable run is long and the cable it comes with is too long for 12v.

You need to convert the voltage, preferably over 30v, to get the thinner cables to work.

I'm gauging interest if people would be interested in buying a power setup like mine for Starlink Mini. Starlink is not offering a 12v kit.
I use off-the-shelf parts, but I know a few folks who don't want to spend hours figuring this out.

My setup uses a cigarette adapter (or can be hardwired), a voltage converter and and set of cables that allow me to run the starlink reliably off the 12v socket. I like the cigarette adapter approach as I can easily unplug it, to take it to other locations including off the boat but it could very easily be wired in permanently.

Ive been testing for a few weeks. the issue with going straight from 12v is the starlink will boot if you use a shorter cable but as soon as the fridge turns on the volts drops and the starlink will reboot. This does not deliver a reliable experience!
my setup has been rock solid.
I see consistent 20-25w of usage - this is amazing. The starlink mini works behind glass. (windscreen and hatches). I also just set it on the bow at anchor with the cable out the window. my wife was very happy being able to do video calls in the marine parks of the gulf islands. There is basically no cell coverage in the good anchorages.