In the new high tech world, no one wants to leave their electronic devices behind when they hit the road in an RV. And to work properly those devices need good internet connectivity. Wi-Fi hotspots are increasingly widespread, and campgrounds - the private ones and an increasing number of public parks - consider the installation of Wi-Fi systems as a must to attract campers.
But these systems are often strained as Wi-Fi television systems like Roku, Amazon and Chromecast, Wifi powered GPS, and an average of three electronic devices per person - laptop, tablet and phone - crowd the bandwidth. Add a couple of teenagers playing online games and download speeds on the average campground Wi-Fi system drop dramatically.
Cell phone plans with hotspot service meet some of these needs, but, as anyone who has traveled extensively in an RV can tell you, cell phone service remains remarkably spotty despite company claims. My family always traveled with phones operating on two different carriers, hoping that where one wouldn’t connect, the other would.
Clearly, the situation called for a high tech solution. Enter Winegard, a company that’s produced over 1,000 different antennas since its founding in 1953 and that’s been recognized by NASA for its contributions to the Apollo 11 mission. Today it’s a leading provider of RV satellite and over-the-air TV antennas.
The ConnecT 2.0 4G LTE + Wi-Fi Extender is Winegard’s latest solution to the connection problems many RVers face on the road. The unit creates a secure hotspot in your RV allowing you to connect an unlimited number of devices, including cell phones, laptops, tablets, security cameras, control systems and other wireless equipment. It hunts down and boosts local Wi-Fi networks, providing more reliable service. A double firewall protects your privacy, even when connecting to public networks.
Infographic describing components of Winegard ConnecT 2.0 + WiFi Extender. [Photo/Winegard Co.]
When no local networks are available, it can switch to 4G LTE mode, currently the highest speed communication technology available. In this mode, it can connect via a SIM card to your cell phone hotspot plan (currently only Verizon and AT&T are supported) or you can purchase one of Winegard’s own 30-day, pre-paid data plans, which are available without a contract and can be renewed at any time. The LTE mode allows you to connect to the internet while driving down the road, anywhere in the US or Canada (but not Mexico).
Sounds mighty tempting, especially for full-timers or those who work on the road. But before you invest in a ConnecT 2.0, a couple of considerations I’ve realized after using the device. First and most important: Do Your Homework. Read the specs and the installation instructions available online before you buy. That way you’ll avoid the surprise (and confusion) I felt as I popped open the box my ConnecT 2.0 arrived in. Inside I found a sleek, futuristic black dome, a wall switch, a bunch of wires and lots of screws. I looked in vain for a power port or cord.
Question: How do you plug this thing in?
Answer: You don’t.
The ConnecT 2.0 is the direct opposite of plug-and-play technology. To operate properly it has to be wired directly into the 12V power system in your RV. Also it must be mounted on the roof, which will involve drilling at least four, probably five, holes in the top of your RV. Then you have to install the wall switch inside the RV, requiring you to make a hole in your paneling. You pull the wires coming from the roof through and splice the whole thing together. Flip the switch and the unit comes on. If it doesn’t, climb back on the roof and check the LED lights on the dome.
It’s not a process for the faint of heart. The DIY crowd probably won’t have problems, but if climbing on your RV roof and drilling holes gives you visions of future leaks (or broken bones), or if the words “dedicated 12VDC circuit and a 3A in-line fuse” mean nothing to you, you’re going to need some help installing this thing.
In fact, Winegard strongly recommends that the installation be done by a professional technician familiar with the vehicle you are installing it in. We second that recommendation, but keep in mind it may cost an additional $300 or so to get it up and running.
Perhaps the easiest way to get the ConnecT 2.0 technology is to buy an RV with it already installed. The antennas come as standard equipment on Leisure Travel Vans and other manufacturers are following suit. All Cardinal fifth wheel models come pre-wired so you can easily add the antenna later. Winegard is offering manufacturers extended versions of ConnecT 2.0 models that also include an HDTV antenna for TV and radio reception, so look for more pre-installed options in the future.
Once installed and turned on, the ConnecT 2.0 reaches out to your devices just like any other hotspot, and offers you different options to connect. When operating in Wi-Fi boost mode, you’ll see available networks - probably many more than your device can see on its own - and their relative strengths and then be able to make a choice. To operate in 4G LTE mode, you’ll need a data plan. The software will tell you how much time you have left.
Several useful options are available including setting up a guest network that does not have access to the ConnecT control screen. You can also see all the devices connected to internet through your ConnecT system. A new smartphone app makes managing the ConnecT 2.0 even easier.
As the name suggests, the ConnecT 2.0 is a follow-up to the original ConnecT, and Winegard did a complete redesign. Instead of the original cluster of antennas sitting exposed on your RV roof, the new units keep them all safely inside a black plastic dome, along with a dedicated router. Responding to the suggestions of off-grid RVers, the ConnecT now runs off of 12 volts DC power, where the previous version used a 120 VAC wall plug to power a router located inside your RV and a POE (Power Over Ethernet) cable to power the roof antenna/amplifier.
The 2.0 model is also a bit less expensive than its older sibling ($300+ vs. $400+ currently on Amazon). Regrettably, there’s no way to upgrade from 1.0 to 2.0 without investing in another unit.
The ConnecT 2.0 is an admirable choice for RVers looking for a permanent solution to Wi-Fi connections while on the road. However, if you are thinking of upgrading to a new RV in the near future, I would think again before going through the installation process.
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