Dongle or not?

laurieash · 08-02-2013, 17:51

Just thinking about going on to a dongle, as my house phone does not get used
with us all on mobiles.
So its just used for Bt home Hub and thats just for internet. which i use about 2 hours a day sometimes less.
I have no experence of dongles etc. so need you guys in the know to guide me.
also want it for when touring in the caravan. seen some on O2 on pay as you go? Laurie.

jims-terrano · 08-02-2013, 18:06

Dongle will be slower.

Also depends upon what signal strength each provider has in your area. I have a Vodafone with strong signal but very poor speed and so was my phone with them. Virgin is spot on with the phone internet so I would guess dongle will be the same. I've seen a 3 dongle in action and that too was fast.

You can also get Routers or mobile wifi's (MIFI) devices to share the internet too.

Investigate price first though if I were you.

danielj · 08-02-2013, 18:56

As jims-terrano said. Dongle will likely be a bit slower but a lot will depend on network coverage in your area. In my experience the dongle/wireless can be affected by number of people on the network in an area at a specific time-so on heavy use times it can be slow if not inoperative at times. But again depends on the network provider. I have switched from a dongle to a wifi and I find it handy as it provides a network for up to five devices, e.g. wireless printer runs through it without cables.

laurieash · 08-02-2013, 18:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielj

As jims-terrano said. Dongle will likely be a bit slower but a lot will depend on network coverage in your area. In my experience the dongle/wireless can be affected by number of people on the network in an area at a specific time-so on heavy use times it can be slow if not inoperative at times. But again depends on the network provider. I have switched from a dongle to a wifi and I find it handy as it provides a network for up to five devices, e.g. wireless printer runs through it without cables.

wifi is that not from my hub? sorry a bit thick when it comes to this sort of thing

stinka · 08-02-2013, 19:02

Dongles are the pits

Just get virgin tbh

darryl · 08-02-2013, 19:07

i have a 3 dongle which i use on my pc its great for just surfing the net fast enough in my opinion depends on what u are doing downloading music or films no good for that darryl

laurieash · 08-02-2013, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by darryl

i have a 3 dongle which i use on my pc its great for just surfing the net fast enough in my opinion depends on what u are doing downloading music or films no good for that darryl

No films or music, just this site Flea bay emails etc

Fez_uk · 08-02-2013, 19:19

3g mobile internet is fast enough for browsing etc

danielj · 08-02-2013, 19:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by laurieash

wifi is that not from my hub? sorry a bit thick when it comes to this sort of thing

Not sure what you mean by hub but the wifi unit I have is from 3 and its about the size of a small mobile phone and works much the same as a dongle except that it does not need to be stuck into a slot on the computer and it also creates a small local network of your own.

darryl · 08-02-2013, 19:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by laurieash

No films or music, just this site Flea bay emails etc

thats all i use mine for works for me

laurieash · 08-02-2013, 19:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielj

Not sure what you mean by hub but the wifi unit I have is from 3 and its about the size of a small mobile phone and works much the same as a dongle except that it does not need to be stuck into a slot on the computer and it also creates a small local network of your own.

Hi looked on 3 seen a Huawel E586 MIFI is this what you are talking about? if so does it need to be plugged into a 240 mains supply. as i do not always have electric when in caravan

Laurie.

darryl · 08-02-2013, 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by laurieash

Hi looked on 3 seen a Huawel E586 MIFI is this what you are talking about? if so does it need to be plugged into a 240 mains supply. as i do not always have electric when in caravan

Laurie.

hi i am pretty sure it just works of your usb port i might b wrong darryl

laurieash · 08-02-2013, 19:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by darryl

hi i am pretty sure it just works of your usb port i might b wrong darryl

thanks for that info, will keep digging and will post my findings

danielj · 08-02-2013, 20:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by laurieash

Hi looked on 3 seen a Huawel E586 MIFI is this what you are talking about? if so does it need to be plugged into a 240 mains supply. as i do not always have electric when in caravan

Laurie.

That's the one. As far as I know it works on both mains supply and usb connection to computer. However, if you don't need the wifi for connecting with other devices you are probably just as well with a regular dongle as I don't think there is much of a difference in usage speed and the dongle usually is cheaper to buy initially or sometimes free.

kitchenman · 08-02-2013, 21:20

If your phone has 3G use it as a Wi-Fi hot spot if you have all you can eat data, just use the Wi-Fi on your PC to connect to it
Dongles can be expensive
IAEFRTFM

08-02-2013, 17:51	#1
laurieash Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Isle of Axholme nr scunthorpe Vehicle: TerranoII /Discos/Landrov Posts: 423	Dongle or not? Just thinking about going on to a dongle, as my house phone does not get used with us all on mobiles. So its just used for Bt home Hub and thats just for internet. which i use about 2 hours a day sometimes less. I have no experence of dongles etc. so need you guys in the know to guide me. also want it for when touring in the caravan. seen some on O2 on pay as you go? Laurie.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

08-02-2013, 18:06	#2
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	Dongle will be slower. Also depends upon what signal strength each provider has in your area. I have a Vodafone with strong signal but very poor speed and so was my phone with them. Virgin is spot on with the phone internet so I would guess dongle will be the same. I've seen a 3 dongle in action and that too was fast. You can also get Routers or mobile wifi's (MIFI) devices to share the internet too. Investigate price first though if I were you.

08-02-2013, 18:56	#3
danielj Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ireland Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDI 03 LWB Posts: 695	As jims-terrano said. Dongle will likely be a bit slower but a lot will depend on network coverage in your area. In my experience the dongle/wireless can be affected by number of people on the network in an area at a specific time-so on heavy use times it can be slow if not inoperative at times. But again depends on the network provider. I have switched from a dongle to a wifi and I find it handy as it provides a network for up to five devices, e.g. wireless printer runs through it without cables.

08-02-2013, 19:02	#5
stinka Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Staffs Vehicle: '02 Terrano TDI sport lwb Posts: 3,787	Dongles are the pits Just get virgin tbh

08-02-2013, 19:07	#6
darryl Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: malvern Vehicle: maverick 2.7td Posts: 583	i have a 3 dongle which i use on my pc its great for just surfing the net fast enough in my opinion depends on what u are doing downloading music or films no good for that darryl

08-02-2013, 19:19	#8
Fez_uk Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Mid-Wales Vehicle: Maverick 2.7 - Patrol 4.2 Posts: 5,645	3g mobile internet is fast enough for browsing etc

08-02-2013, 21:20	#15
kitchenman Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Essex Wescliff Vehicle: maverick 1994 2.7 TD Posts: 1,278	If your phone has 3G use it as a Wi-Fi hot spot if you have all you can eat data, just use the Wi-Fi on your PC to connect to it Dongles can be expensive IAEFRTFM