Dedicated router for the van

gypo

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Hi all,
I’m thinking of fitting a router in the van, the type you put a sim in for data.
I’m happy to put an antenna on the roof if it needs it, ideally 5g if possible.
I’ve done some searching but tbh I think advice from someone who is using one would be good.
Also ideally its costing a kidney!
We are heading to Europe in June for 5 weeks so my 20gb roaming allowance isn’t going to be enough I don’t think.
Thanks
 
I have used a Teltonika RUT955 (4G) with a Poynting puck aerial with good results. Others mention Netgear Nighthawk as being good units. For 5G, expect to sell not only a kidney, but also an arm and a leg.
If you are looking for a large data allowance in Europe, you need to bear in mind that a European SIM card wil restrict you in terms of what you can stream. For example, forget BBC iPlayer. Disney+ should be OK. I haven't experimented with other streaming channels.
Based on my experience with a ZTE 4G MiFi unit, I would suggest that you might consider one of their 5G units, such as https://www.amazon.co.uk/ZTE-U50-Portable-Unlocked-Business/dp/B0D2Y1WBZB
 
I bought a secondhand Netgear Nighthawk M1 on eBay and it works pretty well.

Make sure it's an unlocked device so that it can be used with any network.

You can connect an external antenna to it should you wish. I bought a secondhand Poynting omnidirectional antenna which I screwed onto a large wood block. When required I pop this on the roof through a roof light. Just remember to retrieve it before you drive!

One issue with the Nighthawk that I've found is that occasionally it locks up and becomes unresponsive to the control/power button on top. Removing and replacing the battery sorts that out.
 
TJBi said:
I have used a Teltonika RUT955 (4G) with a Poynting puck aerial with good results. Others mention Netgear Nighthawk as being good units. For 5G, expect to sell not only a kidney, but also an arm and a leg.
If you are looking for a large data allowance in Europe, you need to bear in mind that a European SIM card wil restrict you in terms of what you can stream. For example, forget BBC iPlayer. Disney+ should be OK. I haven't experimented with other streaming channels.
Based on my experience with a ZTE 4G MiFi unit, I would suggest that you might consider one of their 5G units, such as https://www.amazon.co.uk/ZTE-U50-Portable-Unlocked-Business/dp/B0D2Y1WBZB
Click to expand...
The one you have put a link to would I require an antenna as well for it?
Sorry if it’s a stupid question :)
Thank you, the Amazon one
 
Had a Teltonika rut 950 with EE data sim and expernal x pol antenna mounted on our lift up TV antenna pole ....

BUT now swapped to a 3 network 5g router

£20 a month unlimited data for first 12 months

£24 the next 12 months

Worked great for so far ....
 
I have a ZTE MU5001 with a Bluespot 5G ready antenna, I am using a '3' data sim and I get over 340 mbps, I am not using the van yet but it is on the drive giving me faster speeds than my home broadband, I have '3' 5G home broadband but the 5G signal is useless indoors so I am lucky to get 50mbps


total cost was just under £290 so you are close to a used Netgear Nighthawk
 
www.scancom.co.uk

Three 350GB Preloaded Data SIM per month - expiry 8th Dec 2026

Sorry, Your Browser Doesn't Support Embedded Videos. Here's the Link to the video Stay connected with Three's 5G data sim – offering 350GB per month of fast, reliable data, valid until your selected expiry date. Enjoy seamless network performance for your online activities with no contract...
www.scancom.co.uk www.scancom.co.uk

That’s 350gb per month for 20 months that’s a little over £2 per month.
 
Boris7 said:
www.scancom.co.uk

Three 350GB Preloaded Data SIM per month - expiry 8th Dec 2026

Sorry, Your Browser Doesn't Support Embedded Videos. Here's the Link to the video Stay connected with Three's 5G data sim – offering 350GB per month of fast, reliable data, valid until your selected expiry date. Enjoy seamless network performance for your online activities with no contract...
www.scancom.co.uk www.scancom.co.uk

That’s 350gb per month for 20 months that’s a little over £2 per month.
Click to expand...

I read it as £40 per month for 350gb a month.
 
We use an old Huawei AI cube. No external arial, I have had no problems over the last 3 years.
The sim I use while away is "borrowed" from our own sim card home broadband set up. Although this router does use an external arial.
 
I’ve used a 3 data sim from scancom since September 2023 never once had an issue, did drop to 23mbps at Donington Park last year but there were several thousands of us on mobile data that day.
 
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