Getting a gnss setup finally for land surveying. Last thing we need is a mobile hotspot for it to connect to. We have att cell phone plans but without data (old grandfathered in plan). What do you guys use for mobile hotspots, and what GB range and prices? Looking for a cheaper price than the 50$ a month options I am running into online. Prefer a bigger network like att or Verizon, we use t mobile at school and don??t run into any problems but that??s near the city. Any info is much appreciated as to where to start, GB usage on a gnss, and pricing. Thanks!
you don't need a high gb plan if all you want it for is gps corrections.?ÿ The data stream is very small.
I just added the new device to my existing Verizon plan.?ÿ It costs $5 a month and shares data with my other phones.
I just use the hotspot on my cell phone.?ÿ As others have said, it's not a lot of data.
Just be wary of setting up and walking away while it's going, with your cell phone in your pocket.?ÿ You then come back 20 min later, and see that it'd stopped, probably 19 minutes ago.
So your AT&T plan is grandfathered in, but has no data? I assume it's crazy cheap and you don't want to mess that up (understandably). I would leave that alone and just get a simple cheap phone plan with data. Boost mobile is about $35/mo and you can go with a super cheap 4g phone whether it be a $30 flip or a $50 touchscreen smartphone. I run this with my setup and it works fine. Just turn the phone into a hotspot as others have suggested and you should be in business.
at&t has data only plans, not too expensive, verizon had a telemetry plan (not sure if it's still around) that was $10/month.?ÿ there are options.
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Just a heads up for those who might encounter this problem - apple iPhones and Trimble data collectors typically won't work well together. I speak from experience with both an iPhone 7S and an iPhone 13 Pro as I have tried to pair both phone's hotspots with a Trimble TSC3 and a Trimble Yuma 2 tablet. Neither phone's hotspot would work with the data collectors but yet the data collectors worked flawlessly with several different Verizon MiFi's hotspot plans. Thought it was an issue with both iPhones but they'd support my laptop & other devices connecting with them so I'm not sure if it was something that I did wrong or what... but please be aware before you just assume an iPhone will work as a hotspot
@ncsudirtman You need to turn off auto (so it's connecting LTE instead of looking for 5g), and maximize compatibility (so wifi will work with older equipment 2.4 v. 5).?ÿ Probably will work then.?ÿ Still, I'm not impressed with iphone hotspot, seems much less reliable connection and much weaker signal when connected than my galaxy phone or dedicated hotspot.
Yea or phone plans are super cheap that??s why we don??t wanna mess with it or upgrade it. Just trying to find the cheapest (ish) option. Keep seeing hotspots but for like 50 bucks a month. Guess I??ll have to keep digging and asking around?ÿ
@ncsudirtman sorry but that isn??t my experience. My iPhone has worked good as a hotspot for TSC3 and TSC7. iPhone 4, 6, 7+, 12.
thank you I will definitely look into that at my older MiFi has maybe a couple hours on it's battery life at most
Not sure what capabilities your GNSS unit has but it is very possible that you have a SIM card slot in the unit itself.?ÿ That streamlines the operation significantly in my opinion.?ÿ The cell data is then hardwired straight to the processor, no connection to another piece of hardware, no separate piece of equipment to maintain and charge every day.
@tom-bushelman as long as the built in modem is 4GLTE or better you are fine, AT&T has shut off all 3G and lower service, T-Mobile is due to follow in July and I Verizon will too if they haven't already. BUT, yes if the onboard modem supports 4GLTE, the way to go for sure.
SHG
Verizon is keeping CDMA alive until the end of the year but they will not let you add or switch device to the system even if you are a current CDMA user.?ÿ Found this out the hard way, my CS20 went south on me and figured they would let me switch my account to the GS16 instead.?ÿ At least that would get me until the end of the year.?ÿ No go.