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Tablet or Mifi Jetpack?

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(@broken-lath)
Posts: 85
Registered
Topic starter
 

I know there are past threads about
folks wanting to run tablets as all in one
field computers and others about trouble with corrections
working with the various 3G and 4G speed Mifi connections.

I have the dilemma of choosing to purchase
a 7" Samsung tablet or Jetpack in order to
create a Mifi/wifi for achieving RTCM single baseline
GPS/GNSS corrections.

I see more benefit in the tablet for pulling map and property
info off the web, without using the IE application in TSC3.

The major downside of the tablet is the size.

Price wise, Verizon plans are $30 for the tablet
and $50 for the Jetpack, monthly.
Upfront costs are $150 and $20, respectively.

Tablet is already cheaper once I'm at the 7th month into a 2 year plan

The other option is a iPad Mini ($350) which puts
The savings starting at the 17th month.

Can I get any experience about using a tablet or Jetpack with
Verizon?

Carrying solutions if using a tablet?
Strong recommendations one way or the other?

Thanks

 
Posted : January 18, 2014 10:05 am
(@kevin-samuel)
Posts: 1043
 

From what I have read the Jetpack has mixed reviews on battery life. You may want to read the reviews on the Verizon website and research that further.

 
Posted : January 18, 2014 11:13 am
(@thrutched)
Posts: 65
Registered
 

We went from AT&T on the DC to a Verizon MiFi (Jetpack). It fixed all of our dropped connection issues as well as coverage issues. I really like the MiFi and Verizon (in my area) dominates on coverage. I really do recommend the Jetpack. Its simple and just works. Setup is a snap also.

Brian

 
Posted : January 18, 2014 3:42 pm
(@dwolfe)
Posts: 201
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My experience with the jetpack is the same as Brians. It works well, easy to setup and it's small. No problems yet with battery (supposed to last 20 hrs). Monthly cost for the jetpack here is $20 with a $50 upfront cost and Verizon's ridiculous $35 activation fee.

Doug

 
Posted : January 19, 2014 1:04 pm
(@stephen-ward)
Posts: 2246
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Anybody who is having battery run time issues with Mifi, phones or hotspots should invest in a Mophie or equivalent external battery for recharging phones etc on the fly. Prices and sizes vary depending on capacity. I have a 6000mAh Mophie that cost me around $100, size is 2.5" x 4.5" x 0.75". The stock battery in my Samsung hotspot is 1500mAh and will run for 4-5 hours. If I sandwich it with the Mophie and hook them together with a short usb cable, the Mophie will recharge the hotspot on the fly and I keep going for a couple of days if needed.

 
Posted : January 19, 2014 1:51 pm
(@kris-morgan)
Posts: 3876
 

I have nothing to contribute except that I thought, at first glance, the title of the thread was Tablet or MILF Jetpack. I had a snarky comment all ready. Carry on. 🙂

 
Posted : January 20, 2014 6:16 am
(@joe-f)
Posts: 471
Registered
 

we added a couple 5000mah batteries for each Jetpack - they hold chage longer than one long workday. The Mophie power packs are a great backup.
we are looking at tablets to add to field crew tools for sending data back + forth from office to field.

 
Posted : January 20, 2014 9:47 am
(@va-ls-2867)
Posts: 513
Registered
 

Look into the cost of a Telemetry plan for the jetpack, We use them only for GPS Network connections, no other internet data and it's I believe $7 month.

 
Posted : January 20, 2014 12:02 pm