I've been doing a big boundary survey down in Southern California. I am connected to the local RTN using a TSC3, R8 and a MIFI device.
One of my major complaints about this system is the MIFI device battery life. I can get about 3 to 3.5 hours of operation on this device, and then when I add my battery backup device from Radio Shack, I can get another 3 to 3.5 hours of surveying in. By the afternoon, I am tethering the MIFI device to the TSC3.
Does anyone use the Trimble system like I mentioned or is there another way to configure the MIFI device. I am wondering if there's a way a SIM card can be directly installed into the TSC3. Thus making the TSC3 a mobile "MIFI" device. This would eliminate the use of external battery packs cords.
Look forward to your responses!
Thanks,
Nick
The TSC3 can take a GSM SIM card, butthe folks at CSDS told me that they usually sell the MiFi instead because it's simpler to set up. I only used the MiFi once, but if I were to do it again I think I'd keep an extra MiFi battery and charger in the truck and swap them out when necessary, rather than cabling an external battery to the device.
We bought 4 or 5 extra batteries and an extra vehicle charger.
We have the identical set-up.
Get one of these:
5000mAh Extended Battery & Cover for Verizon MiFi 4510L
Extended Battery
Ours lasts all day...just be sure it is compatible with your exact MiFi device.
Using the internal modem with a sim card and connecting via bluetooth to the receiver will use the least battery power, a bluetooth connection uses less than half the power a wifi signal does.
We recently retired the verizon MiFi's in favor of the internal modem. It has been performing well. At&T was the only carrier in our area but the service has been great. We had the same battery issues with the MiFi's and if the got to hot they would shut down till they cooled off.
I use a mifi as well. Same battery problems.
I picked up two of these and have never had a problem getting through a long day.
http://www.gomadic.com/verizon-4g-lte-mifi-4510l-lithium-portable-battery-charger.html
I like them because you don't have to have the mifi out of commission while it acts like a charger. These will not only power the mifi, but they will charge it as well.
