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George talking here about the iBoost D8 Directional System.
Gadget: iBoost D8 Directional System
Cost: £159.99
Source: Motorhomewifi.com
Purpose: Boost internet signal
Positive: We’ve been using our iBoost D8 Directional System for several years now, and it still works perfectly.
Negative: I can’t think of a single negative other than the price may seem a little steep at £159.99, which it would be if you didn’t use it. If you use it a lot, it’s well worth the price tag.
My Thoughts: To be able to full time in our motorhome for 18 months, we needed cheap, reliable internet access.
That’s where the iBoost D8 Directional System comes to the rescue.
We used the iBoost when parking at the side of roads in villages, towns, and cities to find BT broadband signals. Because we have BT broadband for our home, we get to tap into any BT devices in the UK. That’s millions of hotspots! The problem was that to tap into the hotspot we needed a boosted signal, and that’s exactly what the iBoost D8 Directional System does.
The iBoost meant we had free internet access within a short drive. Most of the time when we’re wildcamping in our motorhome we’re tucked away in a rural spot, going on long walks with our dog. But every few days we need to connect to the real world, so we drive into a village or town, park up on the side of a road and point the iBoost at some homes. We usually always find a free BT internet signal that we can use, and if we don’t we get out our backup which is a MiFi device (but that means paying for the internet).
The good thing about tapping into BT internet hotspots is because the internet is free we can watch movies on BBC iPlayer. We used to like doing that once a week when full-timing in our motorhome. My partner is an actor and loves watching films.
Below is a description from Motorhomewifi.com about the product
If you use a connection like Caravan Club with a web login (a captive portal) can I still use my iBoost?
Yes, you can. Just connect to the hotspot as normal without placing a password into the iBoost as the network will likely be unsecured. Once connected, attempt to navigate to google.com or another web page and the captive portal will load in its place.
The iBoost D8 Directional System serves to both boost the externally available WiFi signal and repeats that signal at full strength inside your van, creating your own secure network with your own unique security code. This means that the system is compatible with any device which is WiFi-enabled – connect your laptop, iPad, tablet, smartphone, and even kindle – all at the same time! No drivers to install on your devices and no wires between you and the system.
Router
The antenna can be positioned outside or inside using the suction bracket supplied, drilling holes is not necessary. As the system is temporary, simply bring the cable in through a window or roof light and plug it into the back of your router. The iBoost antenna is weatherproof so you can leave it outside when in one static location, just make sure you bring it back inside when traveling. The Personal Hotspot is a small footprint wireless router with a sleek appearance and a built-in WiFi antenna for your local network, capable of up to 150Mbps via the latest Wireless N standard (B/G also supported). One extra network connection is available on the back of the router should you wish to connect any wired devices to the system as well.
External Antenna
The web interface has been fully customized by MotorhomeWiFi to allow you to easily set up the system using any device with a web browser. Simply turn the system on and connect to the secure hotspot named ‘iBoost’ using the passcode printed on the side of the router. Once connected you can load the iBoost web interface which will ask you to select an available network. The iBoost antenna has a 90-degree field of view so fine-tuning is a breeze, only minor adjustment of the antenna may be required. Once set up the system will remember the settings allowing you to connect additional devices with no set up required.
The range of the external antenna is difficult to qualify since you are connecting to a network over which you have no control. The antenna is preconfigured to work at the unnamed123 (Large) maximum permissible limit for the UK and Europe. The range of the internal hotspot (your local WiFi signal) is up to 50m – giving you the ability to connect outside or even give your friends the key so they can access your hotspot in the van next door! Power the system off and on again and provided you haven’t moved location, it will reconnect to the last known network.
The range can be 5 – 10 times what your device can achieve on its own depending on terrain and environmental conditions and is usually more than adequate for connecting to nearby WiFi when parked in the vicinity of the hot spot. A directional antenna has the benefit of focusing a narrow beam of energy in one direction and thus massively increasing the possible distance you can achieve a connection over.
