Insurance Quotes
Insurance Discount Campsite Offers All offers
UK Sites French Sites European Sites Map Search Text Search Near your Location Popular Searches Leave a Review My Saved Sites Add a New Site
All Sections Caravanning Camping Tent Talk Motorhomes Trailer Tents Backpacking Equipment Statics UK Campsites Camping Abroad General Chat News More Sections Latest Posts
All Adverts Tents for Sale Caravans for Sale Motorhomes for Sale Equipment for Sale Post an Advert Campsite Jobs
All Categories Caravanning Advice Caravan Equipment Tents and Camping Motorhomes Towing and Towcars Equipment Furniture and Cooking Electrical / Gas Shows and Events General More Categories
Join for Free Log In

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register  Log In  Search  Latest Posts
 Reception - All Forums
  Camping and Caravanning Equipment 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email

The Equipment Forum is proudly sponsored by Wolfbox
Wolfbox specialise in premium mirror dash cams, portable jump starters, and vehicle safety accessories, and known for products like the Wolfbox G900 Pro with it's 12-inch touchscreen rear-view mirror dash cam. Wolfbox products are designed to enhance driving safety, with a focus on producing cutting-edge technology for modern drivers. Find out more here
Subject Topic: Dongle Instead Of Onsite WiFi??
Post Reply
PersonGCMS2012
17/4/2016 at 7:49pm
 Location: Northumberland
 Outfit: Knaus Sudwind 550 TK View GCMS2012's Profile View Profile   Reply to GCMS2012 Reply   Quote GCMS2012 Quote  
Joined: 06/1/2013

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2130
Site Reviews Total: 7
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

What is everyone's thoughts to using a 'dongle' instead of a caravan's sites own Wi-Fi??

Do you think it's cheaper, and maybe better than using a sites own Wi-Fi compared to maybe it having a slower speed too???

Got mentioned at work and so got us thinking for when we're away.....

-------------
Damned if I do...

Damned if I don't!!!!


PersonGraeme_Cooke
17/4/2016 at 8:03pm
 Location: County Durham
 Outfit: Elddis Encore 254 View Graeme_Cooke's Profile View Profile   Reply to Graeme_Cooke Reply   Quote Graeme_Cooke Quote  
Joined: 13/5/2007

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   445
Site Reviews Total: 10
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 1 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 31
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Where possible I use the 3G / 4G on my phone via a hotspot. As I have a contract with data I've already paid for it. Whilst abroad we use a 3 MiFi device.

Site wifi can be very expensive and slow.


Persondk168
17/4/2016 at 9:18pm
 Location: Devizes Wiltshire
 Outfit: PVC_VWCrafter_MWB View dk168's Profile View Profile   Reply to dk168 Reply   Quote dk168 Quote  
Joined: 19/6/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   10282
Tent Reviews:   6
Site Reviews Total: 87
Site Reviews 2026: 13
Site Reviews 2025: 17
Site Reviews 2024: 10
Site Reviews 2023: 9 
Site Reviews 2022: 8 
Site Reviews 2021: 9 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 63
Site Nights 2025: 77
Site Nights 2024: 49
Site Nights 2023: 47
Site Nights 2022: 46
Site Nights 2021: 34
Site Nights 2020: 0
My dongle is next to useless in areas with poor mobile phone coverage.

Nowadays, I do not load the dongle in advance in case of poor reception.

Besides, I have data on my mobile phone contract, and prefer to use that instead of the dongle.

If mobile phone coverage is poor, then I shall pay to use site's WiFi.

DK



-------------
Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!


Personrobert/julie
17/4/2016 at 9:23pm
 Location: Ivybridge Devon
 Outfit: Swift EleganceGrande View robert/julie's Profile View Profile   Reply to robert/julie Reply   Quote robert/julie Quote  
Joined: 20/4/2004

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   347
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
depends on what site you are on. some sites have good speed and free wifi. We used to use a dongle but did find it very unstable and at least half the time wouldn't connect to the o2 network. This was prior to smart phones so don't know if the reception is better now as not been back to the sites


PersonBernie47
17/4/2016 at 9:25pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View Bernie47's Profile View Profile   Reply to Bernie47 Reply   Quote Bernie47 Quote  
Joined: 05/7/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   5595
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 13
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
I found that my dongle rarely got a signal as I tend to camp on sites in remote areas.

Most of the sites I use now have free WiFi so this year I have cancelled the contract for my dongle.

-------------
Bernie


Forum Sponsor

Wolfbox


PersonThe Vicar
18/4/2016 at 9:10am
 Location: Suffolk
 Outfit: Coachman Pastiche 525 4 View The Vicar's Profile View Profile   Reply to The Vicar Reply   Quote The Vicar Quote  
Joined: 20/3/2009

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   395
Site Reviews Total: 7
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
We use a 3 Mifi as both of us can be on the computer at the same time. We have found it very good and are getting signals in North Norfolk !!

Unfortunately we find site wifi unreliable and slow and non existent at bust times.

Would recommend !!

-------------
A Fart is only Natures Ringtone

Finish what you sta


PersonPickled Onion
18/4/2016 at 10:32am
 Location: Near Alton Towers
 Outfit: Bailey+Burgundy+S7+H View Pickled Onion's Profile View Profile   Reply to Pickled Onion Reply   Quote Pickled Onion Quote  
Joined: 23/2/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3117
Site Reviews Total: 11
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 3 
Site Reviews 2021: 1 
Site Reviews 2020: 2 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 11
Site Nights 2021: 5
Site Nights 2020: 9
I got rid of my dongle when I found out that I could tether it to my iPhone as a Hotspot instead.

Dave

-------------
Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you on experience.
Mark Twain.


Persongeoffprinter
18/4/2016 at 5:06pm
 Location: Kent
 Outfit: 5m Bell Tent & Olpro Pop Tent. View geoffprinter's Profile View Profile   Reply to geoffprinter Reply   Quote geoffprinter Quote  
Joined: 27/6/2012

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2230
Tent Reviews:   4
Site Reviews Total: 12
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 2 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 12
Yup. tether from your phone if your contract allows it. OH has unlimited data on hers, but because its an old contract it doesnt allow tethering. So will cancel her contract and go sim only which is cheaper anyway. Just check how much usage you can use. On our network even if you have unlimited data on your phone, they only give you a maximum of 12gig a month tethering as a wifi hot spot. Which is plenty for us anyway although I dont understand why they put this limit on it anyway greedy b******s.


Personsuperbbird
18/4/2016 at 6:06pm
 Location: Sunny Greater London
 Outfit: Outwell Arizona L Coleman chimney rock View superbbird's Profile View Profile   Reply to superbbird Reply   Quote superbbird Quote  
Joined: 18/4/2007

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   133
Tent Reviews:   2
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
I don't have tethering on my mobile contract so have just bought a MiFi router & a 12 month prepaid 12GB sim from 3. The coverage maps on ofcom show EE as having better coverage but when I spoke to EE they don't seem to do a prepaid sim anymore at a reasonable price. Looking forward to trying it out in the next few weeks.


PersonTimCESmith
18/4/2016 at 6:26pm
 Location: London
 Outfit: Karsten 350 + SE CA EA RA FW & ZIG View TimCESmith's Profile View Profile   Reply to TimCESmith Reply   Quote TimCESmith Quote  
Joined: 17/9/2014

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1022
Tent Reviews:   3
Site Reviews Total: 78
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 1 
Site Reviews 2024: 11
Site Reviews 2023: 9 
Site Reviews 2022: 8 
Site Reviews 2021: 5 
Site Reviews 2020: 5 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 3
Site Nights 2024: 32
Site Nights 2023: 29
Site Nights 2022: 39
Site Nights 2021: 30
Site Nights 2020: 31
I'm on a 3 SIM only tariff with 12GB data. An extra £5 "bolt on" gets you another 18GB tetherable data within that month's' billing period. Another £5 gets you 30GB tetherable and unlimited personal on top of that. This seems to have changed recently. Now a lot cheaper than PAYG or paid WiFi.


Forum Sponsor

Wolfbox


PersonGCMS2012
18/4/2016 at 7:59pm
 Location: Northumberland
 Outfit: Knaus Sudwind 550 TK View GCMS2012's Profile View Profile   Reply to GCMS2012 Reply   Quote GCMS2012 Quote  
Joined: 06/1/2013

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2130
Site Reviews Total: 7
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

Scrap the dongle idea....

Forgot about tethering phone to lap top via the 'hotspot' thing (depending on cost though)....

-------------
Damned if I do...

Damned if I don't!!!!


Personskygazing
19/4/2016 at 2:52pm
 Location: Scotland
 Outfit: None Entered View skygazing's Profile View Profile   Reply to skygazing Reply   Quote skygazing Quote  
Joined: 13/7/2015

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   4
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
The only dongle I ever had was way more trouble than it was worth. I'd use the WiFi on my phone every time.


PersonSGThomas
19/4/2016 at 4:05pm
 Location: Leigh on sea
 Outfit: None Entered View SGThomas's Profile View Profile   Reply to SGThomas Reply   Quote SGThomas Quote  
Joined: 16/10/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6761
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 116
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 4 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 40
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
We find using the computer and emails the best and cheapest way, with a signal booster
signal booster

Currently we are using the free wifi, which is available around bar area.
Our pitch is about 150metres from the bar, but with the booster, works well.
The alternative was to buy into the charged wifi at €22 for a week.
Booster has practically paid for itself in one week


PersonRonni54
19/4/2016 at 9:37pm
 Location: Shropshire
 Outfit: None Entered View Ronni54's Profile View Profile   Reply to Ronni54 Reply   Quote Ronni54 Quote  
Joined: 18/4/2004

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1783
Site Reviews Total: 42
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 4 
Site Reviews 2021: 2 
Site Reviews 2020: 6 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 22
Site Nights 2021: 8
Site Nights 2020: 36
The site where I have my seasonal pitch does not have Wi-Fi and I only have a basic mobile phone. I use a Huawei 5330 mi-fi on a 30 day SIM only rolling contract from 3 (so I don't have to pay for it during the winter). I pay £8 per month for 2GB and it works fine.

-------------
Ronni



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Camping and Caravanning Equipment - Top of Page

     Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...












    Upcoming Event

UKCS Meet Motorhome and Campervan Show Exeter 20/11 to 22/11

A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets


4761 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Special Offers]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Tent Reviews] 

[Contact Us] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2026


Advertisement
Advertisement

Advertisement