I have a dongle with 3 and I have a mi-fi but use the dongle instead as using the mi-fi I get cut off all the time with it and only use it when I need to update the software on my phone which I have set to use only wi fi as the download is expensive to use on normal internet connection through my phone so to answer you yes I have used it but still prefer the dongle as I dont get disconnected all the time and have to switch the darned thing on and off all the time to connect, I had it free when I continued a contract otherwise I wouldnt have had it..
I was most excited when I knew I was going to get it but it has proved to be useless.
I personally use the mi-fi , as there is usually one on the laptop, and then at least 2 of us on wi-fi phones so i prefer the mi-fi, im on "3" and have used it whilst touring around the country
Mi-fi for me. No reception problems normally and it has the added advantage that I can put it out in the awning with the laptop in the van (can't do that with a dongle unless you have a very long usb extension lead). I even put it out of the rooflight onto the roof at Kessingland as the signal was a bit low.
Mifi here, more for the practical reasons above there are more than one of us that wants it at any one time, then add up the things that use it, phones, ds's, netbooks, never had a problem with signal yet have blue tacked it to the office window on more than one occasion for a better signal but a dongle just wouldn't do what we need it to.
I use a sim free dongle connected via a usb cable to a rechargeable wireless router.
This allows me to have the dongle outside the caravan where it picks up a better signal but the router inside where the laptop/phones get an excellent wifi signal.
With an all aluminium caravan I found the signal inside pretty bad, bordering on the non existent once the metalized blinds came down. Joys of living inside a faraday cage...
I must confess, I have no idea what MiFi is. I read the topic and assumed it was a typing error for WiFi, but then the term continued to be used.
WiFi is generally faster than a 3G dongle, but only any use if there is a WiFi signal and you either have the key or it is unencrypted. It is also potentially insecure as any personal data you transmit can be intercepted by other users connected to the network.
The 3G dongle is more secure, though not as secure as using your home broadband. In theory, you should get a signal in most places from one of the major networks and is often not as expensive as using the WiFi signal on site.
Both methods can be expensive so it is better to compare prices in advance as there are cheap ways of connecting, it all depands on how much you plan to use it and how often. For example, you do not want to get into a 24 month contract to use it for one weekend to check a few emails, even if it is a good deal.
MiFi or a dongle come at about the same cost and you can set up a security key on it to prevent unauthorised use by a caravan three pitches down from you.
For those that don't know = MiFi is a small gadget that generates your own wifi hotspot basically. Fully secure you need a password to connect which you can change as often as you want to. You can get them on a monthly rolling contract, a 'normal' contract or PAYG.
I have BT Internet, and can use their BT Openzone hotspots for free with it - and out of 2½ million hotspots I'm sure I'll find one I like!! I left BT to take up AOL phone calls, seeing as I had their broadband already. However, BT offered me their Broadband for £4.99 month for 18 months and seeing as AOL were going to charge me £19.99 month from January, I couldn't refuse
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Topic: MiFi vs dongle
