Hot Spot - What's Best?

**jjhoneck** · 08-20-2012, 02:01 AM

I'm trying to find the least expensive way to set up a WiFi Hot Spot. This will be at an airplane hangar that is seldom used, so I am looking for cheap, maybe pay-as-you-go, if there is such a thing.

Advice? Thanks!

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**gaijin82** · 08-20-2012, 03:27 AM

The best way (and cheapest...if you have unlimited data) is to use your smartphone (android) with foxfi. Then you can use a signal booster to expand the range. If you don't have a smartphone, then......?

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**jjhoneck** · 08-21-2012, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by gaijin82

The best way (and cheapest...if you have unlimited data) is to use your smartphone (android) with foxfi. Then you can use a signal booster to expand the range. If you don't have a smartphone, then......?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

I have a Droid2 with Verizon and unlimited data. I downloaded FoxFi last week, because it claimed to do exactly what I wanted.

No joy. It just sat there, stupidly, providing no connection. Basically it did the same thing as the built in app -- you can connect to it, but it just takes you to Verizon's "buy now" page.

An ideas how to work around this?

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**dralezero** · 08-21-2012, 02:53 PM

is it wanting you to buy a tethering plan? (i don't know anything about verizon and tethering.)

there is also Verizon mifi prepaid weekly, monthly, or yearly. probably a better option if you didn't have a smart phone. you buy the $130 device that providers WiFi data.

if you have to buy a tethering plan I imagine you could just turn it off on months you don't use it. I don't think you'd have to sign up for a year. but I don't know.

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**ydh2323** · 08-21-2012, 03:00 PM

i have d2 global, and nexus 7 with foxfi on my d2 w unlimited data on vzw works pretty good, not a terribly fast connection but i can live with it for now

**jimbarr** · 08-21-2012, 03:19 PM

I use my rooted Droid Bionic with WiFi Tether v3.2-beta1 and the SQLlite tweak. My Nexus 7 connects quickly and 'net access is as solid as on my phone.

**jjhoneck** · 08-21-2012, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by dralezero

is it wanting you to buy a tethering plan? (i don't know anything about verizon and tethering.)

Yeah, that's where I end up -- on a Verizon splash screen, saying "You can't do this without signing up for just $29.95/month, blah blah blah..."

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**jjhoneck** · 08-21-2012, 04:44 PM

Interesting. I have spent the last 20 minutes effing with FoxFi. My Nexus detects no broadcast WiFi from my Motorola Droid2 unless the Verizon hotspot app is turned on. Thus, I get the Verizon splash screen.

With Foxfi showing "Hotspot On", if I turn the Verizon app off, I get nothing. My devices see no WiFi signal at all.

In the Foxfi documentation they mention that the app will not work on a Motorola Droid1. I wonder if its FUBAR on a Droid2, too?

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**chuckr01** · 08-21-2012, 05:13 PM

I work with someone with a Droid 3. He got this pop-up and found a way around it, it required turning on airplane mode and doing something, but I didn't follow what he had to do from that point. I thought the foxfi app had a help link that told him how to do this. He has unlimited, so it's a matter of finding out the steps required. Sorry I can't help with that, I have a Droid 4 and it works fine.

**cammykool** · 08-21-2012, 07:43 PM

get PDAnet tablet on the nexus then it works

**Hand_O_Death** · 08-21-2012, 09:41 PM

Without a hacked phone to add Wi-Fi, I found ClearWireless has good deals on 4G hot spots.

**zippox180#AC** · 08-22-2012, 12:14 AM

Originally Posted by cammykool

get PDAnet tablet on the nexus then it works

Download PDAnet on the tablet and foxfi on the phone. I use Bluetooth instead of WiFi so I don't go through battery as much and I still get decent speeds. Just turn on foxfi Bluetooth and then PDAnet on the tablet and pair the two. Should work.

**Run L1ke H3LL** · 08-22-2012, 12:45 AM

Bugless Beast has this feature built in.

**jjhoneck** · 08-22-2012, 01:21 AM

Originally Posted by zippox180

Download PDAnet on the tablet and foxfi on the phone. I use Bluetooth instead of WiFi so I don't go through battery as much and I still get decent speeds. Just turn on foxfi Bluetooth and then PDAnet on the tablet and pair the two. Should work.

Wow -- it works! I'm attached via Bluetooth to my Droid2 right now, using PDAnet. Sweet!

Thanks for the tips, all.

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**javaboy#AC** · 08-22-2012, 07:37 AM

Just wanted to chime in. I have a Samsung Nexus on Verizon with the unlimited data plan (the grandfathered one). I installed FoxFi and my Nexus 7 is now on the internet. Couldn't have been easier.

And to think I almost dropped the grandfathered plan and went with one of VZWs data plans so that I could do hot spot.

**p08757** · 08-22-2012, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by dralezero

is it wanting you to buy a tethering plan? (i don't know anything about verizon and tethering.)

there is also Verizon mifi prepaid weekly, monthly, or yearly. probably a better option if you didn't have a smart phone. you buy the $130 device that providers WiFi data.

if you have to buy a tethering plan I imagine you could just turn it off on months you don't use it. I don't think you'd have to sign up for a year. but I don't know.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

This is the correct answer.

**TemporalBeef** · 08-22-2012, 08:48 AM

SVTP works really well, although it is a paid app. No problems whatsoever on my s3 hotspotting my nexus 7. Very fast, no dropped connections, no vzw splash screen, etc. Quality.

**Kegman** · 08-22-2012, 10:18 AM

is tethering via bluetooth considered bad in verizons eyes too?

**jpmist** · 08-22-2012, 10:29 AM

I use a NetZero 4g wireless router for my N7.

Don't use it much because I have so much free wifi access where I hang out, but for commuting and using Maps & GPS it's great.

You can get a plan where 200mb a month is free for 12 months when you buy the hotspot from NetZero for $140 or so. After 12 months you can spring for a $10 500mb plan.

No contract, monthly billing. If you have 4G where you live it's a pretty good service.

**teckee** · 08-22-2012, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by javaboy

Just wanted to chime in. I have a Samsung Nexus on Verizon with the unlimited data plan (the grandfathered one). I installed FoxFi and my Nexus 7 is now on the internet. Couldn't have been easier.

And to think I almost dropped the grandfathered plan and went with one of VZWs data plans so that I could do hot spot.

Good to know! I've got the same gear, will try it out, altho where I use the N7 there is usually wifi available.

**rootbrain** · 08-22-2012, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by Kegman

is tethering via bluetooth considered bad in verizons eyes too?

Tethering without paying them something is a no-no in their eyes regardless of the method used.

Rootbrain

**jerrod6** · 08-22-2012, 05:18 PM

I have a Galaxy Nexus that has the tethering option in the settings menu. So do I need an external app or can I use this as is or is it going to take me to Verizon " buy tethering" screen?

**jjhoneck** · 08-22-2012, 09:11 PM

I am sitting at my hangar right now posting on my Nexus 7. I am connected via a hot spot set up using my Droid2, Foxfi, and PDANet, utilizing Bluetooth rather than WiFi.

It works great, even letting me view video surveillance from my business without a hiccup. I'm seeing 560 KPS speeds -- plenty fast for my needs.

Thanks again for the great recommendations. What a great resource this is!

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**zippox180#AC** · 08-22-2012, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by jjhoneck

I am sitting at my hangar right now posting on my Nexus 7. I am connected via a hot spot set up using my Droid2, Foxfi, and PDANet, utilizing Bluetooth rather than WiFi.

It works great, even letting me view video surveillance from my business without a hiccup. I'm seeing 560 KPS speeds -- plenty fast for my needs.

Thanks again for the great recommendations. What a great resource this is!

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Use that setup all day wouldn't recommend any other. Bluetooth is much nicer on the battery too. Glad you got it working.