Personal experiences with Datastorm or iNeVU in Europe Forums

TypingDutchman

I am planning to buy a solution for two Internet on a caravan (or towable RV). People who bought a set already probably know that its not easy to get the right information. I live in Holland and have the feeling I am the only one searching/having a mobile 'always-on'connection over here.
Are there people around who are willing to tell their personal experiences with a Datastorm F1 or a equivalent iNetVU two-way set? Until now one of thes seems the best solution for me. Speed is not an real issue, costs are.
I am interested in things like reliability, stability, range (where is the real edge of the footprint), good bargains an so on. I think most users use the direcway service. I am insterested in issues concerning these services too.

TypingDutchman

I forgot to ask another question. I like to receive TV on my dish too (see previous post) with an extra LNB (positioned at an offset for a different satellite?). Who has done this? I know in the US they use the DirecDuo or Bird-On-A-Wire option. Is it usable in Europe? My TV programs are on the Astra.

DABurleigh

Gvs,

Welcome to MHF. If cost is an issue as you say, then I very much doubt Datastorm is the way to go. I would suggest either GPRS/3G mobile phone, or given you want Astra TV as well, look at one-way satellite broadband through Astra, with a GPRS phone as the low datarate uplink/backchannel:

http://www.avcbroadband.com/page/faq_1.shtml

Another possibility later this year or early next will be high-speed GPRS via Immarsat from a small omnidirectional antenna. Costs unknown as yet.

Dave

TypingDutchman

You misinterpreted my remark about costs. I want the two-way-solution but don't like to pay more than necessary. I have had contact with a company who asked more then 30.000 euro (almost 40.000 USD) for a mobile solution, thats not where I am thinking about. Its not good value for money I think.
The same applies to monthly services. I see I lot of differences in the fees although the specs look quite the same.

DABurleigh

Gvs,

Well nothing in the your requirements so far - mobile always on connection, speed is not an issue, costs are (but clearly Datastorm capital and subscription costs are not out of the question), two-way solution, reliability, stability, range - tells me why you have rejected a GPRS mobile phone solution. At least, given that you seem to be looking at a satellite solution, that's what I infer.

And, given you don't want to pay more than necessary (and want Astra satellite TV anyway), why have you rejected the one-way satellite solution with phone uplink?

Dave

TypingDutchman

Dave, I don't like a GPRS solution because:
-not everywhere available
-costs use-depending; I prefer flat-fee

I must admit I have a little bit of trouble to find out what you realy mean by your answer. Probably my English is not good enough.

I am interested in which products/services are appreciated best.
Are two-way users around who can tell something more?
What did you pay for your Datastorm F1 or iNetVU 740?

DABurleigh

GvS,

Dave (Nukeadmin), the creator of this website, has a Datastorm. Whereas away from home I just make do with 9600baud for emails once a day!

Datastorm is great, but the capital (purchase) price is thousands of pounds, and the monthly subscription, though a flat fee, I recall was near £100 a month. It may have come down a little.

If Datastorm still sounds OK, then pursue that. But if you want permanent connection with broadband download speeds at a much smaller cost, do look seriously at one-way satellite broadband with GPRS mobile phone uplink. Capital cost is very small if you have satellite TV anyway, and flat fee around £45 per month.

Hope that helps.

I can assure you you don't want me to try my Dutch ...... Smile

Dave

TypingDutchman

For all the people who are interested in it. I now own a Datastorm F1 unit. It is mounted on my Travel Trailer (caravan) and I am quite happy with it. Now I am on a campingsite in France and convenient typing my e-mails. I installed the unit myself. I can assure you its not a job for non-technics or beginners. I have the luck that computers were my business.

androidGB

Hi GvS

Good to see you have your Datastorm up and running.

Could you give us some idea of cost ? and also were you able to achieve your requirement of watching TV through the system ?

Andrew

TypingDutchman

Hi Andrew,

Costs are about EUR 8000,- ex. installation/VAT. Monthly EUR 90,-

I am receiving TV on an extra LNB mounted in the dish and a seperate receiver. I made the bracket myself and had to retrieve my Highschool math knowledge to calculate the dimensions. It works fine except that my Internet transmissions distort my TV reception at this moment (pixelation and dropouts). I think its some kind of overloading the LNB or receiver. I am working on it to find a solution. Until then I can't use them together.

Geert