Thank you all for your assistance. Based on the input here I have just ordered a Max Transit 5G, a Panorama Mako 5G 9-in-1 antenna (2 Wi-Fi are spares for future use), and an AP One Rugged for internal LAN along with (3) Panorama 4dB omni antennas. I am sure I will have many more questions as I configure it.
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Hello Matt,
Iâm looking at a very similar combo. Whatâs the verdict 18m on? Anything youâd change or reconsider ?
I am very happy with the Max Transit 5G. I use it almost daily as I travel the country. I still carry Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile 5G SIMs, but find me keeping AT&T and T-Mobile installed inside the Max Transit 5G at all times. I had one issue this Spring where I could not connect with any SIM card. I had to create a ticket and while connected to WiFi a tech support agent was able to force an upgrade manually to the cellular router and since that time the unit has ran flawlessly. I have only restarted the system once since this Spring. I now have Starlink on board using their RV plan and am still tweaking its setup. It may permit me to drop one of my SIM cards and utilize Starlink for streaming content. I have tested Starlink enough to know that it will not be suitable for maintaining a high quality of service for video conference calls. I love using InControl via computer or my iPhone to access and control the system remotely. The last time I checked the 5G Max Transit was discontinued so you would be looking at a Max BR1 Pro 5G as a similar solution. I like the DIN mounted solution of the Max Transit series since my entire network cabinet was setup to support DIN mounted devices. I definitely recommend the secondary internal access point using the AP ONE Rugged to support your own internal SSID(s). I leave the radios of the Max Transit for the external antennas. At some RV resorts I can grab both a 2.4G and 5G connection in parallel (but not at all). I use the Max Transit 5G as the AP controller which allows the user to simply ignore the other box as it is all rolled up under a single interface on the Max Transit. The system works reliably, support has been there for me when I needed it, and it requires very little maintenance. While I enjoy the speed of 5G when available if I did it again I would give more consideration to the Duo models to park my two SIMs inside and let them work in concert with one another or have real-time failover rather a short delay between SIM transition at the cost of speed. It all depends on your usage model. That is a benefit of Peplink - they have multiple tools for different jobs. I am glad I selected the Peplink solution of products and am pleased with my setup.
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Thank you Matt thatâs very helpful and clarifies a few concerns, especially regarding the simultaneous 2.4+5ghz AP support and hot-failover. How are you finding the Mako 9-1 ? how high do you have it mounted and would you still go with it?
The Mako 9-1 is a fantastic product. I have it mounted in the center of my coach at about 10.5â above the ground. It is so tiny you have to be at an elevation above the coach to see it. I bought the accessory kit for either uneven roofs or thick roofs which was imperative to reach the extended threads on the inside to secure it. Itâs inherent sealing is based on a compression seal and I have verified through hurricanes and torrential rains that no water has ever leaked around the seal which keeps this serviceable instead of layering it with the âgoopâ that is required to seal typical RV/Marine roof penetrations. I have 2 unused, but terminated WiFi cables going to the roof antennas that I could, but see no need to, add another AP ONE Rugged to provide extended private SSID reach outside the coach. My antennas is at the back of the coach above the closet along with my network cabinet. I did verify through testing that I could NOT reach the front driverâs chair with sufficient WiFi using only the roof mounted antenna. The 45â length and stainless steel/glass added to the challenges. I use three Panorama surface mount antennas designed for emergency responder windows with 10â cable lengths mounted in various locations including one on the bedroom rear window glass which provides good coverage of the outdoors on the passenger side (camp side) and two more placed strategically in the back bedroom to provide coverage all the way up front. I am likely to add an AP ONE Rugged mounted in the cabinets above the driverâs seat with two antennas covering the indoors and one placed on the inside of the glass to better cover the front half of the coach and the outdoor area in front of the coach allowing me to drop the output power from high to half power. I am trying not to âpolluteâ the WiFi ecosystem where I park. A photo is attached for reference (1997 Prevost XLV Marathon Coach)
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Thatâs good to know, many thanks again. That s some coach!