FYI Peplink 5G alternative

[redbaron]

Getting ready to head out soon and discovered my peplink is doa after 2 years. I don’t have the warranty and was going to replace it with another.

I found a product that has many more features, no paywall or mandatory subscriptions, and half the price.

RV Connectivity Solution

Home Solutions RV Connectivity Solution RV Connectivity Solution Elevate Your RV Experience with Dual SIM Wi-Fi 6 5G Router Contact Sales Unmatched Connectivity on Your RV Adventures with Our Multi-WAN Router Our Multi-WAN router supports Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Cellular network, Tethering, allowing...

www.gl-inet.com

I ordered the 5G Spitz AX

GL-X3000 / Spitz AX

A WiFi 6 Dual-SIM 4G/5G Cellular Router that supports 5G NR Dual-SIM Failover & Multi-WAN, pre-installed with OpenWrt 21.02, OpenVPN and WireGuard.

www.gl-inet.com

Will post a follow up once I have used it.

 

[Neal]

SpeedFusion would be hard to let go of...

 

[Scotttkd2]

RedBaron......please do post up a review when you have a feel for the new device. Many of us have followed the advice and or experiences on this forum on the pepwave product (me included) and mine is aging out sooner rather than later. Would love to hear some good news on less expensive alternatives!

 

[Neal]

@Ddmo - what are you using? You seem to have good results from your speed tests posted. Good to hear what is working for people for internet solutions in RV's.

 

[Neal]

Getting ready to head out soon and discovered my peplink is doa after 2 years. I don’t have the warranty and was going to replace it with another.

I found a product that has many more features, no paywall or mandatory subscriptions, and half the price.

RV Connectivity Solution

Home Solutions RV Connectivity Solution RV Connectivity Solution Elevate Your RV Experience with Dual SIM Wi-Fi 6 5G Router Contact Sales Unmatched Connectivity on Your RV Adventures with Our Multi-WAN Router Our Multi-WAN router supports Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Cellular network, Tethering, allowing...

www.gl-inet.com

I ordered the 5G Spitz AX

GL-X3000 / Spitz AX

A WiFi 6 Dual-SIM 4G/5G Cellular Router that supports 5G NR Dual-SIM Failover & Multi-WAN, pre-installed with OpenWrt 21.02, OpenVPN and WireGuard.

www.gl-inet.com

Will post a follow up once I have used it.

I was trying to find what modem it used. Found it:

* The Spitz AX is available in two versions: 4G LTE (CAT16) and 5G NR (CAT19).

 

[redbaron]

SpeedFusion would be hard to let go of...

Easily replaced with WireGuard and multi-peering. I am testing it now on a non cellular GLinet that I carry. Using my Starlink and a att hotspot connected via usb. Very impressed with the $50 router and can’t wait to see what the big guy will do

 

[redbaron]

The device uses OpenWRT. It is fully expandable for any vpn, or other software.

The MultiWan feature has the same tuning you expect, but has much more granular controls if you want to really dial it in.

MWan3 is the toolset behind the scenes.

WiFi as wan is standard, as is multi ether, usb, etc.

This also uses all the same antennas (except gps is missing) as the peplink 5G, so for all purposes it is a drop in replacement.

I am running on a device I travel with out of country that allows me to watch USA streaming media. Didn’t realize how much more powerful it really was.

The other use for the travel router is cruise ships. You can buy the one device package and then Use all your devices thru this repeater.

I use it to stream Roku on the main tv in the cabin while using my laptop for work, and phone for WiFi calling.

This is the link to the travel router I am using now until the cellular version arrives. It’s $69 and runs my WiFi wan and Starlink perfectly.

Slate Plus (GL-A1300) Ultra Efficient VPN Encrypted Gigabit Travel Router

Slate Plus (GL-A1300): Your ultimate Wi-Fi 5 travel router with OpenWrt OS. Dual-band AC speeds, OpenVPN/WireGuard support for secure browsing. Ideal for frequent travelers demanding VPN networks.

store-us.gl-inet.com

 

[Ddmo]

I’m using T-mobile home. Took the card out and put it into a Cudy P5. Connected the P5 to a Peplink 42G I mounted on the roof. Have had great service across the US. From rural to urban, while camping, driving, and even inside enclosed storage. Highly recommend.

 

[redbaron]

This modem is definetly a very good option. I use the $10/mo TMobile tablet plan which requires the IMEI to match the tablet. With a simple command via the UI, the IMEI can be updated to match the tablet. I was able to get very high speeds (230Mb/s sustatained) with the TMobile. AT&T is very strong as well.

I have both AT&T and TMobile sims installed along with Wifi Tether & WAN for StarLInk. I have used the load balance and failover along with WireGuard VPN and seen extremely reliable connections.

Another really cool feature is this device can act as a HomeKit root server, which for apple eco systems can allow lots of additional devices to be controlled (TV, lights, etc)....all in all this is a very good option.

 

[Buster]

In general, are you still happy with this after a couple of weeks?

I have read the reviews and it looks like this option would work for us. Initial plan would be to get dual cellular SIMS and add in a Starlink Roam setup down the road. Hadn't thought about tethering, but depending on our data usage that sounds like a good option to have as well.

I am also contemplating getting the Silverlink Rozie upgrade and accessing remotely when I'm not at the coach but haven't gotten that far in the planning yet.

The GL-x3000 is down to just under $400 now, so seems like a good price for what you get.

 

[Neal]

Minimum WiFi for me for anything new would be WiFi 6E. I'd probably wait for WiFi 7 now as it's widely available now, but not sure about 5G combinations. I just bought my mother this router for her condo as she needed something better as her WiFi calls were terrible on a Netgear Orbi mesh I put in, it's WiFi 7 and problem solved (her phone handles 6E). Loved it so much I just got this WiFi 7 router and installed it my house yesterday as my iPhone 16 Pro Max has WiFi 7 support. So the WiFi tech is important to me that 6E is my minimum for any new hardware purchases.

 

[Buster]

Minimum WiFi for me for anything new would be WiFi 6E. I'd probably wait for WiFi 7 now. I just bought my mother this router for her condo as she needed something better as her WiFi calls were terrible on a Netgear Orbi mesh I put in, it's WiFi 7 and problem solved (her phone handles 6E). Loved it so much I just got this WiFi 7 router and installed it my house yesterday as my iPhone 16 Pro Max has WiFi 7 support. So the WiFi tech is important to me that 6E is my minimum for any new hardware purchases.

I think our biggest challenge is going to be the cellular signal as we utilize lots of state parks and COE campgrounds when we are outside of the city areas and it's raining. That's when the DW needs her TV fix. When we are in the cities, we have lots of other options. I had also looked at the Nighthawk 6E router, but it didn't seem to fit the bill like I needed. Our wifi needs are fairly small as we would only have one TV and a couple of laptops going at once (not streaming).

I looked at the TP link for the router you purchased for your mom and it looks great but I didn't see any reference for cellular hookups unless I missed something. I've had great luck with TP link products in the past so this could be a good option if it allows for the dual sims.

 

[Neal]

No, the two routers I just purchased don't have cellular (that I know of) but I was just pointing out the availability of WiFi 7 now. With WiFi 6 you should be fine for your needs. This Internet stuff is an interesting challenge for RVers.

 

[redbaron]

I am very happy with the GL-Inet. I am using its Wifi-6 as the WAN dedicated for the roof top antennas to get the internet source, and internally I have my DecoM5's that work just fine. These are all hard wired to the main router.

I am using 4 sources of internet: Starlink, RVPark, TMobile via local SIm, and AT&T via tethering USB-C. This has been an ideal solution for me and a lot less expensive than the peplink.

 

[Buster]

I think I'll give it a shot. Hoping to use the attached antenna's, but will put up an external 4x4 MIMO antenna if needed. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Neal]

Not like Google is tracking me but this popped on my YouTube feed:

 

[Buster]

Hah. I ordered one yesterday. Haven't been on youtube in a couple of days. I'll probably get a Pepwave link when I do.

 

[flyboy013]

When using WiFi as WAN on the Peplink MAX BR1 mini I've found that my throughput is 1/2 of what I get when connecting directly to the home WiFi. As I understand it, this is because the BR1 is switch between connecting to the home wifi and being an AP. How does the Spitz AX perform where it is being used as both a Repeater and an AP? Does it have one or two WiFi modems?

 

[redbaron]

When using WiFi as WAN on the Peplink MAX BR1 mini I've found that my throughput is 1/2 of what I get when connecting directly to the home WiFi. As I understand it, this is because the BR1 is switch between connecting to the home wifi and being an AP. How does the Spitz AX perform where it is being used as both a Repeater and an AP? Does it have one or two WiFi modems?

I don’t use it that way, but looking at the hardware devices from the Linux shell, it appears to be a single physical radio. I only use it for wan and use Ethernet to my dedicated access point.

 

[Just George]

I don’t use it that way, but looking at the hardware devices from the Linux shell, it appears to be a single physical radio. I only use it for wan and use Ethernet to my dedicated access point.

@redbaron Are you using the starlink router to feed the GL-X3000 or using a power injector and feeding the starlink dishy direct to the GL-X3000 or ??