There was a time when camping meant a complete break from the world.
Things have changed today and we are all surrounded by technology everywhere. Not all campers today want to completely break off from the world.
Some people want to stay connected even when camping. Staying connected when camping isn’t always bad and has certain advantages.
Here is everything you need to know about the benefits of staying connected when camping and how to do that.
Advantages Of Staying Connected
Staying connected allows you to research various locations when you’re out on the road.
It also allows you to know about the road and weather conditions which can seriously affect your camping trip.
Everybody experiences some downtime or lull during their trip and that is when you can make use of some online entertainment.
Post beautiful images on your social media accounts and continue to give updates to your family or friends.
Many people work remotely these days and they need to stay connected to get the work done.
There are also people who take a long camping retirement trips. It is extremely important for them to stay connected as well as be able to stream Netflix.
The Type Of Connection You Need
Once you are convinced of the need to stay connected, the next question is the type of connection you’re going to need for your particular situation.
It depends on the intended data usage. You will need different types of Internet connections depending on whether you are a heavy, medium, or light user.
#1. Free Wi-Fi At Campsites
Many campsites offer free Wi-Fi to campers recognizing their need to stay online even when camping.
Choose a campground with free Wi-Fi in case you need good quality and consistent online connection.
Keep in mind that such connections are typically slower as a lot of people are connected to the same Wi-Fi network on the campground.
Also, certain parts of the campground are likely to have a stronger Wi-Fi signal as compared to the other parts which means you might have to stay only in such particular areas.
#2. Mobile Router
If you are part of a group while camping, a better option would be a wireless mobile router.
It allows you to share the connection only among the group. A variety of prepaid as well as postpaid options are offered by carriers allowing you to choose the amount of data required for your camping trip.
It does have a downside which is the limited battery capacity of the router. If you use it too much, the battery may need to be charged again very quickly.
If there isn’t a power connection available nearby and you are not able to recharge the device, you won’t be able to stay connected.
In short, you need to think of power availability when using a mobile router. Rember a portable outdoor power bank to keep your device charged.
#3. Personal Hotspot
Everybody carries a smartphone these days. Everyone in your camping group is likely to have a smartphone.
A smartphone can be used to create a personal hotspot and each member of the group can stay connected using their mobile data.
The data availability will depend on the chosen plan. The only downside to using your device as a personal hotspot is the limited battery capacity of a smartphone.
Also, not every location out there has proper cell coverage which means you won’t be able to get online everywhere.
#4. Using Satellite Internet
A great option is using satellite Internet. It is one of the best options for a fast connection without any data cap.
Connectivity isn’t a problem as satellite Internet allows you to get online almost everywhere.
It is the best option for serious campers who are in it for the long term. It is also a great solution for campers who want to be connected even when they are far off the beaten track.
It was a popular solution in Australia for several years but these days, more people prefer the standard wireless connections due to an increase in the coverage area.
However, a satellite Internet is the best solution and often, the only solution if you want to stay online almost everywhere.
#5. Nearby Town
If you don’t want to stay connected all the time and can make do with an online connection from time to time, it is better to choose a location that is near a town.
You will get better data service and signals in the town. A quick trip to the local library or a nearby coffee shop should be sufficient for your internet needs.
You can always go back to the campsite once your work is done. Don’t forget to check the coverage area before choosing a location.
Verdict
There are a variety of solutions available today to get online even when you are camping in the great outdoors.
Connectivity shouldn’t be a problem when you are camping at popular destinations or driving on the main roads.
These locations usually have good Wi-Fi or cell coverage.
One of the biggest advantages of Wi-Fi is that it is usually free. On the other hand, using mobile data can turn out to be extremely expensive.
This is why you need to carefully research various options to choose the right plan for you.
If possible, choose an unlimited plan as you will be able to get all the data you need at a flat rate and there won’t be any bill shock.