Field Testing Lab Report
We have completed our initial round of testing of some brand new mobile booster options to the market. Our initial impressions and testing results are available to our members below, and we'll soon be starting a more intensive testing round.
Booster Testing
- weBoost Drive Reach - Released on May 21, this is weBoost's new flagship mobile booster claiming the strongest transmit power yet. We'll be testing with their OTR, Marine and 4" Mag Mount antennas.
- SolidRF RV Pro - Released on June 20, this is SolidRFs newest mobile booster designed just for RVs, sporting amplifier installation on the roof and support for two interior antennas.
- Cel-Fi Go-M - Released in February 2017, this digital booster has received greatly enhanced firmware. We'll be putting it back in to testing. We'll be testing with their OTR and Marine antennas.
- weBoost Drive 4G-X - Our tried and true champion of cellular boosters for years, will be what we compare the new entrants against. We'll be testing with their OTR, Marine and 4" Mag Mount antennas.
- Poynting 402 MIMO - Newly available in the US market, we'll also be testing this 2x2 MIMO omni marine antenna sent to us by MobileMustHave (formerly LivinLite.net.)
- Netgear MIMO - Our tried and true portable MIMO antenna we always test signal enhancing against.
The devices & the carriers we are testing them with include:
- Verizon - Inseego 8800L
- AT&T - Netgear Nighthawk
For guides to boosters & antennas:
Understanding & Optimizing your Cellular Data Performance
Selecting a Cellular Booster
Selecting a Cellular Antenna
Understanding MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) – LTE Speed & Cell Booster Implications
Our Testing Procedures
During our testing, we will attempt to visit a variety of testing locations.
We start by taking 3 baseline readings with each of our cellular devices with no booster or antenna.
Each device is tested independently, with all other nearby devices in airplane mode to prevent any potential interference.
Next, for each device we test each booster and/or antenna combination. We take readings with the mobile hotspot device directly on the interior antenna for boosters, and for those claiming extended interior range we also test at 6' away.
This round will be a quick snapshot focused just on speed tests - we won't be recording SNR, dBm, bars or jitter. But will be making notes of anything we discover.
-
Coverage maps Coverage? Map snapshot, showing high level view of anticipated service at each location.
- Signal bars
- DL = Download speed.
- UL = Upload speed.
- Ping time.
- Calculated scores (DL/DLbase + UL/ULbase), for use as a quick reference. Any score over a 2.00 shows some improvement over the baseline reading.
For speed and ping readings, we are using the Ookla Speedtest app. When testing mobile hotspots we test on a device while connected via WiFi to the hotspot. We keep the distance between device and mobile hotspot consistent over the same WiFi band to rule out WiFi variables.
All of the individual field testing results and observations shared below are for our members. Not only will the results show the performance of each booster/antenna, but also what to expect in different types of signal situations.
Testing Disclaimer:
Our goal in our cellular and Wi-Fi gear testing isn’t to attempt to create perfectly “fair” lab conditions, which are impossible in the real world. Instead, we try to strike a balance between real-world scenarios and the need to be able to test multiple setups head-to-head while being able to rapidly switch between them.
By testing in a range of locations and situations patterns tend to emerge - and we always try to sanity-check our conclusions by mixing things up to make sure that the overall results make sense and are representative.
Testing Status
Field testing is complete
Our testing results are an exclusive member benefit, and are shared below including a grid of collected data and testing summaries.
You can also support MIRC by purchasing our Mobile & Connected T-Shirt:
If you're a member, please log in above to see your exclusive content.
It is with huge gratitude to our members for making the free unbiased educational content on our site possible. We're not sponsored, you'll find no 3rd party ads and we don't sell gear or data plans.
Our members get exclusive access to our in-depth content, classrooms, vendor discounts (that can save you more than membership!), alerts, insider info and interactive guidance. They can even book private advising sessions.
If mobile internet is an important part of your lifestyle, consider helping make MIRC possible.
Explore the Resource Center
Have Questions?
Join our 'Library Desk':
Internet for RVers & Cruisers Facebook Group
We cross post news articles and guides, and can help point you in the right direction to our content here on the resource center.
It is with gratitude to our premium members that we're able to offer our free content - and for that, they also have access to our member Q&A areas for more in-depth guidance.
Become a Member
The MIA is our premium membership - designed for those who consider mobile internet an important part of their lifestyle.
In thanks for making content like this possible, we offer a bunch of additional perks. From interactive guidance, in-depth member exclusive content, discounts, alerts, classroom and ability to book private advising sessions.
Stay In the Know
We're constantly tracking the industry and analyzing new developments for mobile travelers. If you'd like to receive updates, we offer several ways:
- Subscribe to our free monthly newsletter
- Subscribe to our News Stories RSS Feed
- Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
- Follow our Facebook Page
Mobile Internet Resource Center (dba Two Steps Beyond LLC) is founded by Chris & Cherie of