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Hey Everyone,
I just wanted to pass on some of my personal experience with this. I currently am a AT&T/Cingular subscriber and decided this weekend to use my cell phone as a modem to use it’s GPRS/Internet for checking updates on Magellan’s website. Previously I just browsed from the phone to get some info here and there, so I usually don’t use it much and pay for the 1 Megabyte of data plan.
Needless to say, I went a weeee bit over on my plan usage. About 15 megabytes to be exact, and that is without loading images
Needless to say, it’s VERY expensive as my plan charges 1 cent per kilobyte beyond my plan 😛So, in short spend more time trying to find an open wireless spot when geocaching
The cost of gas is MUCH MUCH MUCH cheaper than going over your phone plan. 
I just thought I’d share my semi painful expense in hopes of saving someone some $ in the future!
Nick
Here again is the link to wisconsin wifi locations…. http://www.wififreespot.com/wi.html
Just FYI…
Yep I’ve got a lot of tools that I use on my laptops to get wifi. We didn’t bring along a directional antenna to extend the range when we were out. Not to mention while being in some of the state parks well away from wifi spots
Someday this stuff will get cheaper
I can connect to my laptop via my cellphone also. I don’t do it very often, mostly to pull up radar images when out storm chasing.
I pay by the minute, not by the bite. My time online comes out of my plan’s minutes.
The connection speeds are usually extremely slow. You need to use your time connected very wisely.
Cingular has some great plans for Internet use. They are the “Media” service options and range from $5 to $20 a month. For the $20 you get unlimited downloads and browsing. It’s definitely cheaper with a plan!!
I also have the Cingular set-up to do the Internet connection thing, but I haven’t used it in many months because I go to wi-fi hotspots now. In fact, when we went to the WGA campout we spent a hour at the Coffee Grounds in Eau Claire so we could email work stuff before heading over to Lake Wissota. Bonus: it was a cool place.
I just started last week using my GPRS cell phone and Cingular’s Unlimited MediaNet for $24.95/month. Absolutly LOVE it!
I have yet to have usable throughput under 50kbps, and often have 130+kbps, even out in the woods and other boonies.
I use bluetooth between my laptop and cell phone, so I can just keep the phone on my belt etc., or position it up to 60′ from the laptop in a position of better reception.
Its like having my own special hotspot that follows me around! Can’t beat it for the price and for unlimited usage.
Just a note that I do still use WiFi when handy. Right now I’m typing this while leaning over the hood of my car in the dark parking lot of Beloit’s movie theater picking up free WiFi from one of the near by hotels, waiting for my daughter and her friends to come out to run them all back home. So I do still like WiFi, but love how I can use GPRS just about anywhere, even far from civilization.
avi8r has one of them ther fancy schmancy treo thingers. I have to say, its a nifty gadget. I think i’d break it in about 2 days though.
Rpaske has been using his cell phone to get online while camping lately. It sounds like its really slow, but its better then nothing i guess.
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Originally posted by CacheCows:
love how I can use GPRS just about anywhere, even far from civilization.I guess I was TOO FAR from civilization Sunday if lack of GPRS is the differentiating factor. I did only see a dozen campers and about 8 hikers all day though. My cell phone still had a signal on the Pacific Crest Trail but my blackberry didn’t have GPRS or GSM signal. I was surprised at the lack of GSM…
Steve K
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