How to pick a SIM card and data plan?
Answered
I read the support article about compatible SIM cards:
https://support.hammerhead.io/hc/en-us/articles/360002913013-Known-SIM-Cards-Compatible-with-Karoo
However, I still don't know how to proceed in picking the best SIM card and data plan.
For example, FreedomPop has 7 different cards to choose from. I assume I should get a data-only card. There are two of those to choose from. One is the LTE SIM Kit 3-in-1 Data Only Bundle, and the other is the Global SIM Kit. Both of them mention getting free data, and they only cost $9.99. How can the data be free? I'm very confused.
Another option is Cricket, and it looks like the cheapest plan is $30 a month. That seems way too expensive for a cycling computer. Is there another cheaper option that I'm not seeing?
Finally, there is Google Project Fi. The cheapest plan is $20 a month. That's getting more reasonable, but still seems expensive for a low data-rate device like the Karoo.
Anyway, has anyone found a good SIM card and data plan that is cheap and reliable for use in the United States?
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If you don't have a free second SIM from your phone provider, FreedomPop is probably the cheapest way to get data on your Karoo if you use less than 200mb of data. If you do, then it is free.
However, the plans go up in price from there fast and as far as I know, there is no way to limit data.
Also, FreedomPop will charge you by default unless you turn off certain settings.
If you need more data, check out USMobile.com which has data only plans for $5 / month for 500mb of data or $10 / month for 1.5 GB.
See if you can contact Hammerhead or Luner.io (formerly Mokanix) to find out the average data usage of the Karoo. -
What is the baseline data consumption of the device to use in card selection?
Do the various apps have known data needs , and known variables in what they might be expected to consume ?
When uses in tethered Wifi is there a way to monitor data use to extrapolate this?
Do you even want us asking questions like this , or are you interested in providing a place to collect this data so we can make decisions to use this function?
Or even support for making a dumbed down decision in the vein of "I rode 4 hours over 3 days in 4 rides and used 0.88 MB, so need a 200MB plan."
Is there a compelling reason for having a SIM card? Is it something that could/should be developed?
I just watched Greg Meritt's YT on using Zoom on the device (LOL) and was wondering what his data use was.
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I have been trying out FreedomPOP free plan. (LTE SIM Kit - 3 in 1 - voice/data bundle) I could not find the data only card locally.
I only download maps and routes or upgrade OS while at home and on WiFi.
I don't use the live tracking feature while riding. I generally stay on route.
I have not created any new routes while on SIM data during this time.
I power the Karoo down fully between rides.
5 rides so far during this test - 130 miles, about 9 hours ride time, used about 9MB data of my 200MB total (4%).
Seems like a rough estimate is 1 MB/hour riding. I am happy so far with the 200MB free plan from FreedomPOP. -
Update. I have been riding Karoo 1 on FreedomPOP plan for a a couple of months and my average data use has stayed between 1-2MB per hour of Karoo on-time. I don't sideload and rarely do any in-ride rerouting.
Since I tend to average around 40 hours a month (80MB data), I have yet to run out of the 200 MB monthly "free data" pool. Of course, your mileage may vary.
Second update - I played around with sideloading this week. Adding spotify and streaming music during my ride took about 70mb/hour! Not good for a free plan. -
Well, this topic has gone quiet for a while, but thought I'd throw in my $.02:
I discovered US Mobile at the end of '19. I was able to get plenty of minutes, texts, and data for my needs at less then $16/month tax & fees inclusive, all able to be "Topped Up" whenever necessary. (Obviously, I'm not a heavy user.) Currently, I'm getting unlimited voice and text with 5G of data for under $20, including taxes and fees. And, they're offering data-only plans, so I'm confirming APN info with one of their support agents right now, and expect to have the additional SIM card in my Karoo 2 in the next day or two, with 50MB/month for $1.50 plus taxes and fees tacked onto my current billing. I've been more than happy with their service, and will update here if/when this data SIM works out.
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Larry - I just got a US Mobile SIM for my Karoo 2 and the GSM one seems to work just fine. I've not actually been riding with it, but sitting in my office it seems I've got a solid LTE connection with WIFI turned off. I live in a rural area where Verizon is the only solid bet, so I'm unsure whether the GSM is going to practically work for me, but it does seem to be compatible, at least.
One thing I did run into is that I had to set the MNC to 240 instead of 260 as US Mobile's instructions said. That may limit the bands that are usable and could be bad. I am completely out of my depth on the subject though. -
Mitchell -
As much as I'd be happy to promote USMobile for the mobile service and pricing, I have to say their support people have been very good, too. So, after attempting LTE and having no luck, I got on a chat with a tech, and he actually dug into the Karoo specs and informed me about the band issue. So, I left it with that. YMMV thing, I know. Tacking a data-only SIM to my existing USM account would have been great.
Anyway, a couple years ago, I was fortunate to be included in the Mokanix (now Luner.io) beta. They sent me a SIM card and I had a year or so of free international service on my Karoo. When the beta period ended, I created an account. As long as you avoid heavy downloads (maps, OS updates), the pay-as-you-go service is not unreasonably priced and the coverage is okay here in central VT... great everywhere else.
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I just ordered a Tello sim here in the USA, 1GB plan, no minutes for $4.50 a month for the 1st 6 months then its $6 a month. The sim cost was $2, so no biggie there. Should have the SIM card this week and I will test. Jonathan Haydu recommend this SIM as he has it working with no issues. Hope this helps others with SIM questions, at least here in the USA.
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The K1 specs are : 3G - WCDMA antenna and modem covering these bands. 850/900/1900/2100 MHz.
K2:
( I can't paste it, and descriptions are not congreuent. Reason #243 to raz Franklin . ?K1 no GSM? )
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