Dual Sim Routers or Budget Solutions for SIM Slutting

fleetoiler on 26/05/2024 - 22:10

Have started researching options for my next 'budget' purchase to continue the game of almost free internet for my few devices/small family/small house without a need to stream or game or high end anything.

One annoying part of the simslut game is swapping the SIM over when it runs out of data unexpectedly, due to the wife or myself having a big zoom meeting or up/downloading work files.

Currently using an aircard ac800s for the entire house interwebs and apart from the battery issues and outage when swapping SIM it does the job. Small house, wooden walls, low range, not a lot of devices or streaming, just two of us working from home saving money by not having nbn or postpaid contracts. 4g is fine, I don't think I need 5g any time soon, and i have various wifi routers to use for signal/devices but haven't needed to since upgrading from a huawei 3g wingle dongle to the aircard.

So I'm in the market for an upgrade and figured might as well spend on something next level to make it easier to stay online while swapping out Sims as they run out of data. I've convinced myself that i need something better, But I am a bit allergic to spending money…

So far it seems like there is a couple of options, teltokinka rut950/95* for around $300+, or a 4g cat4 from outdoorrouter.com, or some other devices aimed at rugged situations like outdoors on boats or helicopters or whatever. I'm willing to pay this much if needed but it's against my ozb oath to not chase cheaper options.

So my questions are, does anyone have experience or input into the world of dual SIM devices? What questions should I be asking or researching to find a solution that might work for me? What is an entrypoint price for this sort of thing? Do any of you have alternative options that work for you that i could consider?

Computing Mobile Broadband Modem

Comments

  • apple2016 on 26/05/2024 - 23:32
    +2

    Just get a router with double wan like ubiquiti dream machine and you can add two 4g modems. Configure the router with failover.

    • geekcohen on 27/05/2024 - 07:33

      Just get a router with double wan like ubiquiti dream machine and you can add two 4g modems

      Only issue is you would need 4G Modems with Ethernet Out.

      • resisting the urge on 27/05/2024 - 08:47
        +1

        pfSense or OPNsense to do it better, and at no cost- assuming you have a spare computer with 2 network ports. Failover support over multiple WANs (you can have more than two), is core functionality.

        Optus used to provide Hauwei 4G modems that can be run in bridge mode over an ethernet cable. You can pick them up for cheap, or thrown out on cleanout week, when used.

  • omguleh on 27/05/2024 - 00:02

    There is no budget solution for dual SIM.

    Would recommend a unit made by GL.iNet, I have their single SIM 4G unit and travel routers and it runs so well.

    https://www.amazon.com.au/GL-iNet-GL-X3000-Multi-WAN-Detacha…

  • geekcohen on 27/05/2024 - 05:43

    Surely the 4G SIMs are costing you more than a 50Mbps NBN?

    Are you rural/remote and NBN isn't very good?

    You are essentially looking for something with Failover and that is going to cost you somewhere in the range of $800 or more for something decent quality, so you need to weigh that up vs NBN. If NBN is say $50 a month, $800 would last you 16 months on NBN.

    I have seen this RAPIDlink RL10 Managed Dual-SIM 4G LTE Router before which is $220 ish plus postage, but cannot speak for quality or its performance. I have a Ubiquiti Dreammachine and it has failover and had no problems. But that is $800 or more.

    • GordonD on 27/05/2024 - 09:32

      I have seen this RAPIDlink RL10 Managed Dual-SIM 4G LTE Router

      As I read the spec its failover between internet and 4G, not between two different 4Gs, as the OP wants.

    • firestormx on 27/05/2024 - 10:04
      +1

      OP is probably loading up on those 100% cashback 28 day sim deals and just discarding them and activating a new one once the data on it has been exhausted, so effectively getting internet for free.

  • Oofy Doofy on 27/05/2024 - 12:11

    Why not just get the Circles.life 400gb deal for $50pm at the moment? Sim swapping to save $50pm isn't worth it. Put 4.5L shower restrictors in your house instead, they're peanuts on eBay (this is the new standard for a lot of developments, moving forward. They're doing the same with taps as well). Save money that way instead.

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