The Insty Connect Explorer is a mobile cellular connectivity system designed by part-time RVer Nick of the blog and YouTube channel "We Can Explore It" in response to his frustrations with the limitations of the MOFI 4500 he had been using for the past several years to keep his family connected.
The original Insty Connect Explorer bundle combined an indoor gigabit 802.11ac router, coupled via USB with an outdoor cellular modem tightly integrated into a custom 3D printed "Angel Wings" MIMO antenna enclosure. There was also an optional "Binoculars" directional MIMO antenna system available.
The 5G version of the Insty Connect features a 4x4 MIMO "Cloud Wings" antenna enclosure, which replaced the "Mega Angel Wings" design in April 2022. And a 4x4 MIMO version of the "binoculars" antenna was available as another antenna option.
In January 2023, Insty Connect came out with an optional X62 modem for the Explorer 5G - a more modern and capable modem than the X55 in the standard Explorer 5G.
Layered on top of the hardware is a mobile-friendly software interface that makes it relatively easy to lock to particular cellular bands and even to manually select different towers.
Though the overall Insty Connect solution has more limited capabilities compared to advanced routers that can use multiple connections at once, we consider the Insty Connect to be a "Top Pick" and worthy of consideration for anyone looking for a cellular-focused RV connectivity system.
Specifications
Explorer 5G X62
Specifications
- Model: Explorer 5G X62
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: Up to 50
- Wi-Fi Router:
- Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) - Simultaneous 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz
- Max Theoretical Wi-Fi Speed: Not Specified
- Wi-Fi Antenna: 4x4 MIMO
- Wi-Fi as WAN: Yes
- Claimed Wi-Fi Range: Not Specified
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Yes
- Default Control Panel Address: Not specified
- USB Tethering Support: No
- Ethernet Ports: 4x Gigabit Ethernet
- Cellular Modem Specs:
- Cellular Modem: Single 5G
- Modem Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon X62 (Quectel RM520N)
- Supported Networks and Bands: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile
- 5G Sub-6 Bands: n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n13, n14, n18, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79
- 4G/LTE Bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12(17), 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 48, 66, 71
- 3G: UMTS/WCDMA B1, B2, B4, B5, B8, B19
- MIMO Support: 4x4 MIMO
- LTE Performance Category:
- Cat-19 Download / Cat-18 Upload (Max Theoretical Speed: 1.6 Gps down/ 200Mbps up)
- LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation:
- Cat-19: 4x Download, 3x Upload
- 5G Carrier Aggregation: 3x 5G Carrier Aggregation - Mid-Band & Low-Band 5G can be combined
- SIM Slots: 2x Nano-SIM
- Dimensions: Not Specified
- Power Source:12V DC
- Outdoor Rated: Indoor Router / Outdoor Modem & Antenna system
- Special Features: Special User Interface, Custom VPN Features, Band Scanning, and Locking, Multi-WAN
- Retail Price: $1199
Explorer 5G20
Specifications
- Model: Explorer 5G20
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: Up to 50
- Wi-Fi Router:
- Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) - Simultaneous 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz
- Max Theoretical Wi-Fi Speed: Not Specified
- Wi-Fi Antenna: 4x4 MIMO
- Wi-Fi as WAN: Yes
- Claimed Wi-Fi Range: Not Specified
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Yes
- Default Control Panel Address: Not specified
- USB Tethering Support: No
- Ethernet Ports: 4x Gigabit Ethernet
- Cellular Modem Specs:
- Cellular Modem: Single 5G
- Modem Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 (Quectel RM502Q or Quectel RM505Q)
- Supported Networks and Bands: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile
- 5G Sub-6 Bands: n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79
- 4G/LTE Bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12(17), 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 48, 66, 71
- 3G: UMTS/WCDMA B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B8, B19
- MIMO Support: 4x4 MIMO
- LTE Performance Category:
- Cat-16 (Max Theoretical Speed: 1 Gps Down / 150Mps Up)
- Cat-20 (Max Theoretical Speed: 2 Gps Down / 150 Mps Up)
- LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation:
- Cat-16: 4x Download, 3x Upload
- Cat-20: At least 5x Download, 3x Upload
- 5G Carrier Aggregation: 2x 5G Carrier Aggregation - Mid-Band & Low-Band 5G can NOT be combined
- SIM Slots: 1x Nano-SIM (Cat-20 version), 2x Nano-SIM (Cat-16 version)
- Dimensions: Not Specified
- Power Source:12V DC
- Outdoor Rated: Indoor Router / Outdoor Modem & Antenna system
- Special Features: Special User Interface, Custom VPN Features, Band Scanning and Locking, Multi-WAN
- Retail Price: $999
Retired Model - Explorer 4G12
Specifications
-
- Model: Explorer 4G12
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: Up to 50
- Wi-Fi Router:
- Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) - Simultaneous 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz
- Max Theoretical Wi-Fi Speed: Not Specified
- Wi-Fi Antennas: 4x4 MIMO
- Wi-Fi as WAN: Yes
- Claimed Wi-Fi Range: Not Specified
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Yes
- Default Control Panel Address: Not specified
- USB Tethering Support: No
- Ethernet Ports: 4x Gigabit Ethernet
- Cellular Modem Specs:
- Cellular Modem: Single 4G
- Modem Chipset: Quectel EM-12G
- Supported Networks and Bands: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile
- 4G/LTE Bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
- 3G: Unknown
- MIMO Support: 2x2 MIMO
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-12 (Max Theoretical Speed: 600Mps Down / 150Mps Up)
- LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: 3x Download, 2x Upload
- Cellular Antennas: 2x2 MIMO
- SIM Slots: 2x Nano-SIM
- Dimensions: Unknown
- Power Source:12V DC
- Outdoor Rated: Indoor Router / Outdoor Modem & Antenna system
- Special Features: Special User Interface, Custom VPN Features, Band Scanning and Locking
- Retail Price: $599
News, Videos & Status
We received one of the first Insty Connect 4G12 devices and shared our first impressions in the member area below. Though the 4G12 is no longer available for purchase, it shares some common features with the 5G.
In October 2021, we received a 5G version and have updated our notes based on testing that version.
Insty Connect announce a new firmware release in December 2022, version 1.3, with some new and improved features, including multi-WAN. You can install the latest version here: Insty Connect v1.3.
Members can follow along in these places:
- Testing in Progress Forum: Insty Connect Explorer (Cellular Embedded Router & Antenna)
- Special Announcements Forum with Insider Product Updates: "Insty Connect" Router & MIMO Antenna
Videos
Related News Center Articles
Alternatives to Consider
For other popular mobile routers on the market we are tracking - here are our featured options:
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Routers can serve as a central conductor of your local area network in your RV and boat. Mobile routers are different from residential routers in that they typically support multiple internet sources like cellular and Wi-Fi, can be powered off of 12v or AC and support external antenna for better receiving signal.
But you might not need a router in your setup. Here's a quick video overview the variety that routers come in:
For more on learning about mobile routers and how they might fit in your setup, follow up with our educational resources:
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