Winegard has a great reputation as the leading provider of both satellite and over-the-air TV antennas designed for RV use.
But despite some initial excitement, we ended up being underwhelmed by Winegard's 2016 entry into the RV internet gear market.
The original Winegard ConnecT was expensive, the cellular version was tied to a very limited and pricey data plan, and the physical unit was an ungainly beast that looked like a silly inverted stool on your RV roof - seemingly destined for an inevitable disastrous encounter with a tree branch. (Read our review)
Winegard must have been paying attention.
In November 2017 Winegard announced a completely redesigned ConnecT 2.0 model - and it, at last, came to market in February 2018.
The completely redesigned ConnecT 2.0 is vastly cheaper, the cellular version is no longer locked into a single carrier and data plan, and the outdoor antennas are all now contained within a much sleeker plastic dome housing that would look right at home on an RV roof.
But the ConnecT 2.0 also gives up some of the original ConnecT's key features - meaning that for some potential customers, the ConnecT 2.0 may actually prove to be a significant step backward.
Also, for current ConnecT 1.0 owners, there is no upgrade path to the ConnecT 2.0. The new unit is different enough that you are essentially starting from scratch.
Products Specs & Plans
Connect 2.0 4G2
This version of the Connect 2.0 includes both cellular and Wi-Fi capabilities.
Specifications
- Model: ConnecT 2.0 4G2
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: Not specified
- Wi-Fi Router:
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n - 450Mbps Max (3x3 MIMO)
- 5GHz Wi-Fi: No
- Wi-Fi Antenna: 3x Outdoor Antennas
- Wi-Fi as WAN: Yes - Roof Mounted Long Range
- Claimed Wi-Fi Range: 1.5 miles
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Yes
- Control Panel and Default Password:
Control Panel: 10.11.12.1
Default Password: admin/admin - USB Tethering Support: No
- Ethernet Ports: None
- Cellular Modem Specs:
- Supported Networks and Bands: Verizon & AT&T
- LTE Bands: 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 14, 66, 71
- 3G: 2, 5
- LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: No
- MIMO Support: 2x2
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-4
- Cellular Antenna Ports: none
- SIM Slots: Mini (SIM card slot is on the roof.)
- Supported Networks and Bands: Verizon & AT&T
- Dimensions: 16" x 8"
- Other Ports: None
- Power Source: Direct 12V power supply.
- Outdoor Rated: Yes
- Special Features:
- Retail Price: $369
*Devices purchased prior to 2020 have a modem that only supports bands 2, 4, 5, 13, and 17.
Connect 2.0 4G2+
This is a version of the ConnecT 2.0 with integrated TV and AM/FM radio that was originally offered only in the OEM market but is now offered retail.
Specifications
- Model: ConnecT 2.0 4G2+
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: Not specified
- Wi-Fi Router:
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n - 450Mbps Max (3x3 MIMO)
- 5GHz Wi-Fi: No
- Wi-Fi Antenna: 3x Outdoor Antennas
- Wi-Fi as WAN: Yes - Roof Mounted Long Range
- Claimed Wi-Fi Range: 1.5 miles
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Yes
- Control Panel and Default Password:
Control Panel: 10.11.12.1
Default Password: admin/admin - USB Tethering Support: No
- Ethernet Ports: None
- Cellular Modem Specs:
- Supported Networks and Bands: Verizon & AT&T
- LTE Bands: 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 14, 66, 71
- 3G: 2, 5
- LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: No
- MIMO Support: 2x2
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-4
- Cellular Antenna Ports: none
- SIM Slots: Mini (SIM card slot is on the roof.)
- Supported Networks and Bands: Verizon & AT&T
- Dimensions: 16" x 8"
- Other Ports: None
- Power Source: Direct 12V power supply.
- Outdoor Rated: Yes
- Special Features: Over the air TV & AM/FM Radio
- Retail Price: $449
*Devices purchased prior to 2020 have a modem that only supports bands 2, 4, 5, 13, and 17.
Connect 2.0 Wi-Fi Only
This version of the Connect 2.0 offers Wi-Fi capabilities only.
Specifications
- Model: ConnecT 2.0 WF2
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: Not specified
- Wi-Fi Router:
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n - 450Mbps Max (3x3 MIMO)
- 5GHz Wi-Fi: No
- Wi-Fi Antenna: 3x Outdoor Antennas
- Wi-Fi as WAN: Yes - Roof Mounted Long Range
- Claimed Wi-Fi Range: 1.5 miles
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Yes
- Control Panel and Default Password:
Control Panel: 10.11.12.1
Default Password: admin/admin - USB Tethering Support: No
- Ethernet Ports: None
- Cellular Modem Specs: N/A
- Dimensions: 16" x 8"
- Other Ports: None
- Power Source: Direct 12V power supply.
- Outdoor Rated: Yes
- Special Features:
- Retail Price: $209
Winegard Data Packages
Winegard Data Packages
Winegard directly offers a few data plan options, called FreedomGo Plans, which can be used with the cellular enabled versions of the Connect 2.0:
- 1GB for $20/mo - with usage allowed in US and Canada
- 3GB for $35/mo - with usage allowed in US and Canada
- 10GB for $59/mo - with usage limited to the US only
- 10GB for $80/mo -with usage allowed in US and Canada
- 20GB for $150/mo - with usage allowed in US and Canada
Winegard also permits owners to also use their own eligible AT&T or Verizon SIM card with a data plan in the device.
News, Videos & Status
We installed our demo unit of the ConnecT 2.0 4G, along with WiFiRanger SkyPro LTE, and included these units in our February/March 2018 round of field testing.
Our review & user interface demo video can now be found below in the member section.
- Our members can also access our field testing raw notes and results in this lab report:
Cellular Signal & Embedded Router Field Testing – IBR900 | MAX-BR1 | Drive Sleek | ConnecT | SkyPro LTE | MIMO Antennas (1st Quarter 2018)
We received our evaluation unit in late February 2018 and have shared our first impressions in this video:
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Member Exclusive Content / Review:
- Thoughts & Analysis - Pros & Cons
- Deep Dive
- ConnecT 1.0 Comparison
- Who is the Connect 2.0 Ideal For?
- Our ConnecT 3.0 Wishlist
- Hands on Testing
- User Interface Video Tutorial
- Ladder Mount Option
Purchasing Options
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Winegard - 4G LTE | 4G LTE+ TV/Radio | Wi-Fi Only | Ladder Mount System
Camping World - 4G LTE | Wi-Fi Only
PPL Motorhomes - 4G LTE | Wi-Fi Only
Amazon - 4G LTE | Wi-Fi Only
NOTE: Winegard tells us that the original ConnecT is NOT being discontinued, and it will remain available for the time being. Both the new and old ConnecT models are being offered as factory-installed options by several RV manufacturers, so if you are speccing out an RV be sure to make sure that you know what you are ordering - and make sure that it will actually meet your needs. Keep in mind that there is no easy upgrade path between the ConnecT 1.0 and 2.0 - they are different form factors.
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 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:
To learn more, head on over to our guides that cover these topics further:
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