PCI Wifi adapter vs laptop wifi card (etc).

**stonestatue** · 07-14-2009, 03:06 AM

I am in the process of ordering parts for my carputer, and I am not sure which kind of wifi adapter I should get. I could get a standard desktop pci adapter, but I have noticed that the range is noticably lower than a laptop's built in wifi adapter. I don't have any experience with USB or PCMCIA adapters. Does anyone have any experience with any of these devices and can recommend the best device for a mobile setting?

**Crinos** · 07-14-2009, 05:41 AM

It's all about antenna...
Exchange the whip, with an extension cord and a amplefied antenna... You'll have no problems with signal strength then.

**DarquePervert** · 07-14-2009, 06:31 AM

Originally Posted by Crinos

It's all about antenna...
Exchange the whip, with an extension cord and a amplefied antenna... You'll have no problems with signal strength then.

Not necessarily.
For the best range, a receiver with higher transmit/receive power is the way to go. There are several USB high-powered models out there in the US$50-75 price range.

**stonestatue** · 07-14-2009, 09:22 AM

USB sounds like an option, but wouldn't USB be the weakest link and slow the data transfer rate?

**DarquePervert** · 07-14-2009, 10:08 AM

For a wifi connection, no.

**stonestatue** · 07-14-2009, 06:39 PM

Ok, do any of them have an external antenna connector, and does the rooftop GPS/cellular antenna work with any of them?

**DarquePervert** · 07-14-2009, 07:25 PM

My Sensuo uses an external antenna. I have a hi-gain antenna on the roof of my truck and get some pretty spectacular range with it.
Most (if not all) of the high-power USB wifi adapters allow for an external antenna.

And no, a GPS/cell antenna won't work with a wifi adapter.
IF you mean the Hirschmann model that's sold in the mp3car.com store, it has a wifi antenna that will work. I believe a high-gain antenna would be a better choice, though.