Wireless live view and control from a smartphone/tablet for $38

I was just browsing DIYP and found this:
https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=xnlYzt6zcpw#​t=2

using a $30 pocket wireless router and an $8 app for your smartphone or tablet, you can have a wireless monitor and control for your camera. I just downloaded the app to my new Moto-X, and will be ordering the router after my next paycheck (bills come first, unfortunately).

I'm keenly interested in how this will work out. Please report back when you test it!

just ordered one last night for this same reason

That TP-Link router is the hardware that the CamRanger folks are using. It's identical.

So the CamRanger folks are using a $40 off-the-shelf router, writing custom firmware, writing Android and iOS apps, and selling it for $300.

I have a CamRanger, and I would say that it is definite worth the $300. It just works, which is a lot more than I can say for the DSLR Controller, which I tried before I bought my CamRanger.

I wonder what would happen if one were to purchase the $40 router and attempt to upgrade its firmware to the CamRanger version. I am guessing that the CamRanger firmware updater will refuse to upgrade a router that isn't a "real" CamRanger product.

For those people that actually have this product. How long does the battery last?

I would prefer the real world use and not what it says on the spec.

Thanks in advance.

I used the CamRanger at a school event a couple of weeks ago. Two 30-minute concerts, separated by two hours or so. The battery lasted no problem.

I haven't yet taxed it, but I will in March, when I film a two-hour school play. I will try to remember to report back in when I do.

Canajun wrote in post #16627488
For those people that actually have this product. How long does the battery last?

I would prefer the real world use and not what it says on the spec.

Thanks in advance.

A late answer, but you can power the CamRanger via USB while in use.

Unregistered.Coward wrote in post #16699210
A late answer, but you can power the CamRanger via USB while in use.

Oh it was helpful. I havent made the move yet. I re-read the spec and it did say it can be powered via USB. I also haven't made the move because I wanted to get the cheaper one but I was short of a buck for free shipping. Now I don't have to worry about that

I was having a hard time deciding between the Tl-MR3020 or the one featured on Youtube. I was thinking of the MR3020 because of the external power compared to MR3040 which I thought was battery powered only. Thanks for clearing that up.

The DSLR Controller route works pretty nice. From reciept of the router to up and running was about 15 minutes.

I like that CamRanger now has a network bridging function so I can maintain my connection to the internet while simultaneously shooting/chimping

It seems like my ASUS HD7 is missing an Android ISB host API. back to the drawing board

Off topic question: I have an Eye fi card that I have wanted to use on sessions to send images from the camera to my tablet. Unfortunately, because I have to use a CF adapter, and dud to the magnesium bodies of my cameras, the range I can get is only 5-10 feet max (even with the metal plates removed from the adapter). One solution that was recommended was to get a mobile wifi hot-spot, keep that on my person and let the card and tablet communicate through it. However this looks like a more practical, less costly solution.

Does anyone have any thoughts as to whether this router might work in this fashion?

Thanks in advance.

WillMass wrote in post #16801163
Does anyone have any thoughts as to whether this router might work in this fashion?

Thanks in advance.

The router route (ha!) works well. I use a D-Link power with a USB external battery pack.

Does the router have to be wifi connected?

The router is a wifi connection, it just doesn't have a source for internet. your phone/tablet sees it as a home network.

I just ordered mine! I hope to have it by monday.

I flashed the firmware and can connect thru pc to the TP-Link, but when I try to connect to my Galaxy S3 it says internet not available and jumps back to my home wireless connection??