Category: Review

One Year Later: Why We Switched to Public Mobile for RV Cellular Service

Reliable cellular service is critical for how we travel and live on the road. Between navigation, reservations, banking, staying in touch with family, and running our online work, our phones are not optional — they are infrastructure.

About a year ago, we made a significant change: we switched our cellular service from Rogers to Public Mobile. After twelve months of real-world use across Canada, the United States, and Mexico, here’s an honest breakdown of why we switched, what we’ve saved, and what you should know — good and bad — if you’re considering Public Mobile.

What We Were Using Before: Rogers

Prior to switching, we were on a Rogers Canada/US/Mexico plan that included:

  • Unlimited calling and texting
  • Coverage in Canada, the United States, and Mexico
  • 90GB of shared data between two phones

The Cost

  • Approximately $90 per phone
  • $180 per month total for two phones

While coverage was generally solid, the cost was high — especially considering how closely we monitor data usage and how often we’re moving.

Why We Started Looking for an Alternative

As full-time travelers, we’re always evaluating recurring expenses. Cellular service is one of the largest monthly costs for anyone living on the road.

We wanted:

  • Canada / US / Mexico coverage
  • Predictable monthly pricing
  • Enough data for daily use without constantly worrying about overages
  • A plan that made sense financially

That search led us to Public Mobile.

Our Current Setup: Public Mobile

We switched both phones to Public Mobile and selected identical plans for each device.

What We Get Now (Per Phone)

  • Unlimited calling
  • Unlimited texting
  • Canada / United States / Mexico coverage
  • 60GB of data per phone

The Cost

  • $39 per phone per month
  • $78 per month total for two phones

No contracts. No surprises.

The Savings: What Switching Really Changed

This is where the decision really justified itself.

Monthly Comparison (Two Phones)

  • Rogers: ~$180 / month
  • Public Mobile: $78 / month

Monthly Savings

  • $102 saved every month

Yearly Savings

  • $1,224 saved per year

That’s real money — enough to cover fuel, campground stays, maintenance, or travel experiences instead of disappearing into a phone bill.

Coverage & Performance After One Year

This is the most important question: does it actually work?

After a year of use:

The Good

  • Coverage has been solid in Canada and the United States
  • Mexico coverage has worked reliably for calling, texting, and data
  • Call quality has been clear
  • Data speeds have been perfectly usable for everyday tasks
  • No unexpected roaming charges

For normal phone use, navigation, messaging, email, and general browsing, we haven’t felt handicapped by the switch.

The Trade-Offs (What You Should Know)

Public Mobile isn’t perfect — and it’s important to understand what you’re giving up.

Potential Downsides

  • No in-store support (online/self-serve model)
  • Limited customer service options compared to major carriers
  • Data speeds may not match premium-tier plans in congested areas
  • No phone financing — bring your own device

For us, these trade-offs were acceptable. And the yearly savings will cover the expense of a phone upgrade. We value cost control and coverage more than premium add-ons or in-person support.

Why Public Mobile Works Well for RVers

For travelers and RVers, Public Mobile makes a lot of sense:

  • Predictable monthly cost
  • International coverage without complicated roaming plans
  • Enough data per phone to avoid constant monitoring
  • Easy budgeting for long-term travel

We pair this service with other connectivity solutions depending on where we’re parked, but as a primary phone service, it’s been reliable.

Final Thoughts: Would We Switch Again?

Yes — without hesitation.

After a year on Public Mobile, the service has proven reliable enough for our needs, and the cost savings alone make it worth it. We don’t feel like we downgraded — we feel like we stopped overpaying.

If you’re currently on a high-cost Canada/US/Mexico plan and don’t need premium extras, Public Mobile is absolutely worth considering.

As always, this isn’t sponsored — just a real-world review based on how we travel and live on the road.

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One Year Later: Our Experience With the Garnet SeeLeveL 709‑BTP7 RV Tank Monitoring System

After a year of full‑time travel and real‑world use, I wanted to share our hands‑on experience with the Garnet Instruments SeeLeveL RV tank monitoring system. This is not a first‑impression or bench review — this is based on everyday RV living, regular dumping cycles, boondocking, and travel across multiple regions.

Why We Upgraded Our RV Tank Gauges

This upgrade actually started with a freshwater tank replacement.

During that project, we had full access to our tank compartments — something that doesn’t happen often in an RV. With everything already opened up, it made sense to finally address another long‑standing frustration: unreliable factory tank gauges.

Like many RVers, our coach originally relied on a traditional probe‑style monitoring system. You know the kind:

  • Reads in vague thirds (Empty / 1⁄3 / 2⁄3 / Full)
  • Frequently shows “Full” when the tank clearly isn’t
  • Becomes unreliable as soon as residue builds up inside the tank

Since the tanks were already being worked on, this was the perfect opportunity to install a system we’d been considering for a long time — Garnet Instruments’ SeeLeveL system.

The SeeLeveL System We Installed

We chose the Garnet SeeLeveL 709‑BTP7, which is their Bluetooth‑enabled, multi‑tank RV system.

Our installation includes:

  • SeeLeveL 709‑BTP7 display module
  • Bluetooth connectivity to the SeeLeveL mobile app
  • External sender strips mounted on each tank

This setup allows us to monitor:

  • Fresh water tank
  • Grey water tank
  • Black water tank
  • Propane (onboard) tank
  • Additional tanks as needed (up to 7 total)
  • Battery voltage

The Bluetooth feature means we can see all of this information directly on our phone or tablet, which fits perfectly with how we travel and live in the RV.

How the SeeLeveL System Works (And Why It’s Different)

The biggest difference with the SeeLeveL system is how it senses tank levels.

Instead of probes inside the tank, SeeLeveL uses external vertical sender strips mounted to the outside of the tank wall. These senders read the fluid level through the tank material and provide a true digital measurement.

Key advantages:

  • No sensors inside the tank to foul or corrode
  • No false readings caused by waste buildup
  • Continuous percentage‑based readings instead of “guesswork”
  • Sender strips can be trimmed or stacked to match tank height

In practice, this means the readings stay accurate — even after a year of use.

Accuracy After One Full Year of Use

This is where the SeeLeveL system really shines.

After a year of dumping cycles and refills, the readings:

  • Match actual tank levels extremely closely
  • Change smoothly as tanks fill or empty
  • Have not drifted or required recalibration

When the system says a tank is 72% full, it genuinely is. That level of precision is incredibly helpful when boondocking or planning dump stops.

This is the first RV tank monitoring system we’ve owned that we actually trust.

Bluetooth App Experience

The Bluetooth version has been a great addition.

From the app we can:

  • View all tank levels in real‑time
  • See exact percentages instead of bars or lights
  • Check battery voltage at a glance
  • Read tanks without being inside the RV

The Bluetooth connection has been stable, and the app has worked consistently across devices. It enables you to track fills and dumps on your phone as it happens.

Installation Notes

Installation was straightforward for anyone comfortable with basic RV wiring and access to tank compartments.

General steps included:

  1. Measuring tank heights
  2. Trimming and mounting sender strips
  3. Running wiring to the display module
  4. Pairing the Bluetooth unit

No drilling into tanks was required — which alone makes this system appealing.

We were able to reuse the original tank sensor wiring – a real bonus

Photos & Real‑World Readings

The photos show the monitor installed, the solid state construction of the rear view and the filling of our fresh water tank on phone & tablet. The app allows each tank to be named, you can chose the colour of the level, the three large terminals on the back view were for the pump switch.

These images clearly show how precise and readable the system is in daily use.

Overall Value & Final Thoughts (Rolling Down The Road Verdict)

After a year of use, I can confidently say:

  • The SeeLeveL system is worth every dollar
  • Accuracy has remained consistent over time
  • Bluetooth adds real‑world convenience
  • External sensors eliminate the biggest weaknesses of traditional RV gauges

If you’re tired of guessing your tank levels or dealing with unreliable factory gauges, this is an upgrade that actually delivers on its promises.

Would We Install It Again?

Absolutely — without hesitation.

The Garnet SeeLeveL RV system has become one of those upgrades you stop thinking about because it just works. And in the RV world, that’s about the highest praise you can give.

If you’re considering upgrading your RV tank monitoring system and want accurate, dependable readings, the SeeLeveL system deserves a serious look.

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