Starlink Considerations
Posted by CorvetteLife@reddit | overlanding | View on Reddit | 42 comments
Happy Thanksgiving everyone,
I spent the month of May, this year, overlanding through New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado. One of my big takaways from that trip was that it would have been very nice to have had consistent internet connectivity. I use OnX for navigation and it was virtually useless when I didn't have a cellular connection. I realize that it is possible to download maps prior to travel, but my preference is to explore and discover rather than sticking to any pre planned itinerary.
During Black Friday, I am considering the purchase of a Starlink Mini Gen 4 (currently $223 on Amazon), to mount on the roof rack of my 2021 Toyota 4Runner. Before I commit to this purchase, I am wondering if anyone has any advice, concerns, or things that they wish they knew ahead of time?
maxillo@reddit
Please send link for price - I only saw $350
CorvetteLife@reddit (OP)
I'm glad you asked for the link... when I went back to get it, I read that the vendor on Amazon wants $99 for shipping! Here's another link to the same item for $229 and free shipping from Home Depot:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/STARLINK-Starlink-Mini-Kit-02535001-HD/331732584
Booyaah_rumham@reddit
Why not just buy direct from Starlink? $229 for the mini kit right now, brand new. Buying direct from them makes for easier support if something goes wrong
SleepingDog66@reddit
We have a mini. One thing we learned this winter camping in temps around 30 degrees f. It will use more power. It heats itself. Drained my Jakery 1500. We disconnect devices or just unplug it til the morning.
lolkkthxbye@reddit
You can download huge areas via onX; I’ve never felt limited.
Jcw122@reddit
They’ve never worked well offline in my experience. Doesn’t make any sense to me.
SargentSchultz@reddit
Yeah me neither and while you couldn't search without cell signal, it always knew where I was.
DaeBaek0421@reddit
I bought a Sherpa Crestone rack for my 2024 4Runner because they have a great reputation of course but also their Starlink mount was so nice.
CorvetteLife@reddit (OP)
I’ll have to look into that… I, too, have a Sherpa Crestone rack on my rig. In my case, however, my rooftop tent occupies pretty much the entire top of my rack.
DaeBaek0421@reddit
Yeah I have a rooftop tent but I only use it mid April to mid September and then car camp if I’m going out in the winter. Colorado sunshine is harsh so I want to protect it a little bit!
Status_Address_4750@reddit
Elon sucks, Starlink is great but I refuse to give that company any money. Download your maps, take some time to disconnect from the digital world and enjoy the real world…
narwal_wallaby@reddit
To play devils advocate—consider whether having internet all the time is worth the cost.
I was close to buying one, especially as a spontaneous adventurer like you, but after a couple long trips this summer, I found I was able to get everything I needed with the tiniest bit of planning.
OnX maps? Plan your rough destination and download a big chunk of map while you have 5G/LTE. Movies? Download a shitload at home before your trip. Couple video calls for work? Coffee shop.
If I really wanted internet at camp, i just drive around the area I want to camp until I found where I have data. A lot of popular trails will have data if you just drive higher or closer to the main road. OnX has helpful cell coverage maps for every carrier.
Obvs it’s more convenient to have internet and someday we’ll all have sat internet but for the cost of hardware, a power station, and subscription that I would probably forget to cancel — my phone and a little planning gets me 98% of the way there.
DaeBaek0421@reddit
I mean I want to be available on Microsoft Teams when I’m working and taking calls while driving to my destination on a Friday so for me it’s worth it.
MDPeasant@reddit
I recently finished a 4 week trip with my new starlink mini, it was an awesome tool to have! For the first half I just had it in a case and set it up when I rolled into camp (good because you can easily align it to get the highest speeds out of it) and then for the second half I installed it on the interior of my sunroof using a cheap suction cup mount from Amazon. It was noticeably slower, especially when parking under trees and such, but still fast enough for what I needed.
The 50GBs of data in the $50 plan can go fast if you aren't paying attention (especially if you let friends connect to it). It's also draws more power than I thought it would, 25-30 watts when its running. Most nights, it drew more power than my Dometic fridge did. It has a sleep mode where it basically shuts itself off between x and y hours, but I found it still drew a good amount of power when in the sleep mode.
Also, starlink sends out updates every few days - they count the data used to download the updates against your data allowance.
thedarkforest_theory@reddit
I use the standard Starlink in a flat mount case on the roof of my Sprinter. It works as advertised and with the known limitations. This means that I’m dealing with finding open fields and exposed passes to get the best performance. This is in the PNW. I’m writing this from a sand spit on the Oregon coast well away from my forested campsite.
QED_04@reddit
It is great. You won't regret it.
SuitIndependent@reddit
I love my starlink mini. You won’t regret it.
Lifetwozero@reddit
You’ll love it. I’ve been using Starlink on the truck since you still had to cut it apart to do it. The mini was designed for this purpose and it will easily run on your favourite tool battery without much effort.
yachius@reddit
Starlink is awesome but the mini has some compromises for portability. If you’re planning on mounting outside the vehicle the standard antenna will perform much better.
Sanatonem@reddit
The mini has zero compromises for vehicle mounting. This is an insane take.
It is smaller. It uses less power. It has plentiful aftermarket support for mounting. It doesn’t require a modem/router like the other dishes. It can be powered via usb-c.
The compromises are… it has the potential to get slower speeds I guess?
I lived in my truck for 2 months to/from Alaska with a Starlink mini on the roof with exactly zero problems. No connectivity issues or slow speeds like you mention here with no data or reference or experience to back your claim.
OP the mini is great for this application.
Consider a Veritas Vans mount. I used the suction cups option and it was rock solid on and off road.
yachius@reddit
It has slower speeds, has a harder time getting a partially obstructed lock, supports fewer client devices and the router is integrated so it’s on the outside of a metal box that you’re on the inside of which makes the wifi slower too. I’m glad it worked for you, why don’t you talk to some people who have used both extensively before stating so authoritatively that it has zero drawbacks. I’ve used every single generation of starlink on a van since 2020 and the mini was by far the least reliable experience. Other users I’ve spoken to have relayed similar experiences but I have never heard even one person say that going to the mini from the standard was better.
Stoopkid710@reddit
Going to the mini from the standard is better
Stoopkid710@reddit
Mounted mine on the roof-rack of my Tacoma. Hardwired it into my solar circuit. Turns on/off via Switchpro. Super convenient to be able to switch on/off while driving or at the camp site. Always ready to go
kavOclock@reddit
It’s the best. I wouldn’t travel without my Starlink. It’s already saved my ass once
badtz-maru@reddit
We use a Starlink mini, based out of AZ and have used it throughout CA and NM. Honestly, I just toss it onto the dashboard when we’re traveling, as I prefer the flexibility - I’ve used it for home internet when my primary was having issues. I power off DC coming from an EcoRiver battery pack in the rear of the vehicle (Armada). It’s recommended by some that you get a set-up adapter if you run DC direct from the car so power is delivered consistently (Starlink Mini Cable Car Adapter... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F6L7PYRD ).
My biggest lesson learned is that if you have kids on tablets or something watching Netflix and stuff, the apps will playback in HD and they can burn through that 50Gb cap pretty quick. On our last trip, they had killed it by the end of day 3 (~18 hours of driving).
tdubaustin@reddit
Have starlink mounted on roof rack. Use it all the time when camping and a fair amount other times. Works great for navigation, calls, text, entertaining kids.
2wheeldopamine@reddit
I'm old school. I use a gasetteer to know where I am. No connectivity required.
thom9969@reddit
I bought a roof mount on Amazon, and took it on a day trip with my son. Enough service even in the mountains to keep goin occupied with Netflix even he got bored
lucky_ducker@reddit
OnX can download huge areas in advance. Last June I spent wandering Colorado, having downloaded the entire western half of the state into OnX Offroad in "medium" detail. It was a large file but by no means did it tax my phone's storage.
polomasta@reddit
12v power with an extra long cord and don’t perma mount. 9 times out of 10 when I’m set up at camp I need to reposition the unit for best signal.
HtnSwtchesOnBtches@reddit
Look up Outdoor Auto on youtube, he does a great review. Seems honest. The only thing I would warn you on is buy your antenna directly from starlink. I've seen people say they struggled with getting service set up when buying from a 3rd party reseller.
CorvetteLife@reddit (OP)
Do you know why? it should, ostensibly, be the same product.
_red-beard_@reddit
I've read their selling refurbished units that are locked to another user and resetting isnt supported by Starlink.
I just went and bought a refurbished unit from Starlink direct. Its been great for a year mounted on my roof rack.
joshuaherman@reddit
Hi OP.
I ride this setup on the regular.
Starlink mini
Mount: https://a.co/d/83G7q8J
Magnets (2x) Upgrade for safety https://a.co/d/0BY9Kem
Nylon Lock nuts
Shorter Cable for car for 12v STARGEAR for Starlink Mini Cable... https://a.co/d/dxotLXT
12v Power Fits power cable perfectly https://a.co/d/gvsNTBT
joshuaherman@reddit
If you want to get ready crafty you can cut the 12v plug and hardwire with a fuse into your rig.
theotherlead@reddit
Love it and it came in clutch for Utah. Had no issues with it at all.
clauderbaugh@reddit
Been working from the road going on four years now, first with the Gen 2 and now the mini in a flat mount. I’d say probably 98% of the time my mini does the job for my mobile office needs. (Video calls, presentations, meetings etc.) The Gen 2 dish is defiantly more powerful and has higher speeds and throughput. It also draws twice the power. Mini will be fine for you. Get yourself a usb-c PD port of 100-200w and it will run off that no problem at 12v.
fj762@reddit
Its great but expensive
Kerensky97@reddit
OnX can download maps for offline use. When you're in a signal area, or going past a city you can always update your maps if you didn't plan ahead and download your route.
mavour@reddit
Starlink is great, I used OnX with Apple CarPlay wire connected to head unit and wifi to internet.
If you have moonroof on your 4Runner, you can just suction cup mount it there very easily, otherwise top of the rack would work too.
Jay_Beckstead@reddit
Love it. Never be without high-speed Internet, ever again. Make calls, download movies, and do work with speeds better than your actual “office.”
Mind_Bullets@reddit
They work absolutely great when you have a clear view of the sky. That can be problematic for those of us in the Midwest, etc but sounds like that wont be an issue for you.
They've recently added a $5per month fee to suspend your service, so without competition I think we can assume service pricing will continue to rise.
No real complaints of the device or service other than I detest who the $ goes too.