Starlink Internet

[f150harley]

Anyone have experience or interest in this: I ordered in the Starlink mini, 50 gB arrives the middle of December, they keep setting back shipping date =might be demand? I'm an off roading SxS / back county / overland enthusiast. I need to put to test as soon as possible to see if it meets my needs. Plans call for installing on my roof rack inside this the box below because I drive under low hanging branches.. I don't need a remote business office but the more stable and increased service levels (availability, speed, etc.) relative to connectivity the better. Huge band width is not an issue. If I need a movie I'll download it to one of my user interface devices in advance. Frequency of use is likely weekly during fair weather. Real estate on my rack is a constraint. I like to toss my hard shell kayak up there. Overnight(s) stay as situation demands it. Solar power option will be added as needed. I have a 1024 Watt battery to not stress the 12V in my Polaris Xpedition. Everyone's use case(s) it slightly different. I'm seldom on perfectly level ground but if I need to adjust the angle a bit for rain it shouldn't be too difficult. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DL762VW9/ref=ewc_pr_img_2?smid=A3QPDNRCAMHEMW&th=

 

[JTBarlow]

Anyone have experience or interest in this: I ordered in the Starlink mini, 50 gB arrives the middle of December, they keep setting back shipping date =might be demand? I'm an off roading SxS / back county / overland enthusiast. I need to put to test as soon as possible to see if it meets my needs. Plans call for installing on my roof rack inside this the box below because I drive under low hanging branches.. I don't need a remote business office but the more stable and increased service levels (availability, speed, etc.) relative to connectivity the better. Huge band width is not an issue. If I need a movie I'll download it to one of my user interface devices in advance. Frequency of use is likely weekly during fair weather. Real estate on my rack is a constraint. I like to toss my hard shell kayak up there. Overnight(s) stay as situation demands it. Solar power option will be added as needed. I have a 1024 Watt battery to not stress the 12V in my Polaris Xpedition. Everyone's use case(s) it slightly different. I'm seldom on perfectly level ground but if I need to adjust the angle a bit for rain it shouldn't be too difficult. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DL762VW9/ref=ewc_pr_img_2?smid=A3QPDNRCAMHEMW&th=

My brother has the Starlink mini that we use when we’re camping. Reliability is so-so. Sometimes it works great with excellent speeds and sometimes it drags, while sitting in the same spot. It is extremely nice to have when we’re 80 miles from the nearest cellular service though.

 

[f150harley]

My brother has the Starlink mini that we use when we’re camping. Reliability is so-so. Sometimes it works great with excellent speeds and sometimes it drags, while sitting in the same spot. It is extremely nice to have when we’re 80 miles from the nearest cellular service though.

JT, Given my limited research others have experienced a similar availability pattern with the mini. However, most are very happy with their service overall. I'm over in the ST George / Southern Utah area so I need to play around with it under various situations. In theory the overall availability should be better as one moves about given that these new star link devices will dynamically lock in on different satellites with out any motorized reorientation of the dish/antenna. Does your brother have it permanently mounted?

 

[jasonphoto01]

I cant speak to the mini but i used mine for 2 months through idaho and Utah and it worked great! I had better service then my home at some points. The only thing i would say is make sure you have the ability to move it as the wifi with unobstructed views makes a difference.

 

[JTBarlow]

JT, Given my limited research others have experienced a similar availability pattern with the mini. However, most are very happy with their service overall. I'm over in the ST George / Southern Utah area so I need to play around with it under various situations. In theory the overall availability should be better as one moves about given that these new star link devices will dynamically lock in on different satellites with out any motorized reorientation of the dish/antenna. Does your brother have it permanently mounted?

We’re basically in the same area. I’m in Mesquite and he’s in Cedar. The main areas we’ve used it are out by Coral Pink and down by the Grand Canyon. Overall it’s a really good thing to have and for the most part it works great. He doesn’t have it mounted since we don’t use it while riding. He has it in a kit box with different clamps and stands so we can set it up however works best for the situation.

 

[f150harley]

I cant speak to the mini but i used mine for 2 months through idaho and Utah and it worked great! I had better service then my home at some points. The only thing i would say is make sure you have the ability to move it as the wifi with unobstructed views makes a difference.

i have the second generation StarLink permanent installed at my cabins above Zion National Park. It has worked flawlessly for a couple of years in that scenario. Download speeds kick butt (for satellite) and upload speeds are usable. This will be my first experience going mobile ... I want to use it while I'm moving which is guaranteed to encounter some lapses in coverage because of obstructions. Also, plan to use it while in camp. I'm from the Logan / Cache area and still go back up to northern Utah and Southern Idaho for riding on occasion.

 

[f150harley]

We’re basically in the same area. I’m in Mesquite and he’s in Cedar. The main areas we’ve used it are out by Coral Pink and down by the Grand Canyon. Overall it’s a really good thing to have and for the most part it works great. He doesn’t have it mounted since we don’t use it while riding. He has it in a kit box with different clamps and stands so we can set it up however works best for the situation.

Yup, I ride up in the Duck Creek area and down to GC (Toroweap, Whitmore) once or twice a year. Led a small group of SxS's up over the Gorge / Cedar Pocket from Bloomington before dropping down into the sinkhole area above Beaver Dam last week. Extended the ride out to three corners.... ran into another group from Mesquite / Beaver Dam too.

 

[jasonphoto01]

i have the second generation StarLink permanent installed at my cabins above Zion National Park. It has worked flawlessly for a couple of years in that scenario. Download speeds kick butt (for satellite) and upload speeds are usable. This will be my first experience going mobile ... I want to use it while I'm moving which is guaranteed to encounter some lapses in coverage because of obstructions. Also, plan to use it while in camp. I'm from the Logan / Cache area and still go back up to northern Utah and Southern Idaho for riding on occasion.

We used it while driving on the highway as well as old miner trails and it always worked well except when there is obstructions. I've been on Teams calls for work doing 70mph down the highway in very remote places of the PNW and for me it worked great as long as there was nothing blocking its line of sight.

 

[New Polaris Dude]

Just my 2 cents, but don't you ride to get away from all the Internet B.S.? For me, phone is off, Jameson is open.

 

[jasonphoto01]

Just my 2 cents, but don't you ride to get away from all the Internet B.S.? For me, phone is off, Jameson is open.

Yes, on the weekends, but this allows me to throw in a lot more work week adventures. Im with you though, if i don't have work priorities than im unplugged and taking it all in.

 

[f150harley]

Just my 2 cents, but don't you ride to get away from all the Internet B.S.? For me, phone is off, Jameson is open.

Hey Polaris Dude, Sometimes it's sooo good to get away from all the BS and just ride, I agree. Love the outdoors! I'm retired and am fortunate to be able to ride anytime I want. Also, into photography (file transfer). Personal mobility is a concern. The option to be connected or no is a nice choice to have. Frequently I'm in the boonies, 75 miles from no where (nearest cell tower). VOIP and text provides the capability of getting in touch with anyone as the situation (emergency) may demand it. Although, I use the Internet for entertainment, social interaction as well. To some degree it provides connectivity with other riders who are close enough to connect into my router for group intra ride communication. It's like if you never have had ride command you won't miss it.... If you have it, then it just becomes an integral part of the the ride experience. You may be fortunate enough to have cell connectivity when you need it ... I don't.

 

[New Polaris Dude]

Yes, on the weekends, but this allows me to throw in a lot more work week adventures. Im with you though, if i don't have work priorities than im unplugged and taking it all in.

I get it Harley, work sucks, but you need the bucks.

 

[New Polaris Dude]

Yup, I get it PD, I am very remote also, have starlink in the house, cause that's all there is. My wife has mobility issues also. I either ride with another rig, or only go on trails that I can easily walk out of if something happens, notify neighbor of my route, etc. I take our phones, cell coverage can be sketchy, but they are off unless I need them. I rely on my GMRS radios (with repeater) more than a phone. Ride Command also has a great option for emergency text notifications I ma sure your aware of, same issue about connectivity.

 

[JamesWalker]

Anyone have experience or interest in this: I ordered in the Starlink mini, 50 gB arrives the middle of December, they keep setting back shipping date =might be demand? I'm an off roading SxS / back county / overland enthusiast. I need to put to test as soon as possible to see if it meets my needs. Plans call for installing on my roof rack inside this the box below because I drive under low hanging branches.. I don't need a remote business office but the more stable and increased service levels (availability, speed, etc.) relative to connectivity the better. Huge band width is not an issue. If I need a movie I'll download it to one of my user interface devices in advance. Frequency of use is likely weekly during fair weather. Real estate on my rack is a constraint. I like to toss my hard shell kayak up there. Overnight(s) stay as situation demands it. Solar power option will be added as needed. I have a 1024 Watt battery to not stress the 12V in my Polaris Xpedition. Everyone's use case(s) it slightly different. I'm seldom on perfectly level ground but if I need to adjust the angle a bit for rain it shouldn't be too difficult. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DL762VW9/ref=ewc_pr_img_2?smid=A3QPDNRCAMHEMW&th=
The Starlink Mini sounds like a solid option for off-road 192.168.1.1 and overland use, especially if you value stable connectivity over raw bandwidth.

Mounting it on a roof rack with some protection from branches is practical, and your plan to supplement with solar and a 1024W battery should cover power needs. Adjusting the angle slightly for uneven ground is feasible, and pre-downloading large files like movies will help manage data usage while traveling.

 

[f150harley]

Mounting it on a roof rack with some protection from branches is practical, and your plan to supplement with solar and a 1024W battery should cover power needs. Adjusting the angle slightly for uneven ground is feasible, and pre-downloading large files like movies will help manage data usage while traveling.

I have since moved the mini to a low mount on roof behind the rack to allow the X to fit into my toy hauler. Instead of a solar charger I use a dc charger originating charge from alternator/battery to a power bank (battery) from dji. Works awesome and I have 110 to power things like air fryer, etc in addition to backup battery for rig, jump start etc. Given my driving behavior I don't have concerns of ever running my 12v battery down to where it won't turn my rig over all the time.

 

[JohnnyG]

I can’t speak to current availability, but when I ordered mine it took about 10 days to arrive.

The Veritas Vans mount is built like a tank. I honestly can’t imagine a branch knocking it off—removing it from the roof takes real effort. If you mount it crooked, forget sliding it into place; you’ll need to pull it off and start again.

We ride every weekend, Saturday and Sunday, and as noted below 35 GB has been the most data we’ve ever used. I power the Mini with a Jackery 300, and after an 8-plus-hour day it still has about 40 % battery left.

A quick tip: we plug in the Mini while hooking up the trailer to the truck. Its Wi-Fi range easily reaches from the Polaris XP5 to the cab of the truck, so we have full internet while traveling to the trails.

If you know the trails (Alpine Loop, etc) near Ouray, CO, those are our playgrounds. Other than the situations mentioned below, the Mini has been flawless. I’d rate it a 10 / 10 — our favorite piece of tech.

(The notes below were posted in another thread, but they’re relevant here too.)
I use the Veritas Vans Starlink Mini mount on my XP5 and really like it. I bought the 3-pack of metal disks so I can use the magnetic mount on my XP5 and both of my Ford trucks.

Performance of the Mini in remote areas (with clear skies) runs about 97%. Every once in a while, I’ll hit a dead spot with no reception. This has happened both in the truck on backroads and in the XP5 deep in the mountains. If trees or canyon walls were blocking the signal, it would make sense—but in these cases, I was in wide open skies.

We don’t stream video with the Starlink Mini, and our typical usage is light. The most data we’ve used in a month was 35 GB, which was unusual because my sister and brother-in-law visited for a week and we left the Mini running the whole time (about a week), so the $50 a month roaming plan works well.

BTW: We have a Startlink Standard on our RV that is one an unlimited plan. We like it a lot too.
BTW2: I have not tried it, but I am wondering if there is a way to mount the Mini under the hood of the XP5. Plastic does not seem to bother the Mini, so it it fits under there, I believe it would work just fine.

-JG

 

[SteelBoss]

I put a star link mini in my ride . It has helped many time over. A buddy had a problem with his clutch switch and we were high up. He looked a video of just unplug and replug the switch. Wee were able to finish the weekend then he got home and changed out his switch. I set mine so that anyone riding with me can freely hook to me. Maybe even order Amazon. LOL