Starlink

[Canadian Eh]

I am would like to know who has installed this system and what are your thoughts.

[NMWildcat]

Most of my family lives in a rural area with no good wifi providers. They have all bought the system for their respective farms and even hunting cabins in the Gila. Two have the RV package where they can change locations. So far, the RV package is great but they haven't used them too much yet.
Everyone loves them so far. The signal strength does fluctuate at times but not enough to cause problems.
Easy to set up and coverage area is better than expected. My brother had problems with his house having a dead zone in it, we are assuming something in the construction of the house, but he bought a mesh device (like an extender) from Starlink. Problem solved.

[5picker]

I'm seeing more and more of these in the campgrounds we've visited on our trip south. (easy to spot the almost flat panel dish)

I've spoken to 4 people so far and they've all had this to say (almost all exactly the same)... "It works well if you have a clear view but will occasionally drop signal at times when the band of satellites are slim." "Do not mount permanently as the dish needs to be moved depending on the site/view." "It's not cheap but usually works where cell phones don't."

[jimspencer741]

Originally Posted by Canadian Eh

I am would like to know who has installed this system and what are your thoughts.

I know of 2 people with this system when it was basically brand new and they use it for their RVs. They like it other than occasionally it will drop signal. Pretty easy set up. Cost for it is HIGH though $599 for standard equipment plus the monthly charge of $135, also add $50 for shipping/handling and another $51.92 for sales tax. Also reports in November/December this year, speeds are dropping yet the prices are not. Also it is affected by weather: heavy rain, snow, ice, meaning no connection.

We ALMOST got it for us since our campgrounds wifi sucks (they say they are revamping it but we dont know when it will be completed nor how good it will be) BUT we instead got the T-Mobile Home Internet at $35 a month, no data caps and no throttle/speed caps. No charge for the device itself and no contracts, can turn it off/on when we want. Super easy to set up, no sat to install on RV roof or the ground or what have ya. Our speeds are around 75mpbs at 2 bars of signal on the device, if it where to have 4 bars (max) speeds would basically be more than double, up to 182mbps. We have 3 smart tvs, 2 smartphones, an ipad, 2 laptops and a new xbox all on the wifi and at any time during the day we probably have 3-4 devices using the wifi at the same time, with no issues.

Average speed of Starlink for RVs is 100mbps @ that high $135 per month cost where my T-Mobile Home Internet is 75mbps @ $35 a month lol

Also Starlink Residential users always have bandwidth priority over RV users when they are at their service address = Per Starlinkhardware.com 10-20-22

For us, T-Mobile was the way to go for speeds, costs, and ease of it.

[ependydad]

I have had Starlink (residential w/ portability) since April 2022. First while at our house in Orlando and then traveling up the east coast and now across the country (AL, AZ, CA, DE, FL, MI, NC, NJ, NM, OH, OK, PA, TN, TX, VA, WI, MN).

Like any other option, if you *need* internet, it cannot be your only source of internet. You need to have 2 or even 3 different options.

I was at one place in Lenoir, NC that had a perfect view of the sky but it had slow speeds and horrendously slow ping times. It was barely usable for some work and I had to keep the kids off of streaming while I did it. In OK, it was sporadically fast and then slow in 2 different places now.

I’ve been at multiple tree covered places that it didn’t work at all.

If you need to be VPN’d for work, it’s been very hit or miss for me. I find it has regular drop-outs every 15-60 minutes that throws me off of my work VPN.

I’ve also seen very very fast speeds with it.

It’s a great tool, but it’s not the be all, end all that we all would like it to be.

[pgandw]

Starlink - the good and the bad as I see it. We live in rural northeast North Carolina where previous options were Hughes and cellular hot spots. Without video streaming (DirectTV is the best we could do), we typically use 120GB/month between our Verizon hot spot and the AT&T service to our phones.

The good for Starlink:

• it's a lot better than the 4Mbps (both up and down) I see with my Verizon 4G LTE hot spot. There isn't any 5G in rural northeast North Carolina. Verizon is $90/month for 100GB before severe throttling (if you have other Verizon service it is cheaper).
• We have AT&T phones, but AT&T hot spots were unusable - I tried. Only my LG Android phone would stay locked on to the weak cellular signal as a hot spot - and could only service one computer. AT&T offered a max of 50GB before throttling.
• Starlink offered early "best effort" service 2 weeks ago until they have enough satellites/network for their residential service. Best effort means throttling during peak usage so that you cannot video stream. Standard residential service is supposed to be up and running about July 2023 at which time I will be automatically upgraded at same price (now $109/month, $600 for antenna and modem/router). I accepted the offer, the antenna arrived yesterday.
• I have the Gen 2 equipment, which is a rectangular dish, and a different modem/wireless router.
• Antenna dish can be easily disconnected and moved to a safer spot for hurricanes and the like.

The not so good:

• Starlink is/will be throttling unless you pony up more $$. Throttling settings for residential customers are still TBD, but provisions are in Starlink's specs and terms of service.
• The only place where I can get enough clear view of the sky without trees interfering is on my roof. You use your phone camera with Starlink app to survey the sky. So my antenna must go on house roof, which means a pro install for me due to steep and high roof.
• Regardless of antenna location, router goes inside. There is a 75ft cable to link and power antenna from router. A 150ft cable is available for extra $$. So you must drill a penetration big enough for the plug and then seal around the proprietary cable.
• The roof or pole mount is also extra $$, and you can't order any of these "extras" until your antenna kit is shipped.
• There are no instructions with the antenna. But there are good 3rd party videos on YouTube.
• Starlink modem/wireless router has no ethernet port - you can add an ethernet adapter for $20. The ethernet adapter is essential if you have ethernet wiring or want to use your own router. Starlink router is Wifi 5, most new consumer routers are up to Wifi 6.

Starlink looks like it's going to be a wonderful improvement for us, and once we have residential service will be able to drop DirectTV for streaming services. Have already dropped the Verizon hot spot.

From what I understand the Best Effort service is exactly the same as the RV service. In the RV scenario, the problem will be getting enough sky in view without trees interfering. This will be much easier in the West, which already has a higher satellite concentration, than in the Southeast.

Fred W

[Canadian Eh]

Thanks for the comments. We are looking at a trip east with areas that have no cell service. Our RV doesn't have a lot of interior space so I was looking at a permanent roof mount but after reading the comments I may look at trying to find a spot to store a portable dish.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Canadian Eh

Thanks for the comments. We are looking at a trip east with areas that have no cell service. Our RV doesn't have a lot of interior space so I was looking at a permanent roof mount but after reading the comments I may look at trying to find a spot to store a portable dish.

I would not permanently mount mine. I’ve used it on the front of the roof, back of the roof, and various spots in campsites depending on where trees/obstructions are.

[itat]

Canadian Eh, here is a link to a YouTuber from Campbell River, BC who has been using Starlink for a while on the west coast and down into Arizona while snowbirding. If you are looking at a trip to the Atlantic provinces you’ll need to see how much coverage you’ll have there.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lOMm7yWNA8Q&t=35s

I’m hearing exactly what Ependydad said, if you HAVE to have an internet connection, Starklink can be one of a few tools but it can’t be relied on as your only option. If you work remotely and need internet then you’d want to also have a mobile, multiple SIM router with SIM cards from more than one service provider but that’ll cost big $$$.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by itat

If you work remotely and need internet then you’d want to also have a mobile, multiple SIM router with SIM cards from more than one service provider but that’ll cost big $$$.

Honestly, in 5+ years of fulltime travel and fulltime 9-5, M-F work, I’ve been just fine without a multiple SIM router. They’re near and can be helpful, but not required.

[5picker]

X2 ependydad.

I do have Hotspots from TWO different major carriers and this has worked well.

Paired to my R/V router, my approach is similar to a dual SIM router except the small size of the Hotspot has allowed the flexibility of moving them about to get better connectivity. I even once had one taped on my wash brush handle, bungied to a fence post about 50' from the R/V and covered with a zip-lock bag. I had internet in that location when others did not.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Forest River Forums mobile app

[itat]

Originally Posted by ependydad

Honestly, in 5+ years of fulltime travel and fulltime 9-5, M-F work, I’ve been just fine without a multiple SIM router. They’re near and can be helpful, but not required.

Interesting. It’s great that you’ve been able to manage fine with a single provider. There’s probably a couple things contributing to that success. I recall you’ve said in the past that you don’t “camp” so you must stay near civilization most of the time. And I suspect that coverage in the US is more extensive than up here north of the border. Our experience has lead us to have cell phone plans from different carriers because no one carrier has full coverage every where we park the camper. At one of our favourite Provincial Parks my provider has good coverage - you can see the tower from the main beach - while my DW’s provider has no coverage at all. It’s been the opposite at another popular Provincial Park. So if we were to ever RV full time or most of the time, I’d want to invest in a multiple SIM router.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by itat

Interesting. It’s great that you’ve been able to manage fine with a single provider. There’s probably a couple things contributing to that success. I recall you’ve said in the past that you don’t “camp” so you must stay near civilization most of the time. And I suspect that coverage in the US is more extensive than up here north of the border. Our experience has lead us to have cell phone plans from different carriers because no one carrier has full coverage every where we park the camper. At one of our favourite Provincial Parks my provider has good coverage - you can see the tower from the main beach - while my DW’s provider has no coverage at all. It’s been the opposite at another popular Provincial Park. So if we were to ever RV full time or most of the time, I’d want to invest in a multiple SIM router.

Oh, I have all 4 providers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Starlink) we just use one at a time.

[itat]

Originally Posted by ependydad

Oh, I have all 4 providers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Starlink) we just use one at a time.

Ah! Got it. So the only thing you don’t have is the automatic switching or splitting the connection?

[pgandw]

Starlink installed at our house this morning - this is "best effort" in rural northeastern NC. Download using fast.com ranges from 50 to 200Mbps, up is pretty consistent around 15 Mbps. Had to have a rooftop install due to 100+ ft trees all over the property. A minimum of 2X better than Verizon hot spot and often 4X - and no throttling to useless.

Starlink coverage maps still show weakness over eastern NC, and that's reflected in the variability of the results.

Fred W

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by itat

Ah! Got it. So the only thing you don’t have is the automatic switching or splitting the connection?

Correct. I use a simple router and just plug whichever source I’m using at a particular campsite into it. All of my devices connect to that router. It’s just a basic home gaming router.

[aforder]

Originally Posted by Canadian Eh

I am would like to know who has installed this system and what are your thoughts.

Love, love, love! We live in southern Miss. During rain storms, we still have coverage. Our plan is unlimited. We have never been throttled back.

[Dcowley]

We got Starlink RV package and used it through New Mexico, AZ, NV [Lake Tahoe area] UT and Colorado last summer. My son-in-law had to hook up and work everyday. It was flawless just needed a clear shot to the sky. Mountains of both NM and Colorado were a great test as no cell phone service but our VOIP phones made and accepted calls also. Hope that helps.

[maxxtc]

Originally Posted by Canadian Eh

I am would like to know who has installed this system and what are your thoughts.

We initially installed this at the farm and used it until we got fiber to the house. I took it with me to the camper when we left and the first time it gave me a hiccup because I changed location but soon worked (I didn't have the RV service) and it worked all summer. I switched it to RV as I could pause it for the winter and save $. One thing I learned is the pause it one week before it's billed again in the month before you want it paused, otherwise they make you pay for the next month too.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by pgandw

Starlink modem/wireless router has no ethernet port - you can add an ethernet adapter for $20. The ethernet adapter is essential if you have ethernet wiring or want to use your own router. Starlink router is Wifi 5, most new consumer routers are up to Wifi 6.

Fred W

Given the bandwidth limitation of the satellite downlink, what difference does Wi-Fi 5 v. Wi-Fi 6 make? The only difference you might see is if you were doing bulk data transfers between local devices; e.g., backing up one computer to another.